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Moving to the United States usually means buying a car before you have a US driving record. Insurers will cover many drivers on a foreign license or an international driving permit alongside the home country license, but the quotes tend to be high at first because the insurer cannot see your history.
Why the first quotes run high
US insurers price from US records: your state driving record, your claims history, and in many states an insurance based credit score. A new resident has none of these, so the insurer prices the unknown. Some companies will not quote at all without a US license, which shrinks your choice and pushes the average quote up. Your age, the car, and your new address still apply in the usual way described in our guide to what affects car insurance rates.
Documents that help
Bring your passport, visa or residency papers, your foreign license, and an international driving permit if you have one. A letter or record from your previous insurer abroad showing years insured without claims helps with some companies, especially those with international operations. Proof of address and, once you have them, your US license and Social Security number let the insurer complete the file and can improve the renewal quote.
Getting your US license
States set their own deadlines for new residents to obtain a local license, and driving past that deadline can create legal trouble beyond insurance. Apply as soon as you are eligible. Once the US license is issued, tell your insurer. Some companies rerate the policy straight away, while others apply your growing US record at renewal. Each claim free period you build lowers the next quote, so keeping continuous coverage from the start matters more than chasing a small saving by skipping months.
Shopping strategy for the first year
Get quotes from insurers and independent agents who regularly handle internationally licensed drivers, since appetite for this business varies a lot between companies. Compare the same limits and deductible each time. If the car is inexpensive and owned outright, weigh whether collision and comprehensive are worth their cost using our guide to full coverage car insurance, and revisit the decision once your US record is a year old and more insurers will quote you.
