When you move or travel to the U.S., there are a lot of different things to keep in mind. Auto insurance for foreigners is probably not one of the first needs that jump to the front of your list of buying priorities, but maybe it should be. When you’re driving around a new country and you’re unfamiliar with your surroundings, you might be more likely to get into a car accident.
Luckily, many of the same processes people go through to get auto insurance as natural citizens apply to the process of getting it as a foreign one. We’ll talk about some of those steps to take the stress out of buying auto insurance in the U.S.
Make sure you know how long you’ll be in the country before taking out auto insurance. If you’re only going to be visiting for a short vacation, you don’t need the same policy as someone who is moving to the U.S. or planning to live there for a longer sabbatical.
We’ll discuss how you can identify the differences in coverage for local and foreign drivers.
#1 – Look for a Company Specializing in Foreign Insurance
Foreign auto insurance policies are often more expensive because there is no driving record in the U.S. for the person. Someone’s driving record is the main item an insurer uses to decide how much of a risk the customer is before giving them a policy. This means foreign drivers should look at companies that understand this lack of driving record.
Assurance, Gainsco, Hallmark, Infinity, and Kemper are some of the most famous insurance programs for foreign drivers to get policies. Prices are affordable and coverages protect the driver adequately, whether they want a short or long-term policy. Go online to a site that uses comparison tools and you can gain insight into the key differences among these companies.
It’s valuable to know what company provides good prices in the U.S. state you moved to. There are different requirements for the amount of insurance a driver needs to legally have, and it can be more expensive if you live in a state with more stringent requirements. For example, New Hampshire has financial responsibility requirements only.
If you’re going to only be visiting the U.S. on a vacation, you can also consider buying temporary insurance through your credit card company, such as United Explorer, Chase Freedom Flex, Chase Sapphire Reserve, or United Club Infinite. This is one of the perks of learning about how your credit card company makes traveling much easier.
#2 – Show Your Driver’s License From Your Home Country to Insurance Companies
One of the easiest ways to make sure you will get auto insurance as quickly as possible when you come to the U.S. is to show your proof of a driver’s license from your home country.
This not only proves you were a legal driver in your country, but it also gives a form of identification. Showing this identification can often be a problem for immigrants and those seeking asylum.
If you are planning on living in the U.S. and you never got a driver’s license in your home country, the process should go exactly the same as any other naturalized citizen. You’ll take a defensive driving course to get the best teaching possible behind the wheel, and you’ll take your driver’s test.
#3 – Buy Safer Vehicles to Get Discounts
Whether you’re staying for a short while or going to make the U.S. your permanent home, finding a safe, family-friendly vehicle that insurance companies trust is a great way to get some cheaper coverage and discounts on your auto insurance as a foreign driver.
Sports cars and electric vehicles are two of the most expensive types of vehicles to insure. Try to look at things like safety ratings, practicality, and consumer ratings to get the best car for your family after moving to the U.S. Subaru, Toyota, Honda, Nissan, and Hyundai are some of the most popular and trusted brands by insurers.
Installing driver tracking devices that observe your movements and judgments on the road is also a great way to get discounts on your insurance, especially since foreign people have a hard time getting the same affordable rates if they have no prior driving record.
#4 – Consider Your Occupation
If you’re going to be living in the U.S. permanently, you should tell your insurance company if you work in a profession that could get you a discount on your insurance. Travel nurses and all other nurses get auto insurance discounts due to being in the medical field. Insurance companies deem these people less risky because they have more education.
If you’re working in a modern workplace and able to live your life with minimal driving required, you’ll also save a ton of money on insurance. See if you can get a pay-per-mile policy to get the best coverage for your situation. You shouldn’t be buying more coverage than you need, after all.
#5 – Ask Local People For Advice
When you’re new to any place, it can be scary to ask for help. When it comes to auto insurance coverage as a foreigner, it’s vital to lean on the resources around you. We already talked about going to auto insurance companies specializing in foreign insurance policies, but it can also be helpful to speak to some of the other customers there and see what they say.
Talk to people at the car dealership if you’re buying or renting a car. Others may be able to give insight into how they navigated the troubles they had with taking out insurance when moving to America. Go online to sites like Reddit, Quora, and other online message boards and communities if you’re having trouble finding people in real life.
Getting auto insurance as a foreign driver may seem like it’s overwhelming at first, but the process is pretty similar to local citizens once you get the hang of it. Drive safe, go to insurance companies that care about foreign folks, and enjoy your time in the U.S. Being stressed certainly won’t get you anywhere quickly.
Shawn Laib writes and researches for the auto insurance comparison site, BuyAutoInsurance.com. He wants to help foreign drivers get the best possible auto insurance policies in the U.S.