USA insurance for canadian bike
 

Hi all,

We seem to have run into a problem. We wanted to purchase insurance from our province (Quebec) for an upcoming trip through the US (all insurance companies in Quebec cover for short trips to the USA). BUT, we were refused by the biggest underwriter on the grounds that we have been away from Canada for too long (2 1/2 years). They said they will only cover us once we are back home with the bike.

No problem we thought. We'll just get some US temporary insurance and drive home (thereby scrapping plans to go to Alaska). BUT, every insurance company we tried only offer insurance for Mexican vehicles coming into the US (we are currently in Mexico) or foreign nationals EXCLUDING Canadians.

Any ideas what we can do to insure ourselves?

See a possible answer USA insurance for canadian bike - ADVrider
But no doubt you are doing that, I just use this as an excuse to practice the copy and paste stuff.I need lots of practice.Hope I helped Since I answered there first I didn´t know about your Quebec problem Quelle domage

I've not dealt with Canadian insurance companies but perhaps there are some similarities to how US insurance companies work? :confused1:

What about trying another Canadian insurance company? Don't tell them you are out of Canada. Do it all over the phone?

Canada has Summer Only insurance, right? Cheaper.

Tell the new company you are shopping around for a better rate and have let your old policy run out due to Winter. If you tell them where you've been I doubt they would cover you. Best leave that info out. Or perhaps have someone at home buy the policy for you by phone?

In the US, our US insurance policy covers us in Canada (not Mexico) Is this not true for Canadians in the USA?

Do you have an old Insurance ID card from your old Canadian policy to show US cops in case they stop you? You need to show something, but being from Canada my guess is they won't be too strict on this as long as you have some sort of registration/DL and passport.

Remember: US customs should not ask you for proof of insurance upon entry. Only traffic cops do this. So coming in the country should not be an issue. (unless something has changed :frown:)

At the border they will be checking Homeland Security watch lists. Tell them you were in Mazatlan. Canadians pretty much get a free pass visa wise, so should be fine.

Be sure to turn in your Mexico vehicle import permit before crossing into USA. Hard to find Mexican Banjercito office but should be around somewhere near the border, ask. If you don't turn it in you go on their shit list and cannot bring another vehicle into Mexico.

Good luck.

Hey Brian and Marie,

Try progressive.com. You can book it online, you only need to come up with a US address as you are insuring the bike as if you are a temporary US resident (which is what you are going to be:)) and the country the bike is actually registered won't cause an issue. It would be nice to actually have a real address in the US as they will sent the original documents there and if it is a not a real address the package will be sent back and they will email you to track you down. Perhaps you have met a HU member that will kindly pass along their addy for you to use and will forward the documents once they arrive. Once you have purchased the insurance online you can print off a temporary insurance card that will be good for a short period of time in any event. Ride safe.

Hi Mickey D,

Thanks for your response. Our plan now is to try a few more companies in Canada. The trick is to try and find one that is not underwritten by the company that refused to insure us.

After I posted this I spoke to somebody here in Real de Catorce that said the same thing you mention, customs does not ask for proof of insurance. One less thing to worry about. The person I spoke to also said that there were many insurance companies just past the bridge on the US side of Nuevo Laredo border crossing that sell insurance. But will they do it for a Canadian bike?

Hi Mountain Man,

After searching the Hubb for solutions I saw a few people recommend Progressive. So I sent them an e-mail:

"I am interested in purchasing third party liability insurance for my
motorcycle for a 3 month period for a trip to the United-States. I am a
canadian citizen and the motorcycle is registered in Canada. Do you have
any products that might be of interest to me?"

And they responded this morning with this:

"We appreciate your interest in representing Progressive Insurance.

At this time, Progressive does not write third party liability insurance."


Not sure why they chose the word "representing" but anyway, looks like a no go. :(

Yes, start fresh and find a new insurance company that does not know anything about you. US Insurance companies share information but not all info. Typically, if you have no citations or accidents and are not too young, you should be good to go. (these are US parameters anyway. I would bet Canadian companies are similar?)

My guess is the Insurance Kiosks on the US side of the border will be set up to handle short term Mexican visitors. Most are rip offs. Talk to local Mexican/Americans (who drive), they'll tell you whats going on with them. (local residents)

They may cover you by going through another US company at a very inflated rate, so use caution. On the other hand, they probably write short term policies, just enough time to allow you to finish your trip and get back into Canada. Most US companies require a minimum one year policy. The Kiosks typically charge 5 to 10 ten times the normal cost and probably only offer basic liability insurance. (that is all you need to travel in USA)

Loved your RR on ADV! Followed it from the start! Keep on Keepin' On! :D

US insurance
 

Hi Brian and Marie. Joel and Taz here, finally made it to Peru on the slow journey south.

Back before I moved to Canada, I had all my car and moto insurance with Progressive. I do not understand what they mean by not writing liability insurance. That is all I ever had for my car and moto, and it was dirt cheap, about $70/yr as I recall (for the moto). What the policy is for underwriting a Canadian bike for a temporary trip, I do not know. It was always my experience that US insurance companies will take anyone's money with few questions asked as long as you have an address. Sorry, I no longer have a US address for you to use, but perhaps another HUBBer can help with that.

By the way, when I moved to BC, I went through sticker shock when I had to pay $500 for the same coverage I used to get for $70. That is what I get for falling in love, marrying, and moving to the Great White North.

Joel

Good to hear from you guys!

I am happy to report that we tried another insurance company in Quebec and they decided to provide us with coverage (which includes the US:clap:). So unless they decided to pull the plug in the next few days it would appear that we are now sorted. As for progressive, I have no idea what that e-mail was all about.

So you are in Peru. Good stuff. Keep an eye out for Ken and Carol Duval on an R80 heading up (currently in Lima) and say hi to them for us!

And thanks to everybody who helped us out with this. Much appreciated!

Oh wow North American insurance... does this mean you guys are finally nearing the end?! I remember when we were at that point, our insurance money was spent instead on staying this side of the iron bars in Belize. It's been a while and many km's, countries, and adventures since xmas in Uruguay... hope to see you guys soon!

Josh