Car Insurance for Foreign Drivers in the U.S.

How to get car insurance in the U.S. with a foreign license

Preparing your paperwork to drive legally in the U.S. is a hassle, regardless of where you’re from. But even if you're not a resident, having car insurance is a requirement.

U.S. car insurance requirements

Insurance in the U.S. is regulated at the state level but priced by ZIP code. With some exceptions, most drivers are required to carry liability coverage, which includes both bodily injury and property damage coverages. There are a handful of no-fault states in the U.S. in which you're required to carry Personal Injury Protection (PIP) in addition to bodily injury. If you're leasing or financing your vehicle, you will also be required to carry collision and comprehensive coverage (often referred to as other-than-collision). Below are brief explanations of what these coverages do.

• Bodily injury liability: provides compensation for the medical bills and costs you cause to other drivers or pedestrians. This coverage applies on a per person/per accident basis. For example, the state minimum bodily injury liability insurance could be $30,000 per person and $60,000 per accident.
• Property damage liability: provides compensation for the property you cause. This only applies on a per-accident basis.
• Uninsured/underinsured: this coverage applies to bodily injury and property damage if the at-fault driver does not have insurance or enough insurance to cover your medical or property damages.
• Personal injury protection (PIP): this is required in no-fault states and — depending on your state — covers your medical expenses (and possibly lost earnings) after an accident, regardless of fault. You may have to purchase this and bodily injury liability coverage in addition to PIP coverage depending on your state.
• Collision: protects your vehicle if it's damaged in a collision in which you're at fault. A deductible applies — what you pay prior to your insurance company.
• Comprehensive: this protects your vehicle from damage outside of a collision — think weather, theft, vandalism and animal-related claims. It also features a deductible.

How to get auto insurance in the U.S.

There are a couple of ways to get insurance in the U.S. as a non-citizen: you can get it from a car rental company or from a car insurance company. If you're vacationing in the U.S., consider purchasing insurance coverage from your rental car company. This will be cheaper and less time-consuming.

If you're staying in the United States on a long-term basis, you will have to purchase insurance from a U.S.-based insurance company. This can be difficult for a few reasons. Some insurance companies will not issue insurance policies to drivers without a valid U.S. license or social security number. Without a U.S. driver's license, insurance companies have a difficult time reviewing your driving history or credit score.

Some U.S. insurance companies do issue policies for foreign drivers, but rates may be higher. Farmers and Progressive allow applicants to state their possession of a foreign license on their quotes pages, indicating a willingness to offer policies to foreign drivers. The Zebra works with insurance companies across the U.S. to help foreign and U.S. drivers find car insurance quotes.

What's the average cost of car insurance in America?

Car insurance costs an average of $1,529 per year in the U.S. For a six-month insurance policy, that comes out to $765, or $127 per month. Rates vary widely depending on a number of factors, including your age, credit history and driving history.

The type of coverage you choose may also impact your rates. Find below the average cost of various coverage levels.

These rates may vary by auto insurance company and by the state in which you live. Enter your U.S. ZIP code below or call The Zebra at 888-444-9728 and a licensed insurance agent will help you find cheap car insurance.

Frequently asked questions