Car Inspection For Insurance

When to Get a Car Inspection for Insurance

Owning a car is great, but keeping it in good shape is key, especially when it comes to insurance. To drive a vehicle legally in Canada, you need insurance. But first, your vehicle must pass an inspection, sometimes called a “safety,” in the province where you plan to insure your vehicle.

Think of a vehicle inspection as a health check for your car. It tells you and your insurance company how your car is doing and helps ensure everyone is safe on the road. Getting an inspection helps spot any issues early on, saving you money and hassle later. Plus, it makes sure your insurance covers exactly what your car needs.

What is a vehicle inspection?

Vehicle inspections are performed to make sure that the vehicles on Canadian roads are safe to drive and do not harm the environment. These inspections look for any problems that could make the car unsafe for you, your passengers, and other people on the road.

There are two main types of vehicle inspections: safety inspections and emissions inspections. Safety inspections check things like brakes, lights, tires, and steering. Emissions inspections, though not required in all provinces, make sure your car’s emissions are within the limits set by environmental regulations.

When do you need a vehicle inspection?

Knowing when your car needs an inspection helps keep everything running smoothly. Whether it’s because you’re buying a used car or importing your vehicle, staying ahead of these inspections means fewer surprises and a safer car.

When you buy or sell a used vehicle

If you’re buying a used car, you need paperwork showing the car is safe to drive. This safety inspection is often the seller’s job, but if you’re buying, you need to make sure the car has this paperwork.

In some provinces, you also need to check if the car’s exhaust system meets environmental standards. This depends on where you live and how old the car is.

When you’re bringing a car from another place

Moving to a new province with your car? You’ll likely need to get it checked to make sure it meets the new province’s safety and clean air regulations before you can register it.

If you import a car into Canada from another country, it will need an inspection to meet Canadian regulations.

When do you need insurance inspections for your vehicles?

Having your car inspected by the insurance company is something they do to make sure it’s safe and worth insuring. They might need to do this for different reasons:

When you’re getting new insurance

Sometimes, insurance companies want to see your car before giving you a new insurance policy, especially if it covers accidents. They want to make sure your car is safe and doesn’t have pre-existing damage.

When you have high-value or luxury vehicles

If you have an expensive or luxury car, they might want to check it out to make sure it’s in good shape. Luxury cars cost a lot to fix, so they want to be sure your policy reflects the vehicle’s value.

When you own older vehicles

Older cars often need an inspection to see if they’re still safe to drive. Older vehicles are considered higher risk because they might have more issues, such as more wear and tear and outdated safety features. An older vehicle is usually defined as one that’s not classic or antique and is between 12 and 30 years old.

After your vehicle has been repaired following a claim

If your car was repaired at a repair shop after being in an accident, your insurance provider might want to look at it again before renewing your policy. This is to ensure the necessary repairs were done well and that the vehicle is in good condition.

When reinstating a lapsed policy

If your insurance ran out and you’re getting it again, your insurance company might want to inspect your car first to make sure nothing happened to it while it wasn’t insured.

When there’s been a change in policy coverage

If you want more coverage, like collision or comprehensive, they might need to inspect your car again to determine how much your car is worth and what shape it’s in.