Insurance - Car in UK while living abroard

[colacube]

I have recently started working abroard and likely to become a non-UK resident (non-EU country).

I want to keep the VX in the UK insured, taxed and MOT'd for when I am back, however a quick look through various policies reveals that you must be a UK resident to qualify.

Has anyone else had this problem, and can recommend issurers who can do this.

Thanks

John

[sv]

Surely you'll still be a UK resident? You might just not be a UK tax resident, or domiciled for income tax in the UK.

I can't believe you physically have to be in the UK for the car to be insured....

I was in Kazakhstan for eighteen months, followed (after a year back in the UK) by a period of eighteen months in West Africa, and had cars insured in the UK through I can't remember which insurer (sorry) throughout this time.

Edited by sv on Thursday 3rd December 12:03

[ZOLLAR]

Its not just to do with being a uk resident its also care of the car, if your away for 3 months or more generally your insurer wont want to cover you because no one is around to care for the car, however its simple to rectify ring your insurer explain situation and ask if its ok if you could make a family member the policy holder(who will have to be responsible to make sure car is kept in safe location and tax mot etc) with you named as second driver generally they will say yes but does depend on insurer.
you could also look for a laid up policy many specialist or brokers provide this to cater for the armed services who are abroad alot.

[RacingTeatray]

I had exactly this problem when I was living in Russia for three years and kept a couple of cars at my home in London. Apparently "UK resident" is taken to mean "UK tax resident" and the fact that I was British, had a British passport and driving licence, owned a home in the UK and owned several UK-registered cars was absolutely immaterial (proving of course what a huge con the whole insurance business is).

It seems to differ depending on the car. For modern cars, getting insurance from a normal insurer was hellish but I did manage to get (expensive cover) through a broker called Towergate.

However, for the E500 and Z1, which both qualify for classic insurance, Hagerty weren't remotely fussed that I wasn't UK resident and it made no difference to my premiums.

[colacube]

Yep, non-resident for tax reasons doen mean non-resident full stop. It can cause issues with banking, car insurance, personal insurance etc.

The car is kept is a secure garage at my parents, and my brother takes it out every couple of weeks. Now that I am away he uses it almost as much as me so was thinking about putting the insurance in his name, and having me as the named driver.

[RacingTeatray]

Do named drivers have to be UK residents?

[ZOLLAR]

RacingTeatray said:

Do named drivers have to be UK residents?

no cos they arnt responsible for the car policy holder is.

Edited by ZOLLAR on Friday 4th December 11:39

[ZOLLAR]

colacube said:

Yep, non-resident for tax reasons doen mean non-resident full stop. It can cause issues with banking, car insurance, personal insurance etc.

The car is kept is a secure garage at my parents, and my brother takes it out every couple of weeks. Now that I am away he uses it almost as much as me so was thinking about putting the insurance in his name, and having me as the named driver.

yep thats the way to do it mate! thats perfectly legal!

[colacube]

RacingTeatray said:

Do named drivers have to be UK residents?

Am part way through my call round am am gettign a universal 'no' as to being able to insure the car in my name if I am permanent abroard. Even as a named driver with my brother as the owner and insurer may be an issue.

Only called the ususal crowd in the back of EVO so far. Going to try more specalist later.

[ZOLLAR]

colacube said:

RacingTeatray said:

Do named drivers have to be UK residents?

Am part way through my call round am am gettign a universal 'no' as to being able to insure the car in my name if I am permanent abroard. Even as a named driver with my brother as the owner and insurer may be an issue.

Only called the ususal crowd in the back of EVO so far. Going to try more specalist later.

you spoken to admiral group advise your brother will be ph and yourself named and that he drives car and maintains its, as he's family there is an insurable interest thats what they are looking for.

[RacingTeatray]

As I say, one of the brokers managed to get me covered on a modern car but it took a lot of digging around. Think it was actually a Groupama policy.

Shame a VX doesn't qualify for classic insurance because, as I say, I had no problem with that at all.!

[colacube]

OK, after five hours on skype, this is what I have. I have listed them all out in case onyone else is in the same situation and may find them useful. I asked about insuring me as main driver, or the brother and me as named. Both with me as non-resident:

Churchill: no on both counts.
Adrian Flux: no on both counts.
Ashley: no on both counts.
Zurich connect: no on both counts.
Admiral: no on both counts.
Chris knott: no on both counts.
Aon: no on both counts.
Footman james: can do me as main driver, but twice last years premium.
Sky insurance: no on both counts.
Allen & Allen: can do but four times last years premium.
Swinton: no on both counts.
Liverpool victoiria: no on both counts.
Competition car insurance: can do the brother as main driver, but still four times my previous premium. Guy was the most helpful however and managed to convince me how good their track day insurance was. Will look into later.
Herts Insurance Consultants: no on both counts.
A Plan: Can do and actually came in cheaper than last years premium. Not a bad last call of the day! Will look through their policies in detail, however they had no problems about the modifications and planned mods.

So all in all, a lot of no's but a good result in the end.

[S3_Graham]

colacube said:

OK, after five hours on skype, this is what I have. I have listed them all out in case onyone else is in the same situation and may find them useful. I asked about insuring me as main driver, or the brother and me as named. Both with me as non-resident:

Churchill: no on both counts.
Adrian Flux: no on both counts.
Ashley: no on both counts.
Zurich connect: no on both counts.
Admiral: no on both counts.
Chris knott: no on both counts.
Aon: no on both counts.
Footman james: can do me as main driver, but twice last years premium.
Sky insurance: no on both counts.
Allen & Allen: can do but four times last years premium.
Swinton: no on both counts.
Liverpool victoiria: no on both counts.
Competition car insurance: can do the brother as main driver, but still four times my previous premium. Guy was the most helpful however and managed to convince me how good their track day insurance was. Will look into later.
Herts Insurance Consultants: no on both counts.
A Plan: Can do and actually came in cheaper than last years premium. Not a bad last call of the day! Will look through their policies in detail, however they had no problems about the modifications and planned mods.

So all in all, a lot of no's but a good result in the end.

my o/h works for a-plan. good company to deal with. utter crap how they treat staff though!

[colacube]

Well, I cant fault the service. The guy had to refer a few bits back to the underwriter, but I had several non standard issues (no resident, modifications and an additional driver) so that was expected.

So so far, can highly recommend them.

S3_Graham said:

colacube said:

OK, after five hours on skype, this is what I have. I have listed them all out in case onyone else is in the same situation and may find them useful. I asked about insuring me as main driver, or the brother and me as named. Both with me as non-resident:

Churchill: no on both counts.
Adrian Flux: no on both counts.
Ashley: no on both counts.
Zurich connect: no on both counts.
Admiral: no on both counts.
Chris knott: no on both counts.
Aon: no on both counts.
Footman james: can do me as main driver, but twice last years premium.
Sky insurance: no on both counts.
Allen & Allen: can do but four times last years premium.
Swinton: no on both counts.
Liverpool victoiria: no on both counts.
Competition car insurance: can do the brother as main driver, but still four times my previous premium. Guy was the most helpful however and managed to convince me how good their track day insurance was. Will look into later.
Herts Insurance Consultants: no on both counts.
A Plan: Can do and actually came in cheaper than last years premium. Not a bad last call of the day! Will look through their policies in detail, however they had no problems about the modifications and planned mods.

So all in all, a lot of no's but a good result in the end.

my o/h works for a-plan. good company to deal with. utter crap how they treat staff though!

[Matt From Flux]

colacube said:

I have recently started working abroard and likely to become a non-UK resident (non-EU country).

I want to keep the VX in the UK insured, taxed and MOT'd for when I am back, however a quick look through various policies reveals that you must be a UK resident to qualify.

Has anyone else had this problem, and can recommend issurers who can do this.

Thanks

John

We will be able to provide a laid up policy providing the car is in a garage.

I can see from a later post that it's at your parents house so that would be fine.

If you want me to get someone to call you and go through a quote, just let me know.

[colacube]

I am not after a laid up policy, however it is useful to know that its an option should the need arise.

I called adrian Flux and was told there was nothing they could do for me, due to my residance status for a standard insurance.

Will call again at next renewal time in a year.

Thanks

John

Matt From Flux said:

colacube said:

I have recently started working abroard and likely to become a non-UK resident (non-EU country).

I want to keep the VX in the UK insured, taxed and MOT'd for when I am back, however a quick look through various policies reveals that you must be a UK resident to qualify.

Has anyone else had this problem, and can recommend issurers who can do this.

Thanks

John

We will be able to provide a laid up policy providing the car is in a garage.

I can see from a later post that it's at your parents house so that would be fine.

If you want me to get someone to call you and go through a quote, just let me know.

[Davel]

Would it be cheaper to tax it and insure it where you live and drive it over here on foreign plates and tax?

If you're flying back and to, you can still park it up over here when not in use.

I lived on the I.O.M and kept my car here for my use. It was based on the I.O.M. but used here most weeks and taxed and insured as a Manx car.

I flew in and out as required but the car was registered to my home on the I.O.M and the DVLA were quite happy with this when I rang them at the time.

[Holst]

colacube said:

OK, after five hours on skype, this is what I have. I have listed them all out in case onyone else is in the same situation and may find them useful. I asked about insuring me as main driver, or the brother and me as named. Both with me as non-resident:

Churchill: no on both counts.
Adrian Flux: no on both counts.
Ashley: no on both counts.
Zurich connect: no on both counts.
Admiral: no on both counts.
Chris knott: no on both counts.
Aon: no on both counts.
Footman james: can do me as main driver, but twice last years premium.
Sky insurance: no on both counts.
Allen & Allen: can do but four times last years premium.
Swinton: no on both counts.
Liverpool victoiria: no on both counts.
Competition car insurance: can do the brother as main driver, but still four times my previous premium. Guy was the most helpful however and managed to convince me how good their track day insurance was. Will look into later.
Herts Insurance Consultants: no on both counts.
A Plan: Can do and actually came in cheaper than last years premium. Not a bad last call of the day! Will look through their policies in detail, however they had no problems about the modifications and planned mods.

So all in all, a lot of no's but a good result in the end.

Thankyou for posting this. You have just saved me lots of pointless phone calls.

[colacube]

Holst said:

colacube said:

OK, after five hours on skype, this is what I have. I have listed them all out in case onyone else is in the same situation and may find them useful. I asked about insuring me as main driver, or the brother and me as named. Both with me as non-resident:

Churchill: no on both counts.
Adrian Flux: no on both counts.
Ashley: no on both counts.
Zurich connect: no on both counts.
Admiral: no on both counts.
Chris knott: no on both counts.
Aon: no on both counts.
Footman james: can do me as main driver, but twice last years premium.
Sky insurance: no on both counts.
Allen & Allen: can do but four times last years premium.
Swinton: no on both counts.
Liverpool victoiria: no on both counts.
Competition car insurance: can do the brother as main driver, but still four times my previous premium. Guy was the most helpful however and managed to convince me how good their track day insurance was. Will look into later.
Herts Insurance Consultants: no on both counts.
A Plan: Can do and actually came in cheaper than last years premium. Not a bad last call of the day! Will look through their policies in detail, however they had no problems about the modifications and planned mods.

So all in all, a lot of no's but a good result in the end.

Thankyou for posting this. You have just saved me lots of pointless phone calls.

My pleasure. I did a lot of searching and couldnt find anything definate. I am sure I am not the only one in this situation.

[colacube]

Ok, the annual ring round has started again, and with my current insurer (A Plan) changing its policy with regards to non residents, does anyone in the same situation have any other recommendations of who may be able to cover me? Currently struggling somewhat.

Any help greatly appreciated.

John