Importing From Europe - Comprehensive Insurance? (1 Viewer)

[Wombles]

We are looking into buying our next motorhome in the UK but if we can't get a good enough deal we will have to import one - have heard that comprehensive Europe wide insurance is possible when bringing it back to the UK (before registration) so please can anyone point us in the right direction? Please post here or PM.

 

[Speve]

Read down this thread it does have useful info and Ann from Bundesvan has posted details.
https://www.motorhomefun.co.uk/forum/threads/bundesvan.160775/

 

[Wombles]

Read down this thread it does have useful info and Ann from Bundesvan has posted details.
https://www.motorhomefun.co.uk/forum/threads/bundesvan.160775/

Thank you - have seen that thread We have already contacted Bundesvan who were friendly, professional & helpful as others have said but they can't provide just their insurance & although their charges for importing may be worthwhile on the top of the range large motorhomes (especially if buying secondhand if they can negotiate a better price for the buyer) but a lot more percentage wise on the budget new PVC that we are considering

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[sallylillian]

If you contact NFU at Louth and move your insurance to them now, as an existing customer they will insure on the VIN, but they only do it for existing clients I understand. They covered me fully comp from the moment I paid the German dealer.

 

[Wombles]

If you contact NFU at Louth and move your insurance to them now, as an existing customer they will insure on the VIN, but they only do it for existing clients I understand. They covered me fully comp from the moment I paid the German dealer.

Thank you - was that on a new unregistered motorhome? If so will certainly explore that option

 

[Lenny HB]

If you contact NFU at Louth and move your insurance to them now, as an existing customer they will insure on the VIN, but they only do it for existing clients I understand. They covered me fully comp from the moment I paid the German dealer.

I don't think they do that any more @Robert Clark has been in touch with them recently about importing.

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[Robert Clark]

I don't think they do that any more @Robert Clark has been in touch with them recently about importing.

As far as I am aware it's from UK point of entry
However our dealer is supplying our van with German export plates which includes 3rd part cover for 30 days

 

[sallylillian]

Thank you - was that on a new unregistered motorhome? If so will certainly explore that option

That was on a new vehicle but it would make no difference as they cannot use the foreign plate, just the VIN. As I have said if you are a current client they will do it but not just passing trade, as it takes some arranging with their underwriter.

 

[sallylillian]

As far as I am aware it's from UK point of entry
However our dealer is supplying our van with German export plates which includes 3rd part cover for 30 days

They did that for me Robert and you need plates to look something like it, but I would not bet my farm on third party. Me, risk averse at my age!

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[BillM]

Safeguard insured my import just on the VIN, including the first journey from Germany, fully comprehensive, but with a requirement to notify the UK reg No. within 30 days.

The premium was quite high.... be prepared to haggle on the phone!

 

[Franck]

Please remember that a uk resident cannot drive a foreign plated vehicle in the UK. The DVLA recommend getting the vehicle transported from the port of entry to your uk address.

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[sallylillian]

Please remember that a uk resident cannot drive a foreign plated vehicle in the UK. The DVLA recommend getting the vehicle transported from the port of entry to your uk address.

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But if you read the rules, you can drive it to a garage for VCA and home. So you get off Chunnel or whatever to a pre-booked inspection at your favourite conforming garage and then back home. Officer.

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[Lenny HB]

Please remember that a uk resident cannot drive a foreign plated vehicle in the UK. The DVLA recommend getting the vehicle transported from the port of entry to your uk address.

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Not correct a UK resident can not drive a foreign registered vehicle in the uk, we are talking about an unregistered vehicle.

 

[CazPaul]

Not correct a UK resident can not drive a foreign registered vehicle in the uk, we are talking about an unregistered vehicle.

Yes agree with Lenny, as soon as you are back on uk soil you are fully covered for the drive home.

 

[CazPaul]

We are looking into buying our next motorhome in the UK but if we can't get a good enough deal we will have to import one - have heard that comprehensive Europe wide insurance is possible when bringing it back to the UK (before registration) so please can anyone point us in the right direction? Please post here or PM.

Good stuff, what PVC have you decided on?

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[sallylillian]

Not correct a UK resident can not drive a foreign registered vehicle in the uk, we are talking about an unregistered vehicle.

An interesting point, do temporary plates constitute a registered vehicle?

 

[CazPaul]

If the insurance company(safeguard) say you can drive home fully comp when you hit uk then surely that's correct.

 

[sallylillian]

Yes agree with Lenny, as soon as you are back on uk soil you are fully covered for the drive home.

So you get hit in your newly acquired chunk of metal on the other side of the channel with 3rd party. Ins co says no fault.
Explain where you get your recovery?

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[CazPaul]

So you get hit in your newly acquired chunk of metal on the other side of the channel with 3rd party. Ins co says no fault.
Explain where you get your recovery?

Yes I agree, that's why one dealer drives to the port for you, for an extra fee. Most people take the chance as we did.

 

[sallylillian]

Yes I agree, that's why one dealer drives to the port for you, for an extra fee. Most people take the chance as we did.

Your frankness is commendable, those taking this route need to manage the risk. I would not be on the road in Europe with only 3rd party, my choice.

 

[Franck]

Sorry, I should have been clearer, it's not the insurance issue that stops a uk resident from driving a vehicle displaying foreign registration plates it's the government.

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[Wombles]

Thank you for all the replies so far which we will explore. Does anyone have any other suggestions please?

 

[gus-lopez]

Your frankness is commendable, those taking this route need to manage the risk. I would not be on the road in Europe with only 3rd party, my choice.

For me it isn't europe that is the problem but the UK. Horrendous standards of driving. Most younger people have no idea that older vehicles don't/cannot accelerate like modern ones.
Also many of us here have no choice as tpf&t is the maximum you can obtain on older vehicles not owned from new.

 

[gerry mcg]

I drove our new van (very carefully) on German export plates to Calais Tunnel on the Third Party insurance - I could not get comprehensive insurance on export plates sorted out.
Once at Folkestone it was insured fully comp by safeguard on the VIN No and I drove it home to Scotland on the export plates and got the UK registration paperwork sorted out in the UK.

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[Franck]

I drove our new van (very carefully) on German export plates to Calais Tunnel on the Third Party insurance - I could not get comprehensive insurance on export plates sorted out.
Once at Folkestone it was insured fully comp by safeguard on the VIN No and I drove it home to Scotland on the export plates and got the UK registration paperwork sorted out in the UK.

If it is against the law for you to drive it in the UK with foreign, albeit export, plates, how is the insurance still valid?

 

[gerry mcg]

safeguard were fully aware of the import arrangements and confirmed the van was covered on Export plates in the UK

 

[Dazzles]

If it is against the law for you to drive it in the UK with foreign, albeit export, plates, how is the insurance still valid?

It's not against the law. You have a given time to get the vehicle registered.

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[Franck]

It's not against the law. You have a given time to get the vehicle registered.

From booklet INF106 How to Import a Vehicle into the United Kingdom, published by the government.
"A UK resident must not drive a vehicle displaying foreign registration number plates in the UK.
To avoid difficulties we advise you to transport, rather than drive your vehicle from the port to your home or its first destination, and keep the vehicle off the road until it has been registered, taxed and insured."

I went through all this when I imported earlier this year.

 

[Dazzles]

From booklet INF106 How to Import a Vehicle into the United Kingdom, published by the government.
"A UK resident must not drive a vehicle displaying foreign registration number plates in the UK.
To avoid difficulties we advise you to transport, rather than drive your vehicle from the port to your home or its first destination, and keep the vehicle off the road until it has been registered, taxed and insured."

I went through all this when I imported earlier this year.

Export plates are specifically designed for this very purpose.

 

[BreweryDave]

It's only what is in the DVLA information. DVLA dont make laws.
Can anyone find the actual LAW that prohibits this, making it an offence?
Many many ex pats retain uk residency, and drive their foreign reg vehicles when returning to the uk for visits.
I stand to be corrected if there's an actual law or statute?

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