Moving to Germany and taking the car - insurance query
Discussion
Hi all,
In August I will be moving to Germany. I will be taking my car so I can easily transport all my belongings there and so I can use it for travelling around (maybe to get to/from work every day, if I find a job which requires that).
However upon speaking to my insurance company (A-Plan) today, they inform me that the policy only allows 14 days overseas (whether that is in total per year or at a time I'm not sure, can't remember) and that the only way of doing this is to register the car in Germany (get German plates etc) and insure it there.
I really don't fancy doing that as my move there is not planned to be permanent (around 1 year maximum is the plan at the moment) and I really don't fancy all the paperwork, TUV test (their MOT) and associated fees.
So onto my question - does anyone have any advice on this situation? Perhaps a UK insurance company who will cover unlimited number of days abroad? That is pretty much the only solution I know of but don't know where to look for such a thing. I've read on a English-people-living-in-Germany forum that Norwich Union do this but that post was from 2004.
Of course the only downside of keeping the car UK registered is that I will still have to pay UK road tax to Brown/Darling *spit* but that seems like the easiest solution.
Your advice/tips/etc greatly appreciated...
Cheers,
Leo
In August I will be moving to Germany. I will be taking my car so I can easily transport all my belongings there and so I can use it for travelling around (maybe to get to/from work every day, if I find a job which requires that).
However upon speaking to my insurance company (A-Plan) today, they inform me that the policy only allows 14 days overseas (whether that is in total per year or at a time I'm not sure, can't remember) and that the only way of doing this is to register the car in Germany (get German plates etc) and insure it there.
I really don't fancy doing that as my move there is not planned to be permanent (around 1 year maximum is the plan at the moment) and I really don't fancy all the paperwork, TUV test (their MOT) and associated fees.
So onto my question - does anyone have any advice on this situation? Perhaps a UK insurance company who will cover unlimited number of days abroad? That is pretty much the only solution I know of but don't know where to look for such a thing. I've read on a English-people-living-in-Germany forum that Norwich Union do this but that post was from 2004.
Of course the only downside of keeping the car UK registered is that I will still have to pay UK road tax to Brown/Darling *spit* but that seems like the easiest solution.
Your advice/tips/etc greatly appreciated...
Cheers,
Leo
I used to get 90 days cover when I lived in France, that was with Norwich Union, or it might have been Zurich, can't remember when I switched.
In the South (of France) there used to be local insurance specialists that used to sort this out for expats/people who spend good chunks of the year down there. Did briefly look at it but could never be arsed.
In the South (of France) there used to be local insurance specialists that used to sort this out for expats/people who spend good chunks of the year down there. Did briefly look at it but could never be arsed.
LeoZwalf said:
So onto my question - does anyone have any advice on this situation? Perhaps a UK insurance company who will cover unlimited number of days abroad? That is pretty much the only solution I know of but don't know where to look for such a thing.
You could make some calls or get in touch with a brokerto do it for you.
Typically, UK insurers don't get much call for the situation
you describe and so aren't set up to deal with it.
You can also get in touch with insurers in other EU countries
who will cover you fully comp EU wide with a UK address.
Luxembourg springs to mind, and maybe some Swiss companies do.
LeoZwalf said:
Of course the only downside of keeping the car UK registered is that I will still have to pay UK road tax to Brown/Darling *spit* but that seems like the easiest solution.
You'll have to maintain a UK address and if the car needs it,bring in back for it's annual MOT.
lost in espace said:
IIRC you will be covered with minimum cover under your UK policy just don't have an accident!
Different companies have different ways of doing foreign travel.One I know will maintain the same cover as in the UK when you travel in mainland Europe for unlmited days cover. BUT only as long as you still live in the UK. I don't think that any UK insurer will maintain cover once you 'move' to Europe.
Don't try to pretend you haven't moved, because neglecting to tell you insurer a relevent fact, may invalidate the insurance.
I don't think you have a lot of choice. Use a UK insurer whilst you are looking around, but when you actually move, change to an insurer who will insure you for where you reside.
Thanks for all the suggestions guys
After doing some searching of the old Interweb, I found reference to a company called Stuart Collins & Co., based in Swansea.
I gave them a call, the guy was very helpful and took all my and the car's details. Called me back a few hours later with a quote - £390. No limitations on how long you can stay abroard, but the car MUST be UK legal so will need to come back once every year for its MOT.
Bear in mind that my UK policy was £350... so for an extra £40 I get full, long term European cover!
Job done
After doing some searching of the old Interweb, I found reference to a company called Stuart Collins & Co., based in Swansea.
I gave them a call, the guy was very helpful and took all my and the car's details. Called me back a few hours later with a quote - £390. No limitations on how long you can stay abroard, but the car MUST be UK legal so will need to come back once every year for its MOT.
Bear in mind that my UK policy was £350... so for an extra £40 I get full, long term European cover!
Job done
LeoZwalf said:
Thanks for all the suggestions guys
After doing some searching of the old Interweb, I found reference to a company called Stuart Collins & Co., based in Swansea.
I gave them a call, the guy was very helpful and took all my and the car's details. Called me back a few hours later with a quote - £390. No limitations on how long you can stay abroard, but the car MUST be UK legal so will need to come back once every year for its MOT.
Bear in mind that my UK policy was £350... so for an extra £40 I get full, long term European cover!
Job done
Have you got their details?? I'm doing a similar thing in Italy. I'm staying over here medium-term, but I'd rather not have to register my car on Italian plates. Buying one here's not an option either as MX5's seem to start at 4000 euros.After doing some searching of the old Interweb, I found reference to a company called Stuart Collins & Co., based in Swansea.
I gave them a call, the guy was very helpful and took all my and the car's details. Called me back a few hours later with a quote - £390. No limitations on how long you can stay abroard, but the car MUST be UK legal so will need to come back once every year for its MOT.
Bear in mind that my UK policy was £350... so for an extra £40 I get full, long term European cover!
Job done
crofty1984 said:
LeoZwalf said:
Thanks for all the suggestions guys
After doing some searching of the old Interweb, I found reference to a company called Stuart Collins & Co., based in Swansea.
I gave them a call, the guy was very helpful and took all my and the car's details. Called me back a few hours later with a quote - £390. No limitations on how long you can stay abroard, but the car MUST be UK legal so will need to come back once every year for its MOT.
Bear in mind that my UK policy was £350... so for an extra £40 I get full, long term European cover!
Job done
Have you got their details?? I'm doing a similar thing in Italy. I'm staying over here medium-term, but I'd rather not have to register my car on Italian plates. Buying one here's not an option either as MX5's seem to start at 4000 euros.After doing some searching of the old Interweb, I found reference to a company called Stuart Collins & Co., based in Swansea.
I gave them a call, the guy was very helpful and took all my and the car's details. Called me back a few hours later with a quote - £390. No limitations on how long you can stay abroard, but the car MUST be UK legal so will need to come back once every year for its MOT.
Bear in mind that my UK policy was £350... so for an extra £40 I get full, long term European cover!
Job done
http://www.stuartcollins.com/
Leo
Hello all! I'm new to this site. Just came across it while Googling for advice on fully comprehensive car insurance while driving a UK reg. car in France. We have a holiday home in France and spend a lot of time there. So it's important for us to be covered at all times in Europe as well as in the UK, since we drive back and forward a lot and also leave the car in France for up to a month at a time. Anyway, I came across this thread because I want to know some info from people who have insurance with Stuart Collins. We spoke with them today and they seem almost to good to be true. We have spoke to hundreds (or so it seems) insurance companies and no one will offer a service for what want to a decent price. For those of you who have car insurance with Stuart Collins: how do you find them to deal with? Have you ever had reason to make a claim? How did the handle it?
I'm totally suspicous of all car insurance companies since Direct Line xxxxed us over last year when we had an accident in France and although they'd told previously that we were covered it transpired that we were only covered 3rd party. Huge cost to us and an ongoing dispute. So I look forward to hearing from anyone who has some advice!
Thanks,
Hector in the UK
I'm totally suspicous of all car insurance companies since Direct Line xxxxed us over last year when we had an accident in France and although they'd told previously that we were covered it transpired that we were only covered 3rd party. Huge cost to us and an ongoing dispute. So I look forward to hearing from anyone who has some advice!
Thanks,
Hector in the UK
Hello all! I'm new to this site. Just came across it while Googling for advice on fully comprehensive car insurance while driving a UK reg. car in France. We have a holiday home in France and spend a lot of time there. So it's important for us to be covered at all times in Europe as well as in the UK, since we drive back and forward a lot and also leave the car in France for up to a month at a time. Anyway, I came across this thread because I want to know some info from people who have insurance with Stuart Collins. We spoke with them today and they seem almost to good to be true. We have spoke to hundreds (or so it seems) insurance companies and no one will offer a service for what want to a decent price. For those of you who have car insurance with Stuart Collins: how do you find them to deal with? Have you ever had reason to make a claim? How did the handle it?
I'm totally suspicous of all car insurance companies since Direct Line xxxxed us over last year when we had an accident in France and although they'd told previously that we were covered it transpired that we were only covered 3rd party. Huge cost to us and an ongoing dispute. So I look forward to hearing from anyone who has some advice!
Thanks,
Hector in the UK
I'm totally suspicous of all car insurance companies since Direct Line xxxxed us over last year when we had an accident in France and although they'd told previously that we were covered it transpired that we were only covered 3rd party. Huge cost to us and an ongoing dispute. So I look forward to hearing from anyone who has some advice!
Thanks,
Hector in the UK
Hi Hector,
I am currently residing in Germany and have the car here insured with Stewart Collins. They gave me a great price and were very quick to set up the policy and send me the documents. Luckily I have not had the need to claim anything so I cannot comment on that side of things and frankly hope I never have to!
All other companies I tried told me that there was no way they would cover me abroad long term. Some said no more than 2 weeks on the standard policy but some went for up to 180 days. Stewart Collins allows you to be abroad for as long as you like BUT of course the car has to be fully legal so tax and MOT must of course be current. So you have to bring the car back to the UK once a year anyway for its MOT - and keep paying the UK Govt the road tax!
I did consider just using the car to get me and all my stuff over here, then flogging it to a Brit who was coming back, or selling it in the UK via my parents who still live there. But I didn't pay much for it and it's reliable and I didn't want to go through the saga of trying to buy a car over here (plus I couldn't afford it!).
Do you intend to keep the car over there indefinately (sp)? Do remember that you will have to bring it back for MOT - weigh up the pros and cons, it could be worth you just buying a French registered car instead.
I am currently residing in Germany and have the car here insured with Stewart Collins. They gave me a great price and were very quick to set up the policy and send me the documents. Luckily I have not had the need to claim anything so I cannot comment on that side of things and frankly hope I never have to!
All other companies I tried told me that there was no way they would cover me abroad long term. Some said no more than 2 weeks on the standard policy but some went for up to 180 days. Stewart Collins allows you to be abroad for as long as you like BUT of course the car has to be fully legal so tax and MOT must of course be current. So you have to bring the car back to the UK once a year anyway for its MOT - and keep paying the UK Govt the road tax!
I did consider just using the car to get me and all my stuff over here, then flogging it to a Brit who was coming back, or selling it in the UK via my parents who still live there. But I didn't pay much for it and it's reliable and I didn't want to go through the saga of trying to buy a car over here (plus I couldn't afford it!).
Do you intend to keep the car over there indefinately (sp)? Do remember that you will have to bring it back for MOT - weigh up the pros and cons, it could be worth you just buying a French registered car instead.
I also visited Germany a few times and I am thinking about living there for one year. I also would take my car with me and I know that there are some big differences between the German car insurance system and the US car insurance system http://www.autoversicherung-online.info/KFZ-Versic... . I would definitely try to get an insurance in Germany because maybe the have some special offers for people who just stay there for a certain period of time. Otherwise I would try to get an insurance in another EU country.
Hi Damonc
Just to clarify - you want to bring your US car to Germany for a year? I think I am quite right in saying that if this is the case, and you wish to insure it here that you will have to register it here too i.e. get it onto German plates.
Doing that is not too easy especially for US cars, as far as I know. It will have to go through a kind of SVA and you may find that some parts have to be swapped for Euro spec ones as opposed to US spec ones.
What car is it?
If you're only going to be here for a year, it could be worth you just buying a car here and selling it when you leave.
Just to clarify - you want to bring your US car to Germany for a year? I think I am quite right in saying that if this is the case, and you wish to insure it here that you will have to register it here too i.e. get it onto German plates.
Doing that is not too easy especially for US cars, as far as I know. It will have to go through a kind of SVA and you may find that some parts have to be swapped for Euro spec ones as opposed to US spec ones.
What car is it?
If you're only going to be here for a year, it could be worth you just buying a car here and selling it when you leave.
Only 14 days? Are you sure? I thought you could get somewhere between 1-3 months even for temp. Anyway, you're probably better off working with a third party to handle this if you're unsure about the process or don't want to deal with the hassle. I've used A-1 Auto Transport in the past & been happy with them, but it's not cheap to ship a car. It is, however, worth it if they know what they're doing when it comes to dealing with the paperwork, import laws, taxes, licensing, etc.
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