Car Insurance For Foreign Drivers in the USA

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.

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:

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.