Cost of Car Insurance for your immigrating SO

[devblt 0]

Hey guys,

So I was talking to a friend of mine about car insurance for the immigrating SO. He's wife has been driving in the U.K for over 10 years, she came over to the states recently and got her driver's licence a couple of weeks ago. When he phoned the insurance agency to add her to his insurance, (State Farm Insurance) he was told that his wife would be classed as an inexperienced driver (with less than 1 year of expereince driving in the U.S) and the insurance premium is going to almost double if not more.

That was a shocker to me. Has anyone else heard of this? I actually have my insurance with State Farm, and when I moved to the States about 7 years ago, I had been driving in the U.K for 5-6 years, and they were able to take that into account when they insured me.

Have you guys experience similar situations? Anyone recommend an insurance company that may take into account previous driving expereince abroad?

Thanks

[Niels Bohr 72]

In order to renew my registration, I must have an existing policy in place. However, I drove with no insurance for one year. Saved me alot of money! LOL. It's risky, and I wouldn't even suggesting no insurance.

[mybackpages 0]

I havent called yet because my husband doe shave the DL yet. But my insurance covers me for any driver that I give permission to.

[mawilson 2,133]

Geico charges me about $200 extra for being an "inexperienced operator". The surcharge

will go away after 3 years.

[Flames9_RN 358]

I belive when I came here from Canada, but wifes policy $$$$ did not change. We were with State Farm then, now with USAA

[Mary Lou 681]

I havent called yet because my husband doe shave the DL yet. But my insurance covers me for any driver that I give permission to.

The same applies for my insurance.

[Yodrak 7]

devblt,

My insurance company also classified my wife as an inexperienced driver, although she had been a licensed driver in her country for more than 10 years. The premium is higher as a result, but not double.

Yodrak

Hey guys,

So I was talking to a friend of mine about car insurance for the immigrating SO. He's wife has been driving in the U.K for over 10 years, she came over to the states recently and got her driver's licence a couple of weeks ago. When he phoned the insurance agency to add her to his insurance, (State Farm Insurance) he was told that his wife would be classed as an inexperienced driver (with less than 1 year of expereince driving in the U.S) and the insurance premium is going to almost double if not more.

That was a shocker to me. Has anyone else heard of this? I actually have my insurance with State Farm, and when I moved to the States about 7 years ago, I had been driving in the U.K for 5-6 years, and they were able to take that into account when they insured me.

Have you guys experience similar situations? Anyone recommend an insurance company that may take into account previous driving expereince abroad?

Thanks

[Coco&Kitten 42]

I am from Spain and I lived in the US for 3 years. My driving experience in Europe counted, I had American Family Insurance. But I think this has changed now... It is true, they take it as if you did not have any experience at all, it is frustating...

[Anna C. 4]

It depends on where you live and on the insurance. Geico decided to no longer recognize driving history from other countries (as of Jan 1st 2007). Of course we changed right away since they accepted it before and the premium should suddenly double itself.

We called a lot of agents in our area, stay away from State Farm in NC! They had the nerve to tell us that NC had a law prohibiting insurance companies to accept foreign driving history, which is total BS.

We are now with Allstate, a reasonable premium, good service and no hassle with accepting my driving history (copy of German DL was fine, I added an English copy of my driving record).

Ergo: call a lot of different insurance companies and see what you can work out!!!

[Mary Lou 681]

I feel State Farm has outrageous premiums period. Before my SO even got here i checked into their rates and it was almost double for what i was paying currently. I thought hmm maybe cause its not a multi- policy rate, so i had them give me a premium for home owners insurance, $800 a year!!!!!! Mind you i pay $390 a year for the same coverage. Insane.

[Anna C. 4]

@ Garyandmarylou: It depends pretty much on where you live. We'll move to CA and there Farmer's will be the cheapest for us. I don't really understand how insurances calculate their premiums in the US, but to me it seems pretty arbitrary. Like USCIS

[Mary Lou 681]

@ Garyandmarylou: It depends pretty much on where you live. We'll move to CA and there Farmer's will be the cheapest for us. I don't really understand how insurances calculate their premiums in the US, but to me it seems pretty arbitrary. Like USCIS

I hear ya there !!!

[Nikita2Charles 32]

If your spouse was driving overseas, he/she can get credit for her driving experience you have to show the licence to the insurance agent. Some states will take your license when you go for a new one, so my best advice to anybody is to make a copy of it, then you can always show it as proof. that was with state farm, Vikings, Unitrin so i am not sure about other insurance company.

[devblt 0]

If your spouse was driving overseas, he/she can get credit for her driving experience you have to show the licence to the insurance agent. Some states will take your license when you go for a new one, so my best advice to anybody is to make a copy of it, then you can always show it as proof. that was with state farm, Vikings, Unitrin so i am not sure about other insurance company.

I was able to get credit for my driving experience when I first got my insurance years back with state farm. Apparently, they have now changed their policy on this. When my friend asked is state farm insurance agent, he was told they cannot accept driving expereince from abroad.

Are you positive about State Farm? Perhaps he's agent is not clear on the rules.. who did you hear that from?

[Ephesia 0]

Strange.

Hubby's also with State Farm. His premium went up by only $15 after I was added last year when I got my driver's license.