Newcomers to Canada can face costly roadblocks getting auto insurance
Global News
After moving to Canada in 2021, Farshad Barzegar is speaking out about insurance companies not accepting out-of-country or international driving histories.
A relative newcomer to Canada is questioning the fairness of the automobile insurance structure , saying his driving history was not honoured.
Farshad Barzegar moved to Canada in 2021. He quickly realized he couldn’t live without a vehicle, so he bought one. He then sought out auto insurance coverage and that’s when he said the problems started.
“I tried to get insurance and then I find that they don’t accept foreigner driving history,” he said.
The 34-year-old man was shocked, especially since he had been driving for the previous 16 years in Iran and South Africa. He also said he couldn’t find any such policy on TD Insurance’s website.
“On the website, when you try to apply, they don’t say anything about the driving history must be from America or Canada.”
Barzegar said he only found out when he called TD to confirm he was in fact covered.
“When I contact them for finalizing the bill they say, ‘Oh no. We don’t accept that. You should put exactly the date you got your driving licence in Canada.’”
When he did, his said his premium jumped from an estimated $70/month to $200+.