High Auto Insurance Rates for Immigrants Spark Public Debate

In Canada, the issue of high auto insurance rates for new immigrants has become a hot topic. This problem particularly affects those who have recently arrived in the country and lack prior insurance history in Canada. One such example is Hamid Yusufzai from Afghanistan, who claims that his seven years of driving experience were not considered when calculating his insurance premiums.

Data shows that in the province of Ontario, auto insurance rates have risen above the inflation rate since 2022. While some companies do take international driving experience into account when calculating premiums, others do not offer discounts or considerations for this experience.

Experts point out that assessing risk for insurance companies is challenging due to the differences in driving rules and conditions across various countries. This means that many new immigrants face high insurance rates as a significant issue.

Community leaders and immigrant rights advocates are calling on insurance companies to develop more inclusive policies and consider driving experience from other countries when calculating insurance premiums. They also emphasize that having access to a car is critically important for many immigrants to successfully adapt and find employment in Canada.