This morning, while on the phone with my insurance company, I was told that I would need a special insurance ID card to cross the border, and that the border guard would ask to see it. This is not an ordinary card, it has to be on a special form and a faxed copy isn’t acceptable.
Thing is, I checked several travel websites and the Canadian customs and immigration site, and couldn’t find any mention at all of this ID card. I know there is sometimes a lag between new information and regulations and the updating of a website, but if this ID was so important that it can be grounds for denial of entry, you’d think that Immigration would be all over it, right?
I can see that insurance agent chuckling and slapping his knee right now. I have driven to Canada a hundred times (ten years back) and flown there a dozen times, and never had the need for insurance cards. If there is something new, I have never heard of it, and it sounds like you looked in the right spots. Call your insurance company back, and ask another rep, and get more details if they say it exists.
I’ve never heard of such a thing, either. I’ve never been to Canada myself, but my clients go back and forth all the time. I’m almost 100% positive it would have come up by now.
Sorry, that might not have been GQ worthy. Still, you will not be asked for an insurance card. Being a wealthy American with insurance is not a pre-requisite to visit. Besides, you have Pringles!
Before 9/11/2001, all I needed to get into Canada was my California driver’s license. After 9/11 the CDL was good to get me into Canada, but I was hassled by the U.S. border guard who insisted to know why I didn’t have my birth certificate with me. On the last trip to Canada I had my expired passport. They let me in, but they said it would be better if I had my BC or a new passport.
So if you have a driver’s license and your birth certificate, you should be fine. I think it would be better to have a passport though (and I have a new one now).
For crossing the border into Canada you need proof of identity and proof of citizenship. A driver’s license alone is not proof of citizenship. Best to bring your driver’s license and birth certificate, or better, your passport.
I’ve never heard of an “insurance card” being required.
It may be possible to get through the border without these forms of ID, but do you want to take the chance?
I had my driver’s license, my birth certificate, and my passport but no special insurance card ( I forgot to call my insurfance agent).
I got to the border, the Canadian dudes there didn’t ask for identification or even my driver’s license. They didn’t even ask my name. If I had flashed my passport they may have asked to see it. They did search my car though.
The American dudes usually are more demanding (in my experience), but this time they just asked a couple of questions, saw my passport, asked for it and sent me on my way.
Usually the insurance agent suggests that you check to make sure your insurance is valid in Canada and they will issue a special card that says so just in case you get in an accident up there.
Just went last week and only needed a drivers license. I think having a birth certificate is a good idea in case they want more info. Better safe than sorry.
I have friends who cross the border daily and they’ve never mentioned an insurance card. Is there any special reason for your visit where they might require it?
I’m sure you know this by now, but just to confirm: the legal requirement for entry to the U.S. as a U.S. citizen is proof of identity and proof of citizenship. A U.S. birth certificate and reliable photo (such as driver’s license) will meet the requirement; sometimes they consider a passport more reliable, given the wide variation and relatively simple possibility of fraud involving birth certificates. (Also, if your name has changed since you were born, you may technically be required to show legal proof that you are the same person whose name is on the birth certificate.)
Yes, immigration enforcement along the U.S.-Canada border is wildly inconsistent, and many Americans and Canadians are never asked to show proper ID. The same happens in other places; I once took a train halfway across Europe without anyone looking at anything more than the cover of my U.S. passport. But you sure don’t want to catch a U.S. immigration inspector on an anal-retentive day if you don’t have your documents. Even if the Canadians are happy to let you into Canada, that doesn’t mean the Americans will be happy to let you come home.
I still have no clue what this insurance certificate business is, though. First time I’ve ever heard it.
I think your insurance agent doesn’t know North from South.
Special insurance / different insurance is required for Mexico. Many auto policies sold in the US do not cover in Mexico. I have never seen an exclusion for Canada.
I live in the US and worked in Canada for a few months a year or so ago. My Dad also lives in Canada so I have travelled there frequently by car and plane. Passport was all I ever needed, but driving I rarely have to produce ANYTHING. (I usually take the Peace Bridge) They usually ask me where I am going and how long I’ll be there. The US side is usually concerned with me bringing anything back and avoiding taxes, but rarely with my identity.
Though I know Robyn is already on her way, I thought I’d add my experience here.
I’ve been to Canada and back perhaps ten times this year, all but once via car. I travel to Canada fairly regularly.
Even in these ‘post 9-11’ days, I have only even been asked for my driver’s license once to cross into Canada. And, a driver’s license is sufficient ID. Comming home, there has only been one time when I was not asked for ID, but again, driver’s license is fine. If you do not have a driver’s license, a passport will do, or a birth certificate with some form of picture ID.
Insurance makes not one lick of difference.
If you’re flying, I believe you do actually need a passport, but I have learned that an expired passport is acceptable to use to get into Canada.
I just drove into Canada last month and I didn’t get asked for any identification at all on either side of the border. Coming back into the U.S. the offical wanted to know where I was born, but she took my word for it.
Maybe I just look innocent, or they were understaffed that day or something.
When I crossed into Canada, the border guard did not ask to see any identification or citizenship documents. She asked me the nature of my visit, how long I was staying, and my license plate number. She also asked me if I was bringing anything, and I told her that I was bringing potato chips and an open carton of cigarettes. She was happy with that and let me in. She did not ask to see proof of auto insurance. In any event, my insurance card does say “Valid in the US and Canada”, although I don’t know that it would satisfy Canadian authorities.
Coming home, the border guard did ask for my ID and citizenship documents. I handed over my driver’s license, birth certificate and marriage license. (I’ve had problems with bureaucracies not understanding the concept of the post-marriage name change.) She asked if I were bringing anything home, and I told her about the snack food and the T-shirts. She was happy with that and let me back into the US. Right into the waiting radar of a NY state trooper with an itchy writing hand, but that’s a different story.