Auto Insurance in the U.S.

[redBlue 1]

Ah! Yes, Milner Chapel is just off of Glover Road, right behind the Esso, right?

Yeah, I'm looking VERY forward to the drive. I'm aiming to make it in three long days.

Glad to hear I'm not the only one who has done that particular drive! A lot of people (though not VJers!) think I'm nuts to be driving there.

well in Apr,we will also be driving to LA from TO.So pls let me know how u did

[Wyatt's Torch 45]

well in Apr,we will also be driving to LA from TO.So pls let me know how u did

Suffice it to say that if I'm still posting in mid-March, I've made it.

[zyggy 9]

My wife has USAA and she loves it. I'll be getting on that policy toot sweet. I don't think Arizona taxes your vehicle annually but I'll be sure to ask her tonight.

There's a lot to deal with and know when it comes to the all of us moving there so it's great to be able to throw issues and quesitons around and get lots of help.

VJ has truly been a superb resource.

AZ has a personal property tax as well. And it's very stiff. For two cars I pay about $800 per year.

[zyggy 9]

A wealth of information there, Texanadian. Thanks!

I was looking at USAA, but it looks like they require an SSN. I'm going to want to get all of my car issues straightened around in the first few days that I'm down there, which will be before I get my SSN. Looks like I'll still be shopping around... Not sure if Geico is my best bet or not. I wonder if there are any that will accept one's B.C. driving record as proof of safe driving? Hmmm...

USAA is only available to military and their families. Don't know if your eligible, but they are the greatest insurance company on the planet and get my highest endorsement. Their bank and finalcial products rocks as well.

Be "very" careful about GEICO. I've had several insurance adjuster and agent friends of mine tell me their policies have tons of holes in them that are not to your benefit. They are the cheapest around, but remember the old adage that you get what you pay for. You buy insurance to be covered when you have a loss. Just be sure to really read the policy before you buy.

Edited February 20, 2010 by zyggy

[Ban Hammer 13,429]

USAA is only available to military and their families. Don't know if your eligible, but they are the greatest insurance company on the planet and get my highest endorsement. Their bank and finalcial products rocks as well.

usaa has recently changed their membership requirements to allow anyone who served in the past with an honorable discharge can now join.

children of former military members can join too.

[zyggy 9]

usaa has recently changed their membership requirements to allow anyone who served in the past with an honorable discharge can now join.

children of former military members can join too.

Not quite. Children can't join until the parent with the military affiliation joins. So for instance, if your deceased parent wasn't a member of USAA when they were alive, you are not eligible to join.

[ZansGirl 0]

Hmm...that's good info, TM. I was actually thinking about the driver's abstract, too.

So it's insurance before registration, eh? Okay. Good to know. Thanks.

Get the Drivers Abstract right before you leave because it needs to be as current as possible....

I just Registered my 2006 Pontiac G6 GT in Washington...had a $15. Emissions test..and then the Regitration fees were 132.89...we ran out of time today, so Monday we are heading to do the insurance. My ICBC expires end of the month..i still have the BC plates on the car and will until I have Wa state insurance. Next step after that will be the Driver's Licence....then I shall be adaquatly assimilated!!!(lol)

[Texanadian 10]

I can't speak for other insurance companies, but with Geico, they mentioned to me that I could take their online defensive driving course. Takes about 6 hours and you can start/stop at any time and maintain your place. I did the whole thing over a weekend.

It cost me $20 and the discount is good for 3 years. The discount is 10% off everything except for underinsurance.

[Married2009 32]

States have more uninsured drivers than BC does. In Texas, the official figure is that 25% of the drivers on the road don't have car insurance. They can do that because the registration sticker and license plates aren't connected to insurance. Sure you have to have insurance to get a plate and up to date registration sticker. But if you cancel your insurance, nothing will change. You keep the plate and the sticker. (some states do this differently). So people will buy insurance, get a new sticker or plate and then promptly cancel their insurance and get their money back. There is no way looking at a vehicle to know if they have insurance or not.

Not sure about all of Texas, but Houston police can now tell by running the plates who has insurance and who doesn't. But the rest of what you said is sad but true. Even when I just have liabiltiy on my car, I have uninsured motorist to cover me. I have heard too many stories about people getting hit by idiots with no insurance.

[Texanadian 10]

Houston is finally getting the technology to run your plates and check for insurance. But they still won't tow you for it. They simply give you a ticket.

^^^ This guy was hit by an uninsured driver. It was the 3rd time in 5 years it's happened. He was pissed off!

I've read numerous stories of police showing up at an accident. They see the person at fault doesn't have car insurance, and then simply let that person drive away. Meanwhile the person hit is phoning up a tow truck to get their car moved. My dad is ex RCMP and can't believe the stuff I tell him down here. In BC, he would NOT have allowed that person to move their car 5 feet. Even if they were parked on the street right next to their house. The car would be towed to an impound lot and a large fine would have been given out. No insurance ticket in Texas is $300. What's the point?

[Ban Hammer 13,429]

appears to be about a 96 RS camaro, with a v-8

[redmen99 1]

I added my hubby to my Allstate car insurance policy in PA right after we got married to get the additional discount. All they needed was his driver's license info. I just called my Agent to see if they will need his driving record when he comes down. I was told since his name is already on my policy they have already ran his license and have that info already, so I'll just need to call and add his car to my policy. One less thing to worry about... Now I just need a bill or something in his name sent to our place so that he can get his license here next month.... UGH!!!

[Wyatt's Torch 45]

I wonder... Will I need a U.S. driver's license before I get insurance? I was thinking I'd do the inspections, get the insurance, then hit the DMV to get the title and registration along with my new DL.

How does the SSN issue play into this? Are there any of these points where I'll NEED my SSN? I suppose I could stick it out and wait for my SSN to arrive before I change everything over (technically I'll have one month to do it...), but I'd rather get everything done a.s.a.p. while I have the time.

[redmen99 1]

I wonder... Will I need a U.S. driver's license before I get insurance? I was thinking I'd do the inspections, get the insurance, then hit the DMV to get the title and registration along with my new DL.

How does the SSN issue play into this? Are there any of these points where I'll NEED my SSN? I suppose I could stick it out and wait for my SSN to arrive before I change everything over (technically I'll have one month to do it...), but I'd rather get everything done a.s.a.p. while I have the time.

Here in PA you can't get your license until you have a SSN. I'm not sure how it is in VA.

[Wyatt's Torch 45]

Well, I'm insured, titled, registered, inspected and licensed in the state of Virginia! It took three trips to the DMV in total (one for my driver's license last week and two trips today), but it was fairly painless for the most part. Annoying and cumbersome, yes, but mostly painless. PLUS...I didn't have to pay state tax on my car this year since I bought it within the last twelve months and could prove that I paid tax on it when I purchased it. So huzzah for that!

The reason I had to take TWO trips today was because on the first trip they wanted an HS-7 document filled out...which is something I didn't think was required, given that it wasn't needed at the border. Nevertheless, I came back home, found it online and filled it out, and went back to the DMV a bit later. The lines were pretty long, but flowed quite well.

The second trip scared me a bit though. When the clerk was looking at my British Columbia certificate of title and insurance, he was pretty convinced that it was ONLY an insurance document. I was quite adamant about the fact that no, it was an insurance AND ownership document -- you just get the one document in B.C., because the insurance company is the same as the licensing / titling / registering agency. He checked with one supervisor who also thought it was not an appropriate document. He then checked with another supervisor who said that he DID think it was an appropriate document. Ultimately they found a book somewhere that indicated what was needed on a document to deem it adequate as proof of ownership...and my document passed muster, I guess. It was frustrating though, since there didn't seem to be a problem a couple of hours earlier when I was told I just needed the HS-7. After that, everything was fine though. No problemo. So title and registration for two years, plus plate fees cost me a mere $90, which I thought was pretty reasonable, all things considered.

Now I just need to get my municipal sticker for Alexandria City, and I'll be completely done for a year. Whee!