How will I get motorcycle insurance while in the US for a while?
I’m going to be working in an american summer camp and afterwards you can travel for a month or so. I’m looking to buy a motorcycle to tour with but don’t know how i’ll get insurance for it as I won’t have a home address or anything (I live in the UK). Is it possible to rent one for a while? I have a full UK motorcycle license.
July 15th, 2009 at 10:35 am
are you going to have some form of permanent address?? Progressive does insure motorcycles, and at least in california you can purchase one without a liscence, as well as insure one without a liscence. and drive one with a permit in the day and not on freeways, although your UK liscence is probably fine or equivalent. And i’m sure you could use your UK liscence as your permanent address, but i’d call the insurance company progress, gieco to ensure that this is ok, before you travel, and make your purchase.
here hes what i found documented from the state department i will share the link so you can do some further reading.
International Driving Permits
Although many countries do not recognize U.S. driver’s licenses, most countries accept an International Driving Permit (IDP). IDPs are honored in more than 150 countries outside the United States. (See AAA’s application form for the list of countries). An IDP functions as an official translation of a U.S. driver’s license into ten foreign languages. These licenses are not intended to replace valid U.S. state licenses and should only be used as a supplement to a valid U.S. license. IDPs are not valid in an individual’s country of residence. Before departure, you can obtain an IDP from an automobile association authorized by the U.S. Department of State to issue IDPs. Article 24 of the United Nations Convention on Road Traffic (1949) authorizes the U.S. Department of State to empower certain organizations to issue IDPs to those who hold valid U.S. driver’s licenses. The Department designated the American Automobile Association (AAA) and the American Automobile Touring Alliance as the only authorized distributors of IDPs.
Many foreign countries require the deposit of a customs duty or an equivalent bond for each tourist automobile entering their territory, and the motoring associations are equipped with the necessary facilities to expeditiously provide a standard bond document (Article 3 of the Convention). The Convention is not applicable to United States motorists using their cars in the United States.
How to Apply for an International Driving Permit:
Before departure, you can obtain an IDP at a local office of one of the two automobile associations authorized by the U.S. Department of State: the American Automobile Association and the American Automobile Touring Alliance (through the National Auto Club).
AAA (American Automobile Association)
National Auto Club
To apply for an IDP, you must be at least age 18, and you will need to present two passport-size photographs and your valid U.S. license. The cost of an IDP from these U.S. State Department-authorized organizations is less than $20.00.
International Driving Permits Issued by Unauthorized Persons:
The U.S. Department of State is aware that IDPs are sold over the Internet and in-person by individuals not authorized by the U.S. Department of State pursuant to the requirements of the U.N. Convention on Road Traffic of 1949. Moreover, many of these IDPs are sold for large sums of money, far greater than the sum charged by entities authorized by the Department of State. Consumers experiencing problems should report them to their local office of the U.S. Postal Inspector, Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the Better Business Bureau, or their state or local Attorney General’s Office.
Auto Insurance
Car rental companies overseas usually provide auto insurance, but in some countries, the required coverage is minimal. When renting a car overseas, consider purchasing additional insurance coverage that is at least equivalent to that which you carry at home. In general, your U.S. auto insurance does not cover you abroad; however, your policy may apply when you drive to countries neighboring the United States. Check with your insurer prior to traveling to see if your policy covers you in Canada, Mexico, or countries south of Mexico. Even if your policy is valid, it may not meet that country’s minimum requirement. If you are under-insured for a particular country, auto insurance can usually be purchased separately on either side of the border.
July 16th, 2009 at 9:27 pm
easy, most UK insurance firms will cover you abroad, for a price lol. just ring up 1 or 2 and tell them your circumstances, there shouldn`t be a problem
July 17th, 2009 at 6:59 am
My cousin who lives in England did the same thing last summer. He came and volunteered at Operation Kindness then took a month to tour California on a bike he bought. You can get insurance for this, it is cheap.
July 18th, 2009 at 3:39 pm
Try this site
here you can view offers and get quotes from different companies in your area.
July 19th, 2009 at 7:51 am
When I first moved to the US and bought my bike only had my International Endorsement and my Spanish license.
Progressive wouldn’t insure me because of lack of records in the US and the fact that the bike was a 600cc (the broker said “high performance”). I went with Geico instead because at least they gave me 30 days to get my US license.
They have 6 months coverage, maybe you can get a 2-3 months deal.
July 19th, 2009 at 6:25 pm
You might be better off renting one, that way you get automatic insurance coverage.
July 23rd, 2009 at 5:05 am
autoinsurance.bebto.com – try this one. I have their car insurance and, as I know, they can provide such a service.