08-26-2010, 12:49 AM
So i am visiting for 6months. i hear my car insurance is only good for 30days their. does that apply to the 6month visit? do i have to become a PR or cit. to get car insurance in canada?
08-26-2010, 12:49 AM
08-26-2010, 02:54 AM
Hi
I suggest you talk to your insurer, as a visitor you can't import nor register a foreign plated vehicle. It has to be registered in the province to ensure. So I believe whoever told you that is mistaken.
(08-26-2010 12:49 AM)neodeadhead Wrote: [ -> ]So i am visiting for 6months. i hear my car insurance is only good for 30days their. does that apply to the 6month visit? do i have to become a PR or cit. to get car insurance in canada?
I suggest you talk to your insurer, as a visitor you can't import nor register a foreign plated vehicle. It has to be registered in the province to ensure. So I believe whoever told you that is mistaken.
08-26-2010, 10:08 AM
what i mean is do i have to register it in canada if im doing the 6month stay?
08-26-2010, 01:51 PM
(08-26-2010 10:08 AM)neodeadhead Wrote: [ -> ]what i mean is do i have to register it in canada if im doing the 6month stay?
No.
There is a lot of gray area here but basically, if you just keep your American insurance valid and keep your registration and license valid you are ok.
Remember you are only visiting Canada. If you were moving to Canada to stay and wanted to bring your car you would have to import it and then perhaps that 30 day thing would apply.
Im not 100 percent sure about all the details but I'll just tell you that I came to Canada as a "visitor" in the beginning of 2009 and I'm still here with my car. My insurance is still valid and everything else is up to date. I was even pulled over a while back and the cop had no problem with my insurance info or anything.
I think technically you are supposed to get a special document from you insurance company, a temporary international insurance credential. I actually got one that was valid for 30 days before i came, just in case the border guard asked about it. But he didnt, and I let the thing expire and Ive had no problem. Lots of people dont even get those and I've never heard of anyone having a problem with thier insurance companies.
If you are nervous at all about it jsut call your insurance company and see what they say.
As far as Canada is concerned, all they care about is if you have a valid registration, license and insurance.
08-26-2010, 05:41 PM
thanks a bunch rene' :)
08-26-2010, 10:51 PM
Be careful, actually, calling your insurance company. I've heard of people who told their insurers that they were staying in Canada on an extended visit and their policy got canceled over it.
I also had my vehicle here for quite some time without having PR status. I kept it registered and insured in the States, at my Mom's address (which had been my last address before I came here) and when it was totaled in an accident - even though the accident was in Canada - the insurance company paid the loss. They were actually really good to us - even honoured the part of the policy that provided a replacement vehicle for 30 days or however long it was.
You have to remember, though, that you need to keep your US drivers' license in order to maintain your insurance. If you try to get a Provincial licence (at least in Ontario) they make you give up your US one. When my car was finally gone, I was able to get my Ontario DL and get insured here so I could drive the Ontario registered and insured car we bought to replace mine.
I also had my vehicle here for quite some time without having PR status. I kept it registered and insured in the States, at my Mom's address (which had been my last address before I came here) and when it was totaled in an accident - even though the accident was in Canada - the insurance company paid the loss. They were actually really good to us - even honoured the part of the policy that provided a replacement vehicle for 30 days or however long it was.
You have to remember, though, that you need to keep your US drivers' license in order to maintain your insurance. If you try to get a Provincial licence (at least in Ontario) they make you give up your US one. When my car was finally gone, I was able to get my Ontario DL and get insured here so I could drive the Ontario registered and insured car we bought to replace mine.