Auto Insurance in the U.S.

[Colleens 40]

I have called a few places since the canadian insurance company will no longer cover my car once I POE into the states (it covers you as a visitor, but not once you become a "resident") I called progressive and my fiance asked Geico about insuring my car while it is still registered in Ontario and I still have an Ontario DL and they will both do that. I seem to recall reading somewhere that allstate does the same. Your best bet is to call around and get some quotes from different companies as they can vary by several hundred dollars when it comes to price. Just make sure that they are quoting you the same amount of coverage.

[biglos 0]

Yes, insurance and tabs(the exp. sticker for your license plate) for your car are separate....I would call an insurance company ahead of time to get a good grasp of how it works.

[Sc0tt28 26]

I'll be moving to Washington...but Washington D.C.!

Okay, so Customs Form 7501 -- that's what they give you after you import your car, correct? I've already got the importation clearance forms from General Motors, so I'm squared away there.

I guess what I'm wrapping my mind around is how the DMV differs from the insurance company. In B.C. they're one and the same, so I'm trying to figure out how they differ in the States.

So once you register your car in the state, THEN you get insurance? So what about the time between registration and insurance? You can't drive? I'll still be covered by my Canadian insurance, mind you, so that should last for about a month after POE.

Okay, I think I'm starting to get the gist of the process. My main concern is that I likely won't have a SSN right away, nor will I have an established credit history or even a job when I first get down there. Adding me to my wife's policy isn't an option, for various reasons. It looks like it will have to be me alone at the start, then eventually adding my wife.

You going to drive from Langley to Washington, DC?

[trailmix 77]

So once you register your car in the state, THEN you get insurance? So what about the time between registration and insurance? You can't drive? I'll still be covered by my Canadian insurance, mind you, so that should last for about a month after POE.

In most places it will be insurance - then registration - you can't register a car without insurance - don't know if that varies by state. We both had a SSN when we got our U.S. insurance, but of course no real U.S. credit rating, our premiums were very similar to what we were paying in Alberta.

One other thing, before you leave Canada, go and grab a 5 year driver's abstract - AllState accepted that from us in lieu of a letter of experience.

[Wyatt's Torch 45]

You going to drive from Langley to Washington, DC?

Yes, I will be next month.

In most places it will be insurance - then registration - you can't register a car without insurance - don't know if that varies by state. We both had a SSN when we got our U.S. insurance, but of course no real U.S. credit rating, our premiums were very similar to what we were paying in Alberta.

One other thing, before you leave Canada, go and grab a 5 year driver's abstract - AllState accepted that from us in lieu of a letter of experience.

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.

[Sc0tt28 26]

Yes, I will be next month.

That's a long drive, have fun. I've done it a couple times and so I'm not being sarcastic, I rather enjoyed it.

Make sure you wave as you drive past Ferndale. Just kidding, I'll probably be at work anyway.

It's a pretty small world, my wife and I got married in Langley...Milner Chapel. I forget the street its on.

See you around until next month!

[Flames9_RN 358]

http://www.icbc.com/driver-licensing/driving-record

[Wyatt's Torch 45]

That's a long drive, have fun. I've done it a couple times and so I'm not being sarcastic, I rather enjoyed it.

Make sure you wave as you drive past Ferndale. Just kidding, I'll probably be at work anyway.

It's a pretty small world, my wife and I got married in Langley...Milner Chapel. I forget the street its on.

See you around until next month!

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.

[Marilyn. 340]

here in Cali I am pretty sure you don't have to have insurance to get your car registered... but I could be wrong... you do have to get insurance though.. if you are pulled over and you don't have it, you could be in big trouble...

[Wyatt's Torch 45]

By the way, just so you know, I wasn't planning on driving without insurance -- I just wasn't sure what the system was!

[Marilyn. 340]

oh I didn't think you were ..lol

[MrsCat 6]

By the way, just so you know, I wasn't planning on driving without insurance -- I just wasn't sure what the system was!

Nope sorry too late, we've branded you for life as "that" kind of person.

[Wyatt's Torch 45]

Nope sorry too late, we've branded you for life as "that" kind of person.

And I do 50 MpH through school zones too...

[Sc0tt28 26]

And I do 50 MpH through school zones too...

Probably the same "type" that do 50 MPH on I-5 as well.

[Wyatt's Torch 45]

Probably the same "type" that do 50 MPH on I-5 as well.

I have to say, with all due respect to all present Washingtonians, I'm constantly amazed by how many Washington drivers do EXACTLY the speed limit while in the fast lane... It's not uncommon, when driving down to Seattle, to have all three lanes going the same speed!

I'll freely admit that I tend to be a bit of a lead foot. Not through school zones and urban areas though.