Question about registration and insurance

[Ang&Glenn]

We are coming to USA for a 2 month holiday. I grew up in Oregon but have lived in New Zealand last 40 years). Or plan, all going well, is to purchase a used 5.0 (there are a few listed on forum). And once we have secured trailer - we will also have to purchase a tow vehicle . All very challenging when not there in person - but now I need to understand how vehicle registration and insurance works . Which Insurance companies are best? Do you need special or different insurance when towing vs when trailer in storage? My folks live in Arizona so will be storing truck&trailer there ( coming back each year to travel around) - is this the state I should register truck and trailer? and if we purchase truck in state where trailer is located ( state far from AZ) the forum posts give me confidence relocating trailer is okay but how does it work with vehicles …. Can you drive from Florida to AZ before registering the vehicle — May sound like simple question but I forgot that each state has different rules. I am a bit confused about pre- registering and ETI when there is mention of “out of state” VIN check required . Any advise greatly appreciated! Cheers Angela & Glenn (afullerton@xtra.co.nz)

 

[occer]

Insurance needs to be bought in the state the vehicle is domiciled, if you are storing the trailer and truck in Arizona then the insurance should be from a company located in Arizona. If you go direct to AAA,Progressive,Gico,etc then they will write the policy for that state, if you call an insurance agent it will need to be form a agent in that state. (Yes some Insurance agents are located in more then one state).

I know that if you buy a vehicle in Florida they will give you a Temp tag good for I think 10 or 15 days.
Oregon Temp tag is good for up to 10 days You will have to pay the sales tax in the state you bought the vehicle and that amount will be deducted from the amount due in the state you registered the vehicle.

Last thing, someone will state they have a vehicle they store in Arizona but have it registered in Michigan and pay Michigan insurance, no problem. And 99% of the time that’s true, you get into a fender bender and do 20 to 50 thousand dollars worth of damage chances are they will just pay the claim. Get into an accident when someone is killed or crippled for life and the claim is for 100s of thousand. The insurance company may very well refuse to pay the claim. In those big claims they investigate. I buy insurance to protect me form losing my home not a fender bender.

 

[Ang&Glenn]

Insurance needs to be bought in the state the vehicle is domiciled, if you are storing the trailer and truck in Arizona then the insurance should be from a company located in Arizona. If you go direct to AAA,Progressive,Gico,etc then they will write the policy for that state, if you call an insurance agent it will need to be form a agent in that state. (Yes some Insurance agents are located in more then one state).

I know that if you buy a vehicle in Florida they will give you a Temp tag good for I think 10 or 15 days.
Oregon Temp tag is good for up to 10 days You will have to pay the sales tax in the state you bought the vehicle and that amount will be deducted from the amount due in the state you registered the vehicle.

Last thing, someone will state they have a vehicle they store in Arizona but have it registered in Michigan and pay Michigan insurance, no problem. And 99% of the time that’s true, you get into a fender bender and do 20 to 50 thousand dollars worth of damage chances are they will just pay the claim. Get into an accident when someone is killed or crippled for life and the claim is for 100s of thousand. The insurance company may very well refuse to pay the claim. In those big claims they investigate. I buy insurance to protect me form losing my home not a fender bender.

Thank you for reminder about the litigation or liability protection needed in USA. We do NOT have those litigation issues here in New Zealand but a vehicle & caravan (trailer) must be registered and have a “WOF” road worthy Warrant of fitness (yearly we go to DMV (NZTA) agent or registered mechanic and they check over vehicles and upload “pass” or “fail” electronically TO NZTA and then we can register.

I’m hoping we can pre register and complete everything electronically but have an inkling that this might be more difficult then I thought.

Again thank you for your advice - I’ll go online to get idea of insurance costs

 

[occer]

Arizona will need to see the vehicle and trailer to verify vin #. Not WOF. If in the Phoenix area the truck will need smog check.

 

[Centex]

With an introduction from your folks, a 'meeting' (albeit long distance) with their own presumably Arizona-based insurance agent might serve as an informative and authoritative primer on US insurance.

Even if you don't end-up doing business with them, they'll likely be able to answer a lot of questions and provide guidance for your particular somewhat 'different' situation.

With regard to vehicle / trailer title and registration, this website with its many special-topic links is probably worth perusing

Vehicle Title and Registration | Department of Transportation

Arizona law requires that you apply for a title within 15 days of purchase or a penalty may be assessed.

azdot.gov

Good luck.

 

[escaper2025]

Buy a trailer and a tow vehicle for only a two month visit? That does not seem like a great way to go. Have your considered renting an RV instead? Even for annual two month visits, you may find that is a better way to go.

As for the rest of it, you need a temp tag or a registration to be on the road legally. Temp tag can be from the state purchased but your registration needs to be the state of domicile. I'm not sure how that works when you're clearly NOT domiciled in the US, but a foreign country. All of the rules may be different in this case. Tread with caution and don't just guess or hope for the best!

Insurance generally is based on where a vehicle is garaged. In your case, AZ. I think that's what you should do. You should also get a title and registration there. That may be complicated since you don't live there. Many states will not issue a title registration to someone who doesn't have a license issued by that state.

At the end of the day, I think your absolute best move is to contact the Arizona DMV (or whatever they call themselves) and explain your situation and ask them what they want you to do, since AZ is where you intend to garage the vehicle and trailer.