Auto Insurance Toronto

Frequently Asked Questions

1. QUESTION:
   What is the average premium of auto insurance in Toronto?
   How much do people in Toronto spend on their car insurance every month? I am moving to Toronto this summer, and I am having a second thought about taking my car with me since I will live by the campus. I only have an one year experience of driving. I know the premium depends on a lot of factors but I am only looking for an approximation or a price range. 0?200?300? Any suggestion of car insurance company?
   Thx, and I really appreciate your help!

   • ANSWER:
     Depends on your "rating", the car, and where it will be garaged.

2. QUESTION:
   What is the cheapest car insurance in Toronto, Canada for a female student w/out any prior auto insurance?
   I am 22 years old and have never had auto insurance b4. I do have the driver's certificate and currently have a G2. The basic coverage is fine as I will not be getting a new car. I'll be getting a 1998-2001 car not sure of the modell yet.

   • ANSWER:
     There are many factors that affect auto insurance rates, with the main facotr being the car. Here is a list provided by the Insurance Bureau of Canada, that lists all cars and how their risk factors compare to each other.

     http://www.ibc.ca/en/car_insurance/docum...

     In each category, 100 is the average rating, so if your car is rated 150, it is 50% above average, or 50 is 50 % below average. Lower numbers are more favorable.

     You can get free quotes at http://www.kanetix.ca , they compare all the companies in your area and then give you the 5 best prices!

     Hope that helps

3. QUESTION:
   Can someone suggest some really cheap auto insurance brokers or companies in the Toronto area ?
   My current one said 240 a month three weeks ago and now its 300 after I paid my first cheque and signed up. Petley Hare - they are crooks and liars. I just want to dump them and get another forget about the money - just use a months worth and get rid of them liars and crooks.

   • ANSWER:
     All the major car insurance companies claim to offer the cheapest rates and best service. However so many factors go into your car insurance rates, and companies do differ. They consider your driving record, age, location, credit, and many other details.

4. QUESTION:
   Where can i get best auto insurance quotes in toronto?

   • ANSWER:

5. QUESTION:
   Toronto, Canada Auto Insurance Sticker expire date?
   My auto insurance sticker says August 2007. My birthday is August 27th. Does my sticker expire August 1st, August 27th, or the end of August.

   • ANSWER:
     end of august

6. QUESTION:
   How much is auto insurance for a 17 year old (Toronto)?
   depending on the price range of insurance, i will be looking forward to buy a used car and i will probably use the car for less then 2 hours a day. I completed driving school about a year ago and i got my g2. So how much will insurance be a year for me?

   • ANSWER:
     Someone from Calgary telling you what they pay for insurance is as useful as someone from Hong Kong telling you what they pay for insurance, because neither of those figures are going to reflect what you're going to pay. There's still some information missing in order to give an accurate idea, however if you're not prepared to pay AT LEAST ,500 per year to insure even the crappiest vehicle at minimum coverages then you'd be better off waiting a few years.

7. QUESTION:
   Teen having major trouble getting auto insurance in Toronto, Canada?
   It was about 3 years ago today that I started to save up for the car of my dreams. I saved up, with MY money earned from working, not given to me by my parents, and i'm not some rich kid either.

   I call the insurance company and they quote me for 0.00 WTF?! What are my options? This is disgusting to be honest. HELP! (I live in TORONTO, CANADA)
   its 0 a month obviously!!!!!! come on people !

   • ANSWER:
     Holy crap thats robbery , not even worth driven , I always thought the insurance rates were when I was there a year ago , But that is too high....I payed 0 at the most , I know this sound harsh but try a different car like a Minivan LOL or something ...Thats a real chick magnet.....HA...Good luck...ren

8. QUESTION:
   i live in toronto. is it possible to take auto insurance for only one day in a month.?
   i live in toronto. is it possible to take auto insurance for only one day in a month (either in weekdays or weekends).
   can u plz tell those insurance company names.

   thank u

   • ANSWER:
     sure, rent a car.

9. QUESTION:
   Looking for a good auto insurance company in Toronto?
   Hi All,
   I have two vehicles. A Mazda 1998 mpv 4wd and a Mitsu Outlander 08'. I'm looking for a good auto insurance company for myself my son (teenager) and my wife. I have more then 15 years of driving experience, currently I'm with "The Personal" but the sad thing is that they don't allow one person to be a principal driver of more then one vehicle. Please suggest a good auto insurance company. Thank-you.

   P.S- I'm looking to buy insurance on mazda and mitsu for all of us.... Thanks.
   Oh, and I want to be the principal driver for both Vehicles, my son and wife being the casual drivers for both.
   Well, my record is crystal career so far, same with my son, and wife.... but I'm not only looking for cheap insurance I'm looking for insurance thats good overall.

   • ANSWER:
     Best way to find insurance is to just get an online insurance quote. This will compare all companies in Toronto and find you which companies offer the lowest prices. After you find the lowest price offered, you can call your preferred company and see if they will match the price you found. If they will not then just go with the cheapest company.

     You can get a free quote at http://www.auto-insurance-knowledge.com/auto-insurance-online-quote-canada.html

10. QUESTION:
    Auto Insurance Help in toronto.?
    I have been insured since 26th Jan 2008 to 26th Jan 2009. and then on Feb 2nd 2009 i cancelled my policy, coz i had no money that time.
    It's been almost 2 month i had no insurance.Now i got money and want to get insurance again.
    My question is should i tell insurance company that i havn't insured for 2 months.
    Does it really matters to companies if i havn't insured for a short term period.
    Thank you

    • ANSWER:
      For car insurance the quick way to get a free quote is do a car policy comparison. If you choose the same coverage levels, you can get an fast quote to compare against others. Use the same city/state, auto make/model, mileage and driving history to make sure you get an apples to apples comparison. To get easy auto quotes, go to http://www.autoadviceonline.com/Auto-Insurance-Quote.html and you can compare all the major auto insurance companies.

11. QUESTION:
    Why do we need auto insurance to drive? In many Asian countries its not legally required?
    Why is it a law here in North America to drive with insurance. The federal and provincial Insurance Bureaus regulate these policies and rates and rip people off. Sometimes I think insurance is another form of tax.

    You can always take someone to the court to claim damages. Why is it that auto insurance is MANDATORY, it should be optional.

    Here in Toronto, its so expensive.

    • ANSWER:
      Auto insurance is rather controversial. Some states will fine, take licenses and plates and even seize cars if you do not have it. As you say, in many asian countries (and even New Hampshire) it is not required. Several religions ban the purchase of insurance (Mennonites and Muslims ban the purchase of insurance). Even big parts of the insurance industry oppose this law (State Farm, for example).Insurance companies want to insure the safe drive but not the high risk. Several studies show an increase in welfare nrs due to mandatory auto insurance and poor people not being able to pay their rent (I assume the landlords are hurting financially also due to mandatory auto insurance laws.). I drive a 2,000$ vehicle so I am not going to be out 20,000$ if someone wrecks my pickup. I am a veteran so I will have my injuries taken care of. I think if someone drives a 20,000$ vehicle which they do not need and have no right to drive, they should protect it themselves. There are 30% driving without insurance in some areas and the law simply does not work. I don't mind it if a poor person who is a safe driver drives without insurance. I am more worried about the high risk driver who has insurance than those driving without insurance who are good drivers.

12. QUESTION:
    UK Auto Insurance, for a recent arrival from Canada?
    Hi,
    I moved to the UK as a company transfer from Toronto, Canada about 6 months ago. I'll be staying on for a few more years so am planning to buy a used automobile (BMW). Any tips and advice on getting the best insurance deal, for someone in my situation?
    I'm 39, male, have a clear record, and could get insurance papers from my prior Canadian insurer. I do plan to get a UK driving licence very soon, prior to my purchase date.

    Thank You!

    • ANSWER:
      The UK licence is really a must to get a lower insurance premium. It is going to be high though as you will start with no No Claims Bonus.
      Under normal circumstances your Canadian recod will count for nothing.
      My best tip is that you need to talk to a number of Car Insurance Brokers and given the full info they are the best to help you.

13. QUESTION:
    What would auto Insurance cost me?
    I am 16, live in Toronto. I am a male, and none of my parents have insurance so I will be on my own. I have an 88 avg in school. And I will look for a car with low insurance prices and that is safe.

    • ANSWER:
      Pick up your yellow pages and look up insurance. Depending on the size of your city...,.... you may have several pages to go through. I've found that a mutual insurance company can be the best at keeping your rates low.

14. QUESTION:
    Switching insurance company toronto - how will the new insurance company find about about my previous claims?
    Last year i was in a car accident in Toronto which was not my fault at all. The cop however wrote in his report that since there are conflicting stories from both parties, no charges have been laid. This means my insurance company bore the expenses of my car's repair and therefore increased my premium. I supposed this would be considered a "claim", even though there is not a single blip on my driving record and the accident shows as NO-FAULT

    I am switching over to a different auto insurance company now and when thye pull my record from ministry records they will not find any at-fault accident. If i do not tell them about my previous claim, how will they then find out about it?

    • ANSWER:
      All private auto insurer sends claims information to a company called CGI that runs a program called Autoplus. Any underwriter can request a copy of your claims history and the claim will pop up.
      If the accident is not your fault then why wouldn't you disclose it? It won't affect your rating.

15. QUESTION:
    I'm moving to Toronto. Where can I find information on regarding Driver License? Also is insurance expensive?
    Regarding auto insurance... What are typical coverages... How much do premiums usually cost compared to Los Angeles?

    • ANSWER:
      New Residents
      If you are a new resident in Ontario and have a valid driver's licence from another province, state or country, you can use it for up to 60 days after you move to Ontario. If you want to keep driving in Ontario, you must get an Ontario driver's licence. You must use your Ontario licence when you are issued one. New Ontario residents have 30 days before they have to register their vehicles and get Ontario licence plates and vehicle permit.

      Requirements for all driver's licence applicants:

      All applicants for an Ontario driver's licence are required to present a valid foreign driver's licence (if it is not in English or French, it is to be accompanied by a written translation from a qualified translator), pass a vision test and a written knowledge test regarding Ontario's traffic rules, pay all applicable fees, and provide acceptable proof of identity.
      Applicants who fulfil these requirements can obtain a G1 licence.
      All applicants must declare their driving experience on the driver's licence application form.
      Applicants are required to provide adequate proof of foreign driving experience. However, if that is not possible, the ministry will accept applicants' declaration of their foreign driving experience on the driver's licence application for up to a maximum of 12 months experience.
      This policy only applies to applicants for Class G licences.

      Where is insurance NOT expensive?

16. QUESTION:
    Inspection from the insurance company in Toronto?
    I am buying an insurance from belair direct insurance company. They were saying that I need to go get the inspection from nominated auto shop. In the quote, I wrote no modification but my friend told me that my car was lowered and has custom spring on it. Is the inspection for checking those modification stuff? Am I going to be ok to buy their insurance like this? Many thanks in advance!!

    • ANSWER:
      These inspections are mainly to see if there is any preexisting damage, however if a modification is readily apparent then it will go down on the inspection. Custom springs wouldn't be readily apparent. As for lowering it would depend on how far the vehicle was lowered.

17. QUESTION:
    Auto Insurance in Ontario?
    Hi,
    I just bought a used Toyota Tercel 1999.
    I am living in Toronto, Ontario, Canada
    I am wondering in anyone knows which auto insurance comapny is the best in terms of giving a good rate and give you least hassle about claims.

    all help is greatly appreciated.

    • ANSWER:
      For car insurance the easiest method to get a free quote is do a policy comparison. If you choose the same coverage levels, you can get an quick quote to compare against others. Use the same city/state, auto make and model, mileage and driving history to make sure you get accurate comparison. To get easy auto quotes, go to http://www.autoadviceonline.com/Auto-Insurance-Quote.html and you can compare the major auto insurance companies.

18. QUESTION:
    How does auto insurance work in Canada?
    I just recently moved to Calgary from Toronto and I really need a car. I'm really confused about the whole car insurance thing. I'm 21 years old with G2 license and I'm currently on a family plan with my parents and I pay only a 0 every month( my parents live in Toronto). I can't afford insurance on my own it's going to be very expensive.My question is can I still stick to the family plan that I have right now and buy/ rent a car in Calgary? I have no idea about how this whole insurance thing works.

    • ANSWER:
      You can rent a vehicle in Calgary all you like (it's bloody expensive though assuming you can find a rental company to rent to a 21 year old). You can also purchase a vehicle as well, however you will need to insure it in Alberta since: a) no insurer in Ontario is going to insure a vehicle registered outside of Ontario (never mind insure a vehicle on your parent's policy which is not in your parents' name) and b) Alberta Ministry of Transportation will not accept Ontario insurance as proof of insurance to plate a vehicle in Alberta. So either rent or use public transportation. BTW you're suppose to change your driver's license over to an Alberta license within 90 days of moving to Alberta.

19. QUESTION:
    looking for good auto insurance rate ontario, GAMBIT, NOFAIR PLEASE?
    i am new immigrant here in Toronto arrived march 2010, i am 40 yrs, married, got my G licence this week and also bought a honda oddessy 1995, but insurance , when i asked, is quite high, can any body sugest me where i can get good insurance rate, what things can help me get good rate,GAMBIT, NOFAIR PLEASE
    i really appologize GAMBAT, i saw this lady name from ur fan list, i am sorry, pl help answer my question.

    • ANSWER:
      What does "NOFAIR PLEASE" mean? If you're calling me out at least make sense.

20. QUESTION:
    auto insurance in bc?
    The company I work for is finally leasing me a vehicle they are in toronto and I am living in bc the lease is approved and now I am having a hard time insuring the vehicle. The company is liscensed in burnaby, surrey whiterock etcetc. but Icbc still is giving me a hard time.The truck was leased in BC and is through gmac my driving record is good I get the max discount if anyone knows what I need to do to insure the vehicle please let me know I will be the primary operator.
    thanks

    • ANSWER:
      You haven't said why you are having a hard time. Has ICBC said what the problem is?

      You are right, of course, ICBC is your ONLY vehicle insurance option in BC. Horrible is the word on them.

      I can only think to suggest talking to someone ELSE at ICBC --you may have just contacted a particular weirdo-- and talking to the lease company as they likely have experience with ICBC problems.

      Of course--auto insurance agents. Maybe you didn't talk to the right one. Call around to a few in yellow pages. Someone knows. Tell them as briefly as you can. If they don't 'get it,' try again.

      Sometimes one just gets a real dud making a mountain out of a mole hill. Even though one is a representative of a company it doesn't mean they will give you the RIGHT answers.

21. QUESTION:
    american car insurance while living in canada?
    i am an american citizen, living in toronto............can i have american auto insurance while living in canada?.........

    i have an ontario drivers license and ontario auto plates...........

    help me please........these canadian rates are outrageous

    • ANSWER:
      Maybe you could get a quote from insurers you get from yellow pages,. the internet, the TV, the radio.

22. QUESTION:
    How do you get a judge order to cancel insurance for an absentee spouse?
    My friend had her husband leave the continent indefinitely (I know, not good...). In order to take care of four kids, she really needs the 0/month that is being wasted on auto insurance given that he drove his car to Toronto from New Brunswick, parked it there and flew to China for at least 1 year.

    She determined that she requires a Judge's Order to cancel the insurance and mail the plates back to New Brunswick where she lives. She's asked me to get it done for her given that she lives so far away.

    Questions: 1) What is a Judge's Order?
    2) Where does a person typically go to get this done?
    3) What would the approximate cost be?

    Thanks for all your help on this.

    • ANSWER:
      stay out of this, because your friend has no clue what she is talking about even with a court order as long as she keeps paying insurance it will stay active. All she has to do is STOP PAYING. they will cancel his insurance in a heartbeat. A judge would never order her to stop payment. and even if you found an attorney its 350 bucks an hour, if she can afford that, its no longer about money is it? ersonally, I would keep my nose out of her buisness anyway your comment "my friend had her husband leve the continend indefinitly. ( I know not good ) sounds a lot weird, people leave the country for long periods of time everyday, life goes on.

23. QUESTION:
    Does anyone know a lawyer who can defend my case for an auto collision that was my fault?
    Hello - I am looking for a lawyer who can provide me a defense against a car accident I was involved in. It turned out I did not have insurance at the time of the accident. I need someone from Toronto preferably. There are a lot of lawyers who deal with the plaintiff only, I am the defendant in this case. Thanks so much for any assistance!!

    • ANSWER:
      You should look in the Yellow pages or whatever equivalent you have in Canada. In the USA there exist special referal services which can hook people up with an appropriate lawyer or attorney. Canada, which has a much more extensive social service program than the US has, most surely has such a referal service. As I'm not a Canadian, I'm not sure what the Canadian version of this lawyer referal service is called. You should search online like this "Legal Aid, Toronto" or "Legal Referal Service(s), Toronto (Canada) and you should quickly find what you need. But I'd bet 00 that Toronto has such a service! But even if they didn't, all you'd have to do is call a known attorney like out of the phone book, even if another type like a real estate attorney and ask "Do you know a good civil attorney who specializes in vehicle accidents? or Do you know of a Legal Aid or Referal Service in this area?" and I bet they'll have some good info for you. Lawyers refer each other all the time. My father was a defense attorney (criminal law) and just about all lawyers in his area just about belonged to the same golf club and knew each other! He wanted me to become a lawyer. Mom wanted me to become a doctor. I ended up a botanist, composer, writer and philosopher [interpreted usually as "bullshit artist".]

24. QUESTION:
    Is there a road side assist program in Canada for driving a 16`moving truck across? CAA and CTC have zilch?
    So this is a personal move, Toronto to BC and I need some assurance in case of breakdown since the truck is used, under 10 years old. It's a 14 or 16 foot diesel cube van and isn't covered by the RV outfits, my auto insurance, CAA, or crap tire. If I could I also might buy extended coverage for a mechanical failure, along with the tow I'd need in the middle of Saskatchewan or wherever. I'd really appreciate anyone's input and experience in this area as we sure can't afford ten grand plus to hire movers and we've already done all the packing ourselves. Probably will sell the truck out there when done. Thanks, Guy.

    • ANSWER:
      I work for a car rental company. What ever type of vehicle it is call a dealership and ask for there raodside assistance phone number. Call the number and ask them about travel packages you can buy

25. QUESTION:
    Selecting a 4-6 yr old used car in Toronto, Ontario canada?
    ok i have narrowed down my selection to following
    (Auto, Ac with around 130 -150 K km)

    1- toyota corolla 2003-2004
    2. Honda Civic 2001-2003
    3. Nissan Sentra 2001-2003
    4. Toyota ECHO 2002-2004

    pls advise me keeping in view the following factors

    a) Insurance
    b) gas consumption
    c) routine maintance expenses per year
    d) deprection per year

    i am planning to keep the car for atleast 10 yrs and want to put around 150-200 K km more.

    Budget 7000 - 9000 Cdn dollars
    oh one more option i also have in mind

    Toyota Matrix 2002-2003

    • ANSWER:
      out of that list honda would be your best bet. insurance would be higher than the others but thats a small amout the car will hold its value longer than the others. the toys are OK cars average at best. the nissan is outragous to work on the parts are insane and it just doesnt hold value.

26. QUESTION:
    Auto transport WITHIN CANADA?
    hi

    i need my car transported from Toronto to Vancouver next month.

    one of my friend who had a bad experience with an auto transport company strongly suggested me to take full pictures of my car and to buy insurance before handing the vehicle over to the company.

    Having listened to my friend's story - got me worried.

    Can anyone tell me a company with a good reputation?

    • ANSWER:
      Try Hansens
      they have moved some very exotic cars for me all over the place

      ph: 604-580-2777

27. QUESTION:
    HELP - Moving from Ontario to Manitoba in a month?
    I have been working on this for a long time now, and no insurance company is making it easy for me.

    Background info:
    -Currently live in Toronto
    -Currently under my parent's auto insurance, as a secondary driver on their car
    -Relocating to Manitoba mid-June
    -Have full G license
    -Don't have Manitoba license
    -No relatives in Manitoba (my gf has a relative there)
    -Want to buy a car asap to use for the month that I'm still in Toronto
    -Want to drive over to Manitoba (as a family road trip, then they fly back)

    Situation:
    -Don't want to sign a 6 month policy in Ontario then cancel it after a month (expensive due to penalties)
    -Tried calling Manitoba auto insurance companies, they won't cover me for the month that I'm in Ontario. They won't even sign me up for Manitoba insurance at all since I don't have Manitoba license
    -From my research (correct me if I'm wrong), Manitoba insurance is much cheaper than Ontario, so even though I found a company that will cover me for both Ontario and Manitoba, I don't want to sign up with them because they said they'll have to charge me the Ontario rate for the full 6 months.

    Any suggestions, or advice or recommendations about anything would be great.

    Also, if someone could explain how auto insurance works in Manitoba it'd be great, I don't exactly understand the whole autopac policy and insurance policy and the separate driver and vehicle insurance rate
    as seen here http://www.mpi.mb.ca/Irc/intro.asp?Lang=0

    Thanks!

    • ANSWER:
      Actually it isn't the lack of Manitoba licence that keeps you from getting Manitoba insurance, it is the fact you don't live in Manitoba yet. Once you have proof of residence, then you can get your licence and register and insure your vehicle, all at the same insurance broker.
      The driver insurance is on the driver licence, which means you have basic 0,000 liability coverage even if you don't have a vehicle, covers you if you happen to drive somebody else's vehicle and they don't tell you the insurance has been cancelled early. The insurance you get on the vehicle covers any properly licenced driver you give permission to, you don't have to list your girlfriend, for instance, as an occasional driver to let her drive once in a while.
      No Ontario company can sell you insurance for Manitoba. They can sell you insurance for Ontario, that is valid when your first move to Manitoba, to a maximum of 3 months.
      http://www.mpi.mb.ca/english/Insurance/new_leave/arriving_in_Manitoba.html

28. QUESTION:
    I'm going to take over a 3 years old Auto Mechanic,Auto Collision & Trade company. I seriously need Advices?
    Hi all, I really need advice how to run this business well. I in general know abit of everything how to maintain the business, but that's about it. I feel like i need to know alot more to make this a successful business. Here are some of my questions:
    1) I need to know all the licenses i need for a Mechanic shop+Body shop+ buy & sell cars. Would anyone please list from top to bottom all the legal things i need (from licenses to insurance ?)
    2) I really need to know how tax work for a business like this. A break down of all the business tax, income tax for my business & myself, pay roll,tax return. Because i know that knowing how tax work would save my business alot of money
    3) How much is a license mechanic usually cost ?how much should i offer (weekly pay ? hourly pay )? intership and such ? in case i need to change my mechanic( inadequate mechanic or they don't listen...).
    4) How should i plan out my garage such as shelving ? inventory ? office ? lock up expensive tools ?
    5) How/ Where should i advertise to get more customers ? How should i make sure customers are satisfied and keep coming back and refer more customers ?
    6) I'm planning to do the mechanic license so at least i can do extra business after hour or just in case. Should i get into car repair first ?or body work ? or any other advice ?
    ****Any other advices to make things better ? I want this to be my lifelong business and want to be successful with this and willing to work 24/7 toward it. So please help me out, give me advice, point me to the right directions. Thanks alot and this would literally change my life.
    NOTE: I live and the business locate in Toronto Ontario Canada.

    • ANSWER:
      1 you need a competent business attorney to advise you here.Laws may vary locally and by province. #2 you need an accountant. you are right on the money about the tax thing. He should also look at the books for this business and give you a run down on where the business is at financially #3 go around to various shops and ask to speak to the owners and tell them you are just starting out and ask for advice.#4 be sure the shop owns any tools that you absolutely cannot be without. this way if a mechanic quits you are not caught short when they take their tools with them. Organize things so that with a quick glance you can see if anything is missing/not put away. Other wise take Ted Turners advice-Early to bed early to rise work like hell and advertise advertise advertise. Good luck and do not go cheap on insurance coverage. No one ever said I wish I had had less insurance.

29. QUESTION:
    Im a new landing immigrant in Canada and i got a G driving licence, what is the best way to get a low auto-ins?
    Hi,
    Im new here in Toronto, ON, Canada, as a permanent resident. (landed in Canada 10 months ago)
    i got my Full G driving Licence last August 2010, after 3 months of my arrival, - as i was holding a drivers licence from another country and they allowed my to go straight away to G test and i passed it-.

    Now im looking to buy or lease a new car, but the problem is the insurance companies asking a lot of money (almost 3 times the monthly payment of the car),
    For instance a got a quote for a 1.8 cc Japanese car, 2010, brand new, for almost a 0 per month, (After adding the tax and all other costs, with a down payment), which is good, but the insurance quotes i got were in the range of ,000 to ,000 per year!!!!!!!!

    Is this a normal price!!!! And what is the best way to get a good insurance quote??

    • ANSWER:

30. QUESTION:
    windsor / ontario canada labor day weekend?
    US Citizen considering trying to take a short holiday to Windsor Ontario Canada / might drive to Toronto .

    questions
    1) do you need any extra insurance to meet any canadian driving laws ?
    2) is allstate auto policy valid there ?

    • ANSWER:
      You shouldn't need any additional insurance. I used to live in Detroit and drove there all the time without any problems. Most auto insurances will cover you in Canada, but you should call Allstate to check on your specific policy. Some companies will issue a separate certificate of coverage specifically valid for Canada which might make things easier if you get pulled over.

31. QUESTION:
    Good morning. Some information and a question for you.?
    One of the biggest debates the we continually have here on this forum is National Health Care. I'm finding more and more information with regards to other countries who have this and how it's failing.

    Here are some excerpts and a link:
    Who's Really 'Sicko'

    In Canada, dogs can get a hip replacement in under a week. Humans can wait two to three years

    "I haven't seen 'Sicko,' " says Avril Allen about the new Michael Moore documentary, which advocates socialized medicine for the United States. The film, which has been widely viewed on the Internet, and which will officially open in the U.S. and Canada on Friday, has been getting rave reviews. But Ms. Allen, a lawyer, has no plans to watch it. She's just too busy preparing to file suit against Ontario's provincial government about its health-care system next month.

    Her client, Lindsay McCreith, would have had to wait for four months just to get an MRI, and then months more to see a neurologist for his malignant brain tumor. Instead, frustrated and ill, the retired auto-body shop owner traveled to Buffalo, N.Y., for a lifesaving surgery. Now he's suing for the right to opt out of Canada's government-run health care, which he considers dangerous. Ms. Allen figures the lawsuit has a fighting chance: In 2005, the Supreme Court of Canada ruled that "access to wait lists is not access to health care," striking down key Quebec laws that prohibited private medicine and private health insurance.

    In the U.S., 83 House Democrats voted for a bill in 1993 calling for single-payer health care. That idea collapsed with HillaryCare and since then has existed on the fringes of the debate--winning praise from academics and pressure groups, but remaining largely out of the political discussion. Mr. Moore's documentary intends to change that, exposing millions to his argument that American health care is sick and socialized medicine is the cure.

    It's not simply that Mr. Moore is wrong. His grand tour of public health care systems misses the big story: While he prescribes socialism, market-oriented reforms are percolating in cities from Stockholm to Saskatoon. Mr. Moore goes to London, Ontario, where he notes that not a single patient has waited in the hospital emergency room more than 45 minutes. "It's a fabulous system," a woman explains. In Britain, he tours a hospital where patients marvel at their free care. A patient's husband explains: "It's not America." Humorously, Mr. Moore finds a cashier dispensing money to patients (for transportation). In France, a doctor explains the success of the health-care system with the old Marxist axiom: "You pay according to your means, and you receive according to your needs." It's compelling material--I know because, born and raised in Canada, I used to believe in government-run health care. Then I was mugged by reality.

    Consider, for instance, Mr. Moore's claim that ERs don't overcrowd in Canada. A Canadian government study recently found that only about half of patients are treated in a timely manner, as defined by local medical and hospital associations. "The research merely confirms anecdotal reports of interminable waits," reported a national newspaper. While people in rural areas seem to fare better, Toronto patients receive care in four hours on average; one in 10 patients waits more than a dozen hours.

    This problem hit close to home last year: A relative, living in Winnipeg, nearly died of a strangulated bowel while lying on a stretcher for five hours, writhing in pain. To get the needed ultrasound, he was sent by ambulance to another hospital.

    In Britain, the Department of Health recently acknowledged that one in eight patients wait more than a year for surgery. Around the time Mr. Moore was putting the finishing touches on his documentary, a hospital in Sutton Coldfield announced its new money-saving linen policy: Housekeeping will no longer change the bed sheets between patients, just turn them over. France's system failed so spectacularly in the summer heat of 2003 that 13,000 people died, largely of dehydration. Hospitals stopped answering the phones and ambulance attendants told people to fend for themselves.

    http://socglory.blogspot.com/

    Seriously, folks... Is THIS what we want for our country? A system that is failing elsewhere?
    There have to be other alternatives, don't you think?
    There is no doubt that our system has many flaws, but good grief, I can't begin to imagine it being improved under government control. I'm merely stating that there have to be other alternatives.

    • ANSWER:
      The problem is that the status quo is not working. Personally, I've seen my insurance premium and co-pays go up every year, while the service level has dropped. Like or dislike Moore's position regarding socialized healthcare, he does have a MAJOR point here that the system is broken and may be beyond repair. The question is what do we do to fix it. I was talking to a Dr. about the movie the other day and he told me that one of the major reasons insurance costs continue to rise is that there are 45 million uninsured who's medical costs must be absorbed by those of us with insurance. Every bill that a hospital or Dr.'s office cannot collect on forces them to raise prices to offset the loss. Another area that needs to be looked at is malpractice suits. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out that there are an aweful lot of predatory law firms out there who make a living off of suing doctors and hostpitals, while their clients are used as pawns. This drives the cost of malpractice insurance up and puts good doctors out of business. I'm a liberal, but I have to say that I agree with the concept of Tort reform to some degree.
      Another issues is the fact that HMO's and Managed Care companies force doctors to see MORE patients than they should and cut corners. Since they negotiate service costs with the providers... providers must see more traffic to pay bills. This is not a desireable scenario when it comes to working with public health.
      I don't know if full socialized medicine is the answer... maybe there should be a system that allows people to opt out for private if they wish. I still feel that there are a few industries in this country that should not be 'for profit'. And healthcare is one of them.

32. QUESTION:
    I'm moving to Toronto. Where can I find information on regarding Driver License? Also is insurance expensive?
    Regarding auto insurance... What are typical coverages... How much do premiums usually cost compared to Los Angeles?

    • ANSWER:
      Ministry of Transportation. See link below