In a country as large as the United States, and even if you are in a particularly well-served area, the car is an imponderable. But once there and your vehicle has been purchased, driving without insurance is out of the question. How does car insurance work in the United States? Prices, permits, gray card, products, history… We cover everything here.
Car insurance: which license to present to your future insurer?
First of all, we need to clarify one thing: you cannot drive in the United States with your French license. Do not make the mistake of driving with it, because the US police will then consider you without a license! Do not make the mistake of presenting a French license to an insurance company either: it will refuse you any contract. You need :
• Or an international license (to be collected in France before leaving from your prefecture, sub-prefecture or town hall), but valid on US territory only for a period of 3 months. Therefore, this permit will be especially useful for renting a car. Indeed, many insurers are quite reluctant with drivers with this license.
• Either a Florida license that you can however obtain at the DMV (Department of Motor Vehicles) center in your county. By doing it this way, and doing it as soon as possible upon your arrival, you will be able to take out car insurance for your brand new car.