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.
“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?”
Summary
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.
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Your insurance and driver's license questions
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.
Next steps
When you cross the border, you must formally import your vehicle by meeting federal agricultural, safety, and emissions requirements.
Clear the undercarriage of soil
The US Department of Agriculture requires that the undercarriage of imported cars be free of foreign soil to safeguard against dangerous pests.
File federal import declarations
At the time the vehicle is imported, you must file DOT Form HS-7 to declare whether the vehicle complies with Department of Transportation requirements. You must also submit EPA Form 3520-1 to US Customs and Border Protection (CBP). CBP relies on CBP Form 7501, known as the Entry Summary, to determine relevant information regarding the imported vehicle.
Apply for a state driver's license
Once you establish residency, contact your new state's department of motor vehicles to find out how to apply for a US driver's license.
Legal sources
The rules for importing a vehicle and obtaining a driver's license come from US Customs and Border Protection, the Environmental Protection Agency, and federal guidelines.
USA.gov
Permanent residents may be eligible for a state driver's license, but residency requirements vary by state.
If you are a citizen of another country and are living permanently in the U.S., you may be eligible to apply for a driver's license from the state where you live. The residency requirement for obtaining a U.S. driver's license is different in each state. Contact your state department of motor vehicles to check the ID requirements and find out how to apply for a license.
CBP Importing a Motor Vehicle
Vehicles that do not meet US safety standards must be brought into compliance, exported, or destroyed.
Vehicles entering the United States that do not conform with U.S. safety standards must be brought into compliance, exported, or destroyed.
CBP Importing a Motor Vehicle
The USDA requires the undercarriage of imported cars to be free of foreign soil.
To safeguard against importation of dangerous pests, the U.S. Department of Agriculture requires that the undercarriage of imported cars be free of foreign soil.
CBP Importing a Motor Vehicle
Importers must file DOT Form HS-7 when the vehicle is imported.
Importers of motor vehicles must file form HS-7 at the time of vehicle is imported to declare whether the vehicle complies with DOT requirements.
EPA Form 3520-1
EPA Form 3520-1 must be submitted to Customs and Border Protection for each imported motor vehicle.
This form must be submitted to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (Customs) (42 USC 7522, 7601: 19 CFR 12.73) for each motor vehicle (including motorcycles, disassembled vehicles, kit cars, light-duty vehicle/motorcycle engines) imported into the U.S.
CBP Form 7501
CBP uses Form 7501 to determine relevant information about imported commodities.
Custom and Border Protection relies upon CBP Form 7501 "Entry Summary" to determine relevant information (e.g., appraisement, classification, origin, etc.) regarding the imported commodity.
This is general guidance, not legal advice. Confirm your specific situation with a licensed immigration attorney.
SettleKit is not a law firm. This information is for educational purposes and does not constitute legal advice.
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