Planning a road trip in the US: Are you properly insured? (2024)

FAQs

Am I insured to drive in the US? ›

Most auto insurance policies cover travel to the States, but may be subject to some restrictions. For example, the duration of coverage may be limited to a certain number of months. Even if your policy doesn't specify the maximum period, claims for stays longer than six months are assessed on an individual basis.

Many drivers don't think of travel insurance for trips by road, but it's wise to have protection against travel-related financial losses. Whether you're in your own car or camper or have rented a vehicle, road trip travel insurance can cover a variety of travel-related incidents.

While travel insurance is a compulsory requirement for visiting some countries and territories, the USA is not one of them. But that doesn't mean it's not worth taking out. Just consider what an unexpected incident while you were there could end up costing you if you weren't' covered.

In every state — except for Virginia and New Hampshire — drivers are required to carry some form of auto insurance. If you get caught driving without insurance in state that requires it, you can be subject to large fines, the cancellation of your license or car registration and even jail time.

Auto Insurance

You cannot legally drive in any state without demonstrating financial responsibility for damages or liability in the event of an accident. In most states auto insurance is mandatory as proof of this responsibility.

Your travel insurance should always include the following cover: medical expenses and cover for getting you home if you're injured or fall ill abroad. personal injury and cover for accidents or damage caused by you. cover for lost or damaged items.

But even if your trip isn't 100% refundable, insurance may not be necessary. For example, a cheap flight and hotel stay may not be worth covering, though you may still want to purchase travel insurance for medical situations.

Cover for lost or stolen possessions

Your suitcase going missing is just one of the unlucky risks of travelling and there aren't really any steps you can take to avoid losing your luggage when flying. But travel insurance can at least cover your belongings should your luggage be lost or stolen.

While there are many benefits to investing in trip protection, it is ultimately up to you to decide if a policy is worth it for your travels. Travel insurance for a domestic vacation can not only provide peace of mind but also help mitigate financial loss if you experience a trip interruption.

While not legally required for short stays, travel medical insurance (visitor insurance) is strongly recommended when visiting the United States. This is beacuse healthcare in the US is very expensive. A doctor visit can cost hundreds, while an ambulance ride and ER treatment could reach thousands of dollars.

How much would it cost to road trip across the US? ›

Assuming you're willing to put in 8 hours a day behind the wheel, it takes 4 to 6 days to drive across America. Let's say 5 hours, on average. At a rock-bottom $30 per day on food, that's a total food cost of $150 per person. As you may recall, $75 per night is a fair average amount to budget for lodging.

This depends on how much time you have and how much you want to see along the way. The shortest amount of time to drive from the West Coast to the East Coast (or vice versa) is between four and six days. This kind of road trip requires eight to 10 hours of driving each day — leaving you little time to make pit stops.

Can you check if someone else's car is insured? You may be able to check if someone else's car is insured if you contact your local DMV. You must submit a request for the information and provide a reason for your request.

If you're driving to the US in your own car, you'll also need to provide proof of vehicle ownership if asked by CBP officers. Always have your vehicle registration and insurance papers handy, or your rental agreement if you're using a hired car.

Yes, you can get car insurance for foreigners in the U.S.A. To do so, they typically need a valid foreign driver's license and, in some cases, an IDP may be required.

Your U.S. policy likely only covers you in the U.S. and Canada, so you'll need a separate policy when driving in all other countries.