Insurance on a US license?

Hi folks! 

Hoping someone can help me understand the insurance requirements as a USC driving in the UK.  I haven't yet applied for my provisional license but am planning to do so in the next few weeks.  And I'll take the advice of others before me and sign up for lessons.  But in the meantime, I'd like to be able to drive my husband's car when needed, and I'm not sure whether my husband can/should add me to his insurance while I only have a US license.

Thanks for the advice!

Your husband either has to have insurance that allows other drivers to drive the car or he needs to add you to the insurance.

Here in the UK it's one or the other. It's very unlike the US.

They insure the driver here or the car is the best way to look at it.

Yup, just have him call up and add you.  Make send the rate through the roof.  May not.  All depends on the company.

Thanks ladies!  He tried adding me via his insurance company's website yesterday, and it said he needed a special passcode to make changes via the web....and that they'll mail him a passcode in a week.  Le sigh.

Thanks ladies!  He tried adding me via his insurance company's website yesterday, and it said he needed a special passcode to make changes via the web....and that they'll mail him a passcode in a week.  Le sigh.

It might be better just to call them on the phone. Sometimes these websites can't deal with information which is out of the ordinary, like your driving on an American license, and you don't want to find that you are accidentally uninsured.

It might be better just to call them on the phone. Sometimes these websites can't deal with information which is out of the ordinary, like your driving on an American license, and you don't want to find that you are accidentally uninsured.

.....aaaaand his company won't add me.  Something about their underwriting policy won't allow drivers without a UK driving history.

Any suggestions on other companies we can try? I thought I've seen Aviva recommended on here before.

Thanks!!

.....aaaaand his company won't add me.  Something about their underwriting policy won't allow drivers without a UK driving history.

Any suggestions on other companies we can try? I thought I've seen Aviva recommended on here before.

Thanks!!

Yup, try Aviva, they are your best bet.

My wife added me on hers (Bank of Scotland). It was actually cheaper after adding me! (She was rather miffed, hehe)

Insurance in the UK is based on the driver/car combination. You cannot give permission to someone to drive your car and have it covered. Instead, the driver has to be added to the policy via the company.

NFU Mutual insured me while I was driving on my US license. I have kept with them since I have received my UK license. You just need to call the other companies to see if they will cover you.

It is not a discrimination against a US driver. It is just a discrimination against drivers who does not have a UK history.