Just Landed - Motor Insurance
#1
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 17
Just Landed - Motor Insurance
What are your experiences with getting motor insurance shortly after arriving to the US in the sense that the insurers consider credit rating? Obviously, on arrival one has no credit rating.
Everybody get their backs skinned in the first year, or is there a way around it?
Everybody get their backs skinned in the first year, or is there a way around it?
#2
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Feb 2015
Location: New Jersey, USA
Posts: 565
Re: Just Landed - Motor Insurance
You pretty much have to suck it up.
I managed to insure my new Cadillac ATS 3.6 for ~$2000 for 12 months via NJM in New Jersey which was by far the best price I got quoted - Progressive were the next cheapest at about $1400 for 6 months.
I managed to insure my new Cadillac ATS 3.6 for ~$2000 for 12 months via NJM in New Jersey which was by far the best price I got quoted - Progressive were the next cheapest at about $1400 for 6 months.
#3
Forum Regular
Joined: Mar 2012
Location: Washington State
Posts: 120
Re: Just Landed - Motor Insurance
I went to a State Farm agent, showed them evidence of no-claims discounts from my wife and my UK insurance companies and they accepted that as proof of driving experience. We paid about $1000 a year per vehicle, I think.
#4
Re: Just Landed - Motor Insurance
Budget a grand for 6 months cover...no US driving history and credit history, which there isn't much you can do about.
Previous history might get you treated as a 18 year old new driver, which is better than a 15 year old, but it's really just a sales ploy for anything else.
Previous history might get you treated as a 18 year old new driver, which is better than a 15 year old, but it's really just a sales ploy for anything else.
#5
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 17
Re: Just Landed - Motor Insurance
Thanks. Some good info here. I will bring my no claims cert from Ireland and see what happens.
#6
Re: Just Landed - Motor Insurance
Some brokers might give you a little deduction, some won't, but either way be prepared to pay about $2,000/yr/vehicle. The good news is that the premiums drop fairly sharply over the first 3-4 years.
#7
Re: Just Landed - Motor Insurance
Make sure you inspect the policy to ensure you're satisfied with the levels of liability and deductibles offered.
It was a bit more finicky than what I was used to and I found that there state minimum levels weren't really enough for me.
It was a bit more finicky than what I was used to and I found that there state minimum levels weren't really enough for me.
#8
Re: Just Landed - Motor Insurance
Good point, the "state minimum" levels can be dangerously low, meaning that you are one wreck with a Ferrari or from disabling a doctor or other high-paid professional away from being sued into oblivion either by the injured party or their insurance company looking to recover part of what they had to pay out.
#9
Re: Just Landed - Motor Insurance
http://assist.travelguardworldwide.c...861-254888.pdf
Try calling these people - will take your UK history into account. I more than halved my premium while still having far better than state minimum coverage.
Try calling these people - will take your UK history into account. I more than halved my premium while still having far better than state minimum coverage.
#10
Account Closed
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 2
Re: Just Landed - Motor Insurance
Lots of misconceptions.
Insurance in the US is highly regulated and at the State level, you might as well consider them separate countries.
A Broker does not set rates, or discounts, and not that many of them compared to the UK.
Mostly you will come across Agents, who generally run independent businesses tied to one particular insurer.
Certainly in Colorado Insurance rates have to be filed with the State, one of the reasons you see the TV adverts that offer to give you their competitors terms.
As a new arrival you would probably be better off with an Insurer who does not rate according to credit score.
Insurance in the US is highly regulated and at the State level, you might as well consider them separate countries.
A Broker does not set rates, or discounts, and not that many of them compared to the UK.
Mostly you will come across Agents, who generally run independent businesses tied to one particular insurer.
Certainly in Colorado Insurance rates have to be filed with the State, one of the reasons you see the TV adverts that offer to give you their competitors terms.
As a new arrival you would probably be better off with an Insurer who does not rate according to credit score.
#11
Forum Regular
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 165
Re: Just Landed - Motor Insurance
http://assist.travelguardworldwide.c...861-254888.pdf
Try calling these people - will take your UK history into account. I more than halved my premium while still having far better than state minimum coverage.
Try calling these people - will take your UK history into account. I more than halved my premium while still having far better than state minimum coverage.
#12
Just Joined
Joined: Mar 2015
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 21
Re: Just Landed - Motor Insurance
I also used IAS and ordered 2 cars in March. They referred me to AIG travelguard, who quoted me around $2,000 (for both cars) for 6 months (NJ and 15k miles per year) - insurance provided by 21st Century. They didn't take into account my UK driving history and didn't require US driving license.
#13
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Jun 2010
Location: 1.2 East
Posts: 762
Re: Just Landed - Motor Insurance
Progressive offer up-to 30% discount I think for fitting a Snapshot device.
Anyone used these?
What are sensible minimums for uninsured drivers etc.?
Anyone used these?
What are sensible minimums for uninsured drivers etc.?
#14
DE-UK-NZ-IE-US... the TYP
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 2,855
Re: Just Landed - Motor Insurance
What are your experiences with getting motor insurance shortly after arriving to the US in the sense that the insurers consider credit rating? Obviously, on arrival one has no credit rating.
Everybody get their backs skinned in the first year, or is there a way around it?
Everybody get their backs skinned in the first year, or is there a way around it?
#15
Just Joined
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 5
Re: Just Landed - Motor Insurance
Metromile in California were happy to take my UK driving history into account and and was by far the most cost effective for me. I do relatively low mileage of around 1000 miles per month and the coverage costs around $100 each month.