When purchasing any type of insurance, documentation is needed. Whether it’s your first time buying car insurance or your existing policy is up for renewal, the process requires the policyholder to provide the insurance company with all kinds of information.
From the details of your vehicle to your driver’s license and driver’s abstract, it’s important to be prepared for the realities of purchasing car insurance. Beyond the documents needed to buy a car insurance policy, you may also be required to provide various information when requesting an auto insurance quote or filing a claim in Canada.
In this article, we dive into the documents all drivers need for car insurance.
What documents will I need to show my insurance company when purchasing auto insurance?
Buying car insurance might seem like a complicated, tedious process. But it doesn’t have to be. If you know what documents you need to provide and prepare them in advance, shopping for auto insurance will be a breeze.
Below is a list of documents and information all drivers will need to show their insurance companies before purchasing car insurance in Canada:
- Current policy number and renewal date
- Years of prior insurance
- Vehicle details including the year, make and model of your vehicle
- Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
- Driver’s license number and dates licensed for all drivers in the household
- Current coverages and deductibles for all vehicles in the household
- Distance driven in kilometres to work and annually for each vehicle (you must note if your car is used for business)
- Out of province experience letters and driver’s abstracts
- Details regarding any tickets (moving violations and/or suspensions) in the last three years or accidents in the last ten years (including date, type of accident, or ticket)
Car insurance documents explained
A few of the most important documents needed to purchase car insurance are explained below.
Current insurance policy
Assuming you are not purchasing car insurance for the first time, you will need to provide details of your current insurance policy. This includes the name of your current insurance provider, your policy number, and the renewal date of your policy.
Driver’s license number
Anytime you’re purchasing car insurance or even requesting a free car insurance quote, you should always have your driver’s license handy. Your insurance company will likely ask for your driver’s license number and expiry date. Keep in mind that your driver’s license must be valid to purchase car insurance.
If it recently expired, you will need to renew it before you hit the road or purchase an auto insurance policy. If multiple members of your household drive your vehicle, be prepared to provide the driver’s license numbers and expiry dates for all drivers.
Make, model, year, and vehicle identification number of vehicle
When calculating your insurance premium, the insurance company will ask for details of your vehicle. This includes the make, model, and year of your vehicle. You will also need to provide the vehicle identification number (VIN).
Other vehicle-related details an insurance company may inquire about are the physical condition of the vehicle, if it’s four-wheel drive or two-wheel drive, and whether it’s equipped with any safety devices like anti-theft locks.
Traffic violations
Drivers must be prepared to provide the insurance company with information about their past traffic violations. This includes the details of any tickets in the past three years and the details of any collisions in the last ten years.
Claims history
An insurance company will always ask about your claims history. This is a history of all claims made to your past insurance provider(s), ranging from accident-related claims to comprehensive claims, such as vandalism, theft, or windshield damage.
Letter of experience
If you recently moved from another province or country, a letter of experience may be required. A letter of experience, or claims experience letter, is an up-to-date record of your insurance history, provided by your past or current insurance provider.
It acts as a reference and can provide your new insurance company with greater clarification on your claims history.
Can I purchase car insurance in Canada without a driver’s license?
No, you cannot purchase car insurance in Canada without holding a valid driver’s license. You also cannot register your vehicle in your province without a driver’s license. Therefore, if you wish to purchase car insurance, you must first obtain a driver’s license.
What information do I need to provide for an auto insurance quote?
To receive a insurance quote in Canada, you are only required to provide basic information, such as your age, location, and the make, model, and year of the vehicle you drive.
That said, your quote is likely to be more accurate if you provide more information. While many insurance companies and brokerages (including BrokerLink) offer free complimentary car insurance estimates to drivers in Canada, the accuracy of your quote will reflect the level of detail you provide.
For the most accurate quote possible, be prepared to provide similar information that you would if you were applying for a car insurance policy. This includes your current policy number, driver’s license number, vehicle details, vehicle identification number, letter of experience (if applicable), driver’s abstract, and the details of any past accidents, tickets, or traffic violations.
To obtain a free quote, contact BrokerLink today. Our quotes are 100% obligation-free, meaning you have nothing to lose and everything to gain by getting in touch. You can receive a free quote over the phone, in person at one of our locations in Canada, or online using our online quote tool.
What information do I need to provide to file a claim with my insurance company?
If you were involved in a car accident and need to file a claim with your insurance company, you will need to provide several key pieces of information. Try to gather as much information as possible at the scene of the accident so you can be prepared to answer the questions asked by your insurance agent, broker, or other company representatives.
To ensure the claims process is as seamless as possible, aim to have the following pieces of information:
- The name of the other driver’s insurance company
- The other driver’s auto insurance policy number
- The make, model, year, and registration number of the other driver’s vehicle
- The date, time, and location of the accident
- The extent of the damage to the vehicle
- The names of any passengers in the vehicle at the time of the accident
- The extent of the injuries (if applicable)
- The name and driver’s license number of the other driver
- The license plate numbers and vehicle identification numbers of the other driver’s vehicle
- The name and badge number of the investigating police officer, if the accident was reported to local police
Make buying car insurance easy with the help of a broker
Save yourself time, money, and stress by shopping for car insurance with the help of a broker. BrokerLink’s insurance advisors are car insurance experts who will be with you every step of the way. We will outline all the documentation you need to purchase car insurance and answer any questions you may have.
Once you’ve prepared the necessary information, we will contact Canada’s top insurance companies and obtain quotes on your behalf, all in an effort to find you the best auto insurance coverage at the lowest price. Keep reading to discover three more reasons to work with an insurance broker.
Brokers work independently
Brokers do not work for insurance companies. They work independently, which allows us to put our customers’ needs first. You can always count on BrokerLink to provide objective, unbiased advice.
Brokers do the work for you
A second benefit of working with an insurance broker is that they do the work for you. We will spend however long it takes obtaining quotes and comparing policies to find the right coverage for you.
BrokerLink advisors are auto insurance experts
We encourage all customers to take advantage of BrokerLink’s unparalleled resources and expertise so they can find the best policies possible.
How to buy car insurance in Canada
Now that you know what documents you need to purchase car insurance in Canada, it’s time to get started! When you enlist the help of a reputable broker, you can buy car insurance in three easy steps.
1. Contact an insurance broker
The first step to finding the best auto insurance policy is contacting an insurance broker you can trust, like BrokerLink. BrokerLink’s insurance advisors take the time to learn about your unique needs, lifestyle, and budget so that we can find the ideal car insurance policy for you.
2. We shop around for you
Your dedicated BrokerLink insurance advisor will contact Canada’s top insurance companies to shop around on your behalf. We will obtain quotes and compare coverage, all in the name of finding you the best policy at the most affordable price.
3. You get a great rate
The final step to buying car insurance with a broker is getting a great rate. We know where to look for the best deals and will make sure you take advantage of all relevant discounts.
Get in touch with BrokerLink today
For more information on the documents needed to purchase car insurance, contact BrokerLink. We can be reached by phone, email, or in person at any of our locations across Canada. You can also request a free quote using our online quote tool. What are you waiting for? Get in touch today!
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