Thinking of buying a Harley what about Insurance ??
Apr 2nd 2009, 2:08 pm
#1
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Thread Starter
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 93
Thinking of buying a Harley what about Insurance ??
Hi, I am thinking of getting a motorcycle to keep in our vacation home that we visit each year for about 4 months a year over 2 trips on a VWP does anyone know what issues I am going to have regarding my current UK license and Insurance.
Do I have to have a Florida License to get insurance and what sort of cover can I get thats the same as (Fully Comp). I guessing its like a new policy so no no claims benefit and also high because I am a non US citizen.
Any help would be appreciated
Thanks Steve
Do I have to have a Florida License to get insurance and what sort of cover can I get thats the same as (Fully Comp). I guessing its like a new policy so no no claims benefit and also high because I am a non US citizen.
Any help would be appreciated
Thanks Steve
Apr 2nd 2009, 2:20 pm
#2
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Jan 2008
Location: Belle Isle, Florida
Posts: 594
Re: Thinking of buying a Harley what about Insurance ??
You will struggle to get insurance without a FL m/cycle endorsed drivers license. That said, insurance is not an absolute requirement for motorcycles in this state.
Apr 2nd 2009, 2:44 pm
#3
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 14,577
Re: Thinking of buying a Harley what about Insurance ??
Hi, I am thinking of getting a motorcycle to keep in our vacation home that we visit each year for about 4 months a year over 2 trips on a VWP does anyone know what issues I am going to have regarding my current UK license and Insurance.
Do I have to have a Florida License to get insurance and what sort of cover can I get thats the same as (Fully Comp). I guessing its like a new policy so no no claims benefit and also high because I am a non US citizen.
Any help would be appreciated
Thanks Steve
Do I have to have a Florida License to get insurance and what sort of cover can I get thats the same as (Fully Comp). I guessing its like a new policy so no no claims benefit and also high because I am a non US citizen.
Any help would be appreciated
Thanks Steve
Apr 2nd 2009, 2:45 pm
#4
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 14,577
Re: Thinking of buying a Harley what about Insurance ??
Better idea: you give me the bike for the other 8 months and I'll insure it... 
Apr 2nd 2009, 3:23 pm
#5
Concierge
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 46,388
Re: Thinking of buying a Harley what about Insurance ??
Why would it not be wroth it to insure a bike? My husband has carried insurance on his motorcycle (full year although in storage during winter months) the same as he has insured his truck. The yearly cost is very low.
Apr 2nd 2009, 3:35 pm
#6
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 14,577
Re: Thinking of buying a Harley what about Insurance ??
I got it wrong, for me it may not be worth insuring because down here the cost is quite high.
Apr 2nd 2009, 3:53 pm
#7
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Re: Thinking of buying a Harley what about Insurance ??
I don't want to have a minor insurance as I will be buying a new bike, I have asked the Harley dealer the same question putting it to them that I have to have this sorted before I purchase the bike so hopefully they will put me in touch with a company, I was hoping there was a UK harley owner in Florida that would help me in the same situation, but thanks for your input so far
Apr 2nd 2009, 4:14 pm
#8
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 14,577
Re: Thinking of buying a Harley what about Insurance ??
I don't want to have a minor insurance as I will be buying a new bike, I have asked the Harley dealer the same question putting it to them that I have to have this sorted before I purchase the bike so hopefully they will put me in touch with a company, I was hoping there was a UK harley owner in Florida that would help me in the same situation, but thanks for your input so far
Apr 2nd 2009, 4:30 pm
#9
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Joined: Mar 2008
Location: East Bay CA via the Chilterns
Posts: 86
Re: Thinking of buying a Harley what about Insurance ??
I have a friend in Florida who did this, same situation.
he had no trouble buying the bike as a lot of Brits buy and export Hogs, the dealer only wanted to see a license, any license. His problem was having it registered and titled which can only be done to a US address and driving license.
His solution was to get a FLA driving license from the DMV. As he had a home there, all be it a holiday home, he was able to present the title deeds to prove entitlement and was able to sit a test and get a license. Then the rest, including insurance was easy. See here
http://www.flhsmv.gov/ddl/faqkeys.html
Its a Florida only license and has the words 'Valid In Florida Only' on it, but it does the trick for his needs.
He got a limited mileage insurance policy as he only uses the bike a few weeks a year and it was peanuts.
What are you thinking of buying?
Hope this helps
Sir D
he had no trouble buying the bike as a lot of Brits buy and export Hogs, the dealer only wanted to see a license, any license. His problem was having it registered and titled which can only be done to a US address and driving license.
His solution was to get a FLA driving license from the DMV. As he had a home there, all be it a holiday home, he was able to present the title deeds to prove entitlement and was able to sit a test and get a license. Then the rest, including insurance was easy. See here
http://www.flhsmv.gov/ddl/faqkeys.html
Its a Florida only license and has the words 'Valid In Florida Only' on it, but it does the trick for his needs.
He got a limited mileage insurance policy as he only uses the bike a few weeks a year and it was peanuts.
What are you thinking of buying?
Hope this helps
Sir D
Apr 2nd 2009, 5:30 pm
#10
Forum Regular
Thread Starter
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 93
Re: Thinking of buying a Harley what about Insurance ??
I have a friend in Florida who did this, same situation.
he had no trouble buying the bike as a lot of Brits buy and export Hogs, the dealer only wanted to see a license, any license. His problem was having it registered and titled which can only be done to a US address and driving license.
His solution was to get a FLA driving license from the DMV. As he had a home there, all be it a holiday home, he was able to present the title deeds to prove entitlement and was able to sit a test and get a license. Then the rest, including insurance was easy. See here
http://www.flhsmv.gov/ddl/faqkeys.html
Its a Florida only license and has the words 'Valid In Florida Only' on it, but it does the trick for his needs.
He got a limited mileage insurance policy as he only uses the bike a few weeks a year and it was peanuts.
What are you thinking of buying?
Hope this helps
Sir D
he had no trouble buying the bike as a lot of Brits buy and export Hogs, the dealer only wanted to see a license, any license. His problem was having it registered and titled which can only be done to a US address and driving license.
His solution was to get a FLA driving license from the DMV. As he had a home there, all be it a holiday home, he was able to present the title deeds to prove entitlement and was able to sit a test and get a license. Then the rest, including insurance was easy. See here
http://www.flhsmv.gov/ddl/faqkeys.html
Its a Florida only license and has the words 'Valid In Florida Only' on it, but it does the trick for his needs.
He got a limited mileage insurance policy as he only uses the bike a few weeks a year and it was peanuts.
What are you thinking of buying?
Hope this helps
Sir D
Apr 2nd 2009, 5:34 pm
#11
Forum Regular
Thread Starter
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 93
Re: Thinking of buying a Harley what about Insurance ??
I have a friend in Florida who did this, same situation.
he had no trouble buying the bike as a lot of Brits buy and export Hogs, the dealer only wanted to see a license, any license. His problem was having it registered and titled which can only be done to a US address and driving license.
His solution was to get a FLA driving license from the DMV. As he had a home there, all be it a holiday home, he was able to present the title deeds to prove entitlement and was able to sit a test and get a license. Then the rest, including insurance was easy. See here
http://www.flhsmv.gov/ddl/faqkeys.html
Its a Florida only license and has the words 'Valid In Florida Only' on it, but it does the trick for his needs.
He got a limited mileage insurance policy as he only uses the bike a few weeks a year and it was peanuts.
What are you thinking of buying?
Hope this helps
Sir D
he had no trouble buying the bike as a lot of Brits buy and export Hogs, the dealer only wanted to see a license, any license. His problem was having it registered and titled which can only be done to a US address and driving license.
His solution was to get a FLA driving license from the DMV. As he had a home there, all be it a holiday home, he was able to present the title deeds to prove entitlement and was able to sit a test and get a license. Then the rest, including insurance was easy. See here
http://www.flhsmv.gov/ddl/faqkeys.html
Its a Florida only license and has the words 'Valid In Florida Only' on it, but it does the trick for his needs.
He got a limited mileage insurance policy as he only uses the bike a few weeks a year and it was peanuts.
What are you thinking of buying?
Hope this helps
Sir D
I am thinking of a New Harley Davidson Rocker C
Apr 2nd 2009, 6:06 pm
#12
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Joined: Mar 2008
Location: East Bay CA via the Chilterns
Posts: 86
Re: Thinking of buying a Harley what about Insurance ??
I had to call and ask...
Its temporary, his papework from the DMV says.....
'a period not to exceed the expiration date of the USCIS document presented or one calendar year, whichever occurs first.'
So if you enter on VWP its 90 days. They use the exipry date from the I-94 Its a hassle but its the only way to keep the vehicle legally registered and tagged (plates) he does the same with a car. He justifies it as being a lot cheapert than renting for 3 months at a time each time... sounds like major ball-ache to me though
Sir D
Its temporary, his papework from the DMV says.....
'a period not to exceed the expiration date of the USCIS document presented or one calendar year, whichever occurs first.'
So if you enter on VWP its 90 days. They use the exipry date from the I-94 Its a hassle but its the only way to keep the vehicle legally registered and tagged (plates) he does the same with a car. He justifies it as being a lot cheapert than renting for 3 months at a time each time... sounds like major ball-ache to me though
Sir D
Apr 2nd 2009, 6:13 pm
#13
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Joined: Mar 2008
Location: East Bay CA via the Chilterns
Posts: 86
Re: Thinking of buying a Harley what about Insurance ??
NICE!! Some insane bargains here on Hogs in CA, I guess FLA is the same. I would have to sell a kidney on the black market to pay for it, but it would doubtless be worth it 
You would think that a LPR in Florida would have recognized the business opportunity to 'co-buy' and 'lease' Harleys etc through monthly rental fees to VWP second home owners at sensible rates. Kind of like those supercar-timeshare ownership programs you see........ probably worth posting on an FLA HOG Owners site to see if anybody already has.
Sir D
You would think that a LPR in Florida would have recognized the business opportunity to 'co-buy' and 'lease' Harleys etc through monthly rental fees to VWP second home owners at sensible rates. Kind of like those supercar-timeshare ownership programs you see........ probably worth posting on an FLA HOG Owners site to see if anybody already has.
Sir D
Apr 2nd 2009, 6:14 pm
#14
Forum Regular
Thread Starter
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 93
Re: Thinking of buying a Harley what about Insurance ??
I had to call and ask...
Its temporary, his papework from the DMV says.....
'a period not to exceed the expiration date of the USCIS document presented or one calendar year, whichever occurs first.'
So if you enter on VWP its 90 days. They use the exipry date from the I-94 Its a hassle but its the only way to keep the vehicle legally registered and tagged (plates) he does the same with a car. He justifies it as being a lot cheapert than renting for 3 months at a time each time... sounds like major ball-ache to me though
Sir D
Its temporary, his papework from the DMV says.....
'a period not to exceed the expiration date of the USCIS document presented or one calendar year, whichever occurs first.'
So if you enter on VWP its 90 days. They use the exipry date from the I-94 Its a hassle but its the only way to keep the vehicle legally registered and tagged (plates) he does the same with a car. He justifies it as being a lot cheapert than renting for 3 months at a time each time... sounds like major ball-ache to me though
Sir D
Apr 2nd 2009, 6:16 pm
#15
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Thread Starter
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 93
Re: Thinking of buying a Harley what about Insurance ??
I love the country but boy do they make it hard to try and enjoy it over there when your allowed in that is.