Insurance abroad
Discussion
I'm about to go to Spain for a year...and of course I'll be taking my Chimaera with me.
I'm trying to protect myself should the worst happen:
I've sorted out overseas breakdown cover and warranty to boot as well as taking my car for a service beforehand.
Only issue is my UK insurance will not cover for the whole duration abroad. Does anyone know of any UK based insurers which do...at competive price?
As an aside does anyone have any other advice for me?!!
Much appreciated
Marco
I'm trying to protect myself should the worst happen:
I've sorted out overseas breakdown cover and warranty to boot as well as taking my car for a service beforehand.
Only issue is my UK insurance will not cover for the whole duration abroad. Does anyone know of any UK based insurers which do...at competive price?
As an aside does anyone have any other advice for me?!!
Much appreciated
Marco
I'd be very careful about taking your car to Spain. I've a few friends who have worked there and all of them have had their cars abused in one way or another. From "jealousy stripes" to the typical knocks suffered from other people trying to park next to it using the Bumpers are for bumping rule. Basically if you haven't got secure parking I wouldn't bother, it isn't worth the worry. The other thing to consider is the roads. Another friend has just chopped his sports car in for a 4x4 after getting fed up with continual pot holes. That was Malaga / Marbella though and I'm sure Spain as a whole isn't like that. Do check out where you're going against where the weather hit though as the north too a real battering a few month ago.
Sorry to be negative but I know how I'd feel if anything happened to my pride and joy.
Sorry to be negative but I know how I'd feel if anything happened to my pride and joy.
No way would I take such a car to Spain.
Having worked in Madrid a lot and just come back from the South Coast, watching people bumper park and not care is terrible. Hearing bumpers crack as they do it makes me cringe (never taken my own car though, always fly and rent).
Also its not hard to see why so many cars have dents all over them with the way they drive out there.
It would appear that cars are not cherished items in Spain.
If you are gonna lock the car away for occasional use it would be excellent, but that is the only way I would have a Tiv in Spain.
Having worked in Madrid a lot and just come back from the South Coast, watching people bumper park and not care is terrible. Hearing bumpers crack as they do it makes me cringe (never taken my own car though, always fly and rent).
Also its not hard to see why so many cars have dents all over them with the way they drive out there.
It would appear that cars are not cherished items in Spain.
If you are gonna lock the car away for occasional use it would be excellent, but that is the only way I would have a Tiv in Spain.
Interesting comments thanks to all
I'm protective enough about my car as it is so living in Madrid will be a nightmare!
My solace lies in the fact that my car will have secure parking and will be used occasionally but when I do take the car out through the city...that's when the stress will begin it seems.
Because I'm paranoid, one other thing I may do is to modify the car slightly to cope with the added heat, eg two switch fan, remove front number plate (if allowed?) etc...
I'm protective enough about my car as it is so living in Madrid will be a nightmare!
My solace lies in the fact that my car will have secure parking and will be used occasionally but when I do take the car out through the city...that's when the stress will begin it seems.
Because I'm paranoid, one other thing I may do is to modify the car slightly to cope with the added heat, eg two switch fan, remove front number plate (if allowed?) etc...
I've driven mine in Madrid with no problem. My Tuscan doesn't mind the heat too much not sure about the Chim. You are not allowed to remove the front plates. You will have to get used to the teenages screemin around you on scooters just to get a glance. After a few days I am sure you'll be okay. Good luck.
Philip,
It was probably you I saw last week blasting to wards the mountains having just come off the N340 at La Cala.
I passed you in my not-so-blasting corsa rental car as I was staying up in said mountians.
edited: Just seen your post on the "spotted" thread!
Perhaps I'll give you a call before I do my grand European tour next year.
>> Edited by DustyC on Thursday 25th September 13:23
It was probably you I saw last week blasting to wards the mountains having just come off the N340 at La Cala.
I passed you in my not-so-blasting corsa rental car as I was staying up in said mountians.
edited: Just seen your post on the "spotted" thread!
Perhaps I'll give you a call before I do my grand European tour next year.
>> Edited by DustyC on Thursday 25th September 13:23
philipleslie67 said:
You are not allowed to remove the front plates.
No need to. Either get a smaller one made and fit it in place of the standard one or get a smaller stick-on one for the bonnet. I did the latter on my Griff and had no probs with the law and it really helped with the cooling.
cheers Marco, if you're gonna be living in Madrid then get in touch on your arrival, I can help with a few things (such as a good local mechanic etc), having lived with a Griff here for nearly a year. To the best of my knowledge current Tiv population of Madrid is 2, & you'll make 3, a pretty exclusive club! The Griff unfailingly produces drooling looks & whoops from the locals, I'm sure it'll be the same with your Chim. It's true the Spans are a bit laissez-faire with parking but if you've got your own parking space, no problem whatsoever. (Also, I would hazard a guess that the amount of envy-induced scratches left on car bonnets in Madrid is certainly no more than in any typical UK city). Living with a Tiv (especially a rag-top) in Spain is, frankly, hugely fun (what were convertibles made for if not for sunny countries?) & I totally disagree with the posters on this thread who advise against bringing it. Also, ref Blue Eyes' comment on the plate - I also have a bike-sized front plate on the Griff, it looks much better IMO, undoubtedly aids cooling & it's unlikely I'll get stopped because of it.
If you're gonna be here before next March, you should think about coming on the track day in Guadix that has been mentioned on here (& in Sprint apparently).
tj
If you're gonna be here before next March, you should think about coming on the track day in Guadix that has been mentioned on here (& in Sprint apparently).
tj
I have a couple of mates who are at the point of committing to the marque having experienced mine.Gassing Station | General TVR Stuff & Gossip | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff