Polish Car - Polish Insurance - UK driver ???

ichorus

Hi there, I am a UK resident and driver. I'd like to know if something I heard is correct.

I hear that in Poland you insure the car, not the person.
My Polish friend in the UK is going away on holiday and has told me I can use his Polish car with its Polish insurance and he was puzzled when he saw me looking for insurance quotes.

He assured me that I wouldn't need my own as long as I drive the car with its insurance documents inside.

Can anyone confirm or deny this as I would not like to be pulled over and have to walk a few hundred miles because of this.

I have looked around the internet and can't find what I am looking for.

Cheers

ichorus

Also I am 25 and passed this year. So I don't think I can rent or do short term. (please correct me if I am wrong )

glider3560

It all depends what the insurance documents say. If the documents are worded as such, you can drive. If they aren't, then you can't.

Without knowing what the documents say (which are probably in Polish), no-one here would be able to help you.

Also, how long has the car been in the UK?

ichorus

I think it is close to 6months. So what ever you have to do in that time I believe he is doing it before he goes away.

He did say he is going to phone his insurers this week to find out.
Thought I best find out for myself in case the police pull me over and give me grief about polish insurance.

Quentin

You need to be sure that your licence is covered by the polish policy.

See if you can get official translations of the policy and whatever they have as a certificate.

ichorus

I will get him to check and phone his insurers.

If anyone else has some info that would be great.
For instance if it is allowed but if police did stop me whether I would be waiting a while whilst they try and work it out.

maninthestreet

ichorus wrote: »

I will get him to check and phone his insurers.

If anyone else has some info that would be great.
For instance if it is allowed but if police did stop me whether I would be waiting a while whilst they try and work it out.

They probably won't be able to check with a Polish Insurance company whether you are insured to drive the car or not. This may mean the car gets seized, and you are reported for the offence of driving without insurance. Even if it turns out you are insured under this Polish Insurance policy, the hassle and worry of that may result isn't worth it.

glider3560

maninthestreet wrote: »

They probably won't be able to check with a Polish Insurance company whether you are insured to drive the car or not. This may mean the car gets seized, and you are reported for the offence of driving without insurance. Even if it turns out you are insured under this Polish Insurance policy, the hassle and worry of that may result isn't worth it.

It depends what is stated on the certificate (or Polish equivalent). If the driver has a valid insurance document in his possession, then the police should have no reason to seize the car. In the same way that I wouldn't expect my car to be seized if I drove it in Poland on my UK policy.

ichorus

maninthestreet wrote: »

They probably won't be able to check with a Polish Insurance company whether you are insured to drive the car or not. This may mean the car gets seized, and you are reported for the offence of driving without insurance. Even if it turns out you are insured under this Polish Insurance policy, the hassle and worry of that may result isn't worth it.

Yeah I think if I can't find a solid Yes or No from the insurers of the car then I will get my own insurance. Its just not worth losing my license over. 6points on my license if it was not correct and If I'm correct that's your limit for the 1st 2 years.

Last question, any good short term insurers for a 25year old who has only had his license for less than a year?

glider3560

ichorus wrote: »

Last question, any good short term insurers for a 25year old who has only had his license for less than a year?

I can't think of any who would insure you on a UK-registered car (if you know of any, please let me know!). I doubt any of them would touch a foreign car.

ichorus

glider3560 wrote: »

I can't think of any who would insure you on a UK-registered car (if you know of any, please let me know!). I doubt any of them would touch a foreign car.

Yeah I was thinking that.

Well I have two options, find out about the polish car or drive my sister in-law's car and see if she can add me to her insurance for a month.

Its funny how if I don't drive at all for a whole year after passing, I would be able to hire a car and get better insurance after just by sitting on my bum and waiting.