Canada - British Expat Forum

Hiya,

My family and i are moving to Pemberton in March, and we are looking at buying a cheap car to get around in.

I have heard many people say that car insurance is expensive. Can people who actually live in BC give me some advice on this. How much would you expect to pay on a saloon car?

My husband has been driving for around 18 years, but i have been driving only 2 years.

Thank you for any help given

Depends on the value of the car and how much they grant you in 'no-claims' bonus. If you can bring a letter from your existing insurance company saying how long you have been driving and how long you have been claims free, they might accept that. In BC there isn't nay shopping around all the insurance is done by ICBC (Insurance Company of BC) they are the only game in town and set their own prices. You can go absolutely basic with them and top up with another company but you have to have the basic coverage with ICBC-no exceptions. I have an old truck worth at most $3,500 I pay almost $800 a year for full coverage insurance, my old dodge caravan is worth $6,000 and I pay about $900 a year for full coverage. I have full no claims (47% or so) a newer car would be more, an older car with less coverage would be less. A new driver in a nice new car can expect to pay 2 or 3 thousand a year for coverage easily.
Hope that helps with your calculations.
Graeme

I moved here in August and leased a new Mazda 5 in october and I have to pay $2300 with 20% discount so yes it is very expensive here. You would think for that cost they would give you the nice number plate with the mountain on it but no that is extra.

ICBC is so expensive, I nearly fell off my chair when the agent told me my premium. You have to bare in mind with lease cars the lease company can stipulate a level of coverage which might vary things a little. For example I have coverage of $5m.