If you’re travelling around the USA and don’t plan to use public transportation, you’re likely going to need a car. To legally drive in most states, you need a minimum amount of car insurance. And depending on whether you’ll be driving a rental car, borrowing one or buying your own, different insurance rules apply.
Yes. In order to legally drive in most states, you’ll need to meet the state’s minimum car insurance requirements. Your specific situation as an international visitor will affect the type of policy you’ll need.
Rental companies offer insurance coverage on their vehicles. If you’ll be renting a car, you can purchase insurance from the rental company. An alternative to getting cover through the rental company is to get short-term insurance through a provider.
Many policies cover any driver of the car, not just the owner. How long you’ll be driving the borrowed car will also affect whether you’ll be covered under the existing policy, so check with the provider. If you’re planning to meet up with a friend from the US and road trip in their car, then they, as the car’s owner, might need to temporarily add you to their policy if you’ll be using it on a regular basis for an extended period of time.
Many visitors to the US opt to purchase a car there for a road trip around the country. Some will sell the car before they head back home to the UK while others export their car back home at the end of their trip. In either case, you’ll need to register it in the US once it’s purchased.
Some states offer temporary registrations. In order to register your car, you’ll need to show proof of insurance, so temporary insurance might be a good option in this case. Alternatively, you can purchase a traditional insurance policy that allows you to cancel cover at any time without fees.
Travellers are no longer limited to the traditional, big-name car rental companies. Alternative car-sharing services are popping up all over the country. Most car-sharing vehicles will already be covered under an insurance policy, so you likely won’t be required to obtain insurance.
Most states require a basic policy with minimum coverage levels that you’ll need to meet. You can then choose to add optional coverage that offers extra protection against all the other mishaps that might happen while on the road.
Basic coverage usually includes:
Optional insurance coverage can include:
Cover requirements vary by state, but most require you to have some amount of liability protection. For example, Florida requires all drivers to have US$10,000 in personal injury protection (PIP) and US$10,000 in property damage liability. However, in New York, the required coverage is far more extensive.
Check with the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) for the particular state you’ll be driving in. If you’re renting a car as opposed to purchasing or borrowing a car, the rental agency can help you with insurance requirements.
If you plan on backpacking around the country, one of the most cost-effective ways to see the US is to grab a cheap car and take out a temporary insurance policy. Many policy add-ons could be especially helpful to backpackers. Roadside assistance will come in handy when you’re in a remote location and run into car trouble. Consider adding comprehensive if you’re driving on rural roads that aren’t well maintained or have a high chance of animal encounters.
Your car insurance application typically asks for an address, so what address should you use if you’re travelling a lot or staying at campgrounds? You have a few options for setting up your nomadic address.
In order to take out a policy from an insurance provider as opposed to a car rental company, you’ll need to meet specific eligibility requirements. Some states only require that you have a valid, unexpired UK driver’s licence.
Other states require an international driving permit (IDP) which must be obtained from Post Offices in the UK before you travel. Regardless, to be eligible for an IDP, you’ll need to meet the following:
If you’re opting to obtain insurance through a car rental company, they’re likely to handle it for you but it’s always worth checking.
If you have a vehicle registered and insured in the USA, that coverage will typically extend to a rental car. Check with your provider to find out if this is the case for you, as well as how much coverage applies to the rental car. If you don’t have insurance on a vehicle in the US, you’ll need to get insurance through the rental company.
If you plan on driving while visiting the US, you’ll need a valid UK driver’s licence.
In some states, your valid, unexpired UK driver’s licence is sufficient. Other states will require you to carry an international driving permit (IDP). Check with the DMV of each state you’ll be driving in to find out its requirements.
In either case, an IDP can be helpful. IDPs must be obtained in the same country that your driver’s licence was issued, and you must carry both the IDP and your UK driver’s licence. IDPs are valid for one year.
For a smoother trip, there are a few things to keep in mind about road safety in the USA.
Most states in the US require some amount of car insurance coverage. How you go about obtaining a policy will depend on whether you’re renting a car, borrowing a friend’s or buying one to use on your trip. Check with the DMV in the particular states you’ll be driving in to find out what’s expected of you in terms of coverage amounts and driving permits.
Compare car insurance coverage to learn more about how car insurance works in the US and to get the best cover.
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