UK national using relatives' car in US, insurance question?

[Police State]

We have a relative in the U.S. that we will be visiting soon.

Long story short. When we mentioned that we would hire a car, he said for us not to bother and we can use one of his for the duration. When I enquired about insurance, he said to not worry because he will just tag us onto his insurance.

We are 2 UK nationals with clean UK licences.

Does anyone know if he can just ‘tag’ us onto his insurance? And what may be the potential issues in doing so?

We don’t want to offend him, but If there are unforeseen issues, then we would rather just hire a car.

[Gouki]

Yes he can just tag you on the US insurance and pay a small premium. Companies such as Progressive allow this but you'll usually have to call them and explain the situation as online forms don't allow UK driving license numbers. But he will still need to know all your driving details as per the UK insurers.

[Swift93]

Typically the named drivers are the owners. My vehicles are covered if I allow another driver to use the car. UK might be different.

[Police State]

Swift93 said:

Typically the named drivers are the owners. My vehicles are covered if I allow another driver to use the car. UK might be different.

And would it be the case that an allowed driver would have the same level of cover as the cars' owner?

I'm just thinking of possible worse case scenario involving a loophole spotting ambulance chasing type lawyer...

[Swift93]

The car is insured for the limits of the policy and all drivers are covered for that amount.

[JeffreyD]

Insurance is really very different over there.
Each state is different.

In general they don't have the concept of compulsory Third Party insurance to a very high limit like we do here.

[Wombat3]

My former Father in law used to do this for us when we went to visit (though it was a few years ago).

Seems as though its not that hard to do in the States, or at least it wasn't. California & Oregon in that case.

By contrast Its almost impossible to get non UK residents added to a policy here.

[Police State]

Swift93 said:

The car is insured for the limits of the policy and all drivers are covered for that amount.

ah, ok. Thanks for that info. it's swaying me toward their generous offer of a loan car.

[InformationSuperHighway]

Super easy. Took me about 5 minutes online to add my in laws who visit us.

Took $300 off my premium.. so they’re staying on the policy

[Police State]

InformationSuperHighway said:

Super easy. Took me about 5 minutes online to add my in laws who visit us.

Took $300 off my premium.. so they’re staying on the policy

That's intriguing, would you mind saying who your imsurer is, just in case his is the same.

[Police State]

Does anyone know if I use a relative's car in the USA, will my british driving licence be ok, or do I need to also have an International Driving Licence?

[GCH]

Police State said:

Does anyone know if I use a relative's car in the USA, will my british driving licence be ok, or do I need to also have an International Driving Licence?

It is fine. You do not need an IDP here

[Police State]

GCH said:

Police State said:

Does anyone know if I use a relative's car in the USA, will my british driving licence be ok, or do I need to also have an International Driving Licence?

It is fine. You do not need an IDP here

Thanks for that confirmation. Now my Mrs can move onto the next thing to worry about...