Car Insurance in the US - questions
Discussion
Finally we are actually moving to Iowa, the wife leaves on the 2nd July and I come out on the 21st :)
Was just after some advice on insurance really, I've read on another post that companies prefer you to have a US licence, which isn't a problem and also that in the States you insure yourself and not the car?
I think I know the answer to this, but do US companies take your English no claims bonus (I have 5 years) or driving history into account when taking insurance out or do you in essence start again from scratch?
Have read comments about insurance being astronomical in the US and we'd like full comprehensive cover for obvious reasons, but what are we talking about here?
Can anyone give even a rough idea of what they are paying currently or how much we would be likely to pay: We are both 27, professionals, I've been driving 10 years, my wife 3 years, neither of us have any points, convictions etc. and my one accident was 4 years ago. We are likely to be keeping the car(s) garaged in a small town in Iowa.
At the moment I'm paying under £600 for my Coupé.
Sorry if this is a foolish or inappropriate question, but it would be really helpful to try and understand what we could end up paying so we know how much to budget for..... :)
Also I take it that it's worth shopping around for quotes etc.?
Many thanks in advance for any help.
Was just after some advice on insurance really, I've read on another post that companies prefer you to have a US licence, which isn't a problem and also that in the States you insure yourself and not the car?
I think I know the answer to this, but do US companies take your English no claims bonus (I have 5 years) or driving history into account when taking insurance out or do you in essence start again from scratch?
Have read comments about insurance being astronomical in the US and we'd like full comprehensive cover for obvious reasons, but what are we talking about here?
Can anyone give even a rough idea of what they are paying currently or how much we would be likely to pay: We are both 27, professionals, I've been driving 10 years, my wife 3 years, neither of us have any points, convictions etc. and my one accident was 4 years ago. We are likely to be keeping the car(s) garaged in a small town in Iowa.
At the moment I'm paying under £600 for my Coupé.
Sorry if this is a foolish or inappropriate question, but it would be really helpful to try and understand what we could end up paying so we know how much to budget for..... :)
Also I take it that it's worth shopping around for quotes etc.?
Many thanks in advance for any help.
Hi sj78, welcome to the good ol' USA (soon).
I can't answer all of your questions, but can give you some idea of costs. My insurance on my truck (4x4 so more expensive) runs me about $1300.00 USD (716.00 GBP) per year, thats for full coverage including towing and car rental. Also our insurance is not taxed as yours is.
The insurance companies tend to give discounts for over 25, married, multiple vehicles, non-smoker, theft prevention, good driving record. As to whether your U.K. driving record will count I'm not sure. Here is a link to a site that allows you to get quotes from 20 different insurance companies, that I'm sure has links to them so hopefully you can contact them for more information:
http://tinyurl.com/7ja3d
Hopefully another yank will see this and can give you more answers.
I can't answer all of your questions, but can give you some idea of costs. My insurance on my truck (4x4 so more expensive) runs me about $1300.00 USD (716.00 GBP) per year, thats for full coverage including towing and car rental. Also our insurance is not taxed as yours is.
The insurance companies tend to give discounts for over 25, married, multiple vehicles, non-smoker, theft prevention, good driving record. As to whether your U.K. driving record will count I'm not sure. Here is a link to a site that allows you to get quotes from 20 different insurance companies, that I'm sure has links to them so hopefully you can contact them for more information:
http://tinyurl.com/7ja3d
Hopefully another yank will see this and can give you more answers.
[quote=sj78]Here in Michigan we insure the car, and anybody can drive, though it is judged on the members of the household.
In Michigan they don't have NCB in big percentage terms, though you might get 10% after 5 years. What they do is give you a breakdown of what constitues the quote.
My 2005 Explorer costs around $1200 a year for the equivalent of fully comp. Beware, because many companies quote on a 6 month basis so everything seems cheap. Additionally they will need your Social Security number to check your record. In some states a low credit score increases your risk and hence cost.
From what I see I should imagine you will pay less, given that Michigan rates are astronomical. They won't take your UK record into account so you are in effect clean regardless. Also (on my policy at least) garaging is irrelevent.
As with all things you get what you pay for in insurance. Most companies will make you jump through hoops, with the bad ones you'll need ladders to get through the hoops. I would go with a big name insurer, Allstate, State Farm, Geico, Progressive would all be good examples.
In Michigan they don't have NCB in big percentage terms, though you might get 10% after 5 years. What they do is give you a breakdown of what constitues the quote.
My 2005 Explorer costs around $1200 a year for the equivalent of fully comp. Beware, because many companies quote on a 6 month basis so everything seems cheap. Additionally they will need your Social Security number to check your record. In some states a low credit score increases your risk and hence cost.
From what I see I should imagine you will pay less, given that Michigan rates are astronomical. They won't take your UK record into account so you are in effect clean regardless. Also (on my policy at least) garaging is irrelevent.
As with all things you get what you pay for in insurance. Most companies will make you jump through hoops, with the bad ones you'll need ladders to get through the hoops. I would go with a big name insurer, Allstate, State Farm, Geico, Progressive would all be good examples.
Hello,
I am new to these forums as I have just been advised of them by a friend.
I too am looking to move to the US in the next 2 - 3 months and also have the problem of finding Insurance over there.
I have already done some checks and found I need to take a US driving test which hopefully will not be a problem.
But would appreciate it if you could let me know how you go on about using your English NCB over there.
In England I know that most insurance companied accept NCB from other countries as long as it written in English.
So if you could update this with how you got on that would be great.
cheers
I am new to these forums as I have just been advised of them by a friend.
I too am looking to move to the US in the next 2 - 3 months and also have the problem of finding Insurance over there.
I have already done some checks and found I need to take a US driving test which hopefully will not be a problem.
But would appreciate it if you could let me know how you go on about using your English NCB over there.
In England I know that most insurance companied accept NCB from other countries as long as it written in English.
So if you could update this with how you got on that would be great.
cheers
GavinPearson said:
Simple answer - NCB is not accepted.
Yes, I wasn't happy as I had 60% NCB for 5 years, but what can you do????
Think 'sods law' when insurance is concerned!
As Gavin said, they dont give a monkeys how much NCB you have, but they do want to know about any accidents or claims you had in the UK
Tip: they have no way of finding out* about your UK record
* Unless you're very unlucky and cause a high profile accident and someone puts 2+2 together
(thinking of that bloke who caused the train derailment due to falling asleep)
texasjohn said:
Simple answer - NCB is not accepted.
Yes, I wasn't happy as I had 60% NCB for 5 years, but what can you do????
Think 'sods law' when insurance is concerned!
As Gavin said, they dont give a monkeys how much NCB you have, but they do want to know about any accidents or claims you had in the UK
Tip: they have no way of finding out* about your UK record
* Unless you're very unlucky and cause a high profile accident and someone puts 2+2 together
(thinking of that bloke who caused the train derailment due to falling asleep)
do they (you guys!) take any notice of UK points on a license either? thought accident records would be available to all car insurance groups across the world, with big Uk and USA companies owning many of the smaller companies in different countries..?...
zed sump said:
Simple answer - NCB is not accepted.
Yes, I wasn't happy as I had 60% NCB for 5 years, but what can you do????
Think 'sods law' when insurance is concerned!
As Gavin said, they dont give a monkeys how much NCB you have, but they do want to know about any accidents or claims you had in the UK
Tip: they have no way of finding out* about your UK record
* Unless you're very unlucky and cause a high profile accident and someone puts 2+2 together
(thinking of that bloke who caused the train derailment due to falling asleep)
do they (you guys!) take any notice of UK points on a license either? thought accident records would be available to all car insurance groups across the world, with big Uk and USA companies owning many of the smaller companies in different countries..?...
In the US they'd probably not ask for your counterpart UK license (the paper bit with your points on) if you just gave them the plastic card, hence no way of 'seeing' your points. The average attendant at Hertz US is probably unaware of DVLA, let alone which dept to call in the UK. They've seen your photo on a UK license that says you can drive, they've done their job. If that makes sense...
Yes many US companies have UK subsidiaries and vice versa but to-date they dont share information about insurance claims as far as I can tell, no doubt it is a mix of red tape and data protection/privacy laws preventing companies outside the home nation's industry sharing data. You'd think they might and yes it makes business sense but businesses cant always follow that which seems on the face of it, simple logic. E.g. HSBC UK and HBSC US really only have the name in common - any links between the companies are on paper and in terms of employees the CEOs and board members (in HSBCs case probably working out of an office in Shanghai just to add to complexity of it all lol). The credit bureaus are the same companies (Experian UK and US) but you start a 'fresh slate' in the US in terms of credit history when you get here.
You'll be glad to know that if you ever come to live in New Zealand you will get a credit for UK "no claims", but car insurance is actually not a legal requirement, yes...a 15 year old can legally drive a Ferrari with no insurance. My third party insurance (which also pays out up to US$2000 for my car if the other party isn't insured) is the princely sum of US$30 a year - but I am 49 with full no claims bonus.
texasjohn said:
In the US they'd probably not ask for your counterpart UK license (the paper bit with your points on) if you just gave them the plastic card, hence no way of 'seeing' your points. The average attendant at Hertz US is probably unaware of DVLA, let alone which dept to call in the UK. They've seen your photo on a UK license that says you can drive, they've done their job. If that makes sense...
Yes many US companies have UK subsidiaries and vice versa but to-date they dont share information about insurance claims as far as I can tell, no doubt it is a mix of red tape and data protection/privacy laws preventing companies outside the home nation's industry sharing data. You'd think they might and yes it makes business sense but businesses cant always follow that which seems on the face of it, simple logic. E.g. HSBC UK and HBSC US really only have the name in common - any links between the companies are on paper and in terms of employees the CEOs and board members (in HSBCs case probably working out of an office in Shanghai just to add to complexity of it all lol). The credit bureaus are the same companies (Experian UK and US) but you start a 'fresh slate' in the US in terms of credit history when you get here.
don't think i'm going anywhere before september anyway, when my 3pts disappear off my license
jaybkay said:
You'll be glad to know that if you ever come to live in New Zealand you will get a credit for UK "no claims"
And with certain insurers in California, the same is applicable. I took 5 yrs No claims with me to California in 1999 and AIG accepted written confirmation of it from Bell Direct. Still was b****y expensive though - $2600 a year for a Mustang GT Convertible!
texasjohn said:
E.g. HSBC UK and HBSC US really only have the name in common - any links between the companies are on paper and in terms of employees the CEOs and board members (in HSBCs case probably working out of an office in Shanghai just to add to complexity of it all lol)
HSBC's HQ (and CEO, board, etc.) is in the UK. 8 Canada Sq., Canary Wharf, London ...
Mustang Baz said:
jaybkay said:
You'll be glad to know that if you ever come to live in New Zealand you will get a credit for UK "no claims"
And with certain insurers in California, the same is applicable. I took 5 yrs No claims with me to California in 1999 and AIG accepted written confirmation of it from Bell Direct. Still was b****y expensive though - $2600 a year for a Mustang GT Convertible!
Thats good to know Baz... as i was looking for companies that accept UK NCB...
The mustangs do seem to be pricey - more than say, a boxster?
Just out of interest - are there any 'decent' cars over there that dont run high premiums, im thinking sports cars, convertibles, or just possibly, a V8???
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