Buying an out-of-state car in CA

tcrist · #1 (**permalink**) 01-07-2011, 03:11 PM

The differance between CT an Ca is amazing. If there is no "tag" issued for either the windshield or the plate then you have no idea if the auto that you are driving next to is leagaly registered for the current year or if it has insurance or not.

In Ca you cant get your yearly tags unless you have proof of insurance. I.E. if you drop your insurance, the insurance company notifies the DMV that you have cancled your policy with them. If you get cought driving without insurance your auto can/will get impounded. Usually for 30 days and to get your auto back you have to show proof of insurance, pay the fine for driving without insurance and pay for towing + 30 days of storage. If you do not then the state sells your auto and keeps the money. If your auto is financed then you are still resposible for the loan (I believe).

A lot of these laws is the reason that my youngest son says that he will not ever live in CA again (unless the Navy transfers him back here). Even then his permanent residency for the Navy is now Florida.

RodKnock · #2 (**permalink**) 01-07-2011, 03:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tcrist

In Ca you cant get your yearly tags unless you have proof of insurance. I.E. if you drop your insurance, the insurance company notifies the DMV that you have cancled your policy with them. If you get cought driving without insurance your auto can/will get impounded. Usually for 30 days and to get your auto back you have to show proof of insurance, pay the fine for driving without insurance and pay for towing + 30 days of storage. If you do not then the state sells your auto and keeps the money. If your auto is financed then you are still resposible for the loan (I believe)..

And how is making sure other drivers are insured a bad thing. Would you prefer rates to go up even more because of all the additional uninsured motorists?

tcrist · #3 (**permalink**) 01-07-2011, 04:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RodKnock

And how is making sure other drivers are insured a bad thing. Would you prefer rates to go up even more because of all the additional uninsured motorists?

I did not say it was a bad thing did I. It was a statement to Don as his post stated that in CT there are no yearly tags issued. Re-read my post.

RodKnock · #4 (**permalink**) 01-07-2011, 05:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tcrist

A lot of these laws is the reason that my youngest son says that he will not ever live in CA again (unless the Navy transfers him back here). Even then his permanent residency for the Navy is now Florida.

This is what got me confused. Sorry.

tcrist · #5 (**permalink**) 01-07-2011, 05:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RodKnock

This is what got me confused. Sorry.

Understood, I did not mean to be an a$$hole in my response. I could have worded it better.

It is the Ca. strict laws about everything that has my youngest pi$$ed. Not just laws that has to do with auto's.

When he grows up (he's 30, wonder when that will happen) he will understand that there are a lot of things that you do not like but have to deal with anyway. He'd be higher up in the ranking in the Navy if he had not pi$$ed of a few higher ranking people in the last 12 years.

Don · #6 (**permalink**) 01-07-2011, 05:35 PM

If there is no "tag" issued for either the windshield or the plate then you have no idea if the auto that you are driving next to is leagaly registered for the current year or if it has insurance or not.

How often does anyone look at another/every vehicle while driving to see if there is either a current plate or windshield tag ? With or without the tag , the insurance could still lapse for non-payment or canceling after registration payment. The insurance card must still be in the vehicle. There has not been any reported increase in non-registerted vehicles.

CT had plate stickers, then went to windshield stickers before eliminating those. Not having valid insurance violation is normally associated with another reason for a traffic stop. At one time state required front and back plates, then went to back only, now has returned to both front and back

http://www.nbcconnecticut.com/news/l...-98417599.html

tcrist · #7 (**permalink**) 01-07-2011, 07:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Don

If there is no "tag" issued for either the windshield or the plate then you have no idea if the auto that you are driving next to is leagaly registered for the current year or if it has insurance or not.

How often does anyone look at another/every vehicle while driving to see if there is either a current plate or windshield tag ? With or without the tag , the insurance could still lapse for non-payment or canceling after registration payment. The insurance card must still be in the vehicle. There has not been any reported increase in non-registerted vehicles.

CT had plate stickers, then went to windshield stickers before eliminating those. Not having valid insurance violation is normally associated with another reason for a traffic stop. At one time state required front and back plates, then went to back only, now has returned to both front and back

http://www.nbcconnecticut.com/news/l...-98417599.html

Actually I do look for the current tags. I try to drive as safe as possible most of the time. Knowing that someone does not have current tags means (to me at least) they probably do not have insurance. I also look at the condition of the vehicle that they are driving. That tells me a lot about them and if they care or not about anyone else's property.

Maybe that is a product of growing up in Ca. or maybe it is what my parents tought, but it works for me. Is that profiling? Yea, probably, but it is what it is.