If you are searching for SR-22 insurance in Canada, it is important to understand that the SR-22 form is a United States concept and does not exist in the Canadian insurance system. In the U.S., an SR-22 is a certificate of financial responsibility that certain drivers must file with the state after serious violations. Canada does not use the SR-22 system. Instead, Canadian drivers with poor records are handled through the facility insurance (residual market) system, which ensures all drivers can obtain mandatory auto insurance regardless of their risk profile. If you are moving to Canada from the U.S. and had an SR-22 requirement, or if you have a serious driving record in Canada, a broker can help you understand your options.
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No, Canada does not have an SR-22 filing system. The SR-22 is a U.S.-specific certificate of financial responsibility required by certain states after serious driving offences. In Canada, high-risk drivers who cannot obtain standard insurance are placed in the facility or residual market, which serves a similar purpose of ensuring all drivers can get mandatory coverage.
The closest Canadian equivalent to SR-22 insurance is facility insurance, also known as the residual market. When no standard insurer will cover a driver due to their risk profile, the driver is placed in the facility market where coverage is available at higher premiums. Unlike the SR-22, there is no separate form to file with the government; the insurance itself fulfils the legal requirement.
If you are moving to Canada from the U.S. and had an SR-22 requirement, you will need to obtain standard Canadian auto insurance. Your U.S. driving record may follow you through insurance databases, which could affect your premiums. A Canadian broker can help you understand how your U.S. history will be evaluated and find the best available rate. You should also obtain a driving history letter from your U.S. insurer.
Facility insurance is administered by each province's insurance industry association. When a broker is unable to place a driver with any standard insurer, they submit the application to the facility market. All licensed insurers in the province share the risk proportionally. The premiums are significantly higher than standard rates, and coverage is typically limited to the mandatory minimum required by the province.
There is no set minimum period in the facility market. You can leave as soon as a standard insurer is willing to accept you. This typically requires maintaining a clean driving record for one to three years. Your broker should re-shop your policy at each renewal to check if you qualify for standard rates. Taking a driver improvement course and maintaining continuous coverage without gaps can help speed up the transition.
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