How to Find Cheap Car Insurance as an International Student in the U.S.

Last Updated on December 10, 2025

As an international or exchange student in the United States, having access to a car can make life much easier. You might want to drive to university classes, work, or social activities, and host families may be willing to share access to a vehicle. The biggest hurdle usually isn’t the car itself—it’s getting affordable car insurance.

While getting permission to drive (via a foreign license plus an international driving permit, or eventually a U.S. license) is fairly straightforward, insurance for international students can be confusing and expensive. Many U.S. insurers treat students with foreign licenses as higher risk, especially when they have no U.S. driving history. That doesn’t mean you’re stuck paying top dollar, but you do need to know where and how to shop.

Key Takeaways

1. International students are often treated like brand-new drivers in the U.S., which usually means higher insurance rates and short-term policies at first.
2. Your university may have partnerships with insurers that work with foreign licenses, but those campus-linked programs aren’t always the cheapest long-term option.
3. Depending on your situation, you can choose from temporary full policies, rental-car coverage, or non-owner insurance if you’re borrowing a host family’s or friend’s car.
4. Comparing quotes from multiple companies, driving a modest car, keeping mileage low, and asking for student and good-driver discounts are the best ways to cut costs.

Why Insurance Is More Expensive for International Students

Most major insurers—such as State Farm or GEICO—are willing to cover international students, but they often treat them like brand-new drivers. That usually means:

• Little or no U.S. driving history on record
• No U.S. claims or accident history to evaluate
• Difficulty verifying foreign driving experience

Because of that, many companies place international students in a high-risk or “inexperienced driver” category. Policies may be shorter-term (six months at a time) and priced higher than policies for U.S. drivers with several years of clean experience.

That doesn’t mean you can’t find a good deal—it just means you need to be strategic about how you’re insured and which companies you approach.

Step One: Where to Look for International Student Car Insurance

If you’ve already been accepted by a U.S. college or university, your school is often the best place to start. Many campuses have relationships or preferred programs for car insurance, because they know they’ll be hosting international students who want to drive.

These school-linked programs may:

• Connect you directly with insurers who accept foreign licenses
• Help you bypass the usual “3 years of U.S. driving experience” requirement
• Offer package deals alongside student health or renters insurance

However, don’t assume campus-linked options are always the cheapest. They’re convenient, but in the long run a student may pay more going through a university program than by shopping with local agents or online on their own.

Getting Licensed: International Permits vs. U.S. Licenses

Before you can buy a policy, you generally need some form of license that the insurer will accept. For many international students, that means one of the following:

• Foreign driver’s license + International Driving Permit (IDP): An IDP is a translation of your home-country license and is usually valid for a limited time. It does not replace your original license, but it can help U.S. insurers and authorities understand your credentials.
• U.S. state driver’s license: If you’ll be in the U.S. for more than a short stay, many states require you to obtain a local license after a certain period of residency.

International permits are usually issued in one- to five-year increments in your home country and are relatively inexpensive. You may need to show documentation such as your passport, visa, I-20 form, and a valid license from your country of origin. Some states or programs may also ask for a driving record from your home country if it’s available.

While university or campus programs can help you work around strict “U.S. experience” requirements, they are not always the cheapest over time. Once you have any U.S. driving history, it’s worth checking prices with regular insurance companies as well.

Considering Short-Term Policies from U.S. Insurers

Many insurance companies offer policies tailored to people temporarily in the country, including international students. In practice, most U.S. auto policies are at least six months long, but some companies are more flexible or international-student-friendly than others.

Here are a few options that often work with international students (availability and pricing will vary by state and individual profile):

Progressive

Progressive is a popular, international-friendly option that can insure drivers with foreign licenses in many states. They may offer:

• Roadside assistance
• New car protection in some cases
• Accident forgiveness (where available)
• Good driver discounts once you build some safe-driving history

Metromile

Metromile is a pay-per-mile insurer available only in select states. It can be a great fit for international students who don’t drive very much, because you pay a base rate plus a small amount per mile.

Metromile may offer perks like roadside assistance and new-car protection, and if the student typically drives under about 30 miles per day, a usage-based or pay-per-mile policy can lead to significant savings.

Liberty Mutual

Liberty Mutual is generally international-student-friendly. In many areas they offer:

• Roadside assistance options
• Accident forgiveness (where allowed)
• New car replacement on premium plans
• Local agent support in addition to online servicing

Allstate

Allstate offers a wide range of discounts and coverages that can be tailored for international students. They often provide accident forgiveness, new car protection, and roadside assistance, although many of these features are optional add-ons with extra costs.

GEICO

GEICO has long been known for being friendly to non-U.S. drivers. They were among the first major insurers to actively market coverage for foreign-licensed and international students. GEICO offers:

• Roadside assistance options
• Online quotes and policy management (helpful if English isn’t your first language)
• New-car and other optional coverages for those who qualify

Best Car Insurance Companies for International Students (Quick Comparison)

*Metromile is only available in certain states, so it won’t be an option everywhere.

Which Type of Insurance Is Best for International Students?

The best policy type for you depends on:

• Whether you own a car or borrow one
• How often you drive
• How long you will stay in the U.S.
• Whether you live with a host family, roommates, or on campus

Here are the main options:

• Temporary or short-term policies. These are standard U.S. auto policies written for six or twelve months at a time. You choose the type of coverage you need—liability only, or liability plus comprehensive and collision. This works well for international students who are in the U.S. for a semester or a full academic year, especially if they own or lease their own vehicle.
• Rental car insurance. If you don’t own a car and only drive occasionally, you can rely on rental car insurance instead. The rental company will offer coverage at the counter, and some credit cards also provide limited protection. This is a good fit if you only rent a car during holidays or weekend trips.
• Non-owner insurance coverage. If you’re staying with a host family or local friends and they allow you to drive their car regularly, you may need non-owner car insurance. Non-owner policies usually only provide liability coverage—they don’t pay for damage to the car you’re driving—but they can protect you if you cause an accident while borrowing a vehicle.

Money-Saving Tips for International Students

Regardless of which policy type you choose, there are ways to keep costs down:

• Share a policy: If possible, be added as a listed driver on a host family’s or roommate’s existing policy instead of buying your own—this is often cheaper than a separate policy.
• Choose the right car: Smaller, older, and non-luxury vehicles are usually much cheaper to insure than sports cars or new luxury models.
• Raise your deductible: If you can afford a higher deductible in an emergency, you can often lower your premium.
• Keep your record clean: Avoid speeding tickets, DUIs, and at-fault accidents—these will hit international students especially hard on price.
• Ask about discounts: Many companies offer good-student, low-mileage, and multi-policy discounts that apply to international students, too.

FAQs About Auto Insurance for International Students

Final Word: Finding Cheap Car Insurance as an International Student

Finding affordable car insurance as an international or exchange student in the U.S. can feel intimidating, but it doesn’t have to be. Start with your university, then compare quotes from several companies, including those that are known to work with foreign-licensed drivers.

Whether you choose a short-term policy, rental car coverage, or non-owner insurance, taking time to shop around and understand your options can save you a lot of money. With the right coverage in place, you’ll be able to explore the U.S. on four wheels—without overpaying for the privilege.