The next step - Insurance
Now that the vehicle is in the last stages of purchasing, it is time to follow up all those insurance companies, which I have been assured will insure vehicles for non-residents, and / or vehicles purchase through the process I am using (more of that later), to get some quotes. I had spoken to some of these previously, though not in detail.
Eight telephone calls (so far), and more than an hour on the phone (thank God for toll free numbers), I can finally see light at the end of the tunnel. Hopefully, it is not a train!
Some of the hurdles I stumbled upon....
- vehicles no older than 20 years
- drivers no older than 70 years
- only insure RVs (for non-residents)
- do not handle commercial policies (conversion van)
- do not issue policies in that State
- only insure for 48 contiguous States
... until I got onto one company who are sending me quotes.
I am open to opinions as to how much a vehicle needs to be worth, before getting full comprehensive insurance. Is there such a thing as 'fire, theft and third party damage' insurance, in the USA?
Lifey
As a percentage of the cost.
Michael, what I guess I meant is...
What percentage of the vehicle's value needs to be reached, before it is no longer economical. One quote I have is more than 25% of the cost of the vehicle.
Lifey
Not sure percentages come into it.
I don't think this can be answered in 'percentages', it's a case of Pros and cons for each scenario [like cost v piece of mind] and deciding what you are comfortable with as Michael suggested.. You could look at it that if insuring yourself [collision] is 25% of the overall cost alone, you have 4 years to remain claim free before 'breaking even' on what you would expect to get paid out. [Well not quite including rising insurance prices and value depreciation] Just a simple 'fender bender' with a grill and head lamp could become quite costly to repair yourself and if the vehicle were to be written off in an accident within 15 months, you need to know that you could forgive yourself for not taking out the collision insurance. [?]
Update - the search goes on.
The search has continued over the past few months. Many have taken part in it, including members of this site. For all of which I am eternally greatful. If it were not for their help, I would not be this far down the road. I have also gleamed much valuable information from other forums which have discussed this topic for non-residents.
Seems there are at least three States which do not require proof of residency. In an interesting post on another forum, I read about the benefits of looking for a vehicle in FL. And, on top of that, my daughter and her family are in the process of moving to Ft Lauderdale (where her husband, whose contract with Mercedes Benz had expired, was 'snagged' by AutoNation).
All the bits are finally coming together. This morning I spoke for more than an hour with a delightful gent at customer service of Progressive Insurance. I called to request help with getting a quote online, and ended up explaining my situation. He was able to anticipate my needs / wants, and make all sorts of suggestions which I had not even considered. The sort of customer service one dreams of. None-the-less, basic insurance - not comprehensive - is more than 50% of the total cost of the vehicle. (More than six times as much as I pay at home for comprehensive insurance on a car insured for almost six times the value of the van.)
Have not yet managed to get on to the appropriate person at the dealership. Have emailed. Am hoping that son-in-law will check it over and take it for a test drive... but I am quietly confident. Beautiful van with low mileage, despite its age. So guys.... need good vibes! I gotta succeed this time. It is only ten weeks to my departure.
Lifey
Heading for the Horizon
Edit: seems that by going down a different route, different State, same insurance company, full comprehensive insurance is half that mentioned above.
Don't shoot the messenger.............
..........but the van was withdrawn from sale a little over 12 hours ago [48 hours after being listed] and is listed as 'Pending'. I presume they are waiting for funds to be cleared or an inspection, but as you haven't been able to get in touch, I'm doubting it's you, is it ?
Good vibes coming your way and everything crossed !!!!!
Dave.
I don't understand what happened this time
What seems to be the issue?
In these days of world banking -- you can transfer funds electronically -- faster than you can call on the phone. The next time you have a deal -- wire the funds!
Mark
It needs checking out first.
The main issue here me thinks is making such a large purchase from the other side of the world. Lifey quite rightly needs to arrange for someone to inspect the vehicle and make sure it's sound and as described in the advert and that it's all above board. To arrange this all takes time and in that amount of time if a local walks in with the money they [the dealer] take it. [Understandable as well]
It's quite a bit of dollar to gamble with and caution is wise. I'm sure it'll work out in the end !!
Nice to see this come together
Yes, that looks like a nice rig.
Congratulations!
Mark
"That's a LOT nicer...." and in such good shape.
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Foy
That's a LOT nicer than the unit here in Raleigh.
Not just nicer looking, but in such great condition. The salesman told me that being Toyota dealers, they do not often keep old vehicles from other manufacturers in their 'used' vehicles inventory. But because this was in such good condition when it was traded, they decided not to pass it onto wholesalers.
The vehicle was checked out at the nearby Ford dealership. The mechanic who did the job commented that he had never seen a 13 year old vehicle in such immaculate condition. He was really impressed. The original owner put fewer than 5000 miles on it, each year.
It's going to get a real shock with me probably adding around 20000, in a mere six months.
Thanks for the pics Dave. I was unable to capture any from that website.
Now for a fridge. If anyone knows where I can purchase a new WAECO CDF35 car fridge, I would love to hear. (My big problem here is that this unit is also sold locally - I have one in my car - and hence, when I try to research it in the US, the internet always defaults to local sites. I seem not to be able to access relevant North American sites.)
The vehicle is just north of Philidelphia. When I pick it up, at the end of March, I will drive to Boston. After my time there, I will drive to St Paul MN, via Detroit (business) and Chicago (friends). Anywhere in those areas or along the route would be really great. I am happy to make a reasonable detour to another location, if necessary.
Lifey
Philadelphia International Airport
Does anyone know if PHL is open round the clock? Can't seem to work out where to find this info on the internet.
I will arrive there at 00:30 and the train from the PHL terminal to Doylestown departs about 06:30. I'm really just wondering if there is going to be anywhere where I can get a bite to eat and a drink, or whether I have to go find that outside the airport, somewhere.
(MEL shuts down after the last plane clears, and does not re-open till two hours before the first flight in the morning.)
Lifey
Not really the end... just another waypoint.
Hey Dave! Not there yet.
Each time I think I have reached the end, another destination pops up. I thought getting an extra (heavy duty) battery installed - to run the WAECO overnight - would be quite simple. Just like here, I planned to go to an auto electrician, who would no doubt do it in a few hours.
How wrong can you be. Firstly they don't have specialist auto electricians. There's not even a list of them in the Yellow Pages. And then, I'm told, they want the vehicle for a week!
Of course, what they haven't counted on is, with whom they are dealing. Once I have that vehicle, there ain't no one getting it for a week while I am in the States.
Thanks to the networking opportunities of this project, I now have five people, in different locations, looking for someone who can do that work for me.
No idea, what will be next. Meanwhile I am trying to cope with packing, making sure I have sufficient gifts for all the family, especially the grandchildren, friends and gonnabee friends.
Lifey
Heading for the Horizon
You found what the locals don't know.
Thanks Dave. You are a gem. But hey buddy, I don't expect you to spend all your spare time trawling through the internet on my behalf. What will that lovely lady of yours think.
I have spoken to both the salesman in Doylestown, as well as the manager of the service department at the Ford dealer, and both said they did not know of anyone, but would make enquiries. I do not doubt that they will, as both emailed for more details. The ideal would be to have it done whilst in Doylestown, as I will be there for at least four days, and have alternative transport for most of that time.
I will follow through those links. The initial enquiry was made with RV service people. But it seems it is a very busy time, and need lots of notice and / or time.
Thanks again.
Lifey
Edit: Dave, what a find! I have fired off an email. Am just too tired to stay up till after midnight, to call them. But I don't doubt that you found the ones who will do the job. Will let you know how it goes.
