lymy

Hi! I'm moving to Indiana for 2 years and would be requiring the use of a car over there. Could anyone advise on whether it is possible to get car insurance without having to pay a sky-high premium? All the insurance companies I've contacted tend to charge higher premiums for people who have no US driving history. Moreover, having a British driving licence for 7 years and having no insurance claims doesn't seem to count for much.

London2Atlanta

I'm in the same position as you so do let me know if you find out any info!

NC Penguin

I am in the same position as you except I expect to live in the US indefinitely...

Here are some pointers-

You do not have a credit history in the US. Your credit history does not count at all in the UK. It is not recognized at all.

As someone with no credit history, it will be difficult and sometimes impossible to get forms of credit, e.g. credit card, some loans, etc.

Every time you get a quote from a car insurance company, your developing credit history will take a hit and the enquirer's name (the insurance company) will appear on subsequent credit reports that are pulled up.

Despite some insurance companies having nationwide offices/agents, there are state differences and one insurance provider may be willing to insure you and in the neighboring state, they will not.

Suggestion- just before you leave the UK, get a copy of your British credit report from Experian or Equifax. Both credit bureaux are the major credit bureaux in the US and you may be able make some leeway if you thrust your UK up-to-date credit report in someone's face. This effort may just work (let us know if it does).





NC Penguin

London2Atlanta

I don't think they'd want to see MY credit history!!!

Ray

I cannot speak for Indiana, but here in Florida for a UK driving licence holder with no credit history expect to pay $1400-$2000. for 6 months
A lot of Insurance companies are checking credit record and load you if you have bad or no credit. they assume this must mean you are a bad risk... a few companies will claim they will take your UK driving record into account, they don't.. Watch out for hidden extras they like to add to policies here..Basic Insurance is called BI & PD in Indiana (Bodily injury liability and Physical Damage) Higher deductable will save you money...and go for the state minimum level of cover which is 25/50/10 in Indiana...

American drivers have the same problem in the UK..

ukemigrant

Try Liberty Mutual. They took my UK driving history into account. Also check with major international institutions like MBNA, Amex, Citibank to see if you can open an international account/get a US card based on your UK card performance.

Some like Amex would insist you close down the UK card account before they give you the US card.

Sam.

BritGuyTN

for car insurance - try this broker

585 389 0580 - they work with safeco

they quoted me $1150 for 6 months on a 1999 3 litre honda accord coupe

i'm a guy in my mid-twenties - not exactly a low risk

JulianB

www.geico.com
all they wanted to see was a copy of my us driving license, which I
had recently obtained. Self and spouse $600 per 6 months on a
big old Dodge Intrepid.
Lot's of my US colleagues have said they don't rate Geico, but you have to speak as you find.

lymy

Thanks to everyone who replied! This is great help!

paulanddeb

As a previous reply stated try Liberty Mutual. Since 9/11 it has become more difficult with many companies declining UK motorists. Bring current UK policy, take US test and get license ASAP. We were quoted $1,600 for 6 months by several companies. Liberty Mutual charge us $900 for the year for a Lincoln LS sport, 3.9 v8 e.t.c. and $800/year for a Dodge Truck.
This is Florida by the way. Good luck.

sarahw97

We went thru this nightmare about 2 yrs back. Eventually found an insurance broker who could get his head around the fact that we had no credit or insurance history in the USA, despite having clean records in UK and Australia for over 10 years each.

He got us a policy through OneBeacon (they used to be called something else), believe it was underwritten by a UK insurance company, cant remember how it all worked now. But the main thing was that they took account of our overseas driving history, and the premiums were about half of all the competitors, including geico, etc etc. We had to get a US drivers licence, but they even insured us under our overseas licences pending this (the waiting period is a couple of months for testing).

After we had been with OneBeacon for 12 months, we were able to shop around different insurers for a better deal, we're now with Chubb.

My broker is Frank Auriamma at Shoff Darby in Norwalk, Connecticut. He's very helpful, you may want to try calling him.
http://www.shoffdarby.com/

good luck

lymy

Thanks for all the help!!! I've emailed some insurance companies/brokers and these are the ones that might be able to help us lot with British licences:
1. www.plib.com
2. geico
3. Coaches/Omni (www.omniins.com)

Anyone heard of these or used them before?

NC Penguin

If at all possible, I would speak to any friends, family or coworkers in your state that you know who can give you firsthand impressions of these insurance companies/brokers.

In my case, I didn't buy auto insurance with Geico (who gave the cheapest quote) because I'd read accounts that Geico let you down once you have an accident. i.e. they're slow to sort out the claim and you have to chase them so much.



NC Penguin

Ray

Takes all sorts... My wife who is an Insurance agent, insist we only use Geico.

frrussre

It's been Geico for me, for many years. Found them to be real nice people to deal with. Plus CS 24 hours per day.

Reg. Frank R.