Navigating International Roads: A Guide to Auto Insurance Coverage Abroad

Ensuring you have the right insurance policy is integral to vehicle maintenance while deployed, especially if you plan on bringing your vehicle overseas with you. International auto insurance coverage while abroad works similarly to your domestic policy by protecting your car from third-party damages. 

However, your current insurance doesn’t cover international travel. So you’ll need to buy international auto insurance while deployed overseas to meet the legal requirements of the country you’re visiting. 

Keep reading to learn how car insurance works internationally, the types of policies available, and where to buy the best international car insurance for veterans.

Types of International Auto Insurance Coverage

As a veteran, companies may offer you international auto insurance for military families, which caters to the unique circumstances of relocation and deployment. 

For example, Geico sells overseas car insurance policies designed for military personnel and government employees. It also offers special emergency deployment auto insurance discounts to veterans and military personnel who choose to store their vehicles instead of bringing them abroad.

However, most auto insurance companies don’t explicitly offer international car insurance options to U.S. drivers traveling or moving internationally. The good news is that some companies still sell different types of international vehicle insurance to cover you in certain situations. 

These are the most common types of auto insurance for international travel:

• Third-party liability coverage: Bodily injury liability pays for injuries, and property damage liability insurance covers any property damage you cause in an accident.
• Collision and comprehensive coverage: Collision coverage pays to repair or replace your vehicle after an auto accident, while comprehensive coverage pays for damages caused by anything other than a collision, including theft, fire, and weather damage.
• Personal accident insurance (PAI) coverage: If available, PAI covers you and your passengers’ medical bills, ambulance fees, and other hospital costs if you get injured in an auto accident, but limitations vary by company and country.
• Rental car insurance coverage: If you’re only abroad for a short time, renting a car is more affordable, and you can buy temporary international auto insurance coverage from the rental counter.
• Umbrella insurance: You can get umbrella insurance to fill in gaps in other policies by providing additional coverage for bodily injury and property damage for you or others.
• Uninsured motorist (UM) coverage: UM pays for damages caused by another driver who doesn’t have insurance or enough coverage.

Some companies provide more extensive global car insurance options, including accidental death benefits and roadside assistance. So, you need to compare auto insurance companies before you buy. Getting quotes from multiple insurers allows you to see the different policy options available in your budget. 

Benefits of Having International Auto Insurance Coverage

International car insurance coverage can provide peace of mind and save you money if you get into an accident while driving overseas. 

Buying international auto insurance will also ensure you comply with the local laws and regulations in the country you’re visiting. For example, nearly every country has minimum liability requirements for drivers, and having international third-party liability coverage guarantees you meet the limits to drive legally.

If you choose to carry collision and comprehensive international coverage, it will protect your vehicle in most situations, including fire, theft or vandalism, and animal or weather damage.

What are the limitations of international auto insurance coverage?

The limitations on international car insurance coverage depend on the country. Each nation’s laws have different policy limits on how much coverage you can have and when it will apply, and insurance companies can only offer as much as a country will allow.

With that in mind, auto insurance companies will offer different types of international policies and plans. So while USAA and Geico are known for providing competitive overseas auto insurance coverage to military families, you may still find better rates and options when you compare local insurers. Learn about USAA vs. Geico for military auto insurance here. 

How to Buy International Auto Insurance Coverage

If you need auto insurance for overseas travel, compare quotes online to find the best rates. Then, contact your current company to see what kind of policy it can offer once you know how much international auto insurance coverage costs in your area.

Be aware that not every company sells international auto insurance in every country. Depending on where you’re going, you may be limited in which insurers you can use. 

If your insurer doesn’t offer international insurance, shop around and compare companies closely to find one that offers the coverage you need at a price that fits your budget.

Affordable Alternatives to International Auto Insurance

There are ways to save money on international travel car insurance if you don’t intend to bring your car.

The best and cheapest alternatives to international auto insurance when you’re deployed or traveling abroad are: 

• Storing or garaging your vehicle. Most companies offer garaging car insurance discounts to veterans, so compare military discounts on auto insurance from different companies to see where you can save the most money.
• Selling your vehicle. You can save money on shipping and international taxes if you sell your car while deployed overseas.
• Renting a car. When you rent a car abroad, you can buy temporary international auto insurance from the counter that automatically meets the legal requirements.

Consider these options to avoid the stress of shipping a personal vehicle to another country when you’re deployed or relocated overseas.

The Bottom Line on International Auto Insurance Coverage for Military Families

Before buying auto insurance abroad, consider what kind of policy you need. You’ll likely be required to have some form of third-party liability coverage, but having collision, comprehensive, personal accident, and umbrella insurance offer more protection.

However, international auto insurance quotes can get expensive depending on your driving record and where you’re relocating. It may be cheaper to garage or sell your car while deployed, especially if you’re in a country where having a personal vehicle is cost-prohibitive.

If you only need temporary international car insurance, rent a car abroad and buy coverage from the rental counter. These policies last for the entire rental period and automatically meet the local insurance requirements.

Get free quotes with our comparison tool below for personal international auto insurance policies. We’ll get rates from local insurers to find the best car insurance for international drivers near you.