Before you purchase any type of insurance, you need the proper documents. Whether you’re buying car insurance for the first time or renewing your policy, you need to provide your insurance company with a decent amount of information. This might feel intimidating at first, but there are ways to make the process less stressful.
The details of your vehicle, your driver’s licence, and your driver’s abstract are some of the materials you’ll need to purchase car insurance. Beyond the documents required to buy a car insurance policy, you’ll need to provide some additional information when requesting an auto insurance quote or filing a claim in Canada.
What documents do you need to buy a car insurance policy? In this blog, we will discuss the details you need to provide your insurance company with before they sell you a policy.
Documents needed for auto insurance purchase
Buying car insurance may seem like a long, drawn-out process, but it doesn’t have to be. If you come prepared with the documents you need, shopping for auto insurance is a breeze.
We have compiled a list of documents and information you will need to provide to your car insurance company 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 licence 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)
Explaining car insurance documents
When it’s time to purchase or renew a car insurance policy, you will need several important documents. You might not think of some of them off the top of your head, but that’s okay. However, with the help of an insurance broker, you can understand each one and its purpose. Here’s what you need to know about various car insurance documents and other pieces of information:
Current insurance policy
If it isn’t your first time purchasing car insurance, you will have to provide details of your current insurance policy. Important details include the name of your insurance provider, your policy number, and the renewal date of your policy. You should insure that you never have an expired car insurance renewal because it can come with penalties.
Driver’s licence number
When you’re buying car insurance or getting a free car insurance quote, you should have your driver’s licence on hand. Your insurance company will ask for your driver’s licence number and expiry date. Remember, your driver’s licence has to be valid and not expired to purchase auto insurance.
If your driver’s licence recently expired, you have to renew it before you hit the road or buy an auto insurance policy. If multiple members of your household drive your vehicle, you will also have to provide their driver’s licence numbers and expiry dates.
Make, model year, trim, and vehicle identification number
Insurance companies need all the details about your vehicle to calculate your insurance rates. This includes the make, mode, and year of your vehicle. You will also have to provide the vehicle identification number (VIN).
Additionally, insurance companies might ask about the physical condition of the vehicle, if it’s four-wheel or two-wheel drive, and whether it’s equipped with safety devices like anti-theft locks. Knowing all these details will get you a more accurate quote.
Traffic violations
Drivers must be prepared to provide insurance companies with information about their past traffic violations. This can include any tickets in the past three years and the details of any accidents in the last ten years.
Claims history
Insurance companies will always ask about your claims history. It is a history of every claim you have made with your past insurance provider(s), which can range 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, your insurance company may ask for a letter of experience. 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.
Your current insurance company can use it for reference when calculating your car insurance premiums. Depending on if you have past accidents, you might be eligible for certain discounts.
Can I purchase car insurance in Canada without a driver’s licence?
You cannot purchase car insurance in Canada without holding a valid driver’s licence. You can’t register a vehicle in any province without a driver’s licence. You have to get a driver’s licence to buy auto insurance and to get an accurate quote. There are no exceptions to this rule, as you can’t drive at all without a valid licence.
What information do I need to provide to get an auto insurance quote?
Basic information such as your age, location, and the make, model, trim, and year of the vehicle you drive are required to receive an insurance quote in Canada.
However, you will get a more accurate quote by providing more vehicle information. The majority of insurance companies and brokerages, including BrokerLink, offer free car insurance estimates to drivers in Canada. The accuracy will be affected by important factors, such as the information you provide, your past claims and insurance history and more.
When seeking a quote, you will have to provide information similar to what you would need when applying for a car insurance policy. Again, this includes your current policy number, driver’s licence number, vehicle information, vehicle identification number, letter of experience (if applicable), driver’s abstract, and any details of any past accidents, tickets, or traffic violations.
Contact BrokerLink for a free quote. Our quotes are 100% obligation-free, so you don’t have anything to lose. You can get your free quote over the phone, in person at one of our Canada-wide locations, or online using our online quote tool.
How can I get discounts on my car insurance?
Auto insurance isn’t cheap. You don’t always need to purchase the maximum amount of coverage, but over time, this expense can add up. Your driving record can take a toll on your rates if you aren’t careful. Here are some things you can do to reduce your car insurance rates:
Bundle your policies
If you bundle your home and auto insurance, you can save money. Many insurance companies offer discounts if you purchase more than one type of insurance coverage from them. You could also see reduced rates for insuring multiple vehicles under one policy. This option is much more economical than having multiple auto insurance policies.
Take a driver’s education course
New and experienced drivers can benefit from learning to drive from a professional. Alongside following our safe driving tips, advice from an instructor can make a difference. By taking lessons, you show your insurance company you are a safe and responsible driver, which can reduce your car insurance premium.
Pay your premium annually
If you pay for your car insurance once per year rather than monthly, you can save money. You probably know how much car insurance is per month in Ontario, but you probably don’t know that insurance companies may add administrative fees on top of your rates if you pay monthly.
What information do I need to provide to file a claim with your insurance company?
If you are involved in a car accident, you will have to go through the claims process with your insurance company. Gather as much information as possible at the scene of the accident. Be prepared to answer questions asked by an insurance agent, broker, or other company representatives. You may want to carry a small notebook in your dash or be prepared to take photos of the information required for your claim with your phone. You can make the claims process as seamless as possible by providing 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 injuries (if applicable)
- The name and driver’s licence number of the other driver
- The licence 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 the local police
Simplify purchasing car insurance with the help of a broker
Save time, money, and stress by shopping for car insurance with a broker. BrokerLink’s brokers are car insurance experts who will help you every step of the way. We will help you gather the documents you need to get car insurance coverage. This takes the stress of constantly searching for what you need away. We help you come prepared.
Once you have prepared the necessary information, we will contact Canada’s top insurance companies and obtain quotes on your behalf. From there, we will help you find the best and most affordable insurance policy you can get with your driving history and vehicle. Here's what to expect when working with a broker:
Brokers work independently
Insurers often look out for their interests when insuring vehicle owners. This isn’t to say you can’t shop for your insurance on your own by calling around and getting quotes. However, since a broker works independently, they will put your needs first. You can always count on BrokerLink to provide objective, unbiased advice.
Brokers do the work for you
Shopping around for car insurance can be stressful. If you use a broker, you don’t have to deal with the extra legwork. Your broker will obtain quotes and compare policies to find the right coverage for your needs.
BrokerLink advisors are auto insurance experts
You can save money by taking advantage of BrokerLink’s unparalleled resources. Our expertise can help you whether you’re adding a new vehicle to your existing policy or buying your first car insurance policy. You don’t have to handle finding insurance on your own with a broker by your side.
How to buy car insurance in Canada
Finally, you have all the documents you need to purchase car insurance coverage in Canada! Now, you can get started. When you get help from a reputable broker, you can buy auto insurance in three simple steps:
1. Contact an insurance broker
The first step to finding car insurance coverage is reaching out to a broker you trust, like BrokerLink. BrokerLink’s insurance advisors take the time to learn about your unique needs, lifestyle, and budget, allowing them to find the ideal policy for you.
2. We shop around for you
Your BrokerLink broker will reach out to Canada’s top insurance companies on your behalf. We will obtain quotes and compare different types of coverage. From there, we will get you the most accurate quote for a policy that suits your needs.
3. You get a great rate
The last step of buying car insurance coverage with a broker is getting a great rate. Our team knows where to look for the best deals. We ensure you can take advantage of all the discounts available to you.
Get in touch with BrokerLink today
BrokerLink’s car insurance brokers want to make the process of purchasing car insurance simple. That’s why we are here to help you get the documents you need for your insurance company. We know about various types of auto insurance, including uninsured automobile insurance, and we will assist you in finding the coverage you need.
To learn more about the documents required to purchase car insurance, contact BrokerLink. You can reach us by phone, email, or in person at any of our locations across Canada. You can get a free quote using our online quote tool. What are you waiting for? Get in touch today!
Get an auto insurance quote [phone]
