kateee said:
Hi all! Landing next week
I'm trying to figure out importing the car and insurance. Since I cannot get Canadian insurance until I switch my license to Ontario, and then I can't drive the car under my US insurance under the Ontario license... Can I import the car using my US insurance (which covers canada) and then switch my license over, insure it and register it once imported? I called around to Canadian insurance companies and haven't been able to even get quoted bc I don't have an Ontario license. But I know driving the car in the US under a Canadian license and US insurance and plates would be a total no no.
So basically, can I import the car under my US license, insurance and registration??
Yes, Kateee. You can import your car to Canada using your US license and insurance. Once you have imported the car you know the drill with RIV and such, we've been over that part already
Get your license exchanged first, remember to bring your driving record from your home state to help facilitate a straight exchange with no restrictions. Get a letter from your insurance company which will help your insurance rates on this side of the border. Once you have your Canadian license, you can then follow through with getting your car registered.
Oh, get the RIV inspection done BEFORE you change your license!
That way you are still 'legal' with your insurance company in case anything happens. Once that first RIV inspection is done and such, you can park the car for the duration of the process if necessary because it doesn't have to go with you for the rest of it!
I have been wondering this myself. We have a car loan that won't be paid off for at least a year. It is legally under my Mom's name. I read you can not import a car while it has a lien on it. So we can't import it until it is paid off, correct? Can I still list of on my 'goods to follow' list and import it once it is paid off? Can anyone explain how this will work?
If I get COPR and land say August and the car is under my Mom's name and insurance until it is paid off next August, what happens? When I become PR I need to get a new licsense for Ontario right? How soon do I have to switch? And does anyone have experience with Canada ID and US car/ insurance? Once I can import it how so after do you need Canadian Insurance?
Katester,
You can not import your car until either A
The lien has been fully paid, or B
The company that holds the lien signs paperwork stating that it is ok for you to remove the car from the US. It is rare that they will do this as they have no recourse to repossess it if that becomes necessary, but it might be an option given that it is almost paid off, you would need to check.
Your car must be registered to YOU before you can export it. If your mothers name also appears on the title she would need to give you permission to remove the car as well because she is a co-owner. Your best bet would be as soon as the car is paid off and the lien holder releases it by either sending you the physical title or a letter that releases the title take it immediately to your local DMV, along with your mother and have the car put into your name only. This will take a few weeks to get the new title in the mail, however it will greatly ease your export/import process.
You aren't supposed to bring the car/drive the car in Canada after becoming a PR as they CAN give you a very difficult time because you are effectively a resident in another county and must get a new license. Once you have changed your license over, your insurance effectively no longer covers you as a driver or the car. You might consider trying to get that car paid over before landing as a PR if at all possible either via a personal loan or extra money if you have it.
