Whether coming to the United States on a work visa, student visa, or temporary visa, if you plan on driving, you can and will need to get car insurance.
Coming to the United States on a visa comes with many laws and regulations. These regulations must be followed in order to receive certain privileges while living in the US. Without some of these privileges such as driving, living in the Unites States may not be as convenient as you need it to be.
Read on to learn all about Visas and car insurance in the US and then enter a US zip code to compare quotes from many different auto insurance companies!
What must you do to drive while in the United States on a visa?
Some of the laws that regulate driving while on a visa vary from state to state. You can contact the Department of Motor Vehicles in the city where you will be living to find out specific laws. Much of this information can also be found on line or at the US embassy in your home country. It is important to find out this information before moving to the United States. Even if you have visited before, laws will be different if you are visiting a different state.
Also, before you move you need to apply for an international driver’s license. This is issued from the country in which you live. An international driver’s license needs to be applied for and received before moving. In most cases, you cannot do this from the United States once you move, although there are some exceptions to this rule. You cannot get car insurance without an international driver’s license.
International driver’s licenses only last for one year. If you have a visa that will be longer than that, you need to apply for a license in the state in which you live. Again, different states have different laws that govern those on visa status, so look into these laws. If you do have an international driver’s license it will automatically expire in one year or when your visa expires, what ever comes first. If you continue to drive, you will be driving illegally.
United States Visa Car Insurance Options
There are many car insurance options available for those who are visiting the United States on a visa with an international driver‘s license. If you will be in the United States on a temporary visa for six months or less, the best option may be to rent a vehicle. With the vehicle rental comes car insurance. You will have to pay an additional fee but it is one of your few options, if in the United States for a short period of time.
Another option is to be added to a family member’s existing car insurance policy. If you have a family member living in the same state that you will be visiting, you can be added as an international driver on their policy and then pay the family member the additional cost. This will be cheaper than setting up your own policy and can even serve as a temporary solution until you get settled. Of course, your family member has to authorize the addition to the policy.
Another option is to get car insurance through your credit card. If you rent a car using your credit card, you may automatically have car insurance coverage for no additional fee. Check with your credit card company as well as with the rental car agency that you will be going through to make sure this option is available. You can also add car insurance to a travel insurance policy if this type of policy is part of your travel plans.
As stated before, if you are going to drive with an international driver’s license, you must have car insurance. If you decide on traditional car insurance, you can research US companies that specialize in or offer car insurance for international drivers before you come to the United States. Many of the large companies in the United States offer this kind of insurance. Many of the smaller or family owned companies in the United States do not.
Comparing US Car Insurance Quotes Online
One of the best ways to research your option is through our online comparison tool. A comparison tool will help you see rates and quotes side by side. You can look at policy options and find the one that will fit best with your overseas travel plans. Having this information ready when you apply for your insurance will be helpful. Coming to the United States already prepared will make your transition a lot simpler. You can get rate quotes on car insurance right now!
