Can you get U.S. car insurance with a Canadian license?

If you’re traveling in the United States with a Canadian license, your Canadian auto insurance may not always cover you. If that’s the case, you’re probably wondering if you can get U.S car insurance with a Canadian license on your next visit. If your visit is short and you aren’t moving to the U.S., it should be fairly easy to get U.S. auto insurance.

Though, it may not be necessary if your Canadian auto insurance covers you for short stints abroad. Read on to learn how to get U.S. car insurance coverage with a Canadian license and when it won’t be so easy to obtain. If you’re looking to compare multiple car insurance quotes, start browsing today by entering your ZIP code into our online tool above. 

When can you get U.S. car insurance with a Canadian license?

If you have a Canadian license and need to insure a car in the U.S., it is worth reviewing the differences between Canadian car insurance and U.S. car insurance.

For the most part, you can get U.S. car insurance if you are:

• Renting a car
• Visiting for a short period
• Newly moved
• Buying a vehicle

If you’re renting a car in the U.S., you can easily get insurance coverage from the rental car company, even with a Canadian license. The rental car coverage will meet all U.S. liability car insurance requirements. 

Another situation where you could get U.S. car insurance with a Canadian license is if you’re visiting for a short period and your Canadian insurance won’t cover you. When driving a Canadian car in the USA, most states and companies allow you to purchase a short-term policy for your car with your Canadian license. 

If you’re a Canadian buying a vehicle in the U.S., you’ll need to buy a U.S. insurance policy. However, the process of doing this can sometimes be tricky. If you are a Canadian buying a car in the USA, do your research on buying a car and insurance in a foreign country before purchasing a vehicle in the country. 

Finally, if you recently moved to the United States, there is usually a grace period to update your license, meaning some insurers will accept your Canadian license when you buy U.S. insurance. However, you’ll need to send them your updated U.S. license once everything is updated.

Read more: Compare Canadian vs. US Car Insurance: Rates, Discounts, & Requirements

When You Can’t Get U.S. Car Insurance With a Canadian License 

If you stay longer than six months or move permanently to the U.S., you may need a U.S. license to purchase U.S. insurance. As we stated earlier, some insurers allow a grace period to switch your license over, but if you’re staying for a while or moving permanently, you may need a different license.

Some insurers may accept your Canadian license if you aren’t permanently moving or require an International Driving Permit (IDP). You can apply for an IDP online at the Canadian Automobile Association. Requirements vary by insurer and state, so check with your local DMV in your new state.

In some cases, you may not even need to worry about getting car insurance with a Canadian license.

When do I not need to purchase U.S. car insurance?

Most Canadian insurers will cover your car insurance claims if you’re vacationing in the United States. Give your insurer a quick call to double-check, but you’ll be fine in most instances.

What coverages do you need on your U.S. auto policy?

If you’re looking to buy a U.S. insurance policy, it’s important to make sure you’re fully covered. Most states require drivers to carry, at minimum, property damage and bodily injury liability auto insurance coverage. These coverages protect you if you cause an accident that damages another’s property or injures another person.

Not having liability coverage is illegal in most states and results in heavy fines.

While not required in most states, you should consider comprehensive and collision car insurance coverage. Collision will pay for your damages after a collision with another car or object, regardless of fault, while comprehensive car insurance covers various damages from natural disasters, vandalism, animals, and more.

Case Studies: Obtaining U.S. Car Insurance with a Canadian License

Case Study 1: Maple Insurance

Sarah, a Canadian citizen, moved to the United States for a job opportunity. She brought her Canadian driver’s license and was uncertain if she could get car insurance without obtaining a U.S. license. After reaching out to several insurance providers, Sarah discovered that Maple Insurance was willing to offer her coverage with her valid Canadian license.

The company required her to provide additional documentation, such as proof of her U.S. residency and a copy of her driving record from the Canadian licensing authority.

Case Study 2: Northern Shield Insurance

Michael, a Canadian student studying in the United States, wanted to purchase a car and obtain insurance. He contacted various insurance companies, including Northern Shield Insurance, to inquire about coverage with his Canadian license.

Northern Shield Insurance informed Michael that they did accept Canadian licenses for car insurance and explained the specific requirements he needed to meet. They requested a copy of his Canadian driving record, proof of his student visa, and proof of his U.S. address. (For more information, read our “Compare Car Insurance for International Visa Holders in the US: Rates, Discounts, & Requirements”).

Case Study 3: TrueNorth Insurance

Robert, a Canadian citizen who frequently traveled to the United States for business purposes, wanted to buy a car for his visits. He reached out to TrueNorth Insurance, an insurance company known for catering to cross-border drivers. TrueNorth Insurance confirmed that they accepted Canadian licenses and offered coverage for Robert’s car.

They requested documents such as proof of his Canadian citizenship, proof of his U.S. address, and his Canadian driving record.

Case Study 4: Keystone Auto Insurance

Julia, a Canadian citizen planning to relocate permanently to the United States, was unsure about car insurance requirements. She contacted Keystone Auto Insurance and inquired about their policy on Canadian licenses.

Keystone Auto Insurance informed Julia that they accepted Canadian licenses but would require her to obtain a U.S. license within a specified period after securing the policy. They requested proof of her intent to establish U.S. residency and asked her to provide her Canadian driving record.

Case Study 5: Pacific Coast Insurance

David, a Canadian citizen with an employment offer in the United States, wanted to ensure he could get car insurance upon his arrival. He contacted Pacific Coast Insurance to inquire about coverage with his Canadian license.

Pacific Coast Insurance confirmed they accepted Canadian licenses and provided him with a detailed list of documents required, including proof of his U.S. work visa, proof of his U.S. address, and a copy of his Canadian driving record.

The Final Word on U.S. Car Insurance With a Canadian License 

You generally won’t need to get U.S. car insurance for short trips. However, if you’re staying longer and need a U.S. car insurance policy, you can usually buy a temporary policy from a U.S. auto insurance company. 

If you want to jump right into finding a U.S. insurance policy, a free quote comparison tool can help you find the best insurance rates. Feel free to use ours below, just enter your ZIP code to begin.