AboutJeremy Beck Expertise I can answer any question as it relates to the purchase or lease of a new or pre-owned vehicle. I can give you advice in purchasing from a franchised dealer or private party. Buying a vehicle can be a very difficult and frustrating experience, but it doesn't have to. Know before you Go! Let me help you with any of your questions.
Experience I have been in the automotive business for 10 years. I have held every position from salesperson, Finance Manager, New Sales Manager, Used Car Sales Manager, Finance Director, and Director of Sales and Finance. I graduated from the University of Texas with a major in Business Administration, and have held many sales jobs in the automotive sector. I am a member of the Association of Finance and Insurance Professionals (AFIP). I have also been trained by some of the best schools in the business including JM&A, Ethos, VT/AIG, Inc, and various others.
Question Hi Jeremy,
I am being relocated and in a couple of mouths I will be living in LA. Due to my activities, and also considering that I will stay in US for 12 to 18 months I was thinking in buying a car instead of rent, as a form of recovering some of the money that I would pay to the rental company. But, I am having a hard time to figure out simple facts like insurances, and also pretty impressed with its costs!
Said so, I would like your opinion in which option would be best? To rent or buy a car, for about 12k.
Also, should I consider a lease? Although I don’t know if is available for foreigners.
Besides Geico, are there any other companies that insure cars of foreigners citizens without the American DL?
Thank you!
Answer Andrian,
Thanks for your question. While I can't so much advise you as what to do, it would be easier to rent, because then you would have to get approved, which would be very difficult not having any US credit history. As far as insurance, you will need to make sure that you can insure a rental car. Most insurance companies like Geico, and Safeco, and Progressive will insure someone without a US drivers license, it will just be expensive.
