Is this the END OF RHD!!!???

[northernrighty]

After hearing all the trouble Darwin was having trying to get insurance, I made some calls. I cannot find a single insurance company that insures RHD vehicles in ONTARIO? WTF, there is no legislation banning these vehicles? Any thoughts? Are all of the rigs in ontario now worth NOTHING? Post up on stuff you have heard or know.

 

[Squash]

Sounds like you are the man for the Mission.
Find out who's behind this...call them out!

 

[northernrighty]

I have contacted the FSCO (financial Services Commision of Ontario). They told me to call the IBAO (insurance brokers ass. ONt). They will not answer the phone. I have left contact info and will post when I get more.

FSCO told me that the underwriters can arbitrarily decide at any point to deam a certain vehicle or class of vehicles "to risky" to insure.

Where is the proof? Where is the data to support this (clean,cross ref. data, not the ICBC BS study)

 

[IanB]

This has been going on for some time now, and I must have recommended at least 1/2 dozen times now to try Federated Insurance, but I've never heard back from anyone as to how that went. They are a direct writer, so they don't deal through brokers, give them a call AND REPORT BACK as to what they have to say. Good luck!

 

[Early80]

Have you tried Western Assurance Company that is who I'm currently with through a broker.

 

[canucksafari]

We know who is behind it. It has been reported on by Crushers and myself over and over and over and over. And no, it is not the end of RHDs - at least not everywhere in Canada. There still are many RHD coming into BC all the time. I suggest you take the suggestions of where to buy insurance and follow through. If you are really concerned about being able to operate your RHD in Ontario over the long term, then I suggest you get active and start calling the politicians, the auto industry and the media. I suspect that you will be like most, you will find an insurer or sell to someone else and forget about the whole thing.

Seems too many Canadians are happy to be told what to do. I'll stop there before i really start a rant.

 

[northernrighty]

We know who is behind it. It has been reported on by Crushers and myself over and over and over and over. And no, it is not the end of RHDs - at least not everywhere in Canada. There still are many RHD coming into BC all the time. I suggest you take the suggestions of where to buy insurance and follow through. If you are really concerned about being able to operate your RHD in Ontario over the long term, then I suggest you get active and start calling the politicians, the auto industry and the media. I suspect that you will be like most, you will find an insurer or sell to someone else and forget about the whole thing.

Seems too many Canadians are happy to be told what to do. I'll stop there before i really start a rant.

I was trying to compile the latest updates, get some new info. If you read my second post, you will see I have been in contact with the powers that be, they haven't geven me any answers yet. And most of all, your in BC so I really don't think you have much to say about ONTARIO.

But feel free to rant, I know you might think it is productive to the conversation.

 

[Fromage]

I don't believe insurance can be denied in Ontario. Legally, they are required to provide you with insurance, but it might be at astronomical cost and through the "facility" market, lumping you in with drunk drivers and 18 year old Mustang Cobra owners.

Once you start asking questions you find out that the Ontario insurance business is quite the racket. Just about any modifications, no matter how inconsequential, can cause them to invalidate your coverage, so anyone that's interested in 4wds in Ontario is potentially going to run into the same problem with their lifted or modified rig.

 

[scuba steve]

Find yourself a pretty little girl in Manitoba; could be an oxymoron. Jk. Haha.
Get her mailing address and change some of your mail to go there instead. Go and register your car with Manitoba plates, including insurance, and, well keep the girl for fun.
I did something similar when I was younger; I had a serious relationship in bc, while living in Calgary. I found out her insurance rates were cheaper than what I was paying back home. So, changed some mail, got my bc license, insurance, and done. CheAper rates. I ended up having bc plates/ insurance for nearly two years before going back where they matched what I was paying.
Could be worth it, or might not even work. I dunno, it's a possibility. Flog away if you must!

 

[canucksafari]

I was trying to compile the latest updates, get some new info. If you read my second post, you will see I have been in contact with the powers that be, they haven't geven me any answers yet. And most of all, your in BC so I really don't think you have much to say about ONTARIO.

But feel free to rant, I know you might think it is productive to the conversation.

No not much to say about Ontario. Really don't have a clue about this nationally - just BC. <Perhaps you should retitled you post?> Glad you contacted the "powers that be". I feel much better now. "Rant" out.

 

[IanB]

And most of all, your in BC so I really don't think you have much to say about ONTARIO.

But feel free to rant, I know you might think it is productive to the conversation.

Ya, cause Ontario is an island, and isn't subject to the same insurance laws as the rest of Canada, good point.

 

[DBWood]

My experience, and it took six months to get coverage...

Nordique will cover us in Facility. Very Expensive.
Farmers Mutual will cover us, IF you give them your DD, or another LHD vehicle. Their rates are not bad. AND you need to find the right agent to go to bat for you.

FACT (maybe not law, but how do you fight it?) in Ontario, if the underwriter does not want to write your policy, THEY WILL NOT. It is totally up to them to insure or not based on whatever they go by (the air temp and direction of wind??)

All you guys that have it easy in any Province other than Ontario, quit bragging.
We dont really care that you get full coverage in Winterpeg ( for $39 a year. You need a block heater for 11.5 months...

I am pretty sure Quebec is having a hard time as well.

The good news, I spoke with a nice retired gent last week. I was admiring his mint '95 HDJ80. He paid ALOT for it. So, there are still folks out there that want our rigs, and will pay for them. I also just sold mine for what I, and others believe was a good market value.

I know Canuck and Crushers have worked very hard at trying to get somewhere on the matter. I think we all appreciate that. But at the end of the day, we are fighting against BIG industry and government.

 

[canucksafari]

All you guys that have it easy in any Province other than Ontario, quit bragging.
We dont really care that you get full coverage in Winterpeg ( for $39 a year. You need a block heater for 11.5 months...

I am pretty sure Quebec is having a hard time as well.

It was more the "end of the world tone" of the thread's subject given that there are a few threads in this section where not only Crushers but a number of others have given good advice on how to get insurance in Ontario and where there have been very clear explanations on who is behind this.

Actually, Manitoba has had their own difficulties - but not with insurance. There issue has been with getting vehicles past inspection.

In Quebec getting insurance for a RHD is not a problem. Their problem is the ministerial ban on new registrations of RHDs. My understanding is the RHD owners there are still going ahead fighting it in the courts.

In BC, ICBC is still smarting from their fudgit study but is now carefully collecting data on all RHDs while ensuring that minimal accident damage becomes a right-off. These vehicles then end up in ICBC closed auctions and are sold on the baisis they they can never be rebuilt and re-registered. It kills two birds with one stone. It artificially increases the number of written off RHD vehicles compared to LHD vehicles giving them "data" to prove how much more dangerous and expensive to insure RHDs are compared to LHDs. It also removes RHDs from the roads which are easily financially feasible to fix.

In each province/ territory, JDM/RHD importers and owners have differing issues they have to deal with. Owners need to see it for what I believe it is: a multifaceted attack on RHDs coming from the one Non-Governmental body in Canada - Welcome to CCMTA's Web Site! - who brings together the industry stake-holders who want to control every aspect of our ability to chose regarding the vehicles we operate.

 

[Biche]

In Quebec getting insurance for a RHD is not a problem. Their problem is the ministerial ban on new registrations of RHDs. My understanding is the RHD owners there are still going ahead fighting it in the courts.

The complete ban was temporary, now we have a new rule that allow 25 years + RHD vehicule to be registered, so I don't think any RHD owners are fighting this rule since it's now a law. We have some difference in our insurance since we have the no fault rule.

Hope it's clarified Quebec rule.

 

[canucksafari]

The complete ban was temporary, now we have a new rule that allow 25 years + RHD vehicule to be registered, so I don't think any RHD owners are fighting this rule since it's now a law. We have some difference in our insurance since we have the no fault rule.

Hope it's clarified Quebec rule.

It is still a just a minister's ban not a legislated law. There is a difference. This ban could be undone just as easily as it was created.

A new ministerial order prohibiting the use of right-hand drive vehicles on the road network came into effect on April 24, 2010

Yes, there are two "tuner" groups still fighting this rule. One group has set-up a foundation dedicated to do reverse the minister's ban through a court challenge: info@fondationlcv.org. As of the end of Feb of this year the other group had finally gotten their freedom of information formation request (ATIP in Quebec). I don't have all the details as they found some information that for legal purposes they don't want public. As a result of what they found, they have sent in another ATIP. Hopefully it won't take another year to get the information. I believe/hope that both groups are cooperating.

It has been about 5 months since I have been in contact with either of these groups. Participation on the IVOAC site has dwindled to almost nothing. As I understand it, the two groups in Quebec fighting the case are organizing largely around their own JDM clubs. I am sure if you looked at JDM forums their in french you would connect with them. The two contact I had go by the names "Domspun" & "TR3CK". Domspun was the one who initiated the legal battle and set-up the foundation. TR3CK has been doing the investigative research with the ATIPs. Suffice to say, they have found some promising information which implies a conflict of interest between the minister, SAAQ and the industry interests.

Might be a good idea for you and other Quebec JDM enthusiasts to connect with these guys and help them out. The Liberals there are particularly vulnerable right now to more publicity of conflict of interest or corruption allegations. IMO, people who haven't done anything to join the fight really don't have much of a right to complain about it. We are after all supposed to be in a democracy where each of us are responsible for retaining our democratic rights. Don't use your power, then you loose your power. It's that simple.

 

[rustybucket]

you could convert it

I know its going to take some work. The steering wheel may be moved over, with the ignition on the left side "funky". New dashboard for sure if you need to retain the colum tunnel. Not sure if wires comming out of fire wall can reach over to the other side. New steering rack to match up with steering wheel column. POSSIBLY rods can be installed to transfer motion of pedel/clutch/brake to right side of truck.

If all else fails, sell the truck in BC Canada.

 

[scuba steve]

That's not really an option; especially for those cars that never had a lhd alternative. Secondly, changing some vehicles over to lhd from rhd is very costly and not worth it to most.
Third, gov't vehicles would have to follow suit. Postal trucks, garbage, etc.
Its not just as easy as converting it.

 

[northernrighty]

the FSCO representative contacted me. They seemed to be oblivious to the situation. She said she was going to review the data that the decision was made with and get back to me. They are the governing body that approves the underwriter rules for the insurance companies. I will post up as soon as they give me the response.

 

[IanB]

Interested to hear what comes of this...

 

[jetswim]

So today I was at a job interview and after it was over a guy pops into the shop to ask who's Land Cruiser was parked outside. Anywho it turns out he has a Pajero and is having trouble getting it insured so I told him he's not the only one and that I would monitor this thread and get back to him. I found out a friends son had a Delica insured in Ontario so i'll be calling him to find out his story.
It kills me because it seems like such a non-issue and on the contrary I feel safer being on the right especially in a city with many bike lanes.
It's funny too because this morning a Delica passed me on the highway and the driver seemed oblivious that he was passing another RH drive vehicle!