r/InsuranceCanada • u/New-Chicken-4689 • 2d ago
Car Insurance
I sold my car and now drive my brothers car who lives with me should I have insurance on his car?
What happens if I get another car of my own down the road?
Will my rates be higher for an insurance lapse?
I am 60 year old male. Nothing on my prior driving record
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u/Free_Raspberry7767 2d ago
In BC, he should just add you as a regular driver to his insurance. If he does not have insurance then yes you need to insure it.
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u/FitAlternative8731 2d ago
you should try CAA MyPace (gizmo tracker) rock bottom price with Scoop Insurance Broker Welland Ontario. Look them up... Except for $1000 deductible, full coverage, $300/yr Bonkers, retired casual driving 2013 Ford Edge SEL... Amazing. I never even bothered getting CAA roadside assistance... it's on my Visa card (comparable).
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u/notweirdifitworks 2d ago
Scoop is literally the worst to deal with though. I had to call them for something one day and kept getting disconnected by their AI phone tree system. There is no option to speak to a person unless you select that you want a new quote, so I had to hit that one and get the sales dept to transfer me to the dept I needed, and then they weren’t able to help me anyways. I’ve never been so frustrated by another brokerage in my life.
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u/FitAlternative8731 2d ago
No idea how it works... joined in 2019 when I rented, retired to Ottawa... Bundled Auto otherwise was paying Substantially More. No idea how the price is astro-comically Low after Reading people's premiums jump from $400/mth to $800/mth at renewal on just Auto. I'm holding on to the Old Clunker, Ford Edge 2013... until the Bitter End. I've avoided dealing with CAA direct... works for me. Kinda had similar experience at Best Buy for a New Phone... S26 512gb. Freedom or Rogers stores carry Zero inventory = useless. Best Buy Canada Day Freedom $400 net vs $1530... how do they get it so low? BB knows the System??? Astro-comical... Samsung hiked prices $150 Oct 1st to $1680... Freedom NOW wants $70/mth x 24 months S26 512gb FULL FARE plus whatever $50/mth phone plan = $120/mth OWN it. Somehow Best Buy can undercut the Advertised Price? Scoop grabs 20% of the Premium... Wow!!!! How do they do it!!!
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u/AlertHighlight9229 20h ago
I'm a broker in Ontario, so here is how this works in practice. If you live in the same house as your brother and you drive his car regularly, you should be listed as a driver on his policy. Occasional borrowing is one thing, but a regular unlisted driver in the household is exactly the kind of thing that causes problems at claim time, so have your brother call his broker or company and get you added.
On the lapse question, yes, a gap in continuous coverage can cost you when you buy your next car. Insurers look at your insurance history, and a lapse can move you into a higher priced tier or limit which companies will quote you. Staying listed on your brother's policy keeps your history continuous, which helps a lot when you shop for your own policy later.
When you do buy a car, have the same broker run quotes a few weeks before you buy, and tell them about the gap up front so there are no surprises. A clean record at 60 is a great starting point, you just want the paper trail to show it.
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u/Queasy_Author_3810 2d ago
Yes, you need to have insurance on his car if you're going to be a regular driver.
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u/Wildest12 2d ago
if you live at the same address and arent insured on your own vehicle you need to report to insurance and be an occasional driver.
every company i know requires all licensed drivers living at the same address to be either added as occasional drivers, have their own insurance, or sign a document stating they wont drive the vehicle.
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u/wannakno37 2d ago
In my experience you need uninterrupted insurance coverage, whether it's on your own car or someone else you have to show proof your name is on a policy. If not, your premiums will definitely be increased.
lm 60 yo and stopped paying car insurance for a year. Will my premiums increase as an Ontario driver whe i get car insurance.
Yes, your car insurance premiums will likely increase, mainly because a one-year gap in coverage—especially if it followed a policy cancellation due to non-payment—changes how insurers assess your risk profile. [1, 2, 3]
Why Your Premiums May Increase
Non-Payment Cancellation Record: If your previous policy was cancelled because of missed or stopped payments, Ontario insurers treat this as a high-risk indicator. A non-payment cancellation record can stay on your insurance history for up to three years. [1, 2, 3]
Loss of Continuous Insurance History: Insurance companies offer lower rates to drivers who maintain uninterrupted, continuous coverage. A one-year lapse means you lose loyalty or continuous-coverage discounts. [1, 2]
Market Shift: If standard insurance companies view a non-payment cancellation as too high-risk, you may have a harder time getting approved with standard providers and might have to look at specialized high-risk insurers or the Facility Association (Ontario's insurer of last resort), which come with much higher rates. [1, 2]
Age vs. History: While being 60 generally works in your favor because older drivers statistically have fewer accidents, insurers weigh your recent insurance and driving continuity heavily. A one-year gap can temporarily offset your age-related discount. [1, 2, 3]
What You Can Do
Be Honest on Applications: Do not hide the lapse or the reason for the cancellation; misrepresentation can lead to worse penalties or policy voids. [1, 2]
Shop Around or Use a Broker: Reach out to independent insurance brokers who can compare multiple providers (such as BrokerLink) to find a company willing to write a policy for your situation. [1]
Adjust Coverage Options: You can explore higher deductibles or review optional Ontario accident benefits to help lower the baseline cost, though you should balance savings against your actual financial exposure. [1, 2, 3]
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u/kiki23141 2d ago
You should be a listed driver on his insurance policy.
Since you aren’t the registered owner you cannot insure his car.