Canadian insurance update — which companies are now comfortable with Chinese EVs

CanadaBYD_Mark

quick data point dump. called 6 insurers this week shopping renewal for my Atto 3. here's what I found:

insurers who quoted me without drama:

Aviva: easy. they explicitly said they have BYD in their actuarial database now. $2,280/yr my situation.
Intact: also easy. slightly higher at $2,340.
Sonnet (online): fast quote, $2,190. asked about the EV charger discount and got 4% off.
Economical: through broker, $2,090. they had MG and BYD data.

insurers who gave me a harder time:

one major bank insurer: wanted an appraisal. quote came in 30% higher than others.
a smaller direct insurer: never heard of BYD. declined to quote without sending an adjuster to look at the car. I just moved on.

TLDR: the mainstream insurers have caught up. avoid the ones who haven't. shop around.

AttoDriver_YYZ

the Sonnet EV charger discount is easy to miss. even 4% adds up over years. good find.

HavalFan_Brampton

Aviva having BYD in their actuarial database is the maturation milestone. once a brand has enough claims data to underwrite it properly, the rates normalise. we're there.

DolphinDave_Toronto

the bank insurer wanting an appraisal is wild. they clearly haven't invested in adding Chinese EVs to their systems. their loss.

MG_ZS_Ontario

worth adding: MG insurance rates are consistently lower than BYD rates in my shopping because the MG ZS has been sold in North America and UK longer — more claims data. if you're on the fence between brands and insurance cost matters, factor this in.

BYD_Calgary_Carl

alberta addition: Intact and Aviva both quoted my Seal without issues in Calgary. rates were actually slightly lower than your Ontario numbers which surprised me given AB insurance reputation

ChinaCarFan007

Aviva definitely seems to be leading the charge here; their actuarial database having enough BYD data (Post

ChinaCarFan007

Good to see the Canadian experience echoing what's happening here in Australia. Over in Melbourne with the 2

ChinaCarFan007

Good to see the Canadian experience echoing what's happening here in Australia. Over in Melbourne with the 20

BYD_Calgary_Carl

Spot on with the Calgary intel! Good to hear others are getting solid quotes for the Seal in YYC as well.

BYD_Calgary_Carl

Right on, Calgary crew! Was about to post my own experience here. Aviva was a solid choice for my Atto 3 and gave me a great rate.

BYDLondon_Paul

Good to hear Aviva is stepping up over in Canada and Australia. Here in London, getting my 2025 Seal insured was pretty straightforward too.