Car Insurance tips?

[Caladan 19]

So, we may run into problems getting C. a driver's license in Connecticut, especially since the complete lack of AOS NOAs mean we have no way to show that he's here legally. He can drive on his Canadian license (Connecticut says after 30 days of residency; I'm willing to quibble about when residency starts if they won't let him have a CT license on the grounds he isn't a resident), but his insurance policy is up at the end of August.

So, we're batting around options:

1) Option 1: Try to get temporary insurance on the car in C.'s name. Unfortunately, you need a green card to get insurance (not sure what people here on business do), and a CT license.

2) Option 2: Get his Canadian company to extend the policy another couple of months. (Doubt this is feasible.)

3) Option 3: Transfer the car to my name, I, by the power of citizenship, insure the car, and I drive. But then he won't be able to drive and I'll have to cart his ### around.

The problem with option three is that we have no idea how to proceed. He's imported the car, but it isn't registered in Connecticut because you can't do that without... wait for it.. a valid Connecticut driver's license. Can he sell it to me if it's not registered here?

Anyone have any experience with this?

[SonoranSongbird 3]

Have you talked to your insurance company? I have no idea how to proceed, but they really SHOULD be able to help you with it (and yes, it may be a matter of talking to a few different people until you find someone who knows what to do).

It may well be better for you to have a single policy covering the two cars for other reasons (ie, lower premiums), and that might be one way to get around the problem. I am not sure about this, but maybe simply adding the car to your policy will allow you around the barrier.

Another possibility is to switch insurance carriers--another company might insure the car before registering it. Many states (like mine) require proof of insurance BEFORE you can register your car, so national insurance companies have to be set up to write policies before the car is registered.

As for having to cart his butt around if you do have to transfer the car to your name (there HAS to be an easier way, but if you do), your insurance coverage is probably "any car-any driver." In most US states that is required by law (though check--it COULD be different). It means that your insurance covers you when you drive any car (such as a rental car) and it covers any person who drives your car (such as a son or daughter or friend who has no insurance because he or she has no car).

[ARodrigues 0]

I have been carrying insurance with Progressive and they had no problem insuring my EWI husband, even when he only had a Brazilian license.

Have you talked to your insurance company? I have no idea how to proceed, but they really SHOULD be able to help you with it (and yes, it may be a matter of talking to a few different people until you find someone who knows what to do).

It may well be better for you to have a single policy covering the two cars for other reasons (ie, lower premiums), and that might be one way to get around the problem. I am not sure about this, but maybe simply adding the car to your policy will allow you around the barrier.

Another possibility is to switch insurance carriers--another company might insure the car before registering it. Many states (like mine) require proof of insurance BEFORE you can register your car, so national insurance companies have to be set up to write policies before the car is registered.

As for having to cart his butt around if you do have to transfer the car to your name (there HAS to be an easier way, but if you do), your insurance coverage is probably "any car-any driver." In most US states that is required by law (though check--it COULD be different). It means that your insurance covers you when you drive any car (such as a rental car) and it covers any person who drives your car (such as a son or daughter or friend who has no insurance because he or she has no car).

[neiks 19]

My husband put me on his policy when he renewed and I was not yet a US resident. He supplied the insurance company with my Manitoba driver's license number and didn't seem to be a problem. Probably depends on the insurance company???

[Emancipation 2]

I have been carrying insurance with Progressive and they had no problem insuring my EWI husband, even when he only had a Brazilian license.

Yes but insuring a driver is very different than insuring a vehicle..

Sorry Caladan, I'm at a loss on this one.. as I too only have experience getting added as a driver not insuring a car this time around. I would be tempted to call the CDN side first though - although I believe they have a limit of US exposure they want to have on CDN vehicles.. but what do snowbirds do for example?

I do know that as a CDN when I insured my vehicle in the 90's in the US, they wanted an astronimical amount of premiums because we had no driving experience in the US and we had no credit history. but it should be different when there is a USC involved..

Also I know our insurer in the US really appreciated (and reflected it in the premiums) a copy of my Driver's Abstract from the PEI DMV as well as letters of experience from my insurer in Canada (going back 5 years).

Edited August 15, 2007 by Emancipation

[Krikit 1,165]

It wasn't a problem with Geico. They insured my (imported) car, registered in Ontario, using my Canadian driver's license no problem. They just need the VIN and the driver's license information.

[Caladan 19]

It wasn't a problem with Geico. They insured my (imported) car, registered in Ontario, using my Canadian driver's license no problem. They just need the VIN and the driver's license information.

Okay. We'd been looking at Geico. I can deal with him not having a CT license as long as he's legally insured.

The problem is that I personally don't have a car to add him to my policy. Everything's in his name except the citizenship. But we'll check out Geico as a Canadian and see if we can get the rate reasonable... Connecticut is ridiculous for insurance, which has been the main reason I haven't purchased a car as a grad student.

[Delicia 1]

I know that I have U.S. insurance on my U.S. car here in Canada as I cannot import it without status. I just called the insurance company and told them I would be visiting Canada and they printed me out a special card that shows I have coverage in Canada. You should call your insurance company and tell them you are driving to the U.S. and ask them if they will cover you and if yes, have them send you out some docs for you to stick in your glove box.

[bradcanuck 1]

I purchased Progressive insurance on my own with a Canadian lisence, then added my California.

I am currently on my wife's policy. No SSN. They should have NO problems adding a Canadian for any reason.

[Laynie 0]

So, we may run into problems getting C. a driver's license in Connecticut, especially since the complete lack of AOS NOAs mean we have no way to show that he's here legally. He can drive on his Canadian license (Connecticut says after 30 days of residency; I'm willing to quibble about when residency starts if they won't let him have a CT license on the grounds he isn't a resident), but his insurance policy is up at the end of August.

So, we're batting around options:

1) Option 1: Try to get temporary insurance on the car in C.'s name. Unfortunately, you need a green card to get insurance (not sure what people here on business do), and a CT license.

2) Option 2: Get his Canadian company to extend the policy another couple of months. (Doubt this is feasible.)

3) Option 3: Transfer the car to my name, I, by the power of citizenship, insure the car, and I drive. But then he won't be able to drive and I'll have to cart his ### around.

The problem with option three is that we have no idea how to proceed. He's imported the car, but it isn't registered in Connecticut because you can't do that without... wait for it.. a valid Connecticut driver's license. Can he sell it to me if it's not registered here?

Anyone have any experience with this?

Hummmmm Thats odd course though I don't knowwhat the laws are in CT but my fiance has me on his vehicle insurance down in Texas and they ( the insurance company) just photo copied my Ontario drivers lisence, there has never been a problem.

[lynamon 0]

Hey Caladan ... Looks like we've been in the same boat as of late

I tried the other day to get my Ohio drivers license but I need my receipt notice for my aos paperwork to get it (I filed July 28th .. so you know where I am with that)

I was able to get a title on my 2004 Honda Civic that I brought with me and plates. My insurance company in Canada is State Farm and are insuring me for 60 days from point of entry. We have tried to get insurance with Allstate (which is my husbands insurance company) but they are state regulated and need the ohio d.l..

I was paying about $140 a month in Canada with State Farm (never an accident perfect driving record) and here with an out of state drivers license another insurance company was able to quote about $156.00 a month which I don't find too bad considering that it's a temporary fix. Our Canadian license is supposed to be good for anywhere from 6 months to a year (I've heard differing things)

I just got off of the phone and state farm will cover me for 120 per month here ... so it is possible to get insurance ... in Ohio at least .. hope that helps.

[CutienPurg 0]

progressive was good to us too

hubby getting a license was as simple as showing his k-3 and a piece of mail in his name at my address to prove residency.....we're Michigan

[Caladan 19]

C. can't get his driver's license here without the NOA1 from the I-485, but I managed to insure his car in my name through GEICO. They say I have 15 days to put Connecticut plates on it, which we can't do until he gets his license, but our rate was $40 a month. This doesn't insure him, though, just me, but at least we can get around a little bit.

[thermophile 0]

C

you should be able to add him to the policy using his Canadian license-I added my hubby to my insurance back when we were dating. WY plated car, WY insurance and just gave my insurance people a copy of his Alberta license.

lynamon-as I understand, your dl is valid as long as it hasn't expired. however, most states want you to change your license within a set time. basically you'll get scolded if you get pulled over and have a dl from your old state/province. Most of my friends, myself included, have been living in NM for several years since we're in school but none of us have changed our licenses because NM has crazy high insurance rates.

Right now I have both a WY and AB license. Wyoming didn't care that I have 2, I told the guy when I was renewing my WY license that I had a valid Canadian license. He said that's not a problem, it's just not legal to have 2 different state licenses. I'm not sure what Alberta would think of my double licenses, but it made insurance easier since we're still a cross border family-one car in Canada and one in the US.

[Queen Jenn 0]

I own my car and have GEICO. They will cover whomever drives my car, as long as they have a valid driver's license.