ZanM

Evening all! I'm sorry if this is one of those questions that pops up a lot around here, but I could really use some advice!

I am moving to the USA (from Scotland) in a couple of weeks to take up a job as a researcher at NOVA uni near Fort Lauderdale. I'm going out on a J1 visa, and have just got a reasonable quote on a lease from International AutoSource on a VW Jetta which sounds fine. I get to build credit and don't need to worry about buying used etc.

They recommended AIG Travel Assist as their insurance partners, so we asked them for a quote and they've come back with $3750 per year just for me. I've had a clean UK licence for 14 years and from what I've seen elsewhere on the forum here, this seems high... Is this just what car insurance costs should we leave it and shop around once we're actually in the USA and I've got my Florida licence?

Any tips and advice would be great!

hungryhorace

That's ridiculous. I was insured for just over a grand a year when I moved here.

BTW - Ditch the Jetta. Never understood why people buy these horrid cars. Get a Golf instead.

ZanM

Unfortunately the golf wasn't an option for me with IAS or I would have been sorely tempted! Anyway, the Jetta is pretty cheap One of the unfortunate requirements of the J1 visa is that my salary has to cover all the bills and I can't get any financial assistance from my husband when he comes out on his J2. Anyway, academia being what it is, my salary is enough but not amazing so we're trying to keep costs fairly low.

This $3.7k cost has caused more than a little worry!

SanDiegogirl

When I first arrived I paid 2K for insurance ...... married woman, been driving for 30 years...... but many insurance companies in US treat you as a new driver.

ZanM

Yeah - I've seen a lot of quotes on the forums of people hitting the $2 - $2.5K mark which is about what we expected to be honest, but $3.7k just seems REALLY high and I can't figure out why unless it's something to do with my visa type?

anotherlimey

That's crazy. Call around. You may find a local insurance company that will insure you.

Can you get a US drivers license on that visa? I don't remember.

ZanM

Yeah I think so. I know a few folk who are out in the US on J visas who've transferred their UK licences so it should be ok I think. At least I know that $3.7k is as bad as it can get!

anotherlimey

Once you get the drivers license you will be fine. I think I paid about $150 per month when I first came here.

Saying that, SE Florida has horrible insurance rates for anything.

sir_eccles

UK licenses are not generally eligible to be transferred, you need to take written and practical tests.

Guindalf

Rates in Florida are generally higher than elsewhere because of the number of retirees and rentals.

ZanM

Yes, sorry that's what I meant! High insurance is ok, I just didn't want to decline the offer we had only to find out the costs are much worse when we actually arrive. I think we'll sort our lease out and then shop around once we're in the USA. Thanks for all your advice it's really reassuring

RICH

Try these guys - I randomly used them when I got started 6 years ago - no problems/no recommendation. Not quite your area, but still.

Home, Auto, & Business Insurance - Lutz FL/Tampa FL - Chris Black Insurance

ZanM

Cool, thanks Rich I'll have a look

mistijuel

I'd check a few different companies just to make sure, maybe some of the smaller ones. The address also makes a massive difference. When I was living in Orlando, Geico wanted $350-month, granted I was 23 but had 5 year US driving history, I ended up with AAA where I paid around $300, but when I moved a few miles south (less than 10), the price dropped to about $250/month.

ZanM

Aye ok, so our $310 per month quote doesn't sound quite so awful when you put it like that! We're going to try and get confirmation from our current car insurance company that we've not made a claim in the past 5-6 years or so, and try the delay for confirmation that our licences are clean (and old). If nothing else it might help if we can take something to the insurance companies to show were not brand new drivers.