Dan B

Does any body know if I can get private insurance on a car in the US without a social security number. I've tried a few online places but they all want SSN's.

Markus

Pretty sure you can't do it without a SSN, and quite probably a valid US drivers licence. I know when I went to insure my car here (Canada) they wanted a SIN (Social Insurance Number) and a valid Ontario Drivers Licence before they'd give me a policy.

You might want to ask on here they might know a bit more.

[Edited by Markus - 12/17/2003 6:08:47 PM]

Dan B

Cheers In Rochester, NY.... ou et vois?

Markus

Toronto, so not exactly the US of A, but fairly close

Dan B

They are starting a ferry soon between the two.... probably beats arsing around on the I90 and in Buffalo

248SPG

My Parents have a holiday home in florida. They also have a car out there and I am pretty sure my Dad didnt need a SSN to get the Insurance for me and him.

Although saying that we both have US drivers licences (Easiest test ever )

I will ask him tonight when I speak to him and let you know what he says.

Steve

Edited cause I ditnword it very well as usual

[Edited by 248SPG - 12/18/2003 3:29:12 PM]

Markus

Interested to know how you got a US drivers licence without a SSN. Our company has offices in St Louis and only one of the team had a US licence and that was because he had a SSN. Curiouser and Curiouser.

248SPG

I just walked into the Test centre in Port Richie Florida and took my test . The only documents I had to supply were my Passport and Insurance details for the car.

My Licence needs to be renewed in 2007 (I got in 2000) but after speaking to Dad he says they will not give out licences to none residents anymore so they may ask me for a SSN number then.

I was insured on the car on a UK licence before I took the test but again this may of chaged now too. Looks like renewal may be interesting in February

Markus

Ahhhhhhhhh, right, they did change the laws recently, so that could explain things.

Dan B

Am getting an international licence (which is just a uk licence in about 500000000 languages) and was thinking about getting a NYS licence, but I need to get insurance to take the test apparently and need the licence to get the insurance. jeez.

unclebuck

Markus - I flew over Toronto at 36K feet a few weeks back. From that height it appears as a very small spec of civilization in a *vast* land of, well, wilderness really. You luck sod!!

UB

248SPG

Looks like I will be back to Expensive Hire Cars on holiday then

Dan B

What is it with the hire cars!!!! why do they give out a quote with out the "compulsory" insurance? Was very cheap until then!

Turns out to be about £200 a week afterall, which compared to the UK is expensive!

248SPG

I know.

Last time I was there is cost me more than 500 quid a week for a car as I was under 25!!!!

Dan B

When I had a go at them they said that it was because they assume the drivers own insurnace will cover them..... pah!

I asked that becasue I brought the car back straight could I have a refund? got the shortest answer in the world.

Markus

The reason for the assumption is that over here, well canada at least, it's the person that is insured and not the car, unlike in the uk, thus I can drive anyone's car and still be covered, probably only equiv to our third party insursance, but it don't cost a penny.

Therefore when I do hire a car over here I can skip all the insurance crap as I have my own policy.

I am very wary aobut the extras that the hire firms go on about, they are always trying to stiff you.

One thing you can try, is when you hire the car, don't say you're from the UK, say you're from the US, this tends to get a better price, even when you turn up and show a UK licence. They do tend to put the prices up a bit of you're not from around those parts, and we have tried that here in canada, so it is true.

Dan B

Charged it to the company anyway.

Just need to get a car. Its too cold to walk.

Markus

Tell me about it! friend left for OZ at 2pm yesterday (lucky cow!) was clear sky, snow had nearly gone, go out at 5:30 and theres snow everywhere! mad! damn cold too! brrr.

gareth123

You could just tool around in an old pickup full of yard refuse pretending to be an illegal Mexican - they don't need insurance or even a licence apparently

Have you tried calling a broker? When I first arrived in the US (to live) I'm sure I insured a car before I got a California licence - I paid more the policy though. Your UK licence is valid (I think) for either 3 months or a year depending on whether you're working or not (at which point you've got a SSN anyway).

Dan B

My Uk licence is valid for a year.... then (if I'm still there) I will need to do the NYS test.

Dan B

But I can't get a licence without a SSN

I think I might brush up on my spanish, grow a dodgy tash and buy a very large hat.