Insurance Question

[LakeMeadLavey]

Registering one of my vehicles in AZ to our Havasu address. The car will mainly be in Havasu but will come to So Cal as well. Can I leave it insured on my CA Mercury policy with my other vehicles or will I need to get a separate policy being it will be registered in AZ? Are there MVD insurance requirements to register in AZ or do they just want proof of insurance and not specific to where the policy is? TIA

 

[Havasu blue label]

We have a separate policy same company and yes it’s garaged in havasu if they ask

 

[Good Stuff]

I registered without the AZ policy and had my agent put it in place the day I registered it. DMV just told me I needed insurance and had to have an AZ policy since it is registered in AZ. Insurance told me I could have it parked in CA at my house whenever I drive it out and still be covered under the AZ policy.

 

[BoatCop]

Registering one of my vehicles in AZ to our Havasu address. The car will mainly be in Havasu but will come to So Cal as well. Can I leave it insured on my CA Mercury policy with my other vehicles or will I need to get a separate policy being it will be registered in AZ? Are there MVD insurance requirements to register in AZ or do they just want proof of insurance and not specific to where the policy is? TIA

Worry more about taking the AZ registered car into Cal. This has been gone over dozens of times here. If YOU are a resident of CALIFORNIA, every car owned by you AND operated in California must be registered in California. Period. End of story.

It's a criminal (misdemeanor) offense and can result in your vehicle being impounded and the associated fines, fees, taxes, interest, towing, storage, etc. etc. etc.

 

[LakeMeadLavey]

Worry more about taking the AZ registered car into Cal. This has been gone over dozens of times here. If YOU are a resident of CALIFORNIA, every car owned by you AND operated in California must be registered in California. Period. End of story.

It's a criminal (misdemeanor) offense and can result in your vehicle being impounded and the associated fines, fees, taxes, interest, towing, storage, etc. etc. etc.

Even with a residence in AZ as well? Not surprising with the Calif BS laws thanks for the heads up. How are all these exotics and big diesel pushers getting away with the Montana and Oregon plates? Just taking the risk?

 

[EarpRider]

Worry more about taking the AZ registered car into Cal. This has been gone over dozens of times here. If YOU are a resident of CALIFORNIA, every car owned by you AND operated in California must be registered in California. Period. End of story.

It's a criminal (misdemeanor) offense and can result in your vehicle being impounded and the associated fines, fees, taxes, interest, towing, storage, etc. etc. etc.

But come on, has that ever happened???
I'm retired LBPD, if I came across someone with a car registered, AZ or CA, and they have current insurance - they're all good with me.
Wayyyyyyyyy too many other people on the streets with no registration and/or no insurance that I need to be more worried about.

 

[WildHorses24]

Registering one of my vehicles in AZ to our Havasu address. The car will mainly be in Havasu but will come to So Cal as well. Can I leave it insured on my CA Mercury policy with my other vehicles or will I need to get a separate policy being it will be registered in AZ? Are there MVD insurance requirements to register in AZ or do they just want proof of insurance and not specific to where the policy is? TIA

CA and AZ are both reporting states, they both will suspend registration if not filed electronically through MVD/DMV by the insurance company. You must insure the vehicle in the state it registered in.

To @BoatCop 's point, my dad had his CJ5 registered and insured in AZ and drove to the office for 10 years. Finally, a Monrovia PD stopped him since he noticed it every morning. Gave him shit about not having it registered in CA but never gave a ticket. Pops continued to drive it for another 5 years

 

[boater]

We have Mercury in CA for both auto and home. When we bought our house in Havasu I called to get a quote from mercury and was told Mercury doesn’t insure outside of CA.
Good luck

 

[Boat 405]

Get a separate policy for the AZ address. Maybe even do 2 cars to get a better rate if you can.

 

[crzy2bealive]

Worry more about taking the AZ registered car into Cal. This has been gone over dozens of times here. If YOU are a resident of CALIFORNIA, every car owned by you AND operated in California must be registered in California. Period. End of story.

It's a criminal (misdemeanor) offense and can result in your vehicle being impounded and the associated fines, fees, taxes, interest, towing, storage, etc. etc. etc.

Does the Montana plate avoid this since the car is a company vehicle?

 

[Javajoe]

Worry more about taking the AZ registered car into Cal. This has been gone over dozens of times here. If YOU are a resident of CALIFORNIA, every car owned by you AND operated in California must be registered in California. Period. End of story.

It's a criminal (misdemeanor) offense and can result in your vehicle being impounded and the associated fines, fees, taxes, interest, towing, storage, etc. etc. etc.

Retired CHP or motor cop?

 

[RogerThat99]

Retired CHP or motor cop?

It's right in his name. BoatCop. Retired BoatCop.

 

[Javajoe]

It's right in his name. BoatCop. Retired BoatCop.

Yea I knew that but figured maybe before that he was. I guess boat cops are a lot like them I suppose. Interesting

 

[RogerThat99]

Yea I knew that but figured maybe before that he was. I guess boat cops are a lot like them I suppose. Interesting

He was in the Coast Guard previously. I think he went right into the boatcop gig.

 

[Kachina26]

Yea I knew that but figured maybe before that he was. I guess boat cops are a lot like them I suppose. Interesting

He's actually a wealth of information and one of the coolest guys on the boards. We're lucky to have him around.

 

[C_J_J_C]

To answer your question:
If the vehicle is Registered in Arizona it needs an Arizona Insurance Policy. Arizona will suspend the registration if there is not a Arizona policy. Arizona does not have a law against non-resident registering cars at the non-resident rate if the car remains in Arizona.

Second part: If it is registered in your name in Arizona and you have a California license you could get in trouble driving in California. It is illegal and I do know someone who was cited for it and threatend with impound per California Vehicle Code 4000.4(a). Anyone who tells you it doesn't matter is right only until they find the wrong cop on the wrong day.

The Havasu only launch vehicle 100% do it and leave it in Havasu. If you plan on using it in California at any time it is not worth the risk in my opinion.

 

[J&k beer can]

I am AZ resident and wifey is California resident .
Same insurance co but 2 separate policies added each other as drivers.. have vehicles in both states for years.. have been pulled over a few times for other violations and askd about registration..
I said it's for legal reasons and that was that...

 

[Orange Juice]

When I rent cars in California, I’m sometimes given a car from out of state to drive.

 

[BoatCop]

When I rent cars in California, I’m sometimes given a car from out of state to drive.

But you don't OWN it.

Regarding those you see with Montana plates, those are usually "owned" by a "Company/LLC" based in Montana, due to their permissive incorporation/LLC laws, low or zero taxes, and low rates for vehicle registration. Even though YOU might be a CA resident, the owner (Corporation/LLC) is located in the other state.

 

[Hardly Satisfied]

Yea I knew that but figured maybe before that he was. I guess boat cops are a lot like them I suppose. Interesting

He worked in Parker

 

[zhandfull]

So if car is registered in AZ under wife’s name only. I’m good to drive it in California?

 

[Riverbottom]

So if car is registered in AZ under wife’s name only. I’m good to drive it in California?

Yes.