O/T: Crossing border w/o insurance

[AlohaDisney]

Very off topic, but figured this was a good place to ask as many of us cross the border so frequently.

My nephew (21) took my sister's car and has driven across the border with it (Lewiston, NY). This car has been sitting in the garage for the last few months as my sister is trying to sell it. The car has valid plates but my nephew does not have insurance to drive this car, and my sister has taken it off of her insurance.

Do they not check insurance when they cross the border? I thought for sure when they scan the plates it would have popped up? We're worried that he gets stopped and the car is impounded.

 

[bdoyledimou]

Driving without insurance isn't going to just impound the car --- you should worry about DN.
(and plates are only valid on an insured vehicle )

Pray he doesn't get into an accident -- your sister will be paying the bills as she is presumed to have provided consent if the uninsured vehicle is not reported- and US medical is expensive.

 

[bankr63]

Have your sister call her insurance agent. She should be able to get a rider to cover the situation for little extra cost. Make sure nephew has a copy of the rider in case there are any problems. Much better to spend a few dollars than to face the costs of driving an uninsured vehicle.

 

[minnie mum]

Driving without insurance could be catastrophic for both your sister and DN even if they are unhurt by an accident. Getting short term insurance should be the first thing she does. How can her plates be valid without insurance?

 

[momof2gr8kids]

When you say "took" do you mean with or without her permission? Did she ok him to take it? If so, she should have added insurance temporarily.

Having the vehicle impounded would be the least of her worries, should something happen, especially an accident. I've seen people lose everything, because of lack of insurance and medical bills from the states.

She should call and add the insurance now, if possible.

 

[dsneygirl]

When you say "took" do you mean with or without her permission? Did she ok him to take it? If so, she should have added insurance temporarily.

Having the vehicle impounded would be the least of her worries, should something happen, especially an accident. I've seen people lose everything, because of lack of insurance and medical bills from the states.

She should call and add the insurance now, if possible.

Exactly. If he is in an accident and the other driver sues it would bankrupt them.

 

[Sue M]

I hope for her sake, nothing happens. As everyone stated, that's a very dangerous situation. No car insurance and no medical.

 

[seashoreCM]

1. You will probably need a regular liability* insurance policy covering the car before you can add a rider for driving out of the country.

2. Some insurance policies cover driving into the U.S. without a rider.

3. Almost no Canadian (or U.S.) policies include driving into Mexico without a rider.

4. It is unwise to drive the car anywhere, let alone out of the country, without liability insurance.

* You don't need the comprehensive and collision after the car loan is fully paid off.