Private Plates

[sybaseian]

Just a quick query about where you stand if you have bought a private plate and your car is stolen.

Do you still have the right to keep the number and put it on another vehicle, does ownership go back to the DVLA or the insurance company get it by default?

If you lose all your rights to it, would you be able to claim the costs back under your insurance?

No, my car hasn't been stolen but it does have a private plate and I'd like to be able to keep it if my car was stolen.

I wonder if the owner of K1NGS has thought about it after paying over £250,000 for the plate.

[Alistair H.]

unfortunately I once suffered this. - You lose it for a year. - basically the plate goes on hold, and you can put it back on after a year. - no cost, but it is a pain.

[cammy]

Bought my private plate last year, and was offered insurance through a brokers specifically for the plate. It cost £80 for the year and covers such events as car stolen, crashed.

[JSG]

No problem, you keep the plate, but you must advise your insurance co that want to keep it as soon as you notify of the theft / or write off etc.

[JSG]

quote:
Bought my private plate last year, and was offered insurance through a brokers specifically for the plate. It cost £80 for the year and covers such events as car stolen, crashed.

The DVLA say you don't need this which is why they don't offer it

[ianwayne]

I have transferred a private plate on and off 5 cars. Only once have the DVLA asked to inspect the vehicle to check it authenticity, when it originally came off my Morris Minor.
As long as you have the V5, tax disc (or tax expired less than 6 months ago) and MoT, a DVL office will usually process and issue a new number on the spot - well in about half an hour
Notwithstanding, the full regulations are on form V317 and if the vehicle is recorded as stolen at Swansea, you DO have to wait a year! Numbers are applied to VEHICLES, not people so if the car is still legally yours, you will get the plate back.

[Phil Dicky]

If your car is stolen and not recovered then you have to wait 12 months before you can apply to have the plate re-issued. Or if the car is recovcered as a write off you have to remove it in the usual way. Note do this before the car becomes the property of the scrap yard.
As regards the insurance I think you've been had, because technically the plate can't be stolen, unless you loose the retention document

[sybaseian]

Thanks guys - put my mind at rest......

[simpo one]

Soounds like the insurance company is pulling a fast one. Did you pay the £80? I reckon you could get it back by protest/Insurance Ombudsman.

[cammy]

I did in fact pay the £80, perhaps in hindsight naively. However, it was the first private plate purchase I had made, and after paying several £k for a plate which was unique for me, £80 wasn't such a big deal, although ultimately it would appear money down the drain. If renewal comes in, I will question thoroughly!!