Powered by Coverage.com (NPN: 19966249)
Advertiser Disclosure
We are an independent, advertising-supported comparison service. Our goal is to help you make smarter financial decisions by providing you with interactive tools and financial calculators, publishing original and objective content, by enabling you to conduct research and compare information for free - so that you can make financial decisions with confidence.
Bankrate has partnerships with issuers including, but not limited to, American Express, Bank of America, Capital One, Chase, Citi and Discover.
How We Make Money
The offers that appear on this site are from companies that compensate us. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site, including, for example, the order in which they may appear within the listing categories, except where prohibited by law for our mortgage, home equity and other home lending products. But this compensation does not influence the information we publish, or the reviews that you see on this site. We do not include the universe of companies or financial offers that may be available to you.
Insurance Disclosure
Coverage.com, LLC is a licensed insurance producer (NPN: 19966249). Coverage.com services are only available in states where it is licensed. Coverage.com may not offer insurance coverage in all states or scenarios. All insurance products are governed by the terms in the applicable insurance policy, and all related decisions (such as approval for coverage, premiums, commissions and fees) and policy obligations are the sole responsibility of the underwriting insurer. The information on this site does not modify any insurance policy terms in any way.
Written by Lizzie Nealon Lizzie Nealon Ashlyn Brooks Ashlyn Brooks
Edited by Jessa Claeys Jessa Claeys
Updated Feb 28, 2024
Editorial integrity
Bankrate follows a strict editorial policy, so you can trust that we’re putting your interests first. Our award-winning editors and reporters create honest and accurate content to help you make the right financial decisions.
Key Principles
We value your trust. Our mission is to provide readers with accurate and unbiased information, and we have editorial standards in place to ensure that happens. Our editors and reporters thoroughly fact-check editorial content to ensure the information you’re reading is accurate. We maintain a firewall between our advertisers and our editorial team. Our editorial team does not receive direct compensation from our advertisers.
Editorial Independence
Bankrate’s editorial team writes on behalf of YOU — the reader. Our goal is to give you the best advice to help you make smart personal finance decisions. We follow strict guidelines to ensure that our editorial content is not influenced by advertisers. Our editorial team receives no direct compensation from advertisers, and our content is thoroughly fact-checked to ensure accuracy. So, whether you’re reading an article or a review, you can trust that you’re getting credible and dependable information.
How we make money
You have money questions. Bankrate has answers. Our experts have been helping you master your money for over four decades. We continually strive to provide consumers with the expert advice and tools needed to succeed throughout life’s financial journey.
Bankrate follows a stricteditorial policy, so you can trust that our content is honest and accurate. Our award-winning editors and reporters create honest and accurate content to help you make the right financial decisions. The content created by our editorial staff is objective, factual, and not influenced by our advertisers.
We’re transparent about how we are able to bring quality content, competitive rates, and useful tools to you by explaining how we make money.
Bankrate.com is an independent, advertising-supported publisher and comparison service. We are compensated in exchange for placement of sponsored products and services, or by you clicking on certain links posted on our site. Therefore, this compensation may impact how, where and in what order products appear within listing categories, except where prohibited by law for our mortgage, home equity and other home lending products. Other factors, such as our own proprietary website rules and whether a product is offered in your area or at your self-selected credit score range, can also impact how and where products appear on this site. While we strive to provide a wide range of offers, Bankrate does not include information about every financial or credit product or service.
Insurance Disclosure
Coverage.com, LLC is a licensed insurance producer (NPN: 19966249). Coverage.com services are only available in states where it is licensed. Coverage.com may not offer insurance coverage in all states or scenarios. All insurance products are governed by the terms in the applicable insurance policy, and all related decisions (such as approval for coverage, premiums, commissions and fees) and policy obligations are the sole responsibility of the underwriting insurer. The information on this site does not modify any insurance policy terms in any way.
The Bankrate promise
At Bankrate, we strive to help you make smarter financial decisions. To help readers understand how insurance affects their finances, we have licensed insurance professionals on staff who have spent a combined 47 years in the auto, home and life insurance industries. While we adhere to strict,this post may contain references to products from our partners. Here's an explanation of .Our content is backed byCoverage.com, LLC, a licensed entity (NPN: 19966249). For more information, please see our.
On This Page
On This Page
- US car insurance for short-term visitors
- US car insurance for long-term visitors
- US car insurance requirements
- Do I need to buy car insurance if I visit the US?
- Frequently asked questions
Compare rates and save on auto insurance today!
ZIP code
The United States, a melting pot of cultures and experiences, welcomes millions of foreign visitors each year. For those traveling from abroad, understanding how to navigate car insurance in the U.S.A. can be a crucial aspect of their journey. Whether visiting as tourists or residing here on visas, foreign drivers may need personal transportation to access the nation's sprawling metros. Fortunately, there are plenty of options for car insurance in the U.S.A. for foreigners, which Bankrate explains in detail below.
Advertising Disclosure
This advertisem*nt is powered by Coverage.com, LLC, a licensed insurance producer (NPN: 19966249) and a corporate affiliate of Bankrate. The offers and links that appear on this advertisem*nt are from companies that compensate Coverage.com in different ways. The compensation received and other factors, such as your location, may impact what offers and links appear, and how, where and in what order they appear. While we seek to provide a wide range of offers, we do not include every product or service that may be available. Our goal is to keep information accurate and timely, but some information may not be current. Your actual offer from an advertiser may be different from the offer on this advertisem*nt. All offers are subject to additional terms and conditions.
Compare auto insurance rates
Answer a few questions to see personalized rates from top carriers
Please select age
No spam. No fees. No surprises.
Save on auto insurance with quotes from trusted providers like
Drivers switch & save an average of $750+/year
Are you overpaying for auto insurance?
Safe drivers choose Allstate®
Powered by Coverage.com (NPN: 19966249)
Insurance Disclosure
Coverage.com, LLC is a licensed insurance producer (NPN: 19966249). Coverage.com services are only available in states where it is licensed. Coverage.com may not offer insurance coverage in all states or scenarios. All insurance products are governed by the terms in the applicable insurance policy, and all related decisions (such as approval for coverage, premiums, commissions and fees) and policy obligations are the sole responsibility of the underwriting insurer. The information on this site does not modify any insurance policy terms in any way.
See more providers in
Choose from insurers in
US car insurance for short-term visitors
For short-term visitors to the U.S., whether traveling for business or leisure, navigating car insurance requirements can be a key part of planning their trip. For those who opt to rent a car, the most practical solution is often to obtain rental car insurance directly from the vehicle rental company. This approach simplifies the process, as short-term visitors generally are not eligible to purchase policies directly from standalone car insurance providers in the U.S.
Vehicle rental companies usually provide a range of insurance options. These include baseline liability coverage, collision coverage or loss-and-damage waivers, personal effects coverage and personal accident coverage. Opting for one or more of these insurance choices can provide adequate protection for short-term stays in the U.S., aligning with the specific needs of the visitor.
For Canadian drivers, the situation often proves more convenient. Canadian auto insurance policies are typically valid in the U.S., and in many cases, these policies may extend to cover rental vehicles. However, it is advisable for Canadian drivers to verify the extent of their coverage with their insurance company, as well as with the rental car company, to ensure adequate protection during their stay in the U.S.
US car insurance for long-term visitors
For long-term visitors, such as students or specialized workers on visas, finding suitable car insurance can be a significant aspect of their stay. While obtaining affordable car insurance for foreigners in the U.S.A. can be challenging without an American driver's license, there are viable options available. It's possible (and often advisable) for these individuals to apply for a U.S. driver’s license, even if they hold a valid license from their home country.
Having an American driver's license could ease the process of acquiring car insurance. Most insurance providers favor a U.S.-issued license as it helps them assess the driver's risk profile more accurately. For foreign drivers in the U.S.A., this step can not only facilitate the acquisition of car insurance but may also lead to more economical rates. Additionally, building a driving record here could be beneficial in the long run, as a history of safe driving might result in lower insurance premiums over time.
International drivers permits
If you plan on temporarily driving in the U.S. with a driver’s license from your home country, be aware of the local rules about how long you may legally operate a vehicle with a foreign license. You may only be able to drive with an overseas driver’s license for up to three months.
If you intend on staying stateside longer than a handful of weeks, some states advise you to get an international driver’s permit. Even if an IDP is not mandatory, having one may be a good idea. The document doesn’t replace your foreign-held driver’s license — it serves as an accompanying translation of it. If you get pulled over, the officer can look up the translation of your foreign driver’s license in the IDP booklet in the language of their choice and see that you are a valid driver.
To get an international driver’s permit, contact your home country’s traffic or motor vehicles agency to apply for one before you plan to leave. It may take around two weeks to receive your IDP, so be sure to apply well in advance. An IDP is typically valid for one year from when you get it and includes your information displayed on the driver’s license. You will likely need to provide a passport-style photo that the agency can attach to the IDP.
US car insurance requirements
Car insurance for foreign drivers in the U.S. also depends on where you plan on staying. Each state in the U.S. has its own rules and insurance requirements. Most states only ask for liability insurance to legally drive, which helps pay for damage and injuries others sustain in an accident you cause. A small number of states also require you to have underinsured/uninsured motorist insurance, which steps in to help pay your expenses if the party at fault does not have insurance.
In no-fault states, drivers usually carry coverage for personal injury protection (PIP) and/or medical payments to cover their medical expenses regardless of fault in addition to liability coverage. PIP pays for medical and burial costs, lost wages, childcare expenses and other household services, regardless of who was at fault in the accident. Medical payments coverage only covers medical payments.
Car insurance rates by state will vary based on local factors such as local cost of living, population density and crash statistics. Your car insurance rates will also vary based on whether you have full or minimum car insurance coverage. While minimum coverage car insurance is typically cheaper, it can leave you financially vulnerable in the event of an accident. If your car insurance doesn’t cover the full amount of damages, you may end up having to pay out-of-pocket. Minimum coverage also does not include coverage for damage to your own vehicle. Full coverage car insurance, on the other hand, includes coverage for your vehicle, may include other optional types of coverage and is more likely to protect your finances.
Do I need to buy car insurance if I visit the US?
Car insurance is legally required for all foreign visitors operating a vehicle in the U.S. (except in New Hampshire), regardless of how temporary your stay may be. If you plan on driving a rental car in the U.S., most rental companies will offer the option to purchase coverage for the entire rental period, as the protection extends to the rental vehicle itself.
Some foreign visitors choose to ship their foreign vehicles to America instead. This is an option that will require you to purchase a separate car insurance policy before you can legally operate your vehicle on U.S. roadways. Many of the cheapest car insurance companies can help you find the right amount of coverage for your foreign vehicle at an affordable rate, so you can begin driving as soon as it arrives.
