Ontario Insurance, let the fun begin!

well, just an update. Desjardin told me when I finally got insurance from them last year, that it was only for one year, period! Well, the year was up yesterday, and apparently they had a change of heart (doubtful), or they forgot about me, and let it slide. As far as I know, my policy was renewed, and with a 15%discount to boot. I'll just stay quiet about it....

 

glad to hear you got it.

I received my renewal a few weeks back as well. 3rd year in a row. I think the fear of being dropped was exaggerated by us and missrepresented by the brokerages. It's utter nonsense anyway. I am a much safer driver in my mini.

 

Sorry it's taken so long to post this, I must have been in shock. Got a call from an insurance company back on December 3. They said I had requested a quote for car insurance from them back IN FEBRUARY. Told them if they don't cover rhd vehicles then they are wasting my time.

 

In Ontario, researching kei trucks and microvans and getting stoked about picking up a Subaru Sambar and then this.... I hate to say it but this sounds like a game killer.

 

I'm on my 3rd year with Desjardins as well, the renewal just comes in the mail. They've pocketed $7000 from me already with zero claims, here's to many more.

 

Don't mention that it's a RHD import, that will red-flag them and get them saying 'no' before they understand what you want. "RHD" translates to "I'm a teenager who watched too much Fast and Furious and need a 300 HP Supra so I can street race with my bros". Don't lie if they ask, just don't bring it up.

Give them details that describe how small and under-powered these vehicles are, like it's 0.6L engine producing 54 HP (or 64 if you get a supercharged version). Draw comparisons like calling it a "smart car with a truck bed off the back". You can mention that it's imported from Japan (and will probably have to when they ask for the VIN, since it won't match the number of characters we use).

Definitely talk to your insurance agent/company before hand though. If you can, send them some pictures of it. Even if they can see that's it's a RHD vehicle, they should be able to see by that point that it's not a budget street rocket. I've attached some pictures I took of my Sambar that you could use as an example, comparing its size to a Smart car, a sedan, "normal" truck, and a van (it's taller than the Smart, but narrower and lighter weight).



If all that fails, move out west!

 

Has anyone tried insuring as a kit car? Stick a VW symbol on the grill. Say its a replica of a 1970 ish vw rabbit truck.... LOL

 

I'm running into trouble guys, I'm getting $6,000 a year, or a big fat no, thinking of threatening to report them to the Registered Insurance Brokers of Ontario, because they can get slapped with a huge fine, and lose their brokerage license.

I'm 24, with a G2, and 1 minor ticket, my wife has been trying to get quotes on her behalf, as if it's her truck, and she has zero tickets, and still nothing.

 

not sure what to say, I had mine renewed after being told it wouldn't be (Desjardin). Try asking some of the Ontario dealers who they deal with, or hopefully someone else on here has some ideas, because there has been recent purchasers and they seem to have gotten coverage. It has definitely become an issue here in Ontario. Good luck in your search

 

I've looking on other forums, such as RX7 forum and JDMvip, sounds like lots of people are running into big issues with RHD insurance.

I found a really helpful post though, you basically have to bully the insurance company into giving you insurance.

My wife is looking for quotes while I'm at work, so I think she may be too nice to get stern with them on the phone, and tell them what's what.

 

I don't know anything about insurance other than it is a racket,but I live in California and when I bought my street legal Hijet the only company that would even talk was Progressive Insurance and they only provide minimal liability coverage and only for me.My regular insurance agent,who I've dealt with for 30 years,tried every thing he knew to no avail so I'm stuck with this outfit for nearly $600 a year.I don't know if Progressive does business in Canada or if the rules are the same but if so you might try them.
I never thought I'd recommend a pinko commie outfit like them but that's what minnie truck addiction will do to you.

 

I found some very reasonable insurance, only "issue" is that they only do business insurance... but it's only $96/m full coverage, for me... Under 25, had my G2 since Monday

 

Who did you find insurance with in Ontario?

 

Call/E-Mail Right Drive, ask them about it, not sure if I am supposed to be giving out the info or not.

 

Why were you sworn to secrecy? Only Right Drive customers need know? Is there a secret hand shake, decoder ring, etc?

 

I've read a lot of posts that basically go as follows..

Dude posts insurance and person to talk to directly.
A few people get insured by that person.
Then that person no longer works there or the company has stopped insuring RHD vehicles.

I bought my truck privately by the way, contacted many insurance companies.

 

well i thought i'd weigh into this debate a bit. i'm just inches away from picking up a suzuki carry and i'm having a hell of a time trying to find insurance. i had only one broker able to find some kind of coverage but it's under something called facilities. ultimately what that means is that they consider my 17 year spotless driving record to be moot and consider me the equivalent of a 16 year old who bought an 1800cc suzuki m109 boulevard. which i would buy in a heart beat btw. so they said it'd be 2500/year which is more than both of my cars and my house combined... i'm going to give the guys at right hand a call tomorrow. see what pans out.

 

Has anyone had any luck with insurance in Ontario since these last posts? I have been looking and calling like crazy. Only company I found is Facility for significantly more money than insuring my brand new F150.

 

I know this post is quite old, but now Right Drive in Vaughan insures RHD vehicles. I'm not sure how it works as I am still with State Farm, but They work with an insurance company and from what I hear the rates are quite reasonable.

 

Apparently they have a "RH club" to which you belong, and are entitled to some sort of group insurance. But in dealing with RH Drive for parts, they said that their deal was reasonable. So far my coverage hasn't been dropped, so I haven't looked into it any further. At least we have an option again.

 

Im in the same boat as you @packrat but I think my days are numbered. I asked State Farm for a quote of a RHD Defender I am importing and they said they wouldnt do it and that as soon as someone figured out Im currently driving a RHD Sambar they would not renew. Good to know there is an option in the future.

 

I have read about rhd insurance in Ontario. Threads of how they claim they insure country wide and take your money only for the person to find out its not true and a refund basically like pulling hens teeth. Proceed cautiously I would suggest.

 

Mitchell & Whale in Ontario for insurance. Kinda pricey, but they do offer insurance for rhd vehicles. (At least at the moment.)
Otherwise, contact a few Brokers. There are companies out there that will insure, but of course to get discounts, you need to move some more business their way.