October 5, 2010

Finding Auto Insurance For Temporary Foreign Workers

Temporary foreign workers have to deal with a lot of extra red tape when working in the United States, and this is especially true when it comes to traffic law. The United States requires auto insurance from all of its drivers, including temporary foreign workers, and workers may be fined for a traffic violation if they neglect to carry adequate coverage. As car insurance coverage minimums vary from one state to the next, temporary foreign workers should do research and look for auto insurance quotes online to make sure that they're properly protected and in compliance with their state laws.

The first thing that temporary foreign workers should do before driving in the United States is to do some research on car insurance law. Find out the coverage levels of the state that you're moving to. Call up a few car insurance companies and ask for their advice; try to decide on an appropriate level of coverage. Foreign drivers who are already paying for coverage may have additional options; if you're a temporary foreign worker from a North American or Latin American country, you may be able to use the same insurance policy that you'd use at home. Canadian and Mexican auto insurance companies often have a presence in the United States, so before beginning your temporary work assignment, try calling up your insurance agent and discussing the matter. Ask if your coverage will be valid in the United States. Even if it's not valid automatically, it may be a simple matter to make the insurance valid.

Be sure to buy an appropriate amount of coverage, however; coverage requirements in some U.S. states can be high compared to Mexican states and Canadian provinces, and insurance law may work entirely differently. For instance, many Canadian provinces practice no fault insurance law, while most U.S. states follow tort insurance law. Keep this in mind, and always compare your policy to a few auto insurance quotes to make sure that you're getting the lowest possible rates.

Temporary foreign workers can greatly cut the cost of their coverage by understanding the law and researching insurance requirements before applying for an insurance policy. Look online, and visit the DMV website of the state that you're moving to. Make sure that you understand U.S. driving laws, and if you have any questions, call the DMV. Check that you're in compliance with U.S. licensing laws and always buy a bit more than the minimum required coverage amounts required by the states. This is the best way to avoid a potentially confusing and costly situation when you're completing a temporary work assignment in the United States.