Choosing the right car insurance company for international driving can be challenging at times, especially when you are in a new place in a country like the US.
In this blog, we bring you a complete guide to the ‘Best Car Insurance Companies for International Drivers’. In it you’ll learn about the different insurance options, the difference between traditional and rental insurance, the top companies, and discounts available for international license holders.
Understanding Car Insurance Options for International Drivers
When you’re driving in the US with an international driver’s license, choosing the right car insurance is important for the safety of not only your vehicle but also you. Understanding the different types of insurance coverage and the differences between traditional and rental car insurance can help you make the right decision.
Types of Car Insurance Coverage for International Drivers
There are a number of car insurance options available for international drivers to choose from depending on your needs.
- Liability Coverage: This insurance covers injury or damage caused to others and is mandatory in the US.
- Comprehensive Coverage: This coverage is helpful if your car is stolen or damaged by natural disaster, fire, or vandalism.
- Collision Coverage: This coverage provides coverage to repair damages caused to your car after an accident.
- Personal Injury Protection (PIP): This coverage covers medical expenses and lost income, regardless of who is at fault in the accident.
- Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage: This coverage protects you if the person who causes the accident is uninsured or underinsured.
Differences Between Rental Car Insurance and Traditional Car Insurance
For international drivers, it’s important to understand the difference between rental car insurance and traditional car insurance.
- Benefits of Rental Car Insurance:
- Temporary coverage: If you’re only driving for a few days or weeks, this can be an affordable option.
- Ease of claim process: Rental companies handle all the formalities for you.
- General Coverage: This usually provides liability, collision and personal accident coverage.
- Benefits of Traditional Car Insurance:
- Long-term coverage: If you’re staying in the US for a long time, this is better.
- More options: This allows for greater breadth in coverage and customization for individual needs.
- Lower premiums: This may be cheaper than rental coverage for long-term use.
- Summary of Main Differences
| Parameter | Rental Car Insurance | Traditional Car Insurance |
|---|---|---|
| Duration | Short-term | Long-term |
| Cost | Higher on a daily basis | Cheaper annually |
| Type of Coverage | Limited | Comprehensive |
| Flexibility | Limited | Customizable options available |
In Short:
Depending on your needs and budget, international drivers can choose the right option. Rental insurance is a good option if your trip is short, but for longer driving periods, traditional insurance may be more convenient and economical.
How to Choose an Insurance Company for International Driving
When choosing the right car insurance company for international driving, you should carefully consider your needs and budget. Here are some important points that can make your search easy and effective.
1. Choose the Coverage Type as Per Your Need
Make sure the insurance company offers the coverage options you need.
- Liability Coverage: Mandatory to meet legal requirements.
- Comprehensive and Collision Coverage: This is a good option if you want more protection.
- Personal Injury Protection (PIP): Helps cover medical expenses.
Tip: Choose the right coverage based on your driving habits and trip duration.
2. Look for Companies That Offer Discounts
Many insurance companies offer special discounts for international drivers.
- Multi-Policy Discount: If you take more than one policy.
- Safe Driving Record Discount: If you have a good driving record.
- Pre-Payment Discount: If you pay the full amount of the policy in one go.
Tip: Contact the companies directly for discount information.
3. Check Customer Service Channels
The customer service of a reliable insurance company should be fast and available 24/7.
- Chat Support: For quick answers to questions.
- Phone and Email Support: For more detailed solutions.
- Availability of Local Offices: If you want in-person help.
Tip: Make sure that the company’s support is available as per your time zone.
4. Read Customer Reviews
Read online reviews to know real experiences about the company.
Sources to Read Reviews:
- Google Review
- Insurance Forum
- Trusted Rating Websites
What to Check:
- Speed of claim processing.
- Customer service behavior.
- Satisfactory coverage experience.
Tip: Pay attention to both positive and negative reviews.
5. Get Personalized Rate Quotes
Get rate quotes from different companies and compare them.
- Use online tools: Many insurance companies offer online rate calculators.
- Contact for Customized Quotes: Share your requirements and receive personalized offers.
- Compare coverage and prices: Don’t choose based on price alone, keep the coverage in mind as well.
Pros and Cons of Rental Car Company Insurance
Pros
- Immediate Availability: Rental car companies offer insurance, which is convenient to start driving right away.
- Suitable for Short Periods of Time: If your trip is short-term, rental car insurance may be a better option.
- Simple Process: Rental companies usually provide an easy and fast process.
Cons
- High Cost: Rental car insurance can be more expensive than traditional insurance.
- Limited Coverage: This coverage is limited compared to traditional insurance and may be unable to meet your individual needs.
- Not a Long Term Solution: If you’re driving in the US for a long time, traditional insurance is a more affordable and comprehensive option.
The Best Car Insurance Companies for International Drivers in the U.S.
There are many insurance companies available to international driver’s license holders in the US that offer services specifically tailored to their needs. These companies offer various coverage options, flexible plans, and discounts. The list of these companies is given in the table below:
| Company Name | Company Name |
|---|---|
| Bristol West | Dairyland |
| Kemper | The General |
| Assurance America | Liberty Mutual |
| Progressive | Safeco |
| Infinity | National General |
| Hallmark | Travelers |
Each of these companies offers special features and coverage options for international drivers. Whether you are looking for insurance for short-term trips or want long-term protection, choosing one of these companies will be a good decision as per your needs and budget.
Top Companies Offering Coverage for International Drivers
Below is a list of the top companies providing insurance coverage for international drivers in the US.
Progressive
- Coverage Options: Comprehensive, Collision, and Liability coverage.
- Advantages:
- Competitive rates.
- Faster claim processing through online tools.
- Special discount under ‘Snapshot Program’.
- Reviews: Customers praise Progressive for its affordability and digital tools.
GEICO
- Coverage Options: Liability, Comprehensive, and Collision coverage.
- Advantages:
- Lowest premium option.
- 24/7 customer support.
- Review: Geico is praised for its simple and accessible insurance plans.
Liberty Mutual
- Coverage Options: Personal Injury Protection and Uninsured Motorist Coverage.
- Advantages:
- Favorable rates based on driving habits.
- Roadside Assistance and Rental Coverage.
- Reviews: Its claims process and customer support are considered strong.
State Farm
- Coverage Options: Customized Insurance Plans.
- Advantages:
- Personal assistance through local agents.
- Special discount for those with safe driving records.
- Reviews: State Farm is praised for its personal services and agent-based assistance.
Dairyland
- Coverage Options: Specialty Auto Insurance.
- Advantages:
- Special schemes for international driving license holders.
- Flexible payment plans.
- Review: Dairyland is considered suitable for drivers with limited driving records.
Finding Car Insurance Companies That Accept International Licenses
If you plan on driving in the US with an international license, it is important that you select insurance companies that accept your license. The table below lists major companies that offer minimum and full coverage plans for international license holders.
| Insurance Company | Minimum Coverage ($) | Full Coverage ($) |
|---|---|---|
| All state | 51 | 139 |
| Erie Insurance | 52 | 101 |
| Farmers Insurance | 62 | 140 |
| GEICO | 45 | 116 |
| Liberty Mutual | 84 | 173 |
| Nationwide | 49 | 109 |
| Progressive | 56 | 130 |
| Safeco Insurance | 64 | 148 |
| State Farm | 44 | 122 |
| Travelers | 45 | 89 |
Key Discounts for Car Insurance Companies Accepting International Licenses
If you’re driving in the US with an international license, choosing the right insurance company can help reduce your costs. Many insurance companies offer special discounts for international drivers.
The table below lists some of the major insurance companies and the discounts they offer:
| Insurance Company | Available Discounts |
|---|---|
| All state | Safe Driving, Bundling, Multi-Vehicle, Early Signing, Good Student, Anti-Theft, New Car, Automatic Payments |
| Erie Insurance | Safe Driver, Bundling, Payment History, Vehicle Safety Equipment, Young Driver, Accident Prevention, Diminishing Deductible |
| Farmers Insurance | Bundling, Multi-Vehicle, Good Driver, Good Student, Alternative Fuel, Accident-Free, Mature Driver, Professional, Affinity Discounts |
| GEICO | Bundling, Multi-Vehicle, Good Driver, Good Student, Anti-Theft, Defensive Driving, Military, Federal Employee, Emergency Deployment |
| Liberty Mutual | Bundling, Multi-Vehicle, New Car, Vehicle Safety, Homeowner, Good Student, Accident-Free, Military, Early Shopper |
| Nationwide | Bundling, Multi-Vehicle, Accident-Free, Good Student, Defensive Driving, Easy Pay, Smart Ride, Anti-Theft, Paperless Billing |
| Progressive | Bundling, Multi-Car, Safe Driver, Continuous Insurance, Pay-in-Full, Good Student, Homeowner, Online Quote, Snapshot |
| Safeco Insurance | Bundling, Multi-Vehicle, Good Student, Safe Driver, Anti-Theft, Accident Prevention, Telematics-Based, New Car |
| State Farm | Bundling, Multi-Vehicle, Good Student, Safe Driver, Accident-Free, Defensive Driving, Good Driving, Vehicle Safety Features |
| Travelers | Bundling, Multi-Vehicle, Safe Driver, Hybrid/Electric Vehicle, Home Ownership, New Car, Good Student, Pay-in-Full, Defensive Driving |
Popular Discounts Available to International Drivers
- Safe Driving Discount
- If you have a clean driving record and have not had an accident claim in the last few years, this discount is for you.
- Many companies also extend this discount to international drivers.
- Low-Mileage Discount
- If you drive less distance annually, this discount can reduce your insurance premium.
- It is considered ideal for international drivers who are living in the US temporarily.
- Multi-Policy Discount
- If you also buy other policies, such as home insurance, from the same insurance company, you may get a discount on the total cost.
- This is a great way for long term savings.
- Pre-Payment Discount
- Many companies offer special discounts if you pay your insurance premium in full up front.
- Defensive Driving Course Discount
- If you have completed an accredited defensive driving course, this may reduce your premium costs.
- Online Policy Discount
- Many insurance companies offer discounts to customers who buy or renew a policy online.
Suggestions to Maximize Savings
- Get quotes from multiple companies
- Compare rates and coverage across insurance companies.
- Companies like Geico, Progressive, and State Farm often offer competitive rates.
- Customize coverage according to your needs
- Choose only the coverage options you really need.
- If you are an experienced driver, the need for high-risk coverage may be less.
- Consider the policy term
- Long-term policies are often more affordable than short-term policies.
- keep a clean driving record
- Follow traffic rules on time and try to avoid accidents.
- A good record can reduce your premium costs to a great extent.
- Get help from an insurance agent
- An experienced agent can help you find the right insurance plan and discount for your needs.
Conclusion
Choosing the right car insurance company for international drivers in the US is an important step that ensures your protection and financial stability.
In this post we shared different insurance coverage options, top insurance companies, and tips to avail the discounts. Compare companies, read customer reviews, and get personalized quotes tailored to your needs to select the right company and plan.