JohnD Posted September 18, 2019 Share Posted September 18, 2019 I've been invited to the Kastner Cup, in Ohio next June! I'd ship the car to probably Baltimore and then, to make it a holiday to remember, I'd like to drive it to Ohio and back, taking two to three weeks. No problem, it's road legal and I've driven it to Le Mans, twice. But I cannot find an American insurer who will provide short term cover for a non-US resident. The trip will be augmented by a civic event. I live in Lancaster, UK, and found that city has no links with any of the several daughter Lancasters in the US. The greatest of these is Lancaster PA, at one time capital of the US, and I am deputised by the Mayor of the original Lancaster, to carry Civic Greetings to their colleague in Pennsylvania, who has agreed to receive me! Wow! JohnD, International Agent! But that will fall flat, if I turn up on foot or in a hire car. So, if any Sidewayser insured themselves to drive in the US please tell me how, or can any of our US resident members suggest an insurer who will do this for me? Thanks, John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mpbarrett Posted September 18, 2019 Share Posted September 18, 2019 John don't have a direct answer but was just reading an article about shipping a campervan to the USA and driving round for 3 months. The article mentioned using www.Seabridge-tours.de to do the shipping and arranging insurance. They specialise in shipping campervans and insurance so they might be able to help with your insurance problem. BTW there use a very large ferry to take it to the USA and provide accommodation on board, takes about 8 days! regards mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnD Posted September 18, 2019 Author Share Posted September 18, 2019 (edited) Thanks, Mike, I'll give them a tug. Campervan would mean RoRo, not container, which could solve another problem. John Edited September 18, 2019 by JohnD Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
graeme4a Posted September 19, 2019 Share Posted September 19, 2019 Hi John, Have you tried Hagerty, they are usually sympathetic to unusual cases. https://www.hagerty.com/insurance Graeme Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
graeme4a Posted September 19, 2019 Share Posted September 19, 2019 Can't edit the last post, but this page has more info. https://www.hagerty.com/insurance/international-coverage Graeme Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnD Posted September 19, 2019 Author Share Posted September 19, 2019 Mike, That motorhome shipping Co. looks very promising -but no reply from them yet. Graeme, I had asked Hagerty, and at first they seemed unhelpful, they don't insure "personal vacation driving". But they have just come back, to say that they might be able to cover me if I can offer "organized group touring" with "a detailed itinerary ... collect[or] car related activities". Yes, I can do that! Just me, of course, but hey, I'm organised! This would be pushing the envelope a bit, so I'm open to any further suggestions! John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mpbarrett Posted September 19, 2019 Share Posted September 19, 2019 John by chance I found another article about taking your motorhome to the USA! there was a UK company that does RO-RO to the USA. https://ivssuk.com/ A company that does insurance but might be only for Campervans https://thuminsurance.com/international-insurance#International The article also mentions a US insurance company that might help https://www.progressive.com/ Good Luck MIKE BTW when we brought our campervan we took out a subscription to MMM a motorhome mag. Like all magazines it has started to repeat the articles so we have just cancelled the subscription but I still have some of the magazines in the downstairs toilet..... . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnD Posted September 19, 2019 Author Share Posted September 19, 2019 OK! The first motorhome Co. does not transport cars. End of! "Thum" insurance! Love the name! I have also asked Progressive. no answer as yet. This progress, when I was beginning to fear an impasse! Thanks, Mike and all! JOhn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thebrookster Posted September 20, 2019 Share Posted September 20, 2019 I've messaged one of the Team Torpedo guys John to see if they have any insight, they tend to do it the opposite way round right enough, but figured it was worth an ask! Phil Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnD Posted September 20, 2019 Author Share Posted September 20, 2019 Thanks, Phil! Please keep them coming! JOhn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JR2 Posted September 20, 2019 Share Posted September 20, 2019 Hello John, I use: Motorcycle express Don't let their name fool you. They offer both Automotive and Motorcycle insurance. I have been using them for 10 years and am very happy with their products and service. If you e-mail them and don't receive an prompt answer.. call them. They have a light staff. As a side not, you WILL want to purchase roadside assistance much like The AA in the UK. For USD 100.00 = 1 years coverage; you can get up to 100 miles of towing and 5 gallons of fuel if you run out. Right hand drive vehicles and UK plates are not an issue in the US, but, you may be stopped by the police. All they really want to see is proof of insurance and that your car is registered somewhere in the world. Driving a foreign car in North America Regards, JR Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JR2 Posted September 20, 2019 Share Posted September 20, 2019 USA Temporary car import Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnD Posted September 24, 2019 Author Share Posted September 24, 2019 JR, Bingo! Or at least, I hope, a bingo! Thank you! They are willing to arrange insurance, "but because of my age" they want a letter from my doctor to say that I am in "Good Health". The insurance gods giveth, but taketh away also. OK, I'm on four different tablets, but I can ride a bike, climb mountains (small ones), play hockey with No.1 grandson (last weekend) and go skiing (indoor snow slope) with Daughter. Am I in good health? Seeing Doc this PM - fingers crossed, and checkbook out. This won't come under the NHS umbrella! John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hamish Posted September 24, 2019 Share Posted September 24, 2019 Good luck John. Whilst I didn’t really use my HGV class 1 licence I gave it up when I needed 5 year medical s from 45 and the DRs charged for the privilege. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnD Posted September 24, 2019 Author Share Posted September 24, 2019 (edited) I've needed annual medicals for my race licence ever since i hit 50. It's a ritual, compounded by the apparent need to have my colour vision checked every year, despite there being no known 'acquired' colour blindness condition! I had to pay extra to retain my 'omni' driving licence when I hit 70. I can drive anything with four wheels up to 7 1/2 tns with or without a trailer, and tractors and two-wheelers that aren't too fast. Cames from 'grandfather's rights'. coz I took the test so long ago. Mind you, my Dad never took a test, just applied for a licence! No probs from the GP, glad to provide this letter, for a lesser fee than the medical! But I still need to know what the US Insurers think. Will they charge me a reasonable fee, or will my wallet be left paraplegic? John Edited September 24, 2019 by JohnD Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JR2 Posted September 27, 2019 Share Posted September 27, 2019 On 9/24/2019 at 1:56 PM, JohnD said: No probs from the GP, glad to provide this letter, for a lesser fee than the medical! But I still need to know what the US Insurers think. Will they charge me a reasonable fee, or will my wallet be left paraplegic? John It should not be too much.. they don't have a history of your driving habits / health. The insurer does not want you having an heart attack or similar while driving. As a side note please let us/me know on how you plan on transporting your car, RORO? Shared container? Cost? I shipped my car via container and I now have multiple sharp but subtle dents on my bonnet... :( Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnD Posted September 27, 2019 Author Share Posted September 27, 2019 (edited) There are several other UK Triumpheros who are planning to enter the 2020 Kastner Cup. Some have been before, and they all intend to ship by container. They would be happy for me to join them, except that they will have the containers taken by road to Mid-Ohio, to join their cars at the circuit. I want the Great Adventure of driving there! RoRo is cheaper, but the shippers insist that the vehicle has nothing init, except normal equipment like a spare tyre, and my fellow competitors reject that option, with experience. I'll need to carry my race wheels and tyres, a tool kit and camping gear, so it looks like I will have to book my own container. Opening a shared box at the port of entry to extract mine, while the others go on to Ohio seems not to be possible. Insurance first, as without that I'm 'stymied'! And I begin to see my way out of the forest. The firm "Grundy" has also said they will quote me for temporary cover, so looking good. I'll keep you informed. John Edited September 27, 2019 by JohnD Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
richy_rich Posted September 27, 2019 Share Posted September 27, 2019 On 9/24/2019 at 10:56 PM, JohnD said: I've needed annual medicals for my race licence ever since i hit 50. Bi-annual if you get the dates right... Think the question is 'have you had a medical in the last 12 months?' so do your medical, say, in Feb one year, then get the license then, next year apply for the license in Jan (<12 months from previous Feb) , something like that anyway.. Who's off to Mid-Ohio? Didn't know there were many "Triumpheros" left, mostly TRs? Or some small bangers? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnD Posted September 27, 2019 Author Share Posted September 27, 2019 All TRs save me. Fancy joining us? J. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
richy_rich Posted September 27, 2019 Share Posted September 27, 2019 Would love to but I think the timing won't work.. I'm in the middle of buying a house (well a garage with a house attached) probable move date mid 2020 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnD Posted September 27, 2019 Author Share Posted September 27, 2019 What's the Internet for, if not to organsie yout move. house sale and purchase all at arms-length and transatlantic? Good luck, Richie, house moving is said to the most stressful time, short of bereavement. John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulAA Posted September 27, 2019 Share Posted September 27, 2019 Rich You could do both, of course: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alfredo Posted September 29, 2019 Share Posted September 29, 2019 John, I often travel to the US from Mexico, you are supposed to get a US insurance even if you have an international coverage on your policy, don't know if it is really true but I always buy a "NON-RESIDENT AUTO LIABILITY POLICY". Many companies offer this policies and are usually located a few miles before crossing the border. The one I used a few weeks ago is www.nationalunity.com and I think you can do the paperwork online. I was only asked for my driver's license and the car registration. You can buy the policy for as little as one day. Please let me know if you need any other information, I still have this last policy if you need me to send you a picture. Cheers Alfredo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnD Posted September 29, 2019 Author Share Posted September 29, 2019 Alfredo, Thank you very much! I couldn't use a pre-border office, as I'll be flying in, but details of such brokers would help. I'll send you my email by PM - a scan of your recent policy might have them. John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alfredo Posted September 30, 2019 Share Posted September 30, 2019 9 hours ago, JohnD said: Alfredo, Thank you very much! I couldn't use a pre-border office, as I'll be flying in, but details of such brokers would help. I'll send you my email by PM - a scan of your recent policy might have them. John John, I just sent you an email, please let me know if I can assist you in any way. Cheers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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