We are planning an extended trip from Ontario to the US. Our motorhome would be out of Ontario for 7 months. We have been told by our present insurance company, and another one, that this is not permissible. Motorized RV's cannot be out of Ontario for more than 6 months or the vehicle insurance is null and void. Has anyone else run into this problem and how did you handle it.Please note - this applies only to motorized RV's - so do not tell us that you take your trailer or 5th wheel on extended trips - it is not the same thing.Also - we know about staying out of country a maximum number of days re health insurance so I do not need a reminder about that. We would be flying home for part of the 7 month period so are fine in that regard.

If I were you I would check with Wayfayer Ins. they are located in Beaverton, Ontario. They deal only with Rv's they cost a bit more but they know their business.

Wayfarers is our current insurer and cannot offer a solution.

Here's a link to a company that specializes in International insurance, including for Canadian motorhomes traveling in the U.S.A.

What about renting the motorhome in the US instead of taking it down with you? Would that work and solve the insurance problem?

You probably already know this but I thought that I would throw it in.Last time I researched OHIP, Ontario allows 7 months on a rolling basis and you can also stay out of province for up to 2 years twice in your lifetime, you probably have to do some paperwork to put this into effect. Sanderson travel insurance in Ontario may be able to help with the out-of-country coverage, but stay away from Manulife!Can't help on the RV insurance but you may want to look at Good Sam etc.

Insurance for Motorhomes Out of Canada Long Term

Community Alumni
Apr 10, 2014
super_camper wrote:
......

Their recommendation to stay for a longer period is to take insurance through a US provider. Their rationale is the RV is considered primarily US based if stay exceeds 6 months.

For my own part, I inquired about doing this in the past and there's a couple issues. The first was a requirement to replace the Canadian registration with a US registration. The second issue (in my case) was that South Carolina wanted to collect a residence type yearly tax on the rv. Also, if it was plated with a US tag, you cannot drive it back into Canada with Canadian driver's permit (personal experience).

... Eric
super_camper
Explorer
Apr 10, 2014
Tripalot wrote:
Above suggestion of driving to Alberta would not do any good - MH cannot be out of Ontario for more than 6 months.

Actually, since I read your post I was curious as I am planning an extended trip as well so I called my broker about this.

The broker had to call the underwriter to get figure this out as it's not a common request. They tell me their limit is 6 consecutive months in the united states, there is no limit within any province in Canada. As long as the insured RV is returned to Canada before 6 consecutive months is up they are OK. They also said it can go right back into the US and stay another 6 months.

Their recommendation to stay for a longer period is to take insurance through a US provider. Their rationale is the RV is considered primarily US based if stay exceeds 6 months.
Tripalot
Explorer
Apr 10, 2014
Above suggestion of driving to Alberta would not do any good - MH cannot be out of Ontario for more than 6 months.
super_camper
Explorer
Apr 10, 2014
Tripalot wrote:
Yeti plus wrote:
I would talk to an insurance broker, they deal with many insurance companies and may know if there is one that is better for this than the others. My other thought would be to look at one of the companies that is in both Canada and the US, like State Farm or Allstate. With them dealing both sides of the border they may have more leniency in what they can provide.
Brian

We have talked with an insurance broker. Have also spoken to Geico in US and checked with FMCA for suggestions. The problem is with the umbrella insurance association for Ontario - it does not matter who your broker or insurance company is. They are all governed by the same association and therein lies the problem best we can find out.

Another poster recommended International Insurance Company and we called and spoke with them. If we were going to Europe or Mexico, there would be no problem - however, silly as it is, they cannot insure us in USA.

I would think the probability of having an accident while driving 3000 + miles back to Ontario and returning to Arizona would be greater than having the RV sitting in a secured storage spot.
You could always re-organize your trip to reduce the time spent in the US and avoid the insurance all-together. Rather than drive to Ontario go north to Alberta and store it there while you return home.
Community Alumni
Apr 10, 2014
Gruffy wrote:
PackerBacker wrote:
Gruffy wrote:
I do believe you are only allowed to be in the USA for 183 days of any 12 month period. Are you US citizens?, have green cards? or are you just going to take a chance??

Actually it is 182 days within any one calendar year. The OP has indicated they will be back inside Canada with the 7 month timeframe.

We do exactly the same thing, we stay in the US about 177 days per year over a 9 month period.

Sorry, where I come from 7 months is about 7x30 or 210 days. Hoe do you figure 182 days is a 7 month time frame????

I don't, the OP wrote that they will be back in Canada for part of the 7 months.

The 182 days is what the US Border & Protection Services have published as the permissible time in the US without a visa.

... Eric
Gruffy
Explorer
Apr 09, 2014
PackerBacker wrote:
Gruffy wrote:
I do believe you are only allowed to be in the USA for 183 days of any 12 month period. Are you US citizens?, have green cards? or are you just going to take a chance??

Actually it is 182 days within any one calendar year. The OP has indicated they will be back inside Canada with the 7 month timeframe.

We do exactly the same thing, we stay in the US about 177 days per year over a 9 month period.

Sorry, where I come from 7 months is about 7x30 or 210 days. Hoe do you figure 182 days is a 7 month time frame????
Tripalot
Explorer
Apr 09, 2014
Yeti plus wrote:
I would talk to an insurance broker, they deal with many insurance companies and may know if there is one that is better for this than the others. My other thought would be to look at one of the companies that is in both Canada and the US, like State Farm or Allstate. With them dealing both sides of the border they may have more leniency in what they can provide.
Brian

We have talked with an insurance broker. Have also spoken to Geico in US and checked with FMCA for suggestions. The problem is with the umbrella insurance association for Ontario - it does not matter who your broker or insurance company is. They are all governed by the same association and therein lies the problem best we can find out.

Another poster recommended International Insurance Company and we called and spoke with them. If we were going to Europe or Mexico, there would be no problem - however, silly as it is, they cannot insure us in USA.

I would think the probability of having an accident while driving 3000 + miles back to Ontario and returning to Arizona would be greater than having the RV sitting in a secured storage spot.
retraite
Explorer
Apr 09, 2014
Tripalot wrote:
... No No No No No No - you do not take chances when dealing with US officials.

Or Canadian as well. IMHO.

Cheers.
Tripalot
Explorer
Apr 09, 2014
Gruffy wrote:
I do believe you are only allowed to be in the USA for 183 days of any 12 month period. Are you US citizens?, have green cards? or are you just going to take a chance??

No No No No No No - you do not take chances when dealing with US officials

We are Canadians who want to tour in the US for a couple of months, leave the RV someplace for 2 months, fly home for a couple of months, return to US and tour again making our way back to Canada.

We are well aware of the restrictions for being out of the country and having the proper travel insurance.
Yeti_plus
Explorer
Apr 09, 2014
I would talk to an insurance broker, they deal with many insurance companies and may know if there is one that is better for this than the others. My other thought would be to look at one of the companies that is in both Canada and the US, like State Farm or Allstate. With them dealing both sides of the border they may have more leniency in what they can provide.
Brian