I am from the UK and thinking of doing a road trip across America, but...?

Question

Could I buy a car from say Miami, and get it insured?

How would I go about getting it insured if I am not an American national?

And if the above is not feasable, does anyone know how much a rental car would cost for around 5 weeks?

And does this have pitfalls too - I have heard the majority of car rental companies will charge you a fortune for nothing once you return the car? Is this true?

Thanks for your help.

Edit:

I do not want to do a car delivery.

I would like to know if - as a tourist - I could BUY a car in the United States and get it insured.

Answer 1

Wow, complex question. You can certainly buy the car but getting insurance is another matter. Renting a car can be pricey but this might be your best option. Several of the online rental sites (Hotwire etc.) give great rates. As for insurance, do you have a major credit card (Visa, Mastercard, American Express)? Most credit card companies offer automatic insurance for when you rent a car. I've had great results using Hotwire to get a rental from Enterprise who sometimes will surprise you with a free upgrade. I signed up to rent a mid-size car once and they upgraded me to an Infiniti FX-45 suv (list price $40K US).

If you're leaning more towards buying a car here and obtaining insurance, you might check with the American Cosulate/Embassy if there's one in your area.

Answer 2

I think it comes down to how far off one route you are willing to travel. I would also look at Man vs. Food Nation. The more populous areas tend to have more places he has been to, like California and New York. I have not done this sort of thing, may this is not the best forum, either. because of the exchange rate, it might be a good time to do this, though. I think a dollar is like 0.63 of a Pound right now? But Maybe New York to LA would be good -- use the link and then you can sort out the locations in word processor or spreadsheet. It's about 2400 miles between NY and LA Camper Travel rents motorhomes, for the size you want, like $4000 They get around 11 MPG, so if I'm doing the math right its, like $900 minimum for gas You should fill out their form and how much it will cost, as there will also be a charge for mileage. the driver(s) will probably need an international driver's license. I wouldn't count on being able to sell a used motorhome at the end of your trip. Hmmm -- I'm thinking that you might consider an East Coast trip -- lots of regional variation, maybe Portland, Maine to Orlando, Florida? that's only 1400 miles. The trip planner must not have everything, though, I'm pretty sure there are many more places in the Carolinas he and the other foodies have been to.

Answer 3

Can you even take out an insurance policy that lasts 5 weeks anyway? Probably not,you'd have to take a year if you could get insured,so it'd be cheaper renting a car anyway.
In my experience (i travel to the States alot),most companies charge around £130 per week to rent a car.

In most states,an international/foreign driver has to be over the age of 25 to rent a car in America,for insurance reasons.
And if you do drive over there,please make sure you read a manual! Each state has different road laws,and the roads,road signs and laws in America are alot different than in the UK.

Personally,i think you'd be better off renting a car,as the rental costs includes insurance too. It'll be a lot less hassle all round,and probably alot cheaper than buying a car and taking out a years insurance policy on it,if you can get insured.

Enjoy your driving trip! And all the best x

Answer 4

You can buy a car here and get insurance. My boyfriend does not have a social security and he bought a car and got it insured. Make sure you have an international driver license or get your license here in the US. You can drive with this document and a passport.

You can rent a car for as low as $80.00 a believe so you will spend a lot of $$ renting it for 5 weeks. Check the prices:
www.hertz.com
www.avis.com
the 2 biggest rental car companies.

One thing i heard is that you spend a lot of money if you return the rental car in a different state... so again check the website above for more info, or just buy the car... A so so car can cost around $2,000 dollars.

Answer 5

In America (and I'm not 100% sure, but I am VERY close to being definite...) it's you and not the car that's insured. This may actually change things in your favour if you buy a car over there.

Also, it being the US, they're a lot less picky in the paperwork. For Example, if you pass your driving test with an automatic, you're then qualified to drive a manual car. Now there's a scary thought.

I think it would be best to ask an independt insurance broker over here if they can arrange it. It'd be the most convenient anyway.

Answer 6

Rental companies have cars that have been driven elsewhere and need to be returned to the home location. If you let them know of your purpose, they may have a car that they will pay you (I believe) to drive it to the point of origin. If that point coincides with where you want to end up on your journey, they may not get all bent out of shape to let you take 5 wks in returning it. It's worth a try.

Then if you're really lucky, there will be another car that needs to be driven back to where you started from. All you have to do is ask.

If you buy a car in Miami you will have to sell it (and take a financial beating) before you leave or ship it back to the UK and drive it on the wrong side of the road.

Answer 7

Well if you rent a car make sure you get unlimited mileage and make sure they will allow you to return it in another state.
If you want to buy a car contact a few insurance companies before you get here and see what they tell you. either go to google and google insurance companies or check out a few below
www.allstate.com
www.geico.com
www.travlers.com

Answer 8

First tip. Let's not say Miami. You will waste a week in dreadful Florida.

I'm not sure how you would buy a car, and drive it in the USA if you don't have a driver's license issued by one of the 50 states. The registration is tied to the address on one's driver's license.

Answer 9

We bought & sold a car in America .Some states have tax some do not so register it in a cheap or free state(Las vegas)(South dakota)You need insurance on a car in england & your british drivers licence is o.k. for 3 months.

Answer 10

YOU CAN GO ON ONE WAY TRIPS ACROSS THE STATES BY HARLEY,OR SIGN UP FOR A CAR DELIVERY RUN.