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Old 10-19-2013, 12:09 PM
 
2 posts, read 15,350 times
Reputation: 13

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Hi folks,

I recently bought an apartment in Phoenix, AZ and only go down there for vacation. My question is would it be okay if I insured my car here in Canada then drove it down to Arizona and left it there? My insurance company covers me driving in the US and I know I can renew the insurance without having to bring in the car.
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Old 10-19-2013, 12:50 PM
 
Location: Verde Valley
4,374 posts, read 11,225,468 times
Reputation: 4053
Quote:
Originally Posted by JamesBC View Post
Hi folks,

I recently bought an apartment in Phoenix, AZ and only go down there for vacation. My question is would it be okay if I insured my car here in Canada then drove it down to Arizona and left it there? My insurance company covers me driving in the US and I know I can renew the insurance without having to bring in the car.
What province do you live in?

You would have to inform your insurance company, and most of them have a clause in the policy that your car can only be away from your Province (or city) for 6 months or so (check with them on this) as the rate they give you has to do with the statistics for your area, not somewhere else. There could very well be more car thefts and accidents in Phoenix than where you live.

I am Canadian and have a US bought car with AZ plates (you can do that with a Canadian drivers license; and most snowbirds do).

Also, cars are MUCH cheaper in AZ.
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Old 10-19-2013, 01:19 PM
 
Location: Sonoran Desert
39,073 posts, read 51,209,674 times
Reputation: 28314
Quote:
Originally Posted by JamesBC View Post
Hi folks,

I recently bought an apartment in Phoenix, AZ and only go down there for vacation. My question is would it be okay if I insured my car here in Canada then drove it down to Arizona and left it there? My insurance company covers me driving in the US and I know I can renew the insurance without having to bring in the car.
Most insurers I have had charge based on where the vehicle is garaged/operated. Things like comprehensive - the house burns down with your car in the garage, a tree falls on it, etc might cause you trouble if you were dishonest about where the car is kept. But why not just call them and ask? AZ insurance is among the lowest in the country especially for "mature" folks who do not drive to work or many miles per year.

http://www.forbes.com/sites/jimgorze...surance-rates/
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Old 10-19-2013, 02:10 PM
 
2 posts, read 15,350 times
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Originally Posted by adventuregurl View Post
What province do you live in?
BC, thanks for your answers. I'll look into this.
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Old 10-19-2013, 02:31 PM
 
Location: Rural Michigan
6,343 posts, read 14,680,057 times
Reputation: 10549
Quote:
Originally Posted by JamesBC View Post
Hi folks,

I recently bought an apartment in Phoenix, AZ and only go down there for vacation. My question is would it be okay if I insured my car here in Canada then drove it down to Arizona and left it there? My insurance company covers me driving in the US and I know I can renew the insurance without having to bring in the car.
+1 for getting quotes for insurance here in AZ - you don't need to be present to buy or renew insurance, I haven't seen my agent in several years..
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Old 10-22-2013, 11:32 PM
 
391 posts, read 787,879 times
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Sorry to tag onto someone's thread but I'm curious also.

I left my Canadian vehicle down in phoenix over summer but am coming back next week. I renewed my plates no problem (never lied about its location).

However, I'd probably rather just get AZ insurance in the future.

Is it a big deal to insure/plate a Canadian vehicle? I imagine I would need to get it safetied as we do here if we bring in a vehicle from out of province. Its a 2006 dodge van So maybe age is factor?
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Old 10-23-2013, 10:24 AM
 
Location: Verde Valley
4,374 posts, read 11,225,468 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mjd2k View Post
Is it a big deal to insure/plate a Canadian vehicle? I imagine I would need to get it safetied as we do here if we bring in a vehicle from out of province. Its a 2006 dodge van So maybe age is factor?
To get US plates on a CAD vehicle you will need some type of visa, green card or other doc that allows you to live in the US, they don't plate CAD cars for 6 month visitors.
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Old 10-23-2013, 10:30 AM
 
Location: Hard aground in the Sonoran Desert
4,866 posts, read 11,219,303 times
Reputation: 7128
Insurance is based off of where the car is garaged. You'll need to change that on your policy if you're leaving it in Arizona. Does your insurance company insure cars garaged (not simply driven) in the United States?
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Old 10-24-2013, 09:42 AM
 
Location: Winter - West Valley
99 posts, read 148,784 times
Reputation: 111
Default Not a good idea

Importing your car into the US (Arizona) isn't that easy - see this link for a start How to Import Your Car Into the US

As other posters have suggested, you should purchase an AZ vehicle (at much better prices) and insure locally. Your Canadian insurance (ICBC) wouldn't be too keen to process a claim when you tell the vehicle is basically permanently left in Arizona.

We had no trouble purchasing, registering, and insuring a vehicle here in Phoenix, and we are only here 5-6 months a year.
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