Auto Insurance

[snowbird]

I currently live in CT but I plan on becoming a FL resident at the end of the year and RE at the end of January 2006. As my name implies, I plan on living in my home in FL 7 month a year (Sept.-Mar) and returning to my condo in CT (Apr-Aug).

I started looking into auto insurance with my current ins. co. and found out that FL requires a vehicle to be 'garaged' in FL for at least 10 months a year. What's up with that?

I had planned on registering both cars in FL but leaving one of them here in CT all year. The other I would drive to FL to have it there for the 7 months. I only need the 2 cars in CT because we both plan on working separate part-time jobs with our current employers while we're in CT.

Any suggestions on how to get around the 10 month insurance issue? Does anyone know if this is a one company policy or is this a FL insurance requirement? Any other recommendations would be appreciated. I do not wish to pay the CT personal property taxes which run me about $800 a year. Also can't see driving the 2nd car to FL and having to drive it back.

Thanks,
Pete

 

[73ss454]

Snow,

I use Gieco and have 2 cars registered in Fla. yet use my NY address on the registrations in Fla. I've had no problem for the last 2 years.
They haven't asked me where the cars are and I never told them.
Yet I have one in NY and keep the other in Fla.

Regards,
JOE

 

[tozz]

As part of my diabolical scheme to turn Florida blue, I plan on registering myself and my vehicles in the state next month.  No mention was made of a ten month rule, and I don't even have property in Florida.  My sense is that nobody really cares, but if you make a major claim, you better be able to survive some major scrutiny by your carrier.

 

[snowbird]

Snow,

I use Gieco and have 2 cars registered in Fla. yet use my NY address on the registrations in Fla.   I've had no problem for the last 2 years.
They haven't asked me where the cars are and I never told them.
Yet I have one in NY and keep the other in Fla.

Joe,

Thanks for the response. Did you drive the car that you leave in NY down to FL to register it or did you do it via the HSMV-82040 form where you get a cop to validate the VIN # or have a dealer do it on their stationary?

Sounds like Geico doesn't have the 10 month rule like Progressive. I'll request a quote from them.

Thanks,
Pete

 

[73ss454]

One of the cars I drove down and had it inspected when I got down there. I think I went to a local motor veh office and they came out and looked at the car.
They other car I purchased up in NY and the Dealer handled the Reg. process in Fla.
I just found out that when you get your Fla. lic. you have to call to make an apporntment. Do it 6 weeks in advance. They also told me that with the amount of people moving down that your lucky if you finish the lic. routine in just one day. Even with an appointment.

 

[snowbird]

Joe,

Thanks for the info and the heads up. I'll make the appointment in November but I'm afraid that since I won't be going down there until the 2nd to last week in December that I may not get an appointment. Nevertheless...

I just finished the on-line quote thru Geico and in it I put the cars basically residing in 2 different states. It'll be interesting to see what they say.

Pete

 

[Nords]

I just finished the on-line quote thru Geico and in it I put the cars basically residing in 2 different states. It'll be interesting to see what they say.

GEICO offers an additional 8% discount to holders of Berkshire Hathaway stock.

Another option might be USAA or Armed Forces Insurance. They both allow tenuous connections to the military and they're desperate for new clients (most of their customers are getting very old). If you or anyone in your not-so-distant family has ever done anything in the military or in the DoD civil service then you may qualify.

Armed Forces has just started offering auto insurance in Hawaii. Now we can consolidate all our insurance with them or USAA... I'm looking forward to many entertaining hours on the phone in the next two weeks.