Can You Get Temporary Car Insurance?

Temporary car insurance is the solution for drivers who need to be insured for less than the standard one-year length. The policy can last for days, weeks, or even a few months.

For example, you may need short-term insurance when you are switching policies or need to rent a vehicle for a trip.

If you are a driver seeking temporary coverage for Ontario car insurance, options are quite limited. Currently, you cannot purchase short-term policies in the province. Standard one-year policies are the most common type being offered, and the shortest term is six months.

As driving needs change, one might wonder, what if someone needs a car only for their weekly grocery trip, or a friend needs to borrow it?

The only alternative for those searching for short-term solution is the pay-as-you-go insurance. A great solution is CAA MyPace, which uses a plugged device to track your mileage and adjust your rate based on how often you drive and how many kilometres. It has been approved by the FSCO, under the conditions that insurers are accountable for how data is collected and used to offer specific discounts.

Depending on your policy type, you will have various options. Always check with the provider about what exactly is covered and hold on to any documentation. It may cover the following areas:

• Liability
• Comprehensive and collision
• Uninsured and underinsured motorists
• Medical expenses
• Towing

Temporary insurance may be required in a number of situations. Some of the most common include:

• A student home from school for the summer.
• For a seasonal, hobby, or classic car or motorcycle you use sparingly.
• When buying used a car.
• If you are selling a car.
• When you transfer vehicle ownership.
• If you have borrowed a vehicle for a short period of time.
• Vehicles you use for road trips, such as an RV.

Insurers are looking into alternatives to help the needs of new consumers entering the marketplace. They also bring a new relationship with vehicles – they seek functionality and ease of use while still being protected if there is an accident. Will the demand for temporary insurance shift current regulations?

In the provinces where it's available, temporary insurance costs will vary. Be sure to work with an expert to compare prices and options in your province. Like all car insurance, costs vary from driver to driver. Your automobile, location, age, driving history and other factors affect the amount you need to pay.

Your ability to get short-term insurance in Canada varies by province. At a glance, the options are limited for the short term, but that does not mean you should risk driving without insurance. Here is a breakdown of short-term options across the country:

• Alberta: Alberta does not have temporary options, but they do offer a special in-transit permit. This allows you to use an existing plate and registration for up to 14 days; however, it does not include Alberta car insurance. In addition, the province does not offer any less than six months long.
• British Columbia: Yes, you can get a TOP permit for one to 15 days. You can also get one for three to 11 months in duration that will insure an automobile you wish to test drive, transport, or transfer ownership. You can also purchase additional protection from a private insurer.
• Manitoba: In Manitoba, you can get a permit for one to 30 days through local public insurance sites. This permit will include basic or optional coverage, but there will be a 5% surcharge on top of it. They also have a limit of up to three temporary permit applications per vehicle per year if you are a resident.
• Saskatchewan: Yes, temporary permits are available for 24 hours up to eight days on a vehicle that has not been registered yet. The permit will also provide coverage while you are on the road in the province. The 24-hour permit costs $24, and the eight days will cost $48.
• Quebec: Quebec has a public provincial insurance system and offers temporary permits ranging from 12 hours to one month. A local dealer or SAAQ (la Société de l'assurance du Québec) can issue them. However, no companies offer it for less than six months.
• Nova Scotia: There are very few insurers that offer short-term policies in Nova Scotia. You will need to buy a six-month or annual policy. When it is time to cancel, it depends on the company to issue a refund.
• New Brunswick: There are options to get a temporary plan in the province; however they are not shorter than six months. You would likely have to buy a full-term one and cancel early. Based on terms and conditions, you may face cancellation fees.

If your province offers temporary insurance, follow these steps:

• Prepare your driver and vehicle information.
• Decide how long you will need it, what level of it, and if you want any additional protection for your automobile.
• Find out what companies offer it.
• Compare and find the most affordable options for how long you need to be insured. Observe policies that may have a longer-term but a more nominal cost.
• Choose the option that best meets your driving requirements and contact the provider.

It is essential to review the full policy so you can prepare for cancellation and management fees.

Did you know that if you're visiting Ontario or are passing through, you can get a special permit from the province? It will last for ten days. According to ServiceOntario, you must have the following requirements to register your car and drive it:

• Proof of identity
• The current vehicle permit
• The back of the vehicle permit signed by the owner (or you, if you are the owner)
• Name of the insurer and policy number
• A completed special permit application

You may also need this protection if you import a vehicle from another country and transport it through the province. This permit does not have any insurance – you'll have to take care of that separately.

In addition, if you have purchased your car in another Canadian province from a private owner, you will need to pay sales tax (RST or HST) when registering it in the province. However, if you are going to become a resident, you can declare an exemption from the tax.