How to Get Auto Insurance as an Immigrant
Everything you need to know to insure your vehicle in the U.S. with a foreign or new American license.
49 of 50 states require minimum liability insurance to drive. Minimums vary by state — in California it's 15/30/5 ($15,000 per person, $30,000 per accident, $5,000 property damage). If stopped without insurance, you can receive a fine and license suspension.
Without U.S. credit history, your initial premium will be higher but will decrease over time. Best options for new immigrants: Progressive (progressive.com) — known for accepting different situations, GEICO (geico.com) — quick online quote, State Farm (statefarm.com) — bilingual agents in many cities. Get quotes from at least 3 companies and compare.
To get insurance you need: driver's license (foreign or American), vehicle identification number (VIN — on the windshield or car title), vehicle information (year, make, model), and your home address in the U.S. They don't always ask for SSN — ask if you can use an ITIN or just your name.
Liability: the legal minimum — pays others' damages if you cause the accident. Collision: pays YOUR car's damages if you crash. Comprehensive: covers theft, vandalism, natural disasters. Uninsured motorist: protects you if an uninsured driver hits you. If your car is borrowed or financed, the lender may require full coverage.
Your insurance will decrease if: you maintain a good driving history (no accidents or tickets), you pay 6 months or 1 year upfront instead of monthly, you build U.S. credit history, you install telematics (app that monitors your driving — Progressive Snapshot, GEICO DriveEasy), and you add family members with good history to your policy.