Car nightmare !
Oct 13th, 1998 | 10:06 AM
#1
Guest
Posts: n/a
Car nightmare !
I'm coming to the USA to tour all the mainland states for 3 months. I want to ship my car over to do the tour as it's nice and much cheaper than renting a decent car in the U.S. BUT my UK insurance company won't cover me while in the USA.
Can anyone suggest a US insurer who'd cover me for 3 months while I'm there ?
Thanks a lot.
David.
Oct 13th, 1998 | 05:56 PM
#2
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I would suggest joining the American Automobile Association - AAA. Join in the state in which your car will land. And take out their insurance. Besides their insurance, you'll receive full road service from your membership. I believe the UK has a similar road association. Moreover, membership entitles you to terrific maps (free) and guidebooks to every state in the union with tons of visitor info and ratings on hotels. the major weakness of the AAA tour guides is restaurants - we never use their restaurant recommendations, mostly because they are too boring for words.
I don't want to be rude, but you I presume considered the obvious that your right-hand drive car will be on the "wrong" side of the road here, and you are comfortable with that?
Also, I don't know what kind of regulations you might face in terms of licensing the car - or not. That would be a very important thing to know, or yhou could spend your whole vacation battling US customs to get your car, which would not be fun.
If the licensing/import issues don't thoroughly check out, I would suggest examining the possibility of coming in through Canada, and landing your car in Canada, which might be easier as it is a Commonwealth nation. I also have to think you could do a 3 month lease in a left hand drive US or Canadian car a whole lot easier than shipping and reshipping your own car. Have you explored that, either through a UK rental organization?
Maybe someone on this sight has a bright idea. A variant on it has been discussed at some earlier point. I'm just thinking if yu are coming into Boston or NY or Baltimore or Atlanta, you might be able to do business with a local agency, even a car sales agency, or the local representative of a major rental car agency. They do do long term leases. Any
I don't want to be rude, but you I presume considered the obvious that your right-hand drive car will be on the "wrong" side of the road here, and you are comfortable with that?
Also, I don't know what kind of regulations you might face in terms of licensing the car - or not. That would be a very important thing to know, or yhou could spend your whole vacation battling US customs to get your car, which would not be fun.
If the licensing/import issues don't thoroughly check out, I would suggest examining the possibility of coming in through Canada, and landing your car in Canada, which might be easier as it is a Commonwealth nation. I also have to think you could do a 3 month lease in a left hand drive US or Canadian car a whole lot easier than shipping and reshipping your own car. Have you explored that, either through a UK rental organization?
Maybe someone on this sight has a bright idea. A variant on it has been discussed at some earlier point. I'm just thinking if yu are coming into Boston or NY or Baltimore or Atlanta, you might be able to do business with a local agency, even a car sales agency, or the local representative of a major rental car agency. They do do long term leases. Any
Oct 13th, 1998 | 05:57 PM
#3
Guest
Posts: n/a
I would suggest joining the American Automobile Association - AAA. Join in the state in which your car will land. And take out their insurance. Besides their insurance, you'll receive full road service from your membership. I believe the UK has a similar road association. Moreover, membership entitles you to terrific maps (free) and guidebooks to every state in the union with tons of visitor info and ratings on hotels. the major weakness of the AAA tour guides is restaurants - we never use their restaurant recommendations, mostly because they are too boring for words.
I don't want to be rude, but you I presume considered the obvious that your right-hand drive car will be on the "wrong" side of the road here, and you are comfortable with that?
Also, I don't know what kind of regulations you might face in terms of licensing the car - or not. That would be a very important thing to know, or yhou could spend your whole vacation battling US customs to get your car, which would not be fun.
If the licensing/import issues don't thoroughly check out, I would suggest examining the possibility of coming in through Canada, and landing your car in Canada, which might be easier as it is a Commonwealth nation. I also have to think you could do a 3 month lease in a left hand drive US or Canadian car a whole lot easier than shipping and reshipping your own car. Have you explored that, either through a UK rental organization?
Maybe someone on this sight has a bright idea. A variant on it has been discussed at some earlier point. I'm just thinking if yu are coming into Boston or NY or Baltimore or Atlanta, you might be able to do business with a local agency, even a car sales agency, or the local representative of a major rental car agency. They do do long term leases. Anypne else got a bright idea on this? Even if you do the US rental, I suggest AAA membership - perhaps there is reciprocity with the UK association?
Happy traveling
I don't want to be rude, but you I presume considered the obvious that your right-hand drive car will be on the "wrong" side of the road here, and you are comfortable with that?
Also, I don't know what kind of regulations you might face in terms of licensing the car - or not. That would be a very important thing to know, or yhou could spend your whole vacation battling US customs to get your car, which would not be fun.
If the licensing/import issues don't thoroughly check out, I would suggest examining the possibility of coming in through Canada, and landing your car in Canada, which might be easier as it is a Commonwealth nation. I also have to think you could do a 3 month lease in a left hand drive US or Canadian car a whole lot easier than shipping and reshipping your own car. Have you explored that, either through a UK rental organization?
Maybe someone on this sight has a bright idea. A variant on it has been discussed at some earlier point. I'm just thinking if yu are coming into Boston or NY or Baltimore or Atlanta, you might be able to do business with a local agency, even a car sales agency, or the local representative of a major rental car agency. They do do long term leases. Anypne else got a bright idea on this? Even if you do the US rental, I suggest AAA membership - perhaps there is reciprocity with the UK association?
Happy traveling
Oct 14th, 1998 | 05:00 AM
#5
Guest
Posts: n/a
David, you may want to check with your auto agency or AA office regarding applicable emission standards vis-a-vis the U.K. and U.S. I don't know if all vehicles brought into the States must meet the ultra-strict California emission standard, but your car could conceivably end up sitting in some impound lot while you paid for modifications to bring it up to spec.
Also, have you looked beyond the Hertzes and Avises of the world for a three month rental? I'd be pleased to make a few calls to see what the rate would be. Let me know what you mean by a "decent" car.
