Searching for a Camper Van

[Southwest Dave]

Nice to hear your new road trip vehicle for the 'Land down under' is coming along nicely. I'll look forward to [hopefully] hearing about your trip and seeing some pics ! [hint hint]

[As you know, we now have a Nissan Largo van with seats that fold into a bed and other 'trick' bits and we are looking forward to taking that on it's first mini roadtrip in the near future.]

Dave.

[Lifemagician]

It's hard to believe that a decade has passed since I started out on this search. Ir's hard to recall and comprehend the places we went together, the adventures we had, the memories we created.......

But the time has come that I can no longer insure her. Quite a few sources have told me that one cannot insure a private vehicle as an octogenarian non-resident.

So as much as it breaks my heart, She's up for sale. And once again, those helpful members who in the end made the ownership of the van possible, have come to my assistance. She is on craigslist, and has already had one interested party respond. Until I get to NC, where she is still in storage, I will not be able to show it to anyone.

Meanwhile I am with family in Boston. Will be heading south in early August, remove all my personal stuff which is still in it, and have the van ready for those who want to see it on 9th August.

Now I have to organise myself into thinking about rental vehicles and hotel bookings........ something I have never done. Fortunately Budget have a system whereby you can rent up to 11 months, at a *budget* rate, and they take payment in one's national currency. So no currency exchange fees, all of which can add up to quite a bit - over time.

Wish me luck!

Lifey

[Southwest Dave]

Hi Lifey.

You sure have had many adventures and made many great memories in the van !! Time to make some more in a slightly different way.

Good luck.

Dave.

[BillyGr]

Being you have family in the US, have you checked into that option?

If they took over ownership of the vehicle (even if you "sold" it to them for $1), they could easily insure it and (at least hopefully) just add you as an "additional driver".
That definitely works within the US (the owners of the vehicle can insure it even though neither drives), not sure if it would with an additional driver being from outside the US but it seems possible...

[Lifemagician]

Billy, that has already being pursued, but unfortunately once you make it to octogenarian status, and are a non resident, it is not that simple. Daughter explored that option, and even though she is not exactly living from cheque to cheque, even she said it was ridiculously expensive and the conditions attached were attrocious.

Still I have managed to get a vehicle for a month, with the option of extending it month by month for less then US$2600. Being able to pay in my card's currency, is an extra bonus. None of those bank foreign currency fees and conversion fees.

Yeah! it breaks my heart, but I think I now have a good deal and plan to make the most of it..... who knows, it could very well be my last.

Lifey

[BillyGr]

OK, I figured you might have checked but wanted to be sure, as I wouldn't have even thought of it had the situation not occurred here (but in the opposite direction, as the owners are older but don't drive any longer and the "additional" drivers are the ones using the car to drive the seniors to places they need to go). And of course all are residents, which I'm sure is the main issue (silly US companies ;).

[rans]

Lifey, can't help you with insurance, but about currency issues, have you checked Revolut or Wise? Both offer a convenient way to pay in any currency for a very small fee (nothing compared to the gouging from banks). In the case of Revolut, you only pay fees above a certain amount per month (£1000 in the UK). Additionally, both offer the "true" currency exchange rate, so the cost is not "hidden" either.

Alternatively, check whether your (or any other) bank in Australia offers "travel type" credit cards, which have no fees on foreign currency payments. I have one (UK) and the conversion is done at MasterCard/Visa rates, which are very close to the true rates. For example, a quick "Australia travel credit card" search shows Bankwest Zero Platinum and 28 Degrees Platinum, among others. The first one even seems to offer When you purchase your overseas flights on your credit card, you also receive free international travel insurance covering car rental up to $3,000. It provides unlimited overseas emergency medical and hospital expenses, along with other benefits, too..

I'm not affiliated with any of these products or companies, but it could be worth looking into it.

[Lifemagician]

Thanks for that information rans.

I did look at those cards when they first came out, some years ago. The exchange rate was not all that appealing, and there certainly was no other benefit.

However, my basic objection to cards of any type was confirmed when I heard Alan Joyce - CEO of Qantas - announce about two years ago, that they make more money from selling the information of their frequent flyers, than what they do from selling seats on aeroplanes. If you do not have a problem with how your information is used and to whom it is distributed, guess that is up to you. Paying cash leaves my privacy intact! [There has been a law foreshadowed at home, that paying cash for anything over $5000 will be illegal - over my dead body!!]

It always seems such a ludicrous statement when I read the various privacy policies, knowing that they want your info to make money. Basically for no other reason. Fortunately I have another email addy which I rarely check and my maiden name.

Lifey