UK expat with UK registered car - insurance help

CarolineNL

Hi, I've been temporarily (2 years) posted to Europe with my work. I still own my property in the UK and have a UK registered car. My car insurance is up for renewal and I'm a bit puzzled as to what to do as many of the policies require you to be resident in the UK and although I am intending returning for two months this year I am partially resident abroad. Thanks for your help.

Ditzy_Mitzy

You'll probably need to speak to a specialist broker.  There are policies that cover your circumstances, but they are a bit more specialised.  

TELLIT01

I can't answer the insurance question, but can your car remain UK registered if you are abroad for 2 years.  Any car coming into the UK has to be reregistered within 12 months of arrival.

Emmia

I would have thought you would've needed to reregister your vehicle, and then buy insurance in the country you live in. 

You can drive the vehicle in the UK when you come back for a couple of months.

Thrugelmir

You will need to check the rules for the country you are being posted to. As the vehicle may need to be registered. Not remain on UK plates. 

Ditzy_Mitzy

Hopefully the OP can confirm, however I read it as her wishing to leave the UK car at home in Blighty whilst she spends a couple of years in Holland or wherever she's off to.  The facility to drive the car whilst visiting would also be helpful.  

silverwhistle

Thrugelmir said:

You will need to check the rules for the country you are being posted to. As the vehicle may need to be registered. Not remain on UK plates. 

This is certainly the case with Italy, and when I moved there it wasn't worth the cost of re-registering my old banger, which I'd have needed to within 6 months. I believe France is similar although I know of people who have risked it, although not with anything valuable when there is a risk of confiscation.

Do you have any HR support for the move?

CarolineNL

Ditzy_Mitzy said:

Hopefully the OP can confirm, however I read it as her wishing to leave the UK car at home in Blighty whilst she spends a couple of years in Holland or wherever she's off to.  The facility to drive the car whilst visiting would also be helpful.  

Correct, looking to leave the car in the UK while I'm abroad!

CarolineNL

silverwhistle said:

Thrugelmir said:

You will need to check the rules for the country you are being posted to. As the vehicle may need to be registered. Not remain on UK plates. 

This is certainly the case with Italy, and when I moved there it wasn't worth the cost of re-registering my old banger, which I'd have needed to within 6 months. I believe France is similar although I know of people who have risked it, although not with anything valuable when there is a risk of confiscation.

Do you have any HR support for the move?

Thanks for your help. I'm looking to leave the car in the UK rather than take abroad with me as want the ability to use when back in the UK and with COVID who knows how long I'll be away for! It also means I don't need to worry about legally importing the car etc. HR are assisting with other aspects but have confirmed that the car is not within their scope. 

Emmia

CarolineNL said:

Ditzy_Mitzy said:

Hopefully the OP can confirm, however I read it as her wishing to leave the UK car at home in Blighty whilst she spends a couple of years in Holland or wherever she's off to.  The facility to drive the car whilst visiting would also be helpful.  

Correct, looking to leave the car in the UK while I'm abroad!

There are practical issues to consider, for example cars don't do well if they're left for many months without being driven - issues like the battery de-charging, rust, condensation in the fuel system, flat spotted tyres...

Do you have someone who will run the car / keep it maintained so it remains in a roadworthy condition? 

If you're not going to be back and driving it regularly (monthly) I'd probably sell your car, and hire a car when you're in the UK.

TELLIT01

Emmia said:

CarolineNL said:

Ditzy_Mitzy said:

Hopefully the OP can confirm, however I read it as her wishing to leave the UK car at home in Blighty whilst she spends a couple of years in Holland or wherever she's off to.  The facility to drive the car whilst visiting would also be helpful.  

Correct, looking to leave the car in the UK while I'm abroad!

There are practical issues to consider, for example cars don't do well if they're left for many months without being driven - issues like the battery de-charging, rust, condensation in the fuel system, flat spotted tyres...

Do you have someone who will run the car / keep it maintained so it remains in a roadworthy condition? 

If you're not going to be back and driving it regularly (monthly) I'd probably sell your car, and hire a car when you're in the UK.

Very valid points raised by Emmia.  If it's going to be parked on a driveway, even getting somebody to start it up once a month and move it back and forward on the drive will be far better for it than just leaving it standing.  You will need to speak to your insurer about specific cover for your situation.  If the car will be off road make sure you register it as such https://www.gov.uk/make-a-sorn  to avoid authorities asking questions about no tax etc.