Car insurance for abroad..help needed.

alirob12

Hi I am trying to insure a 2nd car. As it is the 2nd car in the houshold im having to start with 0NCB. It is a japaneese import but in the UK for last 7 years - and to me it is just a standard 4x4 Toyota Rav4. I would like to insure it in the cheapest possible way as would like to take it abroad and use as a holiday car. I have a couple of queries and to be honest I am struggling a bit.
I would like to insure it 3rd party. My gf is a policy holder on a different vehicle so I assume she could drive it 3rd party too (on her policy?). Can I keep the car abroad? (Up to 12 months?) and if so what do I do about the question - where is the vehicle normally kept?
If anyone e.g my friend who also has a car insurance in the Uk - can he drive my car 3rd party?
And abroad - under the EU regulations am I right in thinking that any policy holder from that country can also drive my uk car 3rd party?

Sorry if it all sounds confusing but i find it very tricky to get an answer...
WOuld appreciate your help.
Thanks

missile

This subject has been debated on many ex pat forums. Most companies permit overseas travel, but asaik none will cover a vehicle kept there and brought "home" once a year for MOT and tax. There is no legal way to keep a UK registered car overseas. Unfortunately, there are many Brits who are prepared to tell lies to get round the rules.

Only a few insurers allow unrestricted 3rd party cover to drive any other car, check your policy.

Inactive

Stuart Collins do an AXA policy that allows 12 month cover in Europe, with no requirement to return in between, but they are not cheap.

itsclair

if you have a property abroad it would be so much cheaper the register the car in that country and insure it that way, in germany, france etc they don't charge you extra insurence costs for having a uk licence or anything like that and there it is the car that is covered not the person so your gf would be covered too

Inactive

itsclair wrote: »

if you have a property abroad it would be so much cheaper the register the car in that country and insure it that way, in germany, france etc they don't charge you extra insurence costs for having a uk licence or anything like that and there it is the car that is covered not the person so your gf would be covered too

Not sure about Germany or France, but in Spain import duty would have to be paid, as well as other charges for the transfer,

dacouch

A lot of UK Insurers specifically exclude cover outside of the UK under the Driving Other Cars section so if your friends are relying on this to cover them they should check with their insurers.

Even if it is not covered they may experience problems with the local police if they are stopped whilst driving your car if it has a UK insurance. As a previous poster has mentioned most policies in Europe cover the vehicle for any driver so they may find it difficult to understand how they are covered