About Ursula Kiener Expertise I can answer questions regarding Insurance, Real Estate, Mortgages, Investing, Relocation, Retirement, Types of Visas, Laws, Places to go to, Night Clubs, Restaurants, Hotels, and Tourism in general.
Experience My company has over 30 years of experience in the insurance industry. Founded in 1976, Forlacol is a family oriented company, with me (Ursula) as the third generation in the business. I obtained my insurance license in 2004 and I am qualified to sell personal, property and casualty, and guarantee bonds in the country of Panama.
I also have worked in Real Estate in Panama.
Most of my friends and clients are foreigners so I'm pretty used to being a tour guide.
Organizations International School of Panama Alumni Society (Vice President 2002-2005)
Florida State University Real Estate Society
Florida State University Insurance Society (Vice President 2005-2006)
Publications Panama Real Estate Magazine
Building the Best
The Pananole - FSU Panama’s Online Newspaper. (Founder and writer 2002 - 2004)
Education/Credentials I went to college at Florida State University with a scholarship. I graduated with a double major in Multinational Business and Human Resource Management. I took my Real Estate course in 2004 and my Insurance Course in 2003.
Awards and Honors Florida State University 2 2 Scholarship
Hispanic Honor Society
Past/Present Clients My clients are mostly foreigners. Countries of origin include: the US, Canada, Europe, and Central/South America.
Question I am interested in selling my Ford truck once I arrive in Panama City. Could you
give me some advice on whether it is best to sell to a used car dealer or to an
individual through the classifieds? Thanks.
Answer Hi David.
This is not as easy as it seems since you need to register the truck in Panama and unless you have the pensionado visa you have to pay entry taxes to be able to register the truck, to then be able to sell it.
Besides this you also have to ship the car.
Entry taxes are not cheap. They depend on the value of the car, the year, and the specs.
After the car is register you can sell it, since it would have a valid title.
As a foreign car you can drive it with another country's license plate for 3 months - same with your foreign drivers license - 3 months.
If the cops pull you over with a foreign tag after the period when the car entered the country, they can legally take the car until you pay all the taxes and have to pay for towing and storage. Which can be very expensive and inconvienient.
So it might or might not be worth it.
On the good side - the tax makes cars worth more in Panama since their original value is higher.
Used car dealership - Patel Auto - they are the best, if not if you buy a new car the dealership can sell your old car. I just did this when I sold my SUV.
If you need insurance for your future car - I am a broker.
