How to Get Car Insurance in the US (Best Rates)
Every state except New Hampshire requires car insurance. Virginia was the last state to change. It made liability insurance a must for every registered vehicle on July 1, 2024, ending its $500 uninsured-motorist fee. To get a good rate, compare 5+ quotes from different companies. Know what cover you really need. If you are an immigrant, get a US license. Start your US driving history as soon as you can.
At a glance
- Cost:
- $50–$250/month depending on state, age, driving record
- Total time:
- 1–2 hours
- Steps:
- 7 steps
- Where to apply:
- dmv.virginia.gov
Last reviewed October 2026 against official sources. Re-checked annually · next review due October 2027.
The Steps
Follow these in order
Each card shows the phase, expected time, and any cost. Data checked against official US sources(October 2026).
0 of 7 steps
- Before You Go 20 min
Know your state's minimum requirements
All states except New Hampshire require liability cover. The usual minimum is 25/50/25: $25k for injury per person, $50k per accident, and $25k for property damage. The minimum is legal, but it is low. One stay in hospital can cost more than the minimum. Then you pay the rest. Think about 100/300/100 if you have savings to protect.
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- Before You Go 15 min
Decide: liability-only vs full coverage
If your car is worth less than about 10x the extra cost of full cover, liability-only cover may be enough. If you have a loan or lease on the car, the lender requires full cover. That means comprehensive cover plus collision cover. Check the current value of your car on KBB.com before you decide.
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- Before You Go varies
Immigrants: convert to a US license ASAP
Insurers see a foreign license as high risk. They also see no US driving history as high risk. Your price can be 2–3x the normal rate. Get a US license as soon as you can. In most states, you can change your license with no road test if your country has a deal with the US. After 6 months of clean driving in the US, rates drop a lot. Some insurers accept a no-claims letter from your home country. The letter must be in English. It can give you a discount.
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- Fill / Prepare 1 hour
Gather quotes from at least 5 insurers
Get quotes from a mix of companies. Try large national brands like Geico, Progressive, and State Farm. Try a local company too. Try an agent who works with many companies. Prices for the same cover can vary by 100% or more from one company to the next. The biggest saving comes from comparing prices. Go to each company site yourself. Do not use sites that sell your data to other companies.
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- Fill / Prepare 15 min
Set the same coverage levels in every quote
Use the same cover levels for every quote. Use the same limits and the same deductible. Use the same options too. If you do not, you cannot compare the quotes. Pick a deductible you can pay after a crash, like $500 vs $1,000 in cost. A higher deductible cuts the price by 10–20%. Ask about discounts. Ask about bundling, good student, low mileage, and safe driving courses. Ask about paying in full and going paperless.
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- Submit & Pay 15 min
Buy the policy and get proof immediately
Buy the policy online. Download your insurance card at once. Most states accept a digital card as proof. Keep a paper copy in the glovebox too. Start the policy on the day you get the car. It is illegal to drive with no insurance, even for one day. Lenders check your cover on their own.
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- Follow Up 20 min/6 months
Re-shop at every renewal
Insurers raise prices for loyal customers in a quiet way. At each 6-month renewal, spend 20 minutes to check prices again. Check 2–3 other companies. Check prices again after a big birthday. Check after a ticket falls off your record. Tickets fall off after 3–5 years in most cases. Also check after you move home. Or after you buy a home and can bundle your policies.
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FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get car insurance with a foreign driver's license?
Yes. Most large insurers will cover you if you have a foreign license. But you will pay more. Geico, Progressive, and State Farm can help with this. Some smaller/regional companies will not cover you. The fastest way to cut your price is to get a US license.
Why is my quote so high with a clean record?
Your record is not the only thing that matters. Insurers also look at your credit-based insurance score. They look at your ZIP code and your age. They look at the car itself. Drivers who are new to the country have no US history. That raises the price too. Compare prices to fix this problem. The highest quote and the lowest quote for the same driver can differ by $1,000+/year in many cases.
What happens if I let my insurance lapse?
If your insurance stops, you will pay more when you start again. The extra cost is often 10–50% more than before. In many states, your car registration is stopped on its own. Insurers tell the DMVDepartment of Motor Vehicles — Your state agency for driver's licenses, state IDs, and vehicle registration. Some states call it the BMV, DPS, MVD, or DDS.Click for official info ↗ when a policy ends. If you have no car for a while, think about a low-cost non-owner policy. It keeps your cover going with no gap.
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