US Car insurance

[GMC Typhoon]

holy crap it's expensive!

How can I get a cheaper rate? Amica quoted me $2400 for fully comp on my GMC Typhoon due to no credit history and no driving record in the USA.

I am here for at least 8 months so I have a SSN with work and am applying for my licence and will open a checking account tomorrow but holy hell that's a lot.

Anyone got any tips?

Does any company transfer a relatively unblemished record from the UK to the US?

thanks guys!

Mark

[timmybob]

Hi Mark,
I'm sure someone with more experience than me will chime in soon, but I got here last year and also had some pretty high quotes due to lack of credit history. Car insurance rates are also very regional (so the cheapest for me here in MD may not be in the running for you). All I can suggest is shop around. I went with Geico initially as they were 50% cheaper than anyone else. And they took into account my UK insurance (which was still active at the time). But I also took out a 6 month policy, and when I went to renew I managed to get a policy 30% less again. By the time I renew again at a year, the policy should be even lower...
Simon

[GMC Typhoon]

I just got a GEICO quote and they seem much more reasonable - thanks for the tip.

I haven't been able to declare the value as it is modified and the standard value in no way covers the value so I need to figure that out.

I'll get a 6 month policy and I'm getting a credit card as well.

I'm in Delaware so not that far from you

If you see a GMC Typhoon driving around, honk! It's due here in 2 weeks and I can't wait!

Mark

[Dr JonboyG]

Geico and Progressive are usually the cheapest, but insurance here seems more expensive than in the UK. Even after being here for 8 years it's still not cheap, and they don't do no claims discounts it seems.

[EK993]

I have been here since March. Have got 6 month cover on a BMW 335i for $420 through 21st Century. I do have a US driving license now, however obviously no previous driving record or credit history here. It was arranged through an expat relocation scheme I subscribed to, AIG travel assist, you can do a Google for them. They also help with arranging bank accounts / credit cards through HSBC and various other types of insurance eg renters.

[timmybob]

GMC Typhoon said:

I'm in Delaware so not that far from you

If you see a GMC Typhoon driving around, honk! It's due here in 2 weeks and I can't wait!

Mark

Will do Mark!
On the credit card front, did you have a card in the UK from an institution with offices here (e.g. American Express)? If so, that can make getting a card much easier. In my case, Am Ex here used my UK Am Ex history to qualify me for the same level of card I had before. Even better, it lists on my US credit history as having being opened a few years ago (i.e. when I got the card in the UK) which helps considerably with my score!

[Matt Harper]

Mark
per your post re temporary importation - is the quote assuming a US titled/tagged car, or something else?
Additionally, no mainstream insurer is going to be competitive with anything but a stock vehicle. How extensive are your mods?
You may be way better suited to a specialist provider like Heggerty.

Edited by Matt Harper on Friday 4th June 15:53

[jeff m]

If it is a temp import them surely you shouild maintain you UK insurance along with UK plates, in a similar fasion to driving in Europe.
Or....
Try Safe Auto, they also provide cheap coverage.
With regard to Geico (and Safe Auto), they are not always the cheapest, once you are established, have a house and decent credit you will find the regular insurance companies may be better.

I'm in NJ, not a great State for car insurance, I use AAA Mid Atlantic and pay $800 pa for a Corvette with full coverage.

PS, the miles you drive to work has a large bearing on US policies.

[Blaize]

It goes both ways. I am an american now living in the new forest. When I got here a couple of years ago NOBODY would take into account my prev. driving history and ins. was pretty steep. Classed me as an "international Lic. Holder", Then I got my U.K. lic about a year ago and it damn near doubled, because now I was a "new driver". I was driving a mk2 golf at the time and one of the insurance companies actually told me to sell it and get a micra as the engine in the golf (1.8) was too big for me!?!?!? Im 34!! and I have been driving since 15 (louisiana used to give it to you a year earlier than the rest of the country)

As things stand, at 34, I have to insure a miata on my mothers insurance (she is British), and wait a few more years untill I am experienced enough to handle a whopping 112 hp.