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Insuring Foreign Car in the USA

Discussion in 'General Automotive Discussion' started by sjmst, May 24, 2008.

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  1. sjmst

    sjmst F1 Veteran
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    Jul 31, 2003
    9,854
    Long Island, NY
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    Sam
    #1 sjmst, May 24, 2008
    A new Fiat 500 is being brought to Port Newark by a freind from the UK next month. I was to pick it up for him, as he will not be arriving for a month after the car.
    He is having trouble getting insurance for me to drive it (see below). My insurance co. says they can only insure me for cars I own or registred to me.
    Any ideas?
    Thanks
    Sam


    "We always seem to have insurance issues with every trip to the US.
    AIG won't insure you on the car as the policy is only for non US Citizens and their funny little foreign cars (that's my words not theirs BTW, LOL). There isn't an option to put on a resident of the US as it's a 'Tourist' policy....
    I used the company in 2006 and they also used to offer 3 month policies but now I've got to take out a full year! Ouch! But it needs done as for all it would take is for some kid to run out in front of the car and I'd be screwed big time.
    I'm not sure how US insurance cover works but I can transfer cover to 'loan' cars no problem here in the UK. If you could look into that for me it would be great. Ive if the cover is only '3rd party' (as we would call it here in the UK, is the term 'liability' there?) it would be great as I'd not want to you getting into trouble over not having legal cover in the 500."
     
  2. ryalex

    ryalex Two Time F1 World Champ
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    Aug 6, 2003
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    Ryan Alexander
    #2 ryalex, May 24, 2008
    Probably have to use an insurer that is both US and UK and do it from the UK side.
     
  3. Artherd

    Artherd F1 Veteran

    Jun 19, 2002
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    Bay Area, CA
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    Ben Cannon
    #3 Artherd, May 25, 2008
    Last edited: May 25, 2008
    The owner would have to take out the policy that provides coverage for occasional driving by others such as you.

    Try Hagerty.

    Also, try Acordia. They are a broker and should be able to find the right insurer for your friend.

    And your friend's insurance policy abroad -- see if it can provide coverage for you in the US for an extra charge.
     
  4. sjmst

    sjmst F1 Veteran
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    #4 sjmst, May 25, 2008
    Thanks for the responses so far. Will look into it.
    Sam
     
  5. tatcat

    tatcat F1 World Champ
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    rick c
    #5 tatcat, May 25, 2008
    does your insurance cover you when driving a rental car? if so, just "rent" the car from your friend.
     
  6. OKA

    OKA Karting

    May 7, 2008
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    Houston, TX
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    Sam
    #6 OKA, May 25, 2008
    I think the rental car coverage may only apply if rented from a licensed rental agency.
     
  7. OKA

    OKA Karting

    May 7, 2008
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    Houston, TX
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    Sam
    #7 OKA, May 25, 2008
    It is always harder to get insurance in a foreign country when you bring a car in temporarily as a tourist. I had my Hummer shipped to Dubai last year while I was on a long vacation. I was going to pick it up there and drive around the Middle East and north Africa. But I had a little problem. It was easy to ship it from the US. But In Dubai I had to pay customs tax, and they said they would refund me when I exported the car. It was so difficult getting insurance. I tried a bunch of companies. finally found one that charged me about $1700 for a one year policy liability only. I told them I only needed it for one month, but minimum was a year. Anyways I had it for less then 3 months. When I canceled I got about $200 back.
     
  8. Pranucci

    Pranucci Formula 3
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    Mar 17, 2005
    1,128
    Carpinteria, CA
    #8 Pranucci, May 26, 2008
    How about trailering it to your house? Or do you want to drive it around?
    Also, your insurance should cover you if you borrow a car.
     

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