Insurance options for N.America, Canada, Alaska
 

Hello there,

I've been looking at the multiple insurance options for taking my bike across N.America & want some suggestions for policies that give decent coverage for America including Alaska & Canada.

Any suggestions from those in the know appreciated.

Thank you,

Smudger

Ditto - Progressive.

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Progressive
 

Not used them but heard lots of good things. :thumbup1:

I did get a quote from them once and they were very competitive!

xXx

Yup, I got a year's basic insurance from Progressive for $190, can't complain...

Thank you Gents - much appreciated. I went with Progressive, policy docs & ID card for Canada to follow.

ID card for Canada? What's that?

Canada ID card
 

The ID card is issued by US (and Canadian?) insurance companies and basically is your proof that you have got insurance to ride on Canada's roads. It's a bit different from your insurance card for the US.
If you are planning on riding America AND Canada, you will need both, just make sure you tell the insurance company when you apply and they send the ID card at no extra cost.

Wow, thanks for that Tiffany. I'm flying to Alaska on Saturday and will be riding through Canada and had no idea. I've got insurance arranged through Progressive - perhaps they will have all this in hand. But now at least i know what to ask them.

I tried getting insurance through Progressive after reading comments here but the person I spoke to on the phone was rather unhelpful. I mentioned that I was a non-US resident without a US drivers license and needed 3 month insurance cover. The reaction was somewhat as if I had said that I was from Mars.

No go from Progressive, nor from Foremost (referred from Farmers).
Fernet and Motorcycle Express so far are the only two I have found which specifically mention cover for non-US applicants.

Both are atrociously expensive though, around $680 for 2 months cover.

US insurance
 

Hi Ajaxer
Those sound like high quotes to me, I'm not sure if it depends on the value of your bike, I think I was quoted about $90 for four months cover in N America by Fernet. Going through their website in the overseas visitor section.
Good luck

Ok I know this has been posted but when you ask for insurance for the USA they need a US address to bill it to. Insurance is not ran by the USA government but by the states every state is different and so is the rate, in some states rates change from one place to another. You must have a USA address any address will do a even a bike shop is more than you need.

I Do not think telling some one you are not from the USA and have no US drivers license is a good idea. Do not tell them more than they want to know. Like "I ride a rock ship and am thinking of riding all the way around the USA doing 250 mph drinking booz smoking crack and shooting up on my head! No I am not some inbred redneck like you cowboys in the USA and I have no use for your fool license I have no care of your laws give me insurance now!" think more "yes I am looking for insurance here is my USA address but can get a copy sent to this address as well."

You do not need a license to get insurance in the USA. From any of the 50 states.

Give them a call and only tell them what they need to hear. You just need to know the rules to play there game.

I'm sure if you try Progressive again you may get a different person (and a different answer). I used their website to get a quote then I found some insurance companies in Alaska who deal with Progressive. I've got a years insurance sorted with one of them (about $300 but I can cancel it when I leave the US as I'm not staying a whole year) - although I don't arrive in Alaska until this weekend so when i actually go in on Monday to get the insurnace I may be in for a shock! Will try to rememebr to keep you posted

The problem with Progressive was that they specifically asked what state my drivers license came from and there was no option to specify Devon, UK :(. As we all know, if an insurance company can find a loophole when a claim is made, then they will. Giving a US address is easy as you say.
I ride a BMW RT but have 20 years riding experience on both sides of the road, and have driven in the US before so it is not my skill or experience that would be an issue.

Ah well, I have bought 30 days insurance from Fernet, all above board, for $300 so I am ok about it. Will be spending time in Mexico which none of the US companies cover anyway so it works for me.