Insurance - UK registered car in the US

Insurance - UK registered car in the US

Author
Discussion

Maxeh

Original Poster:

359 posts

221 months

Friday 18th September 2020
quotequote all
Has anyone had any experience with US or UK based insurers who would cover a UK registered car in the US for a period of up to 12 months?

The car will remain on British plates on a tourist visa. Note I am not a US citizen, just here on a work visa.

I've sussed out the shipping and logistics but the insurance is proving tricky! The cars a 996 911.

Cheers


Edited by Maxeh on Saturday 19th September 23:44

Mikebentley

6,124 posts

141 months

Friday 18th September 2020
quotequote all
I think you need to speak with Aircooledbug? I think that’s his username.

Maxeh

Original Poster:

359 posts

221 months

Saturday 19th September 2020
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I’ve messaged him on Instagram as I was recommended there too.

The blog has been a great source of information!

Matt Harper

6,621 posts

202 months

Saturday 19th September 2020
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I'm confused. Is it a tourist visa or a work visa?

Maxeh

Original Poster:

359 posts

221 months

Saturday 19th September 2020
quotequote all
Sorry I’ve just read my first post and it’s not clear.

I’m personally here on a work visa but the car can come over for 12 months as a temporary import from what I’ve read.


Edited by Maxeh on Saturday 19th September 23:45

ResQ1

96 posts

49 months

Sunday 20th September 2020
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The car will need to be insured with a US Insurer. The plate shouldn't matter.

Maxeh

Original Poster:

359 posts

221 months

Sunday 20th September 2020
quotequote all
Ok. The company used by AircooledBug no longer offer the service for U.K. cars.

I’ll get phoning brokers and go from there.

Matt Harper

6,621 posts

202 months

Sunday 20th September 2020
quotequote all
Maxeh said:
Sorry I’ve just read my first post and it’s not clear.

I’m personally here on a work visa but the car can come over for 12 months as a temporary import from what I’ve read.


Edited by Maxeh on Saturday 19th September 23:45
Correct - I did this myself, when I moved to the US in 2001. In the UK, I had a Euro-Spec C5 Corvette, which I repatriated to Florida and ran it on it's UK plate(s) for 11 months - at which time you are obliged to either remove, scrap or permanently import it. I permanently imported it - easy, because it had a recognizable (and filed) VIN.

Re insurance - I did it under the company's blanket vehicle insurance policy, until it got it's US identity, tag, inspection and tax certificate.

The difficulty you will face with a UK registered car is that it's VIN will not be in the DoT database, so unidentifiable to a US insurance company. I know that there are some insurance agents that can provide temporary cover for tourism purposes, but after a year, you will have to remove your car from the US, because permanently importing it will not be an option, I suspect.

Maxeh

Original Poster:

359 posts

221 months

Sunday 20th September 2020
quotequote all
The car will 100% be going back to the U.K. within the year so I’m not worried about dealing with a permanent import.

Did you have any recommendations for insurers who will provide cover for the 12 months?

The Moose

22,867 posts

210 months

Monday 21st September 2020
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Speak with Chubb in the UK (you'll need a specialist broker). They will provide insurance in the US but maybe not for a UK car. Worth a call.

Also, look for insurers who will insure Mexican or Canadian cars temporarily in the US - they may do other country cars too?

Maybe ask RDMcG?

Edited by The Moose on Monday 21st September 01:03

Maxeh

Original Poster:

359 posts

221 months

Monday 21st September 2020
quotequote all
Thanks, I'll give them a go.

In the UK I've tried Classic Line, Locktons and First Point so far. In the US, Paramount, Hagerty (who will if its under a show & display), Chubb Classic and Grundy.

As suspected, not straight forward!

The Moose

22,867 posts

210 months

Monday 21st September 2020
quotequote all
Maxeh said:
Thanks, I'll give them a go.

In the UK I've tried Classic Line, Locktons and First Point so far. In the US, Paramount, Hagerty (who will if its under a show & display), Chubb Classic and Grundy.

As suspected, not straight forward!
I got a quote for insurance for a high value vehicle here in the US that was super high. I then got a quote from Chubb in the UK from the broker I've used for other things in the UK for the same vehicle in the US and it was extremely reasonable. It was a US vehicle so that may be different, but a lead for you to go on?

Maxeh

Original Poster:

359 posts

221 months

Monday 21st September 2020
quotequote all
Still no joy, the key here is the UK registration.

I'll do some digging but could I register it at my local DMV, insure it, then "de-register" it and export it back home I wonder.

geeman237

1,235 posts

186 months

Tuesday 22nd September 2020
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I have a classic car collection policy with Grundy here in the USA, including RHD cars. Try contacting the US office rather than the UK. Tell them a very satisfied US customer recommended them. Worth a shot. Will the car be a weekend/fun car use only and garaged? That may help your cause.




Maxeh

Original Poster:

359 posts

221 months

Tuesday 22nd September 2020
quotequote all
Are they on US or UK plates? That seems to be the sticking point for me.

It will be kept in an underground garage used only on weekend trips.

geeman237

1,235 posts

186 months

Tuesday 22nd September 2020
quotequote all
Maxeh said:
Are they on US or UK plates? That seems to be the sticking point for me.

It will be kept in an underground garage used only on weekend trips.
Fully US registered cars I'm afraid.
I did import a '92 TVR Griffith under the US 25 year rule and getting that insured etc was easy.

Maxeh

Original Poster:

359 posts

221 months

Tuesday 22nd September 2020
quotequote all
Success! This may have been luck of the drawer but Progressive have given a very reasonable 6 month quotation.

Now to add all the costs up...

The Moose

22,867 posts

210 months

Wednesday 23rd September 2020
quotequote all
Maxeh said:
Success! This may have been luck of the drawer but Progressive have given a very reasonable 6 month quotation.

Now to add all the costs up...
I'm surprised Progressive did that! But that's great. If your plans involve starting in Florida, feel free to ship it to me smile