I'm moving from Vancouver to the US and want to bring my car. Can I insure a Canadian-registered car with a US provider like State Farm or Geico, and would I still need to keep my ICBC insurance? Also, will my Canadian driver's license be enough, or do I have to get an in-state license?
You must formally declare your vehicle at the border using federal DOT and EPA forms. The documents do not state whether US insurers will cover a car that hasn't been formally imported, nor do they state if ICBC allows you to keep your coverage.
You did the right thing by checking on this before you cross the border, as having the right forms ready will make the import process smoother.
You asked if you can insure a Canadian-registered car with a US provider like State Farm or Geico, and whether you need to keep your ICBC insurance. The provided documents do not state whether a US auto insurer will write a policy for a vehicle that has not been formally imported and registered in a US state. They also do not state whether your Canadian provincial insurer allows you to maintain coverage after permanently relocating.
You also asked if your Canadian driver's license will be enough. If you are living permanently in the US, you may be eligible to apply for a driver's license from the state where you live. The residency requirement for obtaining a US driver's license is different in each state. You must contact your state department of motor vehicles to check the ID requirements and find out how to apply.
When bringing your car across the border, you must formally import it. Vehicles entering the United States that do not conform with US safety standards must be brought into compliance, exported, or destroyed.
