How to Get Car Insurance While Visiting US on a Visa

Are you a foreign visitor to the United States and planning to drive a car while in the country? Before you visit, you will need information about getting insurance. Insurance companies have different policies for residents and those visiting the country on a visa. Some of the rules and policies are state-specific. Here are some steps that you can follow to get car insurance while visiting US on a visa.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Computer
• International driver's license
• Visa

1. Learn driving and parking rules that are effective in the United States. You can get this information from the Department of Motor Vehicles in any city.

2. Get an international driver’s license from your country of residence. Without this you are not allowed to drive or get insurance in a country you visit. Carry this license with you, as you will need to show it before you can get coverage.

3. Go online and look for insurance companies who specialize in providing insurance coverage to foreigners. Progressive, Allstate, Geico and AIG are some of the top companies in auto insurance.

4. Contact the insurance companies and collect information about the kind of coverage you want.

5. Ask the insurance company if you are eligible for a comprehensive policy that covers most of the risks of driving a car.

6. Ask the insurance agent if your name can be added to the policy of a relative or friend who resides in the United States. This can be an easier way to get insurance and may be cheaper too.

7. Get insurance from the car rental agency if you rent a car. This may be the easiest and the best option. However, do not forget to compare rental and insurance rates of different agencies.

Tips & Warnings

• Check to see if your credit card can provide you with auto insurance coverage.
• You can add auto insurance coverage to a travel insurance policy obtained from your country of residence. Find out if the premium is cheaper than the options available in the US.
• An international driver’s license is only valid for up to one year. Apply for a learner’s permit and a state driver's license if your visa period exceeds this duration. It takes a few weeks to get a driver’s license in any state. Your insurance policy will terminate when your permit expires.
• If you plan to rent a car, it may be a good idea to rent the car online. Usually the rental and insurance rates provided online are much cheaper.
• Be sure to mention the type of visa you have to the insurance company. If you are on a temporary visa — 90 days to six months— then renting a car from an agency and buying insurance through them can be one of the options.

[jsimas]

on 2/5/2009 I arrived here from Germany and found that AIG International Services (a division of AIG that caters to foreign nationals) was able to offer me auto insurance and accept my German license and consider my previous driving experience. You can reach them at 877-708-6995. Their rates were amazingly good too.