Car insurance in California

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shaulCanuckAbroad Regular
Topic author
Posts: 30
Joined: 7 Jul 2009

Car insurance in California

Post Thu Jul 16, 2009 1:25 pm

1. Can i get car insurance in California, if car registered in Ontario?
(I checked one online quote, they do not ask question where car is registered)

2. IF somebody knows Insurance company that I can insure my car (while in Canada) , but also will be valid in California? (my current insurance allows to go to States only for short period of time)?
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Reba

Re: Car insurance in California

Post Thu Jul 16, 2009 3:18 pm

nope, don't think you can get insurance if the car is not registered in California.

What are you going there for, and for how long?
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shaulCanuckAbroad Regular
Topic author
Posts: 30
Joined: 7 Jul 2009

Re: Car insurance in California

Post Thu Jul 16, 2009 3:26 pm

We're going for good. My wife is getting L1 and I should apply for L2 (90 days waiting period)
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StevenCanuckAbroad VIP
Posts: 3637
Topics: 2
Joined: 28 Sep 2007
Location: Calgary

Re: Car insurance in California

Post Thu Jul 16, 2009 4:12 pm

I think theoretically it might be possible but you'd be paying heaps of money. If you're moving to California then clearly you need to get the car registered there. State law requires this and insurance agents will know this.
Steve.
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shaulCanuckAbroad Regular
Topic author
Posts: 30
Joined: 7 Jul 2009

Re: Car insurance in California

Post Thu Jul 16, 2009 6:14 pm

Steve, the problem is - that to get my car registered in California, I should pass different tests (EPA and so on) and I assume it make take about month. On other hand - if I cannot get insurance without car registered in Californija, how I'm going to drive?
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StevenCanuckAbroad VIP
Posts: 3637
Topics: 2
Joined: 28 Sep 2007
Location: Calgary

Re: Car insurance in California

Post Fri Jul 17, 2009 9:42 am

Hmm, check with your current insurance agent, usually your current insurance will cover you until you re-register the car.
Steve.
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shaulCanuckAbroad Regular
Topic author
Posts: 30
Joined: 7 Jul 2009

Re: Car insurance in California

Post Fri Jul 17, 2009 10:47 am

I checked with my insurance and they told that I can be driving in US only if I'm going over there for less than 6 months and I should call before i leave. So, to keep insurance, probably I should lie that we're going to less than 6 months or we don't know for how long we're going.

On other hand, I called american insurance progressive.com who tell that I can insure car with canadian registration/plates (when I have valid address in CA). BTW, I also gor quote - they charge aout the same amount we pay in Ontario , but in US $
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again09New Member
Posts: 4
Joined: 19 Jul 2009

Re: Car insurance in California

Post Sun Jul 19, 2009 8:38 pm

shaul wrote:I checked with my insurance and they told that I can be driving in US only if I'm going over there for less than 6 months and I should call before i leave. So, to keep insurance, probably I should lie that we're going to less than 6 months or we don't know for how long we're going.

On other hand, I called american insurance progressive.com who tell that I can insure car with canadian registration/plates (when I have valid address in CA). BTW, I also gor quote - they charge aout the same amount we pay in Ontario , but in US $


Hi Shaul,
I will also be moving next month to California from Ottawa, ON on L1 visa. I am planning to take my cars. How are you shipping your vehicle? I also have to go to border to get I94 with L1 stamping.

Do you have any information if I can take my cars at the same time of L1 stamping and import in US ? My other household stuff will be shipped by a moving company. Do I need to take a list of household to be moved to US border post?

Thanks
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StevenCanuckAbroad VIP
Posts: 3637
Topics: 2
Joined: 28 Sep 2007
Location: Calgary

Re: Car insurance in California

Post Mon Jul 20, 2009 11:07 am

You need to use CBP Form 3299 for unaccompanied goods.
Steve.
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Mirandalee28New Member
Posts: 5
Joined: 25 Mar 2009

Re: Car insurance in California

Post Fri Aug 07, 2009 12:38 pm

Hi!

I just moved to California a month ago. I drove my car here from Toronto (I did not import it) and I obtained car insurance, no problem! It costs about the same as it did in Canada, too. I got it through a Farmers Insurance broker in Modesto. All I did was show her a letter I had my previous Canadian insurance company prepare stating how long I was a customer, my driver rating and recent claims (if any).
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