8/1/2015
Montana LLC and Truck Insurance
Montana LLC and Truck Insurance |
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| GeoffG 15 June 2010 10:18 PM |
We are working our way towards full-timing in about 12-18 months and will pick up pieces of the puzzle along the way as opportunities arise. We plan to use a Montana LLC for a number of good reasons and it seems to make sense to go ahead and set it up now so we do not pay unnecessary taxes on any vehicles we buy ahead of time. My question is does anyone have experience with getting insurance on an HDT registered to a Montana LLC while still living in a bricks and sticks house in a different state? The other detail is we may not buy a 5er for another 6-9 months and I have seen posts talking about insurance companies wanting to insure a "truck and trailer" as a package.
Any experience or thoughts appreciated. |
| Bob Cochran 15 June 2010 11:32 PM |
I have been reading about registering vehicles, etc. in other state. It appears some states are starting to attempt to stop this by making you prove legal residence in the state. The one they was talking about was South Dakota I believe. I know a lot have used Montana though and for sure works unless??? Insurance is kind of all over the place if you do a search for all this information you will find all kinds of information even on LLC's by using the search will not have to wait for all your answers. Good luck. |
| Red Runner 16 June 2010 06:55 AM |
Geoff, I recently went this route also, I used Bennett Law Firm In Missoula, great people and very responsive they answered all my questions and were always ready to help. As for Insurance, speak with Eric at Blue Sky insurance, did everything over the phone, had my cards E-mailed to me in 30 min. They have new INS products set up Full timers and HDT. Everyone asks me about how and why we went the LLC route, we travel all over and have not had any problem. As the LLC owner you are driving one of your companies vehicles. I am glad we went this route. So far no curious state troopers or DMV inspection people. Eric's number is- 866-484-2583 Blue Sky Insurance |
| Wrknrvr 16 June 2010 09:37 AM |
GeofG We registered our fifthwheel and our HDT in MT last year with an LLC. We spend the summer in MT and I started to do the home work on this subject. I work in MT during the summer and was very busy so things did not get done in time. We ended up with our PA registration running out. So with no plates I could not drive it to be inspected. I did go to the local inspection and ask about the HDT being registered as a MH. They said to take it to the main office in Deer Lodge MT as they would not do it anymore. So since we did originally title them both in PA we did pay the sales tax in PA. We registered the truck as a truck for the first year in MT. I am going to go check in Kalispell MT again before going to Deer Lodge for an inspection. In July we are going to make a trip to Deer lodge and see some things in the area and if I need to I will get an inspection done then. The truck has a generator, elec. heat, refrigerator, portapoty and a sink so they should be able to change it to a MH if they still do that. When we changed our registration to MT we kept out insurance with National Interstate. One thing that was difference was they had to ask if we wanted to have uninsured motorist coverage or not. I think that is a law that they have to ask if you want it or not. I said yes as when we were involved in our first HDT being destroyed in an accident and the person that started the accident did not have insurance. Also when we did look into this last year there form on line was different then what we needed. I will have the DW get the info out and start looking into this again today or tomorrow and get back to you. |
| D K. 16 June 2010 11:15 AM |
I've had MT LLC owned tags on my WIA for a few years now. along with MH class on the title. If you want to keep the arguments to a minimum with the other states, I suggest you make sure your insurance is underwritten in Montana to match the address on your registration. This was brought up by an LEO/DOT officer in Tennessee to me. I have an active military ID in my wallet, along with our orders in the cab, so they usually backed off when I handed them the paperwork with these in the stack. Some areas will argue that if it says LLC on the registration, it is a commercially owned vehicle, which the only way you're going to fight that is with an attorney if it comes down to that, if at all. Bennett's Law Office in Missoula will act on your behalf if you have them establish your LLC and register the truck for you. Thinking you are saving money by doing it yourself is not going to be very cheap when you end up having to put an attorney on retainer to get some overzealous officer's tax revenue bill dismissed in court. John Bennett's has been very good to us, he has called me back personally on several occasions and answered all questions and concerns about both our LLC's as well as our vehicles registration and insurance topics. John has a huge customer base due to the MT LLC, I seriously doubt he is going to just cross his arms and let you hang so another state can establish a precedent with you to screw up the rest of his client's lives. Call him and get your answers first hand, he has yet to charge any of the people we've referred to him for phone consultations or E-mails to make sure you are comfortable with his services and LLC options BEFORE you commit to sending titles or documents. His office has an excellent relationship with the Missoula DMV and Deerlodge main office, save yourself a lot of grief with the other county treasurers who are not very friendly to individuals. (Trust me on this, I'm a Montana landowner and resident). |
| Jack Mayer 16 June 2010 02:43 PM |
What Dave said.... DO NOT try to do this alone. You will regret it. I promise. Maybe not immediately, but eventually. JMO. |
| GeoffG 17 June 2010 09:50 PM |
Thanks for the advice everyone and the references on who to call. This is clearly an area where professional help is needed! Geoff |
| Wrknrvr 17 June 2010 10:55 PM |
Geof As stated before as to registering your truck with a law firm to do the work properly, is the best way. We did, but this year we want to convert it to a MH. Last year I was not getting things done in time to do everything at once. We now have everything that is required to convert it to be titled as a MH. We will be in the Deer Lodge MT area in mid July and will see about getting our truck registered as a MH. Also we did check on Insurance before we did the transfer of titles and took care of the insurance as soon as we did the transfer |
| DJW 02 August 2010 01:45 PM |
We have had National Interstate for years. Progressive won't insure it with the LLC's name only your personal name. Bennett law is great to deal with. Everyone I have ever spoken with over the years in the office has been more than helpful. Dennis |
| Havaraptor 02 August 2010 02:15 PM |
Agree 100% on both!! |
| Havaraptor 03 August 2010 09:46 AM |
yeatsy, on Aug 2 2010, 09:17 PM, said: For insurance, I would recommend Twin Peaks. They can help you with insurance for an LLC owned vehicle and are really knowledgeable. We spoke to a girl named Tiffanie there. One man's opinion and you are entitled to it. As many time as I have used Bennett I have never even come close to having a experience as Jake from Alabama had. They have all been more than friendly and professional with me and everyone I have sent to them... |
| Motor31 07 August 2010 06:33 PM |
I have used Bennett for more than 6 years now. Not once have they been ANYTHING but polite, helpful and easy to reach. I have used both phone and Internet contacts with them. Were I to do it all over I would do it the same way. I like having the option and opportunity to talk to a lawyer and getting legal advice regarding our LLC any time I need it. |