Car Insurance For Foreign Drivers in the USA


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Key Takeaways

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State Farm offers the most affordable coverage at $93/month for full coverage, explicitly accepting international licenses.

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Temporary coverage starts at $15/day for short-term visitors, with monthly options for longer stays.

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Building a U.S. driving history of six or more months can reduce premiums by 20-40%.

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Can Foreigners Get Car Insurance in the U.S.?

Yes, foreigners can absolutely get car insurance in the United States, but the process differs from what US citizens experience. Anyone driving in the U.S. must have car insurance, except in New Hampshire and Virginia where it's optional (though still highly recommended).

Key Points for International Drivers:

  • Long-term residents: Need to purchase a policy from a US insurance company
  • Short-term visitors: Can often get coverage through rental car companies
  • Student visa holders: Eligible for regular policies with potential student discounts
  • Work visa holders: Can get standard coverage with proper documentation

The main challenge isn't eligibility—it's finding insurers that work with foreign licenses and understand international drivers' needs.

How to Get Car Insurance for Non-U.S. Citizens

Foreign drivers can get car insurance in the U.S., even without a local license but it requires more documentation than typical applications. Here’s what you need to know to get started:

  1. 1

    Gather the Right Documents

    Most car insurance companies require a valid driver’s license from your home country, an International Driving Permit (IDP), depending on the state, identification, such as a passport or visa and vehicle registration, if you already own or lease a car.

  2. 2

    Look for Insurers That Accept Foreign Licenses

    Not all insurance providers will offer coverage if you don’t have a U.S. license. Some specialize in working with international drivers or may allow coverage based on your foreign driving history. State Farm, Progressive and Farmers are the best options.

  3. 3

    Understand State Coverage Requirements

    Every state has minimum coverage rules for all drivers except New Hampshire and Virginia, regardless of license type. Your policy must meet these legal requirements, typically including bodily injury liability and property damage liability.

    Special State Considerations:
    New Hampshire & Virginia: No mandatory insurance, but you're financially responsible for accidents
    Michigan: Unique no-fault system with unlimited PIP benefits
    Florida: No-fault state requiring PIP coverage
    California: Prohibits using credit scores for rate calculation (benefit for international drivers)

  4. 4

    Choose the Right Coverage Level

    While minimum coverage gets you on the road legally, it may not be enough to protect you financially after an accident. Temporary visitors might opt for higher liability limits instead of comprehensive coverage, while those with assets back home should consider lawsuit protection. Gap insurance is essential if you owe more on your car loan than the vehicle is worth.

    Choose Enhanced Liability If:

    • Want better protection but need to control costs
    • Driving a moderately valuable car
    • Have some assets to protect
    • Average cost: $85-115/month for international drivers

    Choose Full Coverage If:

    • Financing or leasing a vehicle (required by lender)
    • Driving a newer or high-value car
    • Want comprehensive financial protection
    • Can afford higher premiums for peace of mind
  5. 5

    Build a U.S. Driving Record Over Time

    Getting insured with a foreign license is possible, but it can be more expensive. Over time, switching to a U.S. driver’s license and maintaining a clean driving history can help lower your premiums and make it easier to compare quotes in the future.

Car Insurance for International Students in the U.S.

International students face unique challenges when getting car insurance in the United States. Whether you're on an F-1, J-1, or other student visa. To get car insurance as, You'll need your valid passport and current student visa, along with your I-20 (F-1 visa) or DS-2019 (J-1 visa) forms. Your international driver's license or home country license works for most insurers, though some states require an International Driving Permit. Don't forget school enrollment verification and US address documentation, whether it's a dorm assignment or off-campus lease.

Student Driver Discounts for International Students

International students often qualify for significant insurance discounts that can offset the typical premium increases foreign drivers face. Good student discounts offer up to 25% off for maintaining a 3.0+ GPA. Defensive driving course completion provides additional 5-15% discounts, and bundling with renters insurance creates even more savings opportunities.

Temporary Car Insurance For Foreign Drivers

If you’re only visiting the United States for a short time, you can usually buy insurance from your car rental company. The three main components of car insurance provided by rental companies include liability insurance, a collision damage waiver and personal accident insurance.

Coverage limits for each of these components may vary depending on the rental company and on your personal preference. Insurance coverage from a rental company may cost up to $50 per day, depending on how much coverage you purchase.

Most visitors from Canada who are driving their own car will be covered by their own insurance company. However, this isn’t true for drivers from Mexico, who will need to purchase additional coverage.

Car Insurance for Foreigners Staying Long-Term

If you are a foreigner driving in the US you can get the most affordable auto insurance in Virginia and Idaho.

The best and cheapest car insurance companies nationally may not be the same as the best and cheapest car insurance companies in your state. Insurance is regulated at the state level, and insurance companies may offer different levels of service across state lines. For this reason, rates from the same insurance company can vary from state to state.

For example, the cheapest car insurance company in California for drivers is Progressive. But that doesn’t mean that Progressive is the most inexpensive in every state. The cheapest car insurance also varies depending on your driver profile, which is influenced by several factors, including your age, gender and driving history. Before purchasing an insurance policy, you should be sure to compare rates from multiple different providers to ensure you’re getting the best deal possible.

Average Cost of Car Insurance for Foreign Drivers in the USA

State Farm offers the most affordable car insurance for international drivers at $93 per month on a full coverage policy. The compny is explicit about offering insurance policies to drivers with international licenses, while Progressive and Farmers both allow applicants to provide information from international driver’s licenses during the application process, indicating that they are open to offering coverage to drivers with a license from abroad.

Company
Full Coverage Policy Annual Premium
Accepts International License?

State Farm

$1,114

Yes

Progressive

$1,226

Yes

Farmers

$1,459

Yes

Best Car Insurance for International Drivers in the U.S.

Finding the right car insurance as an international driver requires working with companies that explicitly accept foreign licenses and understand the unique needs of non-US citizens. Based on our analysis of rates, acceptance policies, and customer service — State Farm, Farmers and Progressive — are the best and most affordable on average in each state and in the nation's capital.

State
Cheapest Company
Full Coverage Annual Premium

Alabama

Farmers

$1,088

Alaska

State Farm

$846

Arizona

Progressive

$905

Arkansas

Farmers

$865

California

Progressive

$1,029

Colorado

State Farm

$1,013

Connecticut

Progressive

$1,075

Delaware

State Farm

$1,117

Auto Insurance for Foreigners in the USA: Bottom Line

Comparing rates from multiple providers is key to finding affordable car insurance as an international driver in the US. This guide explores how factors like visa status and international driving history affect premiums and highlights the most budget-friendly insurance options for non-citizens.

Compare Auto Insurance Rates

Ensure you're getting the best rate for your auto insurance. Compare quotes from the top insurance companies.

Why do we need ZIP code?

International Car Insurance: FAQ

Navigating car insurance as a foreign driver in the U.S. can be challenging, but it’s essential for legal and financial protection. This FAQ addresses key questions about coverage options, eligibility and tips for securing affordable insurance.

What’s the best way to get coverage if I’m staying short-term?

Do I need to get car insurance even if I’m not a U.S. citizen?

How much does temporary car insurance cost for foreign drivers?

Why don’t most companies offer insurance to foreign drivers?

Can international students get car insurance in the USA?

What's the cheapest car insurance for international drivers?

Do I need special insurance as a non-US citizen?

Can I use my home country's car insurance in the USA?

What's the best way to get coverage if I'm staying short-term?

Car Insurance For International Drivers: Our Review Methodology

Study Overview

MoneyGeek used a sample driver profile to gather car insurance quotes and determine national and state averages. We highlighted the cost of liability-only insurance, the price difference between liability insurance and full coverage insurance and the increase that happens to drivers that become involved in accidents or gain tickets.

Data Sources and Depth

We studied car insurance details from state departments of insurance and Quadrant Information Services, evaluating 83,056 quotes from 46 companies across 473 ZIP codes.

Driver Profile

Our team used a sample driver persona to calculate the average annual cost of auto insurance. We assumed these characteristics:

  • 40-year-old male
  • Toyota Camry LE
  • Clean driving record
  • 12K miles driven annually

We implemented variations based on location, insurance type and coverage limits to calculate insurance prices across the U.S. for various coverage needs.

Coverage Levels and Deductibles Explained

Before your insurance provider reimburses your claim, you need to pay your deductible out of pocket. On average, comprehensive and collision coverage, commonly referred to as “full coverage” insurance, has the most extensive financial protection.

When it comes to auto insurance, 100/300/100 refers to:

  • $100,000 bodily injury liability per person
  • $300,000 bodily injury liability per accident
  • $100,000 property damage liability

Meanwhile, 50/100/50 stands for:

  • $50,000 bodily injury liability per person
  • $100,000 bodily injury liability per accident
  • $50,000 property damage liability

Our team used 100/300/100 and a $1,000 deductible to gather national averages for full coverage insurance. Meanwhile, we used 50/100/50 and a $1,000 deductible to collate state-specific data.

Learn more about MoneyGeek's methodology.

International Auto Insurance: Related Articles

About Mark Fitzpatrick


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Mark Fitzpatrick, a Licensed Property and Casualty Insurance Producer, is MoneyGeek's resident Personal Finance Expert. With over five years of experience analyzing the insurance market, he conducts original research and creates tailored content for all types of buyers. His insights have been featured in publications like CNBC, NBC News and Mashable.

Fitzpatrick holds a master’s degree in economics and international relations from Johns Hopkins University and a bachelor’s degree from Boston College. He's also a five-time Jeopardy champion!

Passionate about economics and insurance, he aims to promote transparency in financial topics and empower others to make confident money decisions.


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