In the United States, you’re required by law to hold car insurance or other proof of financial responsibility in order to legally drive a vehicle— this applies in all 50 U.S. states. So what does that mean for people who are visiting briefly from another country and want to drive within the U.S.? Do they need to apply for a full insurance policy with one of the nation’s insurers in order to drive? Not necessarily.
That said, there are steps you will likely need to take in order to be compliant with U.S. insurance and driving laws if you’re visiting from overseas. At Freedom National, we want to go beyond offering car insurance to also offer the knowledge that will help you stay informed about everything you need to stay on the right side of the law.
In this guide, we’ll cover some of the most important elements of what car insurance foreign drivers license holders must have in order to legally drive in the United States. Topics covered will include:
- Car insurance for short-term visitors
- Car insurance for long-term stays
- Getting coverage with an international driver’s license
- The basics of International Drivers’ Permits (IDP)
Car Insurance for Short-Term Visitors
Are you just looking to check out the United States for a little bit, rather than a long extended stay? Getting the car insurance foreign drivers license holders need is actually not too simple. This is assuming that you’re not planning on buying a car or buying car insurance directly from an insurance company.
Usually, your best bet (and your easiest) will be to simply sign up for some temporary coverage from the rental car agency where you rent your vehicle for the trip. They’ll be more than likely to offer you temporary coverage that will cover you, other drivers, and the vehicle in the event of an accident while you’re using it during your rental period.
Still, you shouldn’t forget that this will come with a cost. Usually, it’s just a few extra bucks added on to your rental. Just make sure your insurer knows that just because you’re looking for the same car insurance foreign drivers license holders want doesn’t mean you’re naive, and they’ll be able to provide you with a reasonable quote that will probably range from $10-$20/day of your rental. They’ll also give you the option of adding all kinds of additional coverages to your vehicle.
While most of these aren’t necessary, they can help you obtain peace of mind while traveling in the U.S. from overseas. After all, you don’t want your trip to be ruined by an unexpected incident that leaves you financially and legally liable. Use your own best judgment and make a decision based on your specific perspective and needs when purchasing additional insurance from a rental car agency— don’t let them use fear to bully you into purchasing coverage you don’t need! This is a common tactic, particularly at American rental car agencies dealing with the car insurance foreign drivers license holders are looking to obtain.
If you’re a visitor from Canada, particularly if you’re bringing your own vehicle when you visit the United States, you can expect that the car insurance foreign drivers license carriers already have will be protected by their existing Canadian insurance. This helps streamline the process of tourism between the two countries, as restricting or otherwise inhibiting the ability for visitors to stay covered when in the United States from Canada may impact their willingness or eagerness to visit in the first place. After all, when one country’s visitors are able to go and spend money in another, both countries benefit.
Car Insurance for Long-Term Stays in the U.S.
If you’re visiting Utah or Arizona with a foreign driver's license, Freedom National can offer you the best Car insurance foreign drivers license holders can receive. That said, anyone outside of that state will need to access the car insurance foreign drivers license holders need somewhere else.
If you are visiting the U.S. for a long period of time, and during that stay, you think you may buy or lease a vehicle, you’ll need to purchase your own car insurance policy. Wondering what kind of car insurance foreign drivers license holders must have in order to be compliant? You must meet all of the requirements that U.S. citizens would, including the need to register your vehicle.
Unfortunately, things like buying vehicles, registering them, or buying insurance for them can be difficult if you don’t have a U.S. driver’s license. In fact, only two of the major insurance suppliers are able to provide the car insurance foreign drivers license holders need. Again, Utah and Arizona visitors can benefit from auto insurance for foreign license holders from Freedom National.
Always remember to compare prices at different insurers, even if you're trying to find the car insurance foreign drivers license holders need most to get around safely and securely.
How Does It Work If I Have an International Driver’s License? Can I Get Car Insurance?
If you want to drive in the United State of America, you’re required to be properly registered as a driver in your country of origin— and carry a valid driver’s license from that country with you at all times. In fact, some states even require a special type of driver’s license— an International Driver’s Permit (IDP). This document allows foreign drivers to legally drive within certain states. Some insurance companies require this, as well.
Often, an IDP can be issued by your home country rather than by the U.S. It features details about your driving record and license in multiple languages depending on where you visit. Remember— even with this document, you’ll probably still need your license to remain compliant with U.S. law when driving.
Some places won’t require an IDP, but we recommend that you have one either way. It will make sure that you’re completely covered in the event that you have a car accident, get pulled over for speeding, or have any other run-in with law enforcement during your visit. This is especially important if you come from a country where English is not the primary spoken language, and your driver’s license may be in a different language than what authorities can read.
When in doubt, always do your research before visiting the United States with a plan to drive. You never want to be caught off guard in a way that can derail your experience— you want your trip to America to be nothing but enjoyable, relaxed, and stress-free, even if you are involved in a minor traffic incident.
In Need of Car Insurance?
At Freedom National, we want to do more than just provide cheap car insurance. We want to help keep road’s safer throughout the nation and help drivers be more informed about things like driving with a foreign license in the U.S., obtaining an International Driver’s Permit, or getting insurance for either short-term or long-term stays in the United States. Want to learn more? You can check out our blog for more facts, tips, and information about car insurance and safe driving.
Looking to access cheap car insurance in California? You can find it here at Freedom National, where we offer the best cheap car insurance California has to offer.
