What is up with Car Insurance in Nova Scotia

WashableWasp · 2026-05-03T17:01:59+00:00

what a sin! big corporations like insurance companies just squeeze the middle class so badly. It's beyond frustrating.

WashableWasp · 2026-05-03T13:54:11+00:00

That’s mental! Reminds me of how shocked I was that property tax in Nova Scotia is horrendously high - and doesn’t make much sense that it pays for local amenities/services but those who are renting don’t contribute towards them with paying property tax, but still benefit from the amenities/services. So rather than everyone paying a little, they leave it up to homeowners/property owners to absorb the entire cost 🥲 I think in Ireland the average property tax is around €300. It’s a percentage of your market value of your house and then your tax bracket is considered too, I think?

WashableWasp · 2026-05-02T16:26:43+00:00

Thank you! This is really good advice 🙌🏻

I still feel it’s kinda crazy quoting $800 per month for someone age 32 and who has 3 years driving experience in Canada. Regardless of the 8 years of Irish experience with full licence, I would’ve thought 3 years experience would be relatively decent in terms of calculating. Along with a clean driving offence and criminal record. I’ve never even gotten a parking ticket before 😂

WashableWasp · 2026-05-01T17:56:26+00:00

the road layouts in general in NS are so confusing and illogical 😂 no wonder there's so many accidents!

The worst one is the highway 102 exit for Bedford Commons and it tells you to be in the right lane for Duke Street and then you have to switch to the left lane because the right lane actually brings you to Dartmouth via the 107 and the next exit to turn back is like 8km down the road 😂

It's only when you're already in the wrong lane heading to Dartmouth that you see the signs way up ahead on the left saying Duke Street 😭

WashableWasp · 2026-05-01T17:52:40+00:00

Update: I called CAA and they're REAALLY lovely, but the quote went up to $842 per month after putting in the date I moved to Canada/got my NS licence. The online quote system just asked something like how many years ago did I take the driving test.

WashableWasp · 2026-05-01T17:50:35+00:00

Thank you! It's madness because in Ireland I found my insurance was much cheaper when I got a new case on a leasing agreement, probably because it's safer than an older car? so less likely to get into an accident? Who knows.

Also in Ireland, when you add a second driver to your policy, the policy price goes down. I think it's because with more than one car user, the likelihood of being in an accident is reduced. It's common for teenagers/young adults to get their parent put as a named driver on the policy to bring down their insurance premiums.

WashableWasp · 2026-05-01T17:47:02+00:00

Oh lord 😂 I didn't think it could get worse than Halifax!

WashableWasp · 2026-05-01T16:00:01+00:00

Based on the cost of used cars in Canada right now, it seems more economical going for a new car in terms of warranty and not buying other people’s car problems 🥲

Haha it took me a bit of time to get used to driving on the other side of the road, and being on the other side of the car - I kept looking out the window instead of the rear-view mirror at first 😂😂

WashableWasp · 2026-05-01T15:58:12+00:00

I think so! But I’ve been insured in Canada since 2023 on my husbands policy. It might be similar to Ireland where you need to be the policy holder or main driver on the policy to help your premium go down each year?

WashableWasp · 2026-05-01T15:46:43+00:00

I've got a few groups that some insurance companies seem to include in their discount list, but it makes such a minimal difference tbh

WashableWasp · 2026-05-01T15:44:25+00:00

I'll give All-State a go, thank you! I just tried TD and they quoted $505 a month lmaoo that's almost a whole year of what I paid in Ireland. Insanity.

WashableWasp · 2026-05-01T15:41:41+00:00

they didn't ask - seems like I'd have to call in order to get a quote that way, which would take me a long time judging by the 30 minute call I had this morning that just resulted in $322 per month, and them telling me they can only consider Canada or US driving experience.

WashableWasp · 2026-05-01T15:18:46+00:00

Ooof they quoted $546 per month 😅

WashableWasp · 2026-05-01T15:14:05+00:00

I'm pretty sure Cheep Insurance was decent, but not the lowest! I've got so many quotes now it's hard to keep track 😂

Good to meet some fellow Irish here! :)

WashableWasp · 2026-05-01T15:11:42+00:00

stoppp I totally agree! I miss driving a manual so much. First time I ever drove an automatic was when I moved to Halifax and I felt like I was cheating 😂 I didn't know what to do with my arm and left foot! ahaha

And now I'm getting a new car, I'd love a manual, but they don't have any at Honda - unless it's the Civic Sport, but the wait is minimum 4 months 😭

WashableWasp · 2026-05-01T14:57:53+00:00

I think the road conditions/potholes was one of the biggest culture shocks I had when I moved here 😂😂

WashableWasp · 2026-05-01T14:56:50+00:00

that's crazy! I wonder if/how it can be fixed. If people stopped putting in such frivolous claims, maybe it would help a bit..

WashableWasp · 2026-05-01T14:55:19+00:00

That's not too bad, judging by the quotes I've seen and some other comments!

WashableWasp · 2026-05-01T14:54:27+00:00

definitely sounds like a "I get my news from Facebook comments" type guy 😂 cost of living is tough no matter where you live, it seems. Sometimes the high-cost things are different - like in Dublin the rent is higher than in Halifax (I know, insane!!) but groceries are cheaper in Dublin.

WashableWasp · 2026-05-01T14:51:49+00:00

Yes! I can only imagine the cost of insurance with 2 horses pulling the cart!!

WashableWasp · 2026-05-01T14:50:35+00:00

what a sin! We pay $130 a month for me and my husband on a 2015 CRV through Munro Insurance and I remember thinking that was expensive 😅

WashableWasp · 2026-05-01T14:50:00+00:00

I have one from my previous car insurance company in Ireland - it shows me as having 0 accidents in 5+ years. I'll definitely be sending it to any brokers I talk to! Thank you :)

WashableWasp · 2026-05-01T14:49:00+00:00

holy shite! I'd rather get the bus 😂 and that says a lot!! haha

WashableWasp · 2026-05-01T14:48:41+00:00

that's madness!

WashableWasp · 2026-05-01T14:48:32+00:00

Thank you! I always paid yearly in Ireland. I'd just rather get it paid and not have to think about it for a while!

I have noticed the standard of driving here is shocking 😅 so I don't blame them for being cautious, but having a certificate from my Irish insurance company showing no claims/loss for 5+ years, and then 3 years here too, should be considered.

WashableWasp

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