Policy

A client is required to provide proof of valid insurance to register a vehicle in Alberta. The insurance company must be licensed to operate in Alberta; this includes insurance companies based in other provinces and countries.

A list of insurance companies licensed to operate in Alberta may be confirmed through RAnet.

Government Insurance

Provincial government insurance from British Columbia (ICBC), Saskatchewan (SGI) and Manitoba (MPI) are not acceptable to register a vehicle in Alberta, as they are not licensed to operate in Alberta.

Note:
SGI CANADA Insurance Services Ltd. is an incorporated company that is licensed to sell insurance in Alberta.

Provincial government insurance from British Columbia Manitoba, or Saskatchewan is acceptable for in-transit permits that are being used to transport a vehicle between Alberta and another Canadian jurisdiction.

Exceptions

Proof of insurance is not required to register the following:

• Trailers.
• Antique vehicles.
• Vehicles owned by and registered to a government agency or Crown corporation.
• Off-highway vehicles owned by a:
  • Trapper and used solely on his/her registered trap line.
  • Commercial winter fisherman and used solely in a commercial fishing operation within any commercial fishing zone.

Acceptable Documents

A client must produce valid insurance. Valid insurance can be mailed, faxed or provided electronically (smart phone/device) and must be in one of the following formats:

• An inter-provincial insurance card, also known as a pink card.
• A letter of confirmation from an insurance agent or company.
• An insurance policy.
  • Copy of an application for insurance is not acceptable.
• A garage insurance policy.
  • A garage insurance policy is proof of valid insurance as long as the client is registering the vehicle in the same name as indicated on the garage insurance policy.It is not restricted to dealer plates.
• Canadian Non-Resident Inter-provincial Motor Vehicle Liability Card (commonly known as a yellow card or Canadian ID Card).
  • Companies which have filed a Canada Non-Resident Inter-provincial Motor Vehicle Liability Insurance Power of Attorney and Undertaking (PAU) can issue a Canadian Non-Resident Inter-provincial Motor Vehicle Liability Card, see http://www.ccir-ccrra.org/en/pau/.
• Insurance coverage details completed on a Permanent Fleet Registration Renewal Notice.

A registry agent may confirm on the telephone with the insurance agency that a client has valid insurance coverage (this includes out of province insurance companies). A notation regarding the telephone confirmation must be made on the vehicle application (or in-transit permit).

Document Content

Insurance documents must contain:

• Name(s) of insured (may contain more names than what appear on the registration document).
  • When the name(s) on the insurance and registration documents do not match, authorization from the insurance agent must be obtained.
    • Verbal confirmation is acceptable (a notation regarding the telephone confirmation must be made on the vehicle application).
• Vehicle description (e.g., make, VIN and year).
  • Exception: Insurance documents issued by provincial government insurance from British Columbia Manitoba, or Saskatchewan does not have to identify the vehicle description.
• Name of insurance agency.
• Name of insurance company.
• Policy or binder number.
• Date of issue (must be valid on the date of application).
• Expiry date (“continuous” is not an acceptable expiry date).

Exceptions

Content on insurance documents may vary as follows:

• In place of the vehicle description, insurance coverage issued for a fleet may contain the phrase “All vehicles owned and/or operated by (name of company/individual)”.
• In place of expiry date on a binder document an active period may be specified, e.g., valid for 30 days.

Vehicle Transfers

When a client transfers their licence plate/registration from one vehicle to another the client must provide proof of valid insurance for the vehicle being registered.

Note: 
The 14 day grace period allowed for the transferring of licence plate/registration does not apply to insurance documents.

Servicing/Wholesale Dealers

The number of plates insured with an insurance company, versus the number of plates currently registered to a client should be verified with the insurance company prior to issuing any additional servicing or wholesale dealer plates.

Date Originally Issued: Nov 14, 1989
Date Last Revised: Jun 28, 2021