Car insurance

[Stan1234 0]

Hello, I previously posted about the joys of trying to obtain a CA driving permit whilst waiting for AOS (in short a big fat no) so anyway I was just going to continue driving on my UK licence until I was able to apply for a CA licence. My wife thought that it would be a sensible idea to check with her insurance company (Safeco) to make sure that I would still be covered and that it would be ok for me to carry on driving on her policy for the mean time. She just spoke to them the bad news was that I would only be able to continue driving on her insurance if it was only a temporary thing and that we were in the process of adding me. The almost good news was that it seemed like they'd be able to add me to her policy using my UK driving licence. However after a lengthy phone call in which she gave all my details (UK licence number, SSN etc) it turns out that no safeco doesn't accept foreign drivers licences and worse that even when I get a CA licence I would need to have 18 months (!) driving experience before they could insure me and that no, foreign driving experience was not recognised. My wife pointed out that this was a slight catch 22, how was I supposed to get experience without insurance! Turns out this is some bizarre Safeco policy so now we're going to need to shop around for new insurace.

So.... the question is does anyone have experience of getting CA (or any other state) car insurance on a non-US driving licence? I've read on this site that a number of people have had issues with the foreign experience not being accepted resulting in high premiums. Anyone know of any insurers that DO take into account foreign experience? Anyone been in a similar situation/have any pearls of wisdom.

Cheers

[Jasman0717 8]

We are about to venture into this same arena. Claudeth has been here for 3 plus years and really needs to learn how to drive. Aside from that, the insurance for her is way off the charts but will be worth it to give her a bit more independance.

A lot of the 'main' insurance providers don't like to insure 'new' drivers so you end up going to the higher risk places which will probably charge you an arm and a leg. I am with Mercury and they are willing to add claudeth for the right price

[Saddle Bronc 124]

Hello, I previously posted about the joys of trying to obtain a CA driving permit whilst waiting for AOS (in short a big fat no) so anyway I was just going to continue driving on my UK licence until I was able to apply for a CA licence. My wife thought that it would be a sensible idea to check with her insurance company (Safeco) to make sure that I would still be covered and that it would be ok for me to carry on driving on her policy for the mean time. She just spoke to them the bad news was that I would only be able to continue driving on her insurance if it was only a temporary thing and that we were in the process of adding me. The almost good news was that it seemed like they'd be able to add me to her policy using my UK driving licence. However after a lengthy phone call in which she gave all my details (UK licence number, SSN etc) it turns out that no safeco doesn't accept foreign drivers licences and worse that even when I get a CA licence I would need to have 18 months (!) driving experience before they could insure me and that no, foreign driving experience was not recognised. My wife pointed out that this was a slight catch 22, how was I supposed to get experience without insurance! Turns out this is some bizarre Safeco policy so now we're going to need to shop around for new insurace.

So.... the question is does anyone have experience of getting CA (or any other state) car insurance on a non-US driving licence? I've read on this site that a number of people have had issues with the foreign experience not being accepted resulting in high premiums. Anyone know of any insurers that DO take into account foreign experience? Anyone been in a similar situation/have any pearls of wisdom.

Cheers

Been there, done that (albeit, pre 9/11); in 1994, I was able to get GA insurance with State Farm while I was driving on my AB (Canadian) licence, no issues***.

As for insurers, shop around--unfortunately, company policies in one state are completely inapplicable in another.

***other than that the Province actually considers it illegal, which I didn't find out until 2004--about 8 years after I'd already swapped-out my Canadian DL for a US-state one.

[Lansbury 19]

In Oregon Farmers accepted my UK license until I had time to get my Oregon one.

They insured myself and the USC with the policy in our joint names for both cars.

They also accepted my previous driving history in the UK, had to show them the insurance cover notes for the previous 2 years. Once they had been sent to them they reduced the premium. 18 months later they moved us from the insurance being renewed every 6 months to a yearly policy.

[Labhrais 6]

Hello, I previously posted about the joys of trying to obtain a CA driving permit whilst waiting for AOS (in short a big fat no) so anyway I was just going to continue driving on my UK licence until I was able to apply for a CA licence. My wife thought that it would be a sensible idea to check with her insurance company (Safeco) to make sure that I would still be covered and that it would be ok for me to carry on driving on her policy for the mean time. She just spoke to them the bad news was that I would only be able to continue driving on her insurance if it was only a temporary thing and that we were in the process of adding me. The almost good news was that it seemed like they'd be able to add me to her policy using my UK driving licence. However after a lengthy phone call in which she gave all my details (UK licence number, SSN etc) it turns out that no safeco doesn't accept foreign drivers licences and worse that even when I get a CA licence I would need to have 18 months (!) driving experience before they could insure me and that no, foreign driving experience was not recognised. My wife pointed out that this was a slight catch 22, how was I supposed to get experience without insurance! Turns out this is some bizarre Safeco policy so now we're going to need to shop around for new insurace.

So.... the question is does anyone have experience of getting CA (or any other state) car insurance on a non-US driving licence? I've read on this site that a number of people have had issues with the foreign experience not being accepted resulting in high premiums. Anyone know of any insurers that DO take into account foreign experience? Anyone been in a similar situation/have any pearls of wisdom.

Cheers

I'd call Safeco back and talk to a supervisor. I *think* Safeco sells a standard ISO form in CA. What this means to you is: standard forms include your spouse whether or not they are a named insured on the policy. Check your policy language for the definition of an insured; I'm almost certain it will say "whoever is named and the spouse of whoever is named."

The situation you are describing is a set of insurer rules that apply to eligibility relating to taking on new business off the street. As someone already insured with them, your spouse is not "new" business. Yes, an insured (in this case, your spouse) is required to let them know when a driver enters the household and has a car on the policy that is "furnished and available for regular use" to another party, and the insurer/Safeco at that point can determine whether or not to renew the policy the next term (there are strict rules governing cancellation of insurance policies). With regard to the driving experience, it's a similar situation to adding a teenage child as a driver on a policy, and I'm pretty sure that Safeco hasn't stopped writing insurance for peeps who have kids that are growing up. That might be a good point to make to the supervisor.

I'm not saying they have to insure you, just that I think you got a newer rep that might not realize you are automagically covered when you become a spouse even if your name isn't on the policy for the remainder of the policy term (only true with a standard form policy). Did they threaten you with non-renewal of the policy?

If your spouse has been insured with them for more than a couple of years with a good loss experience, ask for an exception to their stated policy. The cleaner your record, the newer the cars you guys drive, existence of other policies (ie. homeowners) with them - these are all factors in your favor. Insurers don't like to let people go when they pay their premiums on time and don't have accidents. You might also point out that it will cost them more to take market share from another insurer than it will to keep their existing business.

The key in your case may be to switch your stated status from "regular driver" to "occasional driver". In America, insurance follows the car rather than the driver. If the car is insured with Safeco and the named insured gives their permission to anyone to drive it, and that driver has an accident, Safeco has no choice but to provide coverage for the accident. Their only choice is to non-renew your policy next time around.

In any event, good luck with your insurance search.

[MrsCat 6]

My hubby added me no problems with Geico in Hawaii. He just gave them my Alberta DL # and that was it.

They were even willing to insure my car in Canada until I moved. Didn't do that since I was paid to the end of the year, but my car was insured the moment I drove it into the US.

Perhaps switch insurance companies of the premiums are similar?

[perfect 39]

We had no problems whatsoever with Unitrin Direct - their customer service has also been second to none - we have saved probably up to 50% in monthly premiums with them also when compared with other companies.

I was able to get on my husband's insurance with the proviso that I took my test within 30 days..... no problem - easy - great value - very helpful - have been with them for four years with absolutely no difficulties whatsoever.

[tanyaru 3]

We had no problems whatsoever with Unitrin Direct - their customer service has also been second to none - we have saved probably up to 50% in monthly premiums with them also when compared with other companies.

I was able to get on my husband's insurance with the proviso that I took my test within 30 days..... no problem - easy - great value - very helpful - have been with them for four years with absolutely no difficulties whatsoever.

I had Unitrin Direct too! They are flexible on license but not so good when it comes to claims. Look at this as a temporary switch until she gets US license and then you gonna have whole lot more choices.

[raphandarrin 0]

we had no problems with Progressive either, even in the quote u can get on line, you have the international issued driver license option

Edited October 30, 2008 by raphandarrin

[Stan1234 0]

Cheers for the replies.

The wife rang back the insurance company asked to speak to someone more senior, got through to some kind of supervisor underwriter or something. Anyone turns out that the first person she spoke to wasn't up on all the facts. Because we're married I do automatically qualify to be put onto her insurance, however because I don't have US driving experience (the person said that driving in the UK is different as we drive on the other side!!) we'll have to reapply when the insurance is up for renewal next year. The lady said our rate would probably go up by about $300 which isn't from what I've heard that bad but think we'll shop around, progressive seems like a popular place to try.

Anyway good news for the mean time I'm now covered! whoop!

Vrooom vrooom!!!

[Marilyn. 340]

when we went in to add me to the car insurance, we did so with no problems.. at the time I did have a US driver's license already but had only been driving with it for a short time.. the lady just asked if I had a clean record in Canada and I said yes but she didn't check up on it or anything...

we have full coverage and we are paying about 85 bucks a month... it is through Lincoln General...

[Ian + Anne 0]

Covered on two cars here -- 1st car was the wifes Toyota Camry -- cost did not change and they excepted my UK licence for 8 months.

Now we have 2 cars (needed two because of our different work patterns), I now have a Cadillac STS (1999 model) with the wife on the policy as well.

We are using State Farm for our insurance, and with both cars it's costing us around $470.00 every 6 months with full coverage on both cars.

[Nich-Nick 3,353]

We're in Texas and I have State Farm. I went to my agent to ask about adding Nick and if he needs a driver's license (which isn't going to happen soon due to some new rules in Texas). Also asked if it was going to be expensive to add him or if they needed a copy of his UK driving record. She said he's covered because it's the car that's insured and if I give permission for him to drive it, then he's covered. She said the cost to add him would add no cost to the current policy because he basically qualifies because of me and my past long-term policy with State Farm. And she said she wasn't even going to bother adding his name yet until we get something worked out with the driver's license.