For all kinds of businesses that have dealings out of the U.S., international auto insurance is a must. You wouldn't go anywhere in the U.S. without car insurance, so why would you expect staffers to do anything else when traveling abroad? Fortunately, the power of the web brings you options for getting the coverage you need to do business beyond borders.

Different businesses take advantage of international vehicle insurance in ways tailored to their needs. In addition to short-term or long-term travel policies, business leaders can choose from a number of options for outfitting staff with auto and auto-related insurance. Consider each of these buys according to your overseas operations for using international auto insurance:

1. Single vehicle international car insurance for executive travel or sales visits.

2. Fleet international auto insurance for managing a group of vehicles deployed outside of the U.S.

3. Additional worldwide car insurance policy options including provisions for unforeseen situations involving acts of war, personal liability or kidnapping.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Get single vehicle international auto insurance

If you're simply planning an executive visit abroad, where an 'emissary' is going to fly out to a foreign land to spread the message about the company, you can find easy online policy offers from reliable companies that routinely outfit clients with international auto coverage.

I recommend: The website at Clements International offers "hassle-free" international online auto insurance arrangements for international policies covering liability and collision; this can be a good resource for short term trips abroad. Use the AutoInsure site for more fast and free international automobile insurance rates as well as domestic quotes.

Find international auto insurance for a commercial fleet

Businesses that operate a facility or service area outside of their own country need specialized international fleet insurance to cover all of their cars and trucks on whatever roads they happen to be on, even if they are off the beaten path.

I recommend: Kjaer and Kjaer's World Auto options help companies reach across the globe, providing fleet and commercial international automotive insurance. West CU Insurance Services offers both fleet insurance and international options for getting the coverage a business needs while abroad.

Find extra international auto insurance coverage for countries with less stable public protection

In more than a few countries, it's become standard for travelers to purchase additional auto-related policies for certain kinds of scenarios. Kidnap, ransom and extortion insurance is a big seller: policies like these offer a range of protective clauses against situations travelers hope to never find themselves in. Buy policies like these in anticipation of lawless activity abroad.

I recommend: Find out about these supplementary international insurance options at Ingle International. You can view more of this type of worldwide auto insurance policy at All Aboard Benefits.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  When purchasing, always look to your own existing company first for international automobile insurance rates; many times, a domestic company that already insures your vehicles will be able to help you out with discounted international or other coverage.

In a global market, it’s not uncommon for business people to travel and work abroad. International stays for business can range from a few days to a few years (or more) depending on your project, task and position in a company. Longer stints sometimes require setting up extensive living arrangements, and along with that, purchasing new insurance. Even shorter visits may require new or additional insurance. When your current insurance company won’t cover you while abroad, doesn't offer worldwide car insurance or will only offer you limited insurance, it’s important to obtain proper insurance coverage, such as international auto insurance.

Whether you’re renting an auto, purchasing a vehicle or shipping your own car to your destination country, you’ll need sufficient car insurance coverage based on local driving laws and insurance regulations.

What you need to know:

1) You can easily purchase quality international auto insurance even though coverage requirements and laws are different for each country.

2) You can buy additional auto insurance within your destination country. Although international auto insurance will typically provide you with enough coverage abroad, some countries, such as Mexico, require you to purchase specific insurance within the country itself.

3) Obtain extra coverage when renting. Rental car companies require you to buy insurance through their agencies, but that coverage may not be sufficient or cover what you’d expect it to (comparable to your current auto insurance).

4) Get additional international auto insurance as a vehicle passenger. A cab ride in some countries can cost you much more than just the cab fare plus tip. Many countries, such as Korea, do not require cab or limousine companies (or anyone else) to cover you as a passenger in the event of an accident. If you’re injured, drivers don’t have to pay for your medical costs, so you need additional auto insurance as a passenger.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Check with your current insuror for international auto insurance coverage

Ask your agent if you can add international auto insurance coverage to your current policy and find out about the additional cost.

I recommend: Some well known larger national auto insurance companies like Geico offer additional international car insurance coverage, and you can get coverage for the duration of your trip overseas. Compare international automobile insurance rates and coverage however. Although you may be happy with your current car insurance coverage and like the international auto insurance coverage they offer, know that you may find cheaper rates and/or better coverage with a competitor or those insurance companies specializing in international auto insurance, such as Clements International, Mexpro or The Insurance Exchange Online international auto insurance companies.

Learn about driving laws and international vehicle insurance

Realize that your driving might be restricted as a non-citizen, and some countries don't allow women to drive or limit their driving privileges, which also affects what type of international vehicle insurance coverage you can get. Several countries, such as some in the Middle East, have extreme penalties for intoxicated drivers since local religions forbid alcohol (and other substance) use. Germany also has strict 'driving while under the influence' laws. Ask your insurance agent about international auto insurance and restricted driving. Find out whether or not they are familiar with the country's driving laws and how they pertain to international vehicle insurance requirements. If your agent doesn't know this information, make sure they know and work with an underwriter who is familiar with your destination country, its driving laws and its international car insurance regulations and rules.

I recommend: Familiarize yourself with the laws, religions and customs of your destination country. Check with tourism networks and government websites, such as the U.S. Department of State site to find out about road safety overseas and other information. Also, check with U.S. embassies abroad (see websites, such as Embassy of the United States: Japan).

Understand limitations of international car insurance coverage

Each country not only has its own laws and regulations pertaining to driving but also related to insurance coverage. For instance, in France, you must display your 'proof of insurance' card or I.D. at all times. Many international car insurance policies don't cover car accidents due to acts of war. It's a good idea to buy other types of insurance to go with your international auto insurance while abroad, such as kidnap, ransom and extortion insurance, which also covers individuals who are victims of hijackings. You'll find that some International online auto insurance companies specializing in car insurance abroad also provide this type of insurance.

I recommend: Be sure and ask about worldwide car insurance coverage for family members who may travel with you (e.g. teens) as well. International online auto insurance is also available for this type of coverage. Check on your international automotive insurance coverage with your insurance company or other companies like AIG or New York International Group for additional types of coverage to compliment your international auto insurance (e.g. war zone and terrorism coverage or kidnapping insurance).

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Make sure your driver's license is valid and recognized in your destination country and/or find out about getting an international driver's license. Keep in mind that you may have to pass a driving test in a given country to obtain a driver's license, especially if you'll be living their long-term.
• •  Know that typically your worldwide auto insurance, driver's license and passport are all connected. Keep these items secure. Update them regularly, have the documentation handy at all times and maintain extra records both at your home base overseas and in the U.S.

For any business wanting to go beyond the borders of the U.S., international auto insurance is critical. International vehicle insurance can provide for an executive ride, or a commercial fleet in everyday operation. There are many reasons why a business would seek out international vehicle insurance, and for most of these, a few simple steps can help busy managers plan over the web.

Making the most of international auto insurance requires knowing a little about your destination and planning a trip or operation efficiently. That's where helpful web resources can minimize the time and hassle of finding out about what's needed for your business. Business leaders look for international car insurance:

1. For an executive trip to an exotic destination or for adventurous sales calls, where worldwide car insurance is part of the equation for getting there in style.

2. For commercially operating vehicle for overseas franchises or "side operations" where comparisons on international automobile insurance rates help manage a bottom line.

3. For long-term expatriation of a staff member, facility or other part of a business.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Use insurer and association sites to find out about international auto insurance for fleets

One resource for getting the best solution for international auto insurance is the informative pages of insurers who know how to operate a business activity overseas, with specific insurance resources and coverage options.

I recommend: The "International Fleet" info at insurer Lockton will help you see some of the standards for operating business vehicles abroad. For a solution from a private association, check out the International Fleet Managers Benchmarking Association and find out about your insurance needs by networking with other managers in similar scenarios.

Contact consulates and embassies for information on worldwide auto insurance

Often, the consulates and embassies of the countries you will be visiting have some of the best information that will help you to make educated international car insurance coverage purchases. Take advantage of the well maintained setup between the world's nations to get up to date information about your destination country or countries.

I recommend: The U.S. State Department also lists consulates and embassies at the Embassies and Consulates page for contact and assists travels with registration at the Travel Registration page.

Use quick online forms to do price comparisons for international auto insurance coverage

Another great option that may make your web planning easier is pre-formatted insurance quote forms available from companies that offer the kinds of worldwide auto insurance policies you need. Simply fill in pertinent information and take a quick look at what comes back for international online auto insurance options you can utilize for any business trip.

I recommend: U.S. Insurance Online offers fast rate quotes and more over the web. Use the Quick Form to do cost comparisons. Big insurance seller Clements also offers an Instant Quote system for expats or travelers.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  In some countries, it's become the norm for travelers to purchase extra international car insurance 'risk protection' for coverage of incidents that happen due to lax law enforcement. Ask the embassy or consulate of your destination country about what policies may be most helpful.

When traveling or operating offices overseas it's important to know the details of international auto insurance and the terms that impact your employees during an accident. Because the coverage can vary, depending on the country, this industry can become very complicated. If you can focus on few key terms, this will allow you to establish a solid knowledge base on which to build a working lexicon of the industry. These terms will also help you choose the best coverage for your company’s given situation.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Standard war exclusion

Most international auto insurance policies carry a standard war exclusion provision. When traveling in politically unstable countries, this exclusion becomes extremely important. Essentially, it allows the insurance to withhold payment on a policy in the case of war or terrorism.

I recommend: For more information on the standard war exclusion, visit the International Risk Management Institute.

Worldwide travel assistance

Worldwide travel assistance is when a person has an accident or illness and this rider covers your employee. Before you choose an international auto insurance policy, be sure to verify that the company provides this coverage along with their typical vehicle policy. Some insurance companies provide this service free of charge.

I recommend: Review the coverage information from Clements International for further details on worldwide travel assistance.

Single vehicle international car insurance

This type of international auto insurance coverage a single car that's in use in a country outside the United States. This type of policy is usually best for the executive who travels overseas on an intermittent basis.

I recommend: Examine the single vehicle international car insurance policy resources from Lockton.

International driving permits

When driving overseas, a person must obtain an international driving permit that allows them to operate a vehicle in the country in question. Even if you're not planning to drive, an international driving permit can function as an effective form of international identification. The international driving permits are valid in 150 countries and contain translations into 10 different languages.

I recommend: Study the international driving permit primer available at the American Automobile Association.

Commercial umbrella insurance

Commercial umbrella insurance covers your company beyond the normal policy in all cases. This coverage is valuable when traveling overseas where exigent circumstances can arise.

I recommend: Evaluate the umbrella insurance policy review available from Nationwide.

International car rental insurance

International car rental insurance provides policies to all employees of your company when they rent a car in a country outside the United States.

I recommend: Assess the article from Love to Know, for more information on international car rental insurance.