Insurance Documents - how long to arrive?

pinkshoes

How long do insurance documents take to arrive?

I got a new car this afternoon, got the insurance online this morning, and just discovered the tax expires at the end of August. We're off on holiday friday, so need the insurance docs to arrive in the next 2 days, so we can get the tax disc, as the post office will be closed when we return, and the tax disc will have expired!!

I phoned the DVLA to ask what the solution was if the insurance docs didn't arrive in time, and they were about as useful as a rubber chicken. They just harped on about how we can't drive the car on the road without a tax disc, not even if we are on our way to get it on Monday morning. All I want is to buy car tax, all they want is people to buy car tax, and yet they're not very forthcoming with help!:rolleyes:

So, what are our chances of the documents arriving in the post within a couple of days??

balsingh

Ask the insurance company to fax or email you a cover note. Thats can be used to get the tax disc

C_Ronaldo

A couple of days they should take

AdrianHi

Direct Line have always sent insurance documents out in the very next post. There have been times I've made conditions changes after 4pm and still found new documents in the post the following day.

Crabman

This link should hopefully be more useful than a rubber chicken:

Vehicle tax is due to expire while you're abroad

If renewing at a post office, you'll need the original as a fax/email copy won't be accepted.

How about renewing the tax online? The insurance is updated electronically so you don't need the certificate to hand. That way you won't risk a fine and for all intents and purposes the car will be taxed (will it be parked off-road?):

Buying Car Tax Online

balsingh

Crabman wrote: »

How about renewing the tax online?

You can only do that once the car is registered in your own name. As the OP has only just bought the car, the new logbook will not have been received.

pinkshoes

Thanks everyone!

I have to do it at the post office, as the registration documents only got sent off yesterday too, so can't do it online or by phone.

The DVLA also said that the post office won't accept an email confirmation of insurance or a fax, they want the actual document!

Insurance is with direct line, so I'm hoping it arrives today whilst I'm at work, and I can go get the tax disc tomorrow, providing they haven't closed down all the small local postoffices near to where I work!!!

Thank you!