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If you have an international license, driving in the USA will have different requirements depending on where you’re located. Regardless of location, you will need auto insurance in order to drive legally. Understanding auto insurance for non-U.S. residents can be a challenge, so here are some tips on how you can get insurance if you have a driver’s license from another country.
Can I get auto insurance in the U.S. with a foreign license?Yes, it’s possible to get auto insurance in the U.S. with a foreign license. There are insurance companies that limit car policies to American citizens, but the majority of large insurance providers offer vehicle insurance to people with foreign driving licenses in the U.S. More: Best Insurance Providers for Married Couples (2022) Some insurance companies may require that motorists driving with a foreign license apply for an International Driving Permit (IDP) in addition to providing proof of a valid driver’s license from the motorist’s country of residence. At least 11 U.S. states require an IDP, namely Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Connecticut, Georgia, Idaho, Missouri, Montana, Virginia, Vermont, and Washington. There are seven other states that require an IDP if the foreign driver’s license is not in English, namely Indiana, Michigan, New Jersey, Ohio, Rhode Island, South Carolina, and Wisconsin More: Best Auto Insurance Companies for Bad Credit (2022) Some states do not have an international driver’s license requirement. Having a Texas international driver’s license is not necessary. An Illinois international driver’s license is also not a requirement to be an international driver in Illinois. You won’t need an international license in California unless you will be using a foreign driver’s license in California for more than 90 days. Remember, in the states that require an IDP to drive, the international driver’s license is not a substitute for a foreign driver’s license. Rather, the IDP and a valid foreign driver’s license must both be in the possession of the foreign driver. If you live in the U.S., you can obtain an IDP from AAA, the Automobile Association of America. If you live in a country other than the U.S., you’ll need to check with your insurance carrier or local government for information on how to obtain an IDP. IDPs are typically valid for one year. Free Auto Insurance ComparisonEnter your ZIP code below to view companies that have cheap auto insurance rates. Secured with SHA-256 Encryption Do I need car insurance if I’m driving in the U.S. with a foreign license?More: Auto Insurance for a Temporary Resident Yes, you need car insurance if you’re driving in the U.S. The minimum car insurance required in each state is different, but almost all states have laws requiring liability auto insurance coverage, which covers drivers for property damage and personal injuries that you caused to others in an accident. Minimum Auto Insurance Requirements by StateMinimum Auto Insurance Requirements by State
Get Your Rates Quote Now More: Buying Auto Insurance as a Family with Multiple Drivers So, regardless of whether you have a U.S.-issued or foreign driver’s license, you’re going to need car insurance to drive in the U.S. It doesn’t matter if you only plan to drive for just one day or even a few minutes; state laws require that all drivers have valid car insurance, including those with a foreign driver’s license in the USA. What types of car insurance are available for foreign drivers in the U.S.?Even though you need car insurance if you’re driving in the U.S. with a foreign driver’s license, you don’t necessarily have to buy a long-term personal policy. If you’re traveling to the U.S. temporarily, there are a few different short-term foreign driver’s license insurance options. Rental Car InsuranceMore: Best Auto Insurance for Drivers With a DUI If you’re going to rent a car with a foreign driver’s license, you have a few different options for car insurance coverage. All rental car companies offer auto insurance at the counter when you pick up the car. Basic rental car insurance would likely just cover damages caused to others as a result of an accident you caused. Most rental car companies also offer collision damage waivers that cover damage to the rental car. You can also pay extra for personal property insurance for your personal effects, and accident insurance to cover injuries to you or your passenger. Secondary Insurance through your Credit CardCredit card companies generally offer rental car insurance, called secondary insurance, as a free cardholder perk if you use their credit card to pay for the car rental. Secondary car insurance is not your primary insurance. It is just backup insurance to pay for amounts that exceed other auto insurance coverage or for things that aren’t covered in the primary policy, like deductible payments. That means if you’re in a car accident in the U.S., you would first have to file a claim with your primary source of car insurance before you could make a claim with your secondary insurance provider. Get Named as an Additional InsuredWhat if you’re visiting friends or family in the United States, and you only plan to borrow their car during your trip? Most car insurance companies allow policyholders to list additional temporary drivers on their policy for no extra cost. So, rather than looking into purchasing short-term car insurance, just ask the U.S. resident whose car you’re borrowing if you can be added to their auto insurance policy as a short-term visiting driver. Temporary or Short-Term Car InsuranceStandard car insurance policies are for either six-month or 12-month terms. That’s because it’s risky for insurance companies to offer coverage for a few weeks, days, or even hours. But some insurers are willing to take the risk of offering temporary car insurance. Most temporary or short-term car insurance policies are for a 30-day term, but there may be providers out there that offer coverage on a daily basis. In most instances, temporary car insurance only provides basic liability coverage for property and personal injury damages to others, and not for your personal injuries or damages to the car you’re driving. You need to be careful when looking for short-term car insurance providers. First of all, the cost is likely to be high because it’s more expensive for insurers to cover the risk on temporary policies. Second, make sure the coverage is legitimate. Beware of scam insurance companies that pass off fake auto insurance. People with foreign driver’s licenses are often targets of scam car insurance. As with any car insurance carrier, do your homework. Research the insurance company, including the company license information that should be available from the Department of Insurance of the state you’re visiting. Make sure the policy being offered provides the full details of the coverage as well as any exclusions in coverage. Another warning sign would be low premiums that are too good to be true. That’s why it’s important to comparison-shop so you can get an idea of the average market price. Sure, you want to find the most competitive prices offered, but if it seems too good to be true, it probably is. Regular Personal InsuranceIf you plan on staying and driving in America for six months or longer, then you’ll probably have to get a personal car insurance policy. There are some different types of auto insurance coverage that may be available. Basic liability coverage only pays for damages you caused to others up to the policy limits. Liability insurance does not cover any damages to or loss of your property, or any injuries you or your passengers sustain. Collision coverage pays for damages to your car in an accident where the car you were driving hit something or someone. Comprehensive coverage, on the other hand, covers damage and loss caused by things other than collisions, like theft, vandalism, hail, fire, etc. If you don’t have separate travel health insurance, you should consider adding medical coverage to your car insurance to pay any medical costs for you and your passengers after a car accident. How much does car insurance for foreign license holders cost?The cost of car insurance depends on a variety of factors, so you’ll have to shop around to find out the average cost. That said, generally speaking, a basic minimum liability policy for a moderate-to-low-risk U.S. driver can cost around $50 in monthly premiums. Here is a chart of average auto insurance rates by state. Average Annual Liability Auto Insurance Rates by StateAverage Annual Liability Auto
Insurance Rates by State
Get Your Rates Quote Now Keep in mind that these are average costs for U.S. resident drivers. Costs will likely be higher for a foreign driver because car insurance companies aren’t able to take a look at your U.S. driving history and other risk factors. Also, as a foreign driver, you probably won’t qualify for car insurance discounts unless you are a student. Lots of car insurance companies offer lower rates or discounts for student drivers with good grades and a clean driving record. Free Auto Insurance ComparisonEnter your ZIP code below to view companies that have cheap auto insurance rates. Secured with SHA-256 Encryption The Bottom Line: Foreign Drivers Need U.S. Auto InsuranceForeign drivers with valid licenses from their country of residence are able to drive in the U.S., but they must comply with U.S. laws that require minimum liability auto insurance to cover personal injuries and property damage if you cause a car accident. If you only plan to drive for the short term, you can most likely get auto insurance with a foreign driver’s license from a car rental company or with the credit card you use to pay for the rental car. If you plan on driving for six months or longer in the U.S., you’ll likely have to get an IDP and at least a six-month car insurance policy. Free Auto Insurance ComparisonEnter your ZIP code below to view companies that have cheap auto insurance rates. Secured with SHA-256 Encryption Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about auto insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything auto insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by auto insurance experts.
Can I get car insurance with international drivers license in Canada?You can apply for the car insurance with a Canadian driver's license or an international driver's permit. Most visitors get short-term Canadian car insurance, which is valid for up to six months.
Does US recognize international drivers license?All U.S. states recognize foreign drivers' licenses. In most cases, your license will be valid for up to 4 months after the date you enter the U.S. Consult the DMV in the state where you wish to drive to confirm the length of validity and the rules for driving with a foreign driver's license.
Can I get car insurance with international driver's license in UK?Yes, it's possible to get car insurance with an international licence – but it may cost you more than those with a UK licence. Lack of familiarity with UK roads means there's a higher risk of international drivers being involved in an accident and having to make a claim.
How long can you drive with a foreign license in Virginia?If you have a valid home country driver's license or an international driver's license, you may legally drive in Virginia for 6 months after your arrival. Beyond that, the Commonwealth of Virginia requires you to obtain a Virginia driver's license.
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