You can buy US car insurance with a UK driving licence. However, finding the best policy can take time and you have to plan ahead. Here’s how to make sure you’re covered by auto insurance before you arrive.
HERE’S WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
- It is possible to buy car insurance in the USA with a UK driving license
- However, most insurance companies classify a driver as “high risk” if they do not have a valid US driver’s license.
- A high-risk designation often equates to higher insurance rates
- The higher rates are worth it, as it is illegal to drive without insurance in the United States.
Although not all insurance companies offer car insurance for foreign drivers, many do, especially large companies. If one is planning to move to the United States from the United Kingdom to study or study abroad long term, he will need car insurance to drive legally. Whatever their goals in coming to the United States, it is important that they understand the country’s car insurance laws and how to get student car insurance in the UK.
How to Find Car Insurance for UK Drivers in the US
Discovery car insurance for international drivers with visa in the United States is difficult, but not much more than getting full coverage as a citizen or local resident. Shop around for car insurance is a somewhat complex and lengthy process in itself. Before deciding on a policy, regardless of its situation, they should do their homework by comparing rates and shopping around for discounts.
The only difference between their car insurance buying process and that of a US citizen is that they have slightly fewer options available to them. This is because many auto insurance companies cater strictly to low-risk drivers.
For a driver to earn the “low risk” designation, he or she must present a valid US driver’s license for the state in which he or she plans to drive. Drivers must also demonstrate their ability to drive safely and obey traffic laws. Unfortunately drivers with a UK license find it difficult to prove their experience or knowledge. As a result, most UK licensed drivers cannot obtain low risk designations.
There are several companies that issue policies for all types of drivers. As an international driver, it may be worth shopping around for these companies. Although we can’t know for sure which companies offer high risk car insurance, the best thing to do is call a company and ask. Large companies, such as Progressive, State Farm and GEICO, are generally willing to take on more risk than their smaller counterparts.
Can the UK driving record be used to obtain a low risk designation?
Unfortunately, it doesn’t matter how good a driver is in the UK – if they don’t have a valid US driving license most insurers consider them inexperienced and therefore high risk. A high-risk designation makes it difficult to obtain coverage. If a person can find coverage, they will likely have to pay the high-risk driver surcharge.
Getting insurance on a rental car as an international driver
Finding coverage as an international driver may not be a problem when considering renting a car in the United States You can rent a car without insurance if they take out insurance with the rental company. Most car rental companies offer coverage up to the minimum amounts required by the state. These companies also allow drivers to purchase additional insurance for additional protection.
If one is planning to visit the United States for a short period of time, rental car coverage may suffice. However, keep in mind that most state minimums only cover the cost of damage one causes to another person’s vehicle. If they cause an accident, they may have to pay the cost of repairing or replacing the rental car. For this reason, they should consider purchasing additional coverage if they plan to stay in the United States for an extended period.
Getting car insurance for students in the UK
As an international student in the United States, the options for obtaining car insurance are more or less the same as for non-students. They need to find an insurer willing to cover a “high risk” driver. They probably won’t be able to use their driving experience in their home country to get cheaper fares.
Unfortunately, as a student, their path to auto insurance can be a bit more difficult. Some auto insurance companies require international students to have three years of driving experience in the United States before they will be covered.
As an international student, they have an advantage over non-students. Their designated school official can provide them with a list of car insurance companies that cater to international drivers and maintain more lenient requirements.
Do you need car insurance as a British driver in the USA?
Although car insurance requirements vary from state to state, the fact is that all but two states require drivers to maintain minimum coverage. If a police officer catches one driving without the minimum coverage, they face fines, license suspension and jail time.
Two states do not maintain minimum coverage requirements: Virginia and New Hampshire. However, one must obtain an insurance waiver, which they can only do once they show proof of financial responsibility. In other words, they must demonstrate that they can pay up to a certain amount in damages they could cause in an accident. Additionally, they may also have to pay uninsured vehicle charges.
Do you need a US license to purchase auto insurance?
One does not necessarily need a US driver’s license to obtain coverage in the United States. However, to drive there legally, they need an international driving permit. They must obtain the IDP from the country that issued their driver’s license prior to their arrival in America, as the United States does not issue them.
Obtaining an IDP is quite easy. You must be at least 18 years old and have a valid driver’s license from your country of origin.
Car insurance for UK drivers in the US: the result
Finding car insurance as an international driver takes a bit more time and effort than if you already have a US driver’s license. However, when armed with the right knowledge and resources, affordable coverage can be found in no time.
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