Car Insurance for International Drivers in Canada

Are you thinking about taking a several month, or even year-long trip to a foreign country? Have you been thinking about packing your bags and moving to a new, exciting place?

If so, then Canada should be at the top of your destination list. Canada is a fantastic country filled with unique attractions, like the CN Tower and beautiful areas to explore. It would take multiple lifetimes to experience everything that this gorgeous country has to offer.

But, as you likely know, Canada is a pretty big country (the second largest in the world, to be precise). So, if you want to travel from place to place without relying on public transportation, you’re going to need a vehicle and valid car insurance. 

This brings us to today’s topic — finding the best car insurance for international drivers in Canada.

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Do international drivers need to have car insurance in Canada?

Yes, international drivers need to have valid auto insurance and a driver’s license (more on that below) to operate a motor vehicle in Canada.

Driving without insurance is a serious offence, even if you’re an international driver. For instance, , first-time offenders have to pay a fee ranging from $5,000 to $25,000 for driving without insurance.

With this in mind, it’s clear that you need to do your research before getting behind the wheel in Canada.

How do you get car insurance for foreign drivers in Canada?

In some cases, you may be able to use your car insurance from your home country while driving in Canada. Please speak with your auto insurance provider or a broker in your home country to find out if you can use your current coverage in Canada.

If your current auto insurance provider doesn’t cover you while you’re in Canada, you have to get a Canadian driver’s license. Most car insurance carriers in Canada require international drivers to obtain a Canadian driver's licence before renewing or obtaining a policy.

Get a Canadian driver’s license

If you are immigrating from one of the following countries, you can legally exchange your driver’s license for a Canadian driver’s license:

• United States
• Japan
• Austria
• Korea
• Belgium
• Switzerland
• France
• Germany
• United Kingdom

You may be required to complete a brief vision test or written exam, depending on the province that you are immigrating to. 

If you are not from one of the countries listed above or don’t have a driver’s license in your home country, you’ll need to go through the same process as other drivers in the province.

What documents do you need to provide in order to get car insurance as a foreigner in Canada?

As a foreigner in Canada, you'll be require to provide the following information in order to purchase car insurance in Canada:

• Make, model, registration number, etc. of vehicle that you intend to insure
• Driver's licence number (of everyone in the household that uses the vehicle)
• Any applicable driving safety certificates that you've earned within the past three years

In some cases, you can also submit your driving history (if verified) to obtain better rates. Please speak with your Surex insurance advisor for more information.

Do you need to get an international license Ontario?

If you’re planning on immigrating to Ontario and would like to drive a vehicle, you will need to go through their province-specific graduated licensing program.

Technically, you can obtain car insurance as a G2 driver, but you will likely have to pay more for coverage. Instead, we suggest waiting until you get your G-class license in Ontario.

Please note that licensing system requirements and processes vary from province to province. 

How much does international car insurance cost in Canada?

The cost of your international auto insurance coverage is influenced by a number of factors, some of which include:

• Age of the international driver
• The international driver’s insurance history
• The international driver’s on-road experience
• The location that you’re travelling or moving to

Because of how individualized these factors are, it’s extremely rare for two drivers to pay the same amount for auto insurance in Canada.

We can say that car insurance is often more expensive for immigrants, especially if they cannot prove their driving history.

Car insurance doesn’t have to be expensive

Finding the right car insurance policy is difficult enough as it is; why make it harder on yourself by doing it alone?

At Surex, we’re always happy to help you find and save on top-quality car insurance in Canada. Our team of insurance advisors (our preferred term for insurance brokers) has years’ worth of industry experience and expertise, allowing them to tackle any question or problem that you throw their way.

Contact one of our fantastic team members today to receive up to ten personalized car insurance quotes in ten minutes or less (the number of quotes varies from province to province) and learn how you can save up to 25% on your coverage by bundling your policies with one of our providers.

How long can you get car insurance for as a foreigner?

If you’re planning on immigrating to Canada (and have completed the necessary requirements), then you can shop for car insurance with any provider that you’d like for as long as you’d like. In most cases, you’ll have to renew your auto insurance policy once a year (some drivers need to renew their policy every six months).

If you’re planning on visiting Canada for an extended period of time, then you can shop around for short-term coverage. We suggest getting one year’s worth of coverage (just to be safe). However, if you don’t think you’ll be in the Great White North for an entire year, you can chat with an advisor about short-term car insurance that lasts for six months.

Want to learn more?

If you’d like to learn more about getting car insurance as an international driver, don’t hesitate to start a conversation with a Surex insurance advisor. We’re always happy to answer your questions and guide you towards the right product for you.

 

*Please note that certain provinces, like Ontario, do not accept international licenses, whereas other provinces, like Alberta, allow drivers to exchange their licenses under certain circumstances. Speak with your Surex insurance advisor to learn more.*