Learn me about American insurance

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Changing the subject slightly - can I drive my girlfriend's car in the States without having to add/change anything to do with her car insurance? I've discovered my British licence is valid, fine, but I'm uncertain on the insurance laws. I'd really appreciate the advice.

― Mark C (Mark C), Tuesday, 13 May 2003 13:30 (twenty-one years ago) link

Mark - I drove my gf's car in Ohio for three months uninsured. I had no problems, but I'm guessing it was illegal.

― Nordicskillz (Nordicskillz), Tuesday, 13 May 2003 13:31 (twenty-one years ago) link

I think it depends on her insurance - whether the CAR is covered, or the driver - nick will know.

― Nordicskillz (Nordicskillz), Tuesday, 13 May 2003 13:31 (twenty-one years ago) link

I believe in the States it's the car insured, not the driver. But since we're going on a big road trip, it's vital that we find out in time to do something about it if necessary.

― Mark C (Mark C), Tuesday, 13 May 2003 13:39 (twenty-one years ago) link

Mark -- You don't have have to add anything to the insurance... the car itself gets insured, not you as a driver.

I didn't mean to be all "only cool people with cool jobs get insurance." Heh. I was just saying that's one way around the problem.

― Aaron W (Aaron W), Tuesday, 13 May 2003 13:40 (twenty-one years ago) link

Honestly, I have absolutely no idea about a Britain/American car interchange. I know American auto insurance policies (except Texas auto insurance that is) also cover your vehicle in Canada, but not in Mexico (cuz, in short, damned-near everything about Mexico's legal/insurance system is FUCKED UP). But, considering that most auto policies provide auto liability to the named insured driver, you are probably all good and legal to drive here.

As for your health insurance querry, I'd need to do a little research on California rates, but my guess is that it's not gonna be particularly affordable...health insurance, out of pocket, rarely is (When I paid for it myself, it was $145 a month here in KY, and then had to pay $20 co-pays on all doctor visits & prescription fillings...that was 2 years ago).

I'll see if I can get a more definite answer for ya.

― nickalicious (nickalicious), Tuesday, 13 May 2003 13:49 (twenty-one years ago) link

My concern is cos I am a foreigner, and whether that makes a difference. Mandee kindly told me that over 21s are automatically covered in an insured car, but will being British go against me?

I also, if it helps, have fully comprehensive car insurance in the UK.

Thanks again, and sorry for boring everyone else.

― Mark C (Mark C), Tuesday, 13 May 2003 13:51 (twenty-one years ago) link

Mark, I don't think it matters, but what about travel insurance? Doesn't that cover you?

nickalicious - much appreciated!

http://www.pemberley.com/janeinfo/personal/hat-doff.gif

― Nordicskillz (Nordicskillz), Tuesday, 13 May 2003 13:53 (twenty-one years ago) link

Nordic, my mother is a health insurance agent and says that individual coverage runs at about $275 a month. My health plan is covered by my employer but he's always bitching about how since I don't quite work 40 hours a week I technically should not be covered. Asshat.

― Mandee, Tuesday, 13 May 2003 13:55 (twenty-one years ago) link

$275 a month
!!!!!!!
*gulp*

Can you do this on a temporary (say, three-monthly) basis, Mandee?

― Nordicskillz (Nordicskillz), Tuesday, 13 May 2003 13:57 (twenty-one years ago) link

I think you should get Ruth and Stu to post here, Mandee.

― Jerry the Nipper (Jerrynipper), Tuesday, 13 May 2003 14:00 (twenty-one years ago) link

yeah, if you want to buy your own full healthcare coverage (i.e. a network, covers doctors visits *mostly* and perscriptions *mostly*) you will have to pay about $300/month at least to buy it yourself. If you don't go to the doctor often you can probably buy a major medical plan (covers serious illnesses and accidents) for say $150 a month or maybe less. This might be a better option for you, if you only go to the doc once in a while to get a prescription or something. You can always head to a clinic and see some sort of doctor for $40 or $50. Anyway, you should just check with some of the bigger insurers wherever you're heading like Blue Cross and see if they have a plan that will fit your budget and give you peace of mind. But really, try to get a job with a health benefit. The whole system sucks and needs to be fixed but it's not gonna happen until we can get rid of all the republican bastards in this country. Maybe in 5 generations or so when everyone not in the top 1% is dirt poor...

― g (graysonlane), Tuesday, 13 May 2003 14:03 (twenty-one years ago) link

Nordicskillz, I'll call my parents back later on today and ask them again.. I seem to remember when I was in limbo between a proper job and college I had temporary insurance for $80 a month, but maybe I imagineered it.

― Mandee, Tuesday, 13 May 2003 14:06 (twenty-one years ago) link

tx!

― Nordicskillz (Nordicskillz), Tuesday, 13 May 2003 14:07 (twenty-one years ago) link

I think you can get a plan called Personal Advantage from Kaiser (basically a big HMO, with their own doctors; lots of people hate them but having had them for 15 years, then having to switch to something else, I miss them) for about $175 a month. Just don't mention a pre-existing condition. It's month to month IIRC (I had it for three months when I was unemployed).

― anthony kyle monday (akmonday), Tuesday, 13 May 2003 14:08 (twenty-one years ago) link

Just don't mention a pre-existing condition.

Do people get away with that?

― Nordicskillz (Nordicskillz), Tuesday, 13 May 2003 14:10 (twenty-one years ago) link

your medical records aren't going to follow you to the states, so you are probably in a better position than most.

― Ed (dali), Tuesday, 13 May 2003 14:11 (twenty-one years ago) link

N-skillZ: I would advise that you marry your girlfriend. That way, only one of you need to get a half-decent job, as employer-provided insurance plans are typically only slightly more expensive to the employee than the ones provided to cover individuals.

As an alternative to marriage, California (I believe) allows even breeding-capable couples the option to register their "domestic partnership" in a simple but bloodless legal formality. That would qualify one of you for the other's benefits.

(But maybe you're already married. I can't recall.)

― Benjamin (benjamin), Tuesday, 13 May 2003 14:17 (twenty-one years ago) link

N-skillZ: I would advise that you marry your girlfriend

I am! This August! Woooh!

― Nordicskillz (Nordicskillz), Tuesday, 13 May 2003 14:19 (twenty-one years ago) link

Mazel tov!

Then maybe you should investigate coverage for medical catastrophies (e.g., serious illness, horrible accidents) for three months, and not a standard medical policy. These sorts of policies do exist, and they're a bit cheaper.

― Benjamin (benjamin), Tuesday, 13 May 2003 14:24 (twenty-one years ago) link

Solid gold advice, will check it out.

― Nordicskillz (Nordicskillz), Tuesday, 13 May 2003 16:40 (twenty-one years ago) link

eleven months pass...

Nordicskillz, how did this work out?

― miloauckerman (miloauckerman), Thursday, 6 May 2004 01:18 (twenty years ago) link

I got a job!

― @d@ml (nordicskilla), Thursday, 6 May 2004 01:20 (twenty years ago) link

And yes, I did also get married! Double happy ending!!

― @d@ml (nordicskilla), Thursday, 6 May 2004 01:21 (twenty years ago) link

Oh, uh, never mind. Congratulations, though.

― miloauckerman (miloauckerman), Thursday, 6 May 2004 01:22 (twenty years ago) link

If you are need of illegal medical attention, there is a "hospital" in Richmond, California that can help you.

― @d@ml (nordicskilla), Thursday, 6 May 2004 01:25 (twenty years ago) link

Only if I get wounded robbing a bank to pay for insurance.

― miloauckerman (miloauckerman), Thursday, 6 May 2004 01:29 (twenty years ago) link

I'm obviously a year late to this thread, but in case anyone else finds themselves in the same situation, I was going to suggest Kaiser too. When I was in CA my university covered medical but not dental, and I got dental from Kaiser for a rate that I'm pretty sure was k-cheap.

― Dan I. (Dan I.), Thursday, 6 May 2004 01:53 (twenty years ago) link

Rates don't look so bad for me (~$100 average, $240 if I wanted the best plan available), but I have to find one that doesn't do an exam for acceptance and figure out what they charge if I have to have knee surgery or physical therapy.

― miloauckerman (miloauckerman), Thursday, 6 May 2004 02:00 (twenty years ago) link

eleven years pass...

renter's insurance? what's it all aboot then?

among my friends in the uk, maybe half of them would have the equivalent (contents insurance), but afaict no one has renter's insurance here. do people have it? i'm getting quotes around $10-20/month. seems cheap? is that reasonable? or is there a reason why no one has it?

― 𝔠𝔞𝔢𝔨 (caek), Wednesday, 1 July 2015 01:56 (eight years ago) link

I pay $16/month for $15k. I've never shopped around to see if I can get more coverage or a cheaper price.

I don't know why more people don't have it - I didn't until five or six years ago just because I'd never heard of it.

― Kiarostami bag (milo z), Wednesday, 1 July 2015 02:13 (eight years ago) link

thanks that sounds about right

― 𝔠𝔞𝔢𝔨 (caek), Wednesday, 1 July 2015 12:52 (eight years ago) link

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