Stinky is the name, I'm interested in mini-trucks, especially the Subaru Sambar Dias microvan but am spooked about insurance. Can anyone with local knowledge and experience chime in about about it? I'm over 40 and have two other cars insured, been with the same shop for years. (Not that I think that will necessarily do me any favours.) Many thanks.
Insurance is an issue, seemingly especially if you are adding a RHD vehicle to your policy. Apparently you can still get commercial coverage (register it to a small business of some sort). I also think you can still get specialty insurance (Haggardy or Silverwheels), but it does come with restrictions. I have mine with Desjardin, but it took me 6 months (a year ago), and a lot of hassle, and they only agreed to cover me because I had started the application before they changed to a no RHD policy. They also told me that they would be dropping my coverage after a year. Surprisingly, they did renew my coverage earlier this month, no questions asked, thank you. I'm not sure what some of the other inmates here are doing for their trucks. Maybe someone else has some other suggestions. Or you could always move to BC.
I've been insured with Dominion of Canada for 3 years now... check with Rightdrive.ca in Toronto..they have lots of info on coverage
Fupa, I talked to Rightdrive last year when I was having problems with insurance, and they told me not to bother them as they had no info on insurance
Hey Packrat and Fupa, thanks a lot for the replies and the info. I may be able to go down the road of commercial coverage, my wife is a small business owner. That's great information. Yup - been in touch with Rightdrive and am hoping to stop in and have a conversation with them and check out some vehicles. I'll have to make some calls to see if I can confirm coverage before making any deals and am probably a few months away from getting into a micro. This makes it seem like it may be quite doable, after reading the insurance in Ontario thread I was fairly discouraged. One more reason to move to BC!
... I'm in the same boat as fupa. Except, that my importer originally pulled a fast one. He set it up as something else on the ownership; like a jimny. I won't get into details but, we have never discussed RHD issues, nor, have they ever asked to see the truck. They did ask for a copy of the original importer paperwork after 2years, cu'z "we don't like the VIN number". So what, I says...."the VIN on the truck, matches the VIN on the paperwork". AND I provided them with a digital picture of the wheel-well stamping of said VIN number...:sly: Never heard BOO, back....4 years, or whatever...700ish/year (PL-PD). Don't care. My experience with insurance, auto, home, life; if the sh!t hits the fan...you'll have to sue anyways. I'll I need is the pink slip, that says I'm "legal" (binder) to operate the vehicle legally; VIN on slip = VIN on truck. That'll hold up in any court in North America. The other side of the equation is, that any vehicle in North America, MAY, be insured for use, for operation. Do you have an ownership? Passed a safety in 90; emissions testing, for some regions. In Ontario, this is called "Facility-Insurance". The fee may be outrageous, but you have coverage; as guaranteed, under law. You may have 5 convictions, and drive a 62...but you MAY, get insurance. As long as the rest of the bureaucracy has been met, or exceeded; it's imposed, by law. Just limited by how much money you have. Get that, and then work UP, from there. The commercial issue is not an avenue that you want to pursue. You CAN, but it's not required. In Ontario, Insurance brokers work and run, off computer programs. Vehicles are listed under a few different available types. 1) Not listed. 2) Required Private Only. 3) Required Private, or, Commercial. 4) Required Commercial Only. It's all just a big game. My P-30, could only be registered for ownership, in Ontario, as Commercial (by decree, of the computers). No, I don't have a business, but I own this vehicle. So, as far as the bureaucracy is concerned, my NAME is the business, and the ownership... OK, I says, It's registered to me, cu'z I own it. The insurance; the same. A commercial vehicle can not be insured, under private insurance. So, I had to go Facility; with "NORDIC", I can drive the truck, but man, It costs just about more for the insurance, than it does for the gas...op: Go with an insurance "group", a "broker", call it what you will... They will find that 'niche" that you need... I personally "flip" coverage between PL-PD and Fire&Theft, over three vehicles, and four seasons. I drive one thing at a time, and insure three... It's all just a big game man, figure it out... AND, stop complaining like a little girl... "I've been RAPED, by the..." YEA, get used to it, then move ON... I don't really care about your lost virginity. Complain to da gubment...see how far dat gets you... ...
Hi guys, I can only speak for RightDrive. I got my mini there and the whole experience was a pretty good one. I was pretty worried about insurance too, but they guaranteed I would get coverage and when I picked up the truck everything was all set. Insurance is pretty cheap too which is nice. It went very smooth. Hopefully that helps. If you have any other questions about RightDrive, feel free to message me. Good luck. Ryan
Spaner, Dean: Thanks for the replies. I appreciate them both, for slightly different reasons.. Spaner's because it made me think a bit more about what a racket insurance is, and how to play the game, and then Dean's because I'm in Toronto and thinking about RightDrive specifically to source a vehicle. It stands to reason they'd be as helpful as possible if it's tied to a business interest. Dean, that truck of yours is sick - so clean. Congrats man. Right now I'm having a hard time taking my eyes off this.... The mileage is a little high for the price I think, but it looks pretty clean as well, though I might be better off with a manual tranny. After doing a ton of reading I've decided I want a Subaru Dias with as much jack I can get for stock, (I think that means 660cc Supercharged 4), either a Dias Classic or with the VW body kit. Although, after reading about over heating issues with the VW kit, I'm thinking about that as well. http://www.rightdrive.ca/inventory_cars/view/388 Went to see a buddy in Brantford today and pulled up behind a Sambar truck. Made me smile.
I checked with my agent (State Farm) and all they wanted was an emailed picture and they had to call head office. I could start driving right away with no other questions. I have delt with them for years and my business, house and wife's car are with them too so I guess that helps. My GMC Canyon was $85 a month and my Sambar is $58. Never sweat the small stuff. Rob
