Importing from France (1 Viewer)

[Lenny HB]

Get back on subject you lot !!!! I'm importing from France, which is near Germany but apparently is a different country

If France and Germany have their way it will be the Federal State of Europe.

 

[Silver-Fox]

It France and Germany have their way it will be the Federal State of Europe.

I resisted saying this didn't want to turn it into another you know what thread

 

[Lenny HB]

When we imported our Rapido, we got the dealer to take the van to Zebrugge, then on the ferry to Hull. Then insured it on the vin for the 35 miles Home. Ended up stopping with them (AIB) and have been with them for 3 years with no problems

Our current van we imported in March, ABI gave me a price but when they realised was a personal import they doubled the price.

When ringing around recently for insurance to import a PVC we found that LV Insurance (08002028460) would insure fully comp. on VIN from the dealer in Germany back to UK for 30 days & the other one was NFU Louth branch () but only 14 days cover.

I used NFU for the last van, this year they would only insure from the UK port and only if you were a current customer.

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[BreweryDave]

It seems different methods have worked at different times for different people!!!

I shall run my phone battery down tomorrow and find a definitive answer!

 

[Wombles]

I used NFU for the last van, this year they would only insure from the UK port and only if you were a current customer.

When we asked Louth branch in November we were told that didn't have to be an existing customer if motorhome value under 75k but did if higher value & cover was definitely from point of pick up (Germany in our case) - shows how the policies keep changing so essential to ring around & check.
Export plates with insurance vary too - sometimes fully comp. cover is on offer & at others only third party.

 

[Lenny HB]

When we asked Louth branch in November we were told that didn't have to be an existing customer if motorhome value under 75k but did if higher value & cover was definitely from point of pick up (Germany in our case) - shows how the policies keep changing so essential to ring around & check.
Export plates with insurance vary too - sometimes fully comp. cover is on offer & at others only third party.

I never realised that different branches gave different answers I rang the local branch, when I did it on the last van I rang the call centre number and got insurance once on UK soil.

Sounds like it's worth ringing ½ doz branches.

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[Wombles]

I never realised that different branches gave different answers I rang the local branch, when I did it on the last van I rang the call centre number and got insurance once on UK soil.

Sounds like it's worth ringing ½ doz branches.

Agree it's worth ringing a few but usually very long calls so we gave up after just three! Our local one couldn't help at all as never been asked before for such cover from anyone in deepest Somerset We picked NFU Louth as well as the central number due to others having used them on here previously.

 

[Robert Clark]

NFU branches are independently owned franchises, however the insurance products are common to them all. I can only imagine that the different answers come about due to different levels of experience and conpetance.

I’d ask for written confirmation that cover is included from the European dealer rather than UK port as this could be an expensive misunderstanding.

I was advised by Louth that their cover is only from UK port and has been like that for many years.

 

[BreweryDave]

Right chaps, here's the lowdown as of my phone calls thimorning, this is based on a Carthago Chic S Plus LHD auto on a Merc chassis, 2010, value £70K.

Safeguard, not until in UK.
Scenic, not until on UK plates
LV, won't insure on a Mercedes chassis!!!
Aplan, no.
.......now it gets better!

NFU ( Louth office) Yes, covered from the dealer in France, drive to Calais, then in UK to MOT garage, then onwards, for 14 days. ( I'm not an existing customer) £766 for annual cover, revisited if not registered by DVLA in 14 days but not a problem. Doesn't include breakdown. I do have this in writing from NFU that I am covered from the dealership in France.

Coversure ( Dover office), Yes, will cover from the dealer, but unable to quote a price until I have the VIN number, which I've asked the dealer for.

Obviously, any policy can be cancelled once it's served it purpose and the van is on UK plates, and go back to Comfort ( who don't do import for individuals)

So there you are, thank you @Wombles for the heads up, we will now leave Malaga tomorrow for a drive up to Paris for Tuesday to seal the deal!!!

One strange thing though, the dealer has said that after a bank transfer he has to wait 8 days before 'releasing' the vehicle, never heard of that one! But to his credit, he has facilities at the dealership and has said we can stay there

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[Robert Clark]

That’s great news Dave
Are NFU confirming the extent of cover by Email ?

 

[ludo]

Right chaps, here's the lowdown as of my phone calls thimorning, this is based on a Carthago Chic S Plus LHD auto on a Merc chassis, 2010, value £70K.

Safeguard, not until in UK.
Scenic, not until on UK plates
LV, won't insure on a Mercedes chassis!!!
Aplan, no.
.......now it gets better!

NFU ( Louth office) Yes, covered from the dealer in France, drive to Calais, then in UK to MOT garage, then onwards, for 14 days. ( I'm not an existing customer) £766 for annual cover, revisited if not registered by DVLA in 14 days but not a problem. Doesn't include breakdown. I do have this in writing from NFU that I am covered from the dealership in France.

Coversure ( Dover office), Yes, will cover from the dealer, but unable to quote a price until I have the VIN number, which I've asked the dealer for.

Obviously, any policy can be cancelled once it's served it purpose and the van is on UK plates, and go back to Comfort ( who don't do import for individuals)

So there you are, thank you @Wombles for the heads up, we will now leave Malaga tomorrow for a drive up to Paris for Tuesday to seal the deal!!!

One strange thing though, the dealer has said that after a bank transfer he has to wait 8 days before 'releasing' the vehicle, never heard of that one! But to his credit, he has facilities at the dealership and has said we can stay there

Good Luck Dave, we hope it all works out well for you both. Hope to see you in the new year.

Rex and Janet​

 

[Lenny HB]

Good news Dave.

Obviously, any policy can be cancelled once it's served it purpose and the van is on UK plates, and go back to Comfort ( who don't do import for individuals)

Yep we did that with the last two vans.

One strange thing though, the dealer has said that after a bank transfer he has to wait 8 days before 'releasing' the vehicle, never heard of that one! But to his credit, he has facilities at the dealership and has said we can stay there

That doesn't sound right faster payments should be within a couple of hours and if using someone like EasyFX (far better rates than a bank) if you get the money to them by 2:30pm transfer is made the same day. I'm very suspicious of things like that, had a friend who paid a dealer on the Monday and arranged to collect the van on Friday, the dealer went into adminitration on the Thursday he lost the lot.

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[BreweryDave]

Good news Dave.

Yep we did that with the last two vans.

That doesn't sound right faster payments should be within a couple of hours and if using someone like EasyFX (far better rates than a bank) if you get the money to them by 2:30pm transfer is made the same day. I'm very suspicious of things like that, had a friend who paid a dealer on the Monday and arranged to collect the van on Friday, the dealer went into adminitration on the Thursday he lost the lot.

I use TransferWise and have done for years, and whilst I know the transfer is fast, the 8 day thing was news to me. However, I have also just spoken to my UK garage ( Tomsett Kent) to book the MOT and sort the certificate of mutual recognition stuff, and the owner there said that he had heard of that before so not unusual. In any event, we will be in the van at his premises whilst waiting so no issues, and if there's a way of waiving that 8 day French requirement obviously we'll be off sooner. Have to be there as we are px ing our current van, and as we're FT have all our stuff with us! Good of him to offer for us to stay there ( if indeed that it the case strictly) They are a large and established dealer, so not worried!

 

[Wombles]

Shame about LV but glad to hear that you are sorted with a couple of possible options

 

[JockandRita]

@BreweryDave. The very best of luck with it all Dave.

It sounds like you've done as much as you can to ensure a smooth deal and handover.
I just hope it all goes "swimmingly" at this end for you too, and that you are not let down by DVLA.

Hope to see you and Jacqui from the spring onwards, when we get back from Spain.

Cheers for now,

Jock.

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[BreweryDave]

So, fingers crossed and subject to inspection, here she is!

 

[BreweryDave]

@BreweryDave.

Hope to see you and Jacqui from the spring onwards, when we get back from Spain.

Cheers for now,

Jock.

Sorry Jock, no chance! As soon as she's on UK plates we'll be straight back on the tunnel and down to Beni!!! Hopefully by mid Feb all being well!!!

 

[JockandRita]

Sorry Jock, no chance! As soon as she's on UK plates we'll be straight back on the tunnel and down to Beni!!! Hopefully by mid Feb all being well!!!

A good excuse for you to stop off at Benicassim, and say hello.

Cheers,

Jock.

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[Sheddy]

Glad your sorted Dave hope it all goes well from here on, look forward to your arrival Feb with the new van, well pencil in a couple of tapas days.
Cheers
Ed

 

[BreweryDave]

That’s great news Dave
Are NFU confirming the extent of cover by Email ?

Yes they have now. Fully Comp on the VIN plate, from pick up at French dealer, drive to Calais, and for 14 days in the UK whilst sorting the re registration.
Luvly jubly!!!

 

[Robert Clark]

Yes they have now. Fully Comp on the VIN plate, from pick up at French dealer, drive to Calais, and for 14 days in the UK whilst sorting the re registration.
Luvly jubly!!!

That’s great news Dave

Hope you manage to get the U.K. registration sorted out without too many hassles.

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[Armytwowheels]

So, fingers crossed and subject to inspection, here she is!

Wow, she is a stunner. Did they take the Burstner in part exchange?

 

[Mikey RV]

Looking good,hope all goes smoothly.

 

[MikeD]

Thats great news Dave - well done

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[bigtree]

Nice van Dave,you will love the V6.

Trev.

 

[Robert Clark]

Dave
As an aside, when you collect the vehicle you need to make sure the paperwork includes the Certificate of Conformity for both the base van and the Habitation area.
You’ll need both of these to register the van.

 

[Tigertom]

Lovely looking van, enjoy !

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[Sheddy]

Dave
As an aside, when you collect the vehicle you need to make sure the paperwork includes the Certificate of Conformity for both the base van and the Habitation area.
You’ll need both of these to register the van.

I had difficulty getting mine for the Rapido, took them six weeks to come up with a copy, however I didn't have one for the Fiat base but managed to get it registered just with the Rapido one , was I lucky ?
Cheers
Ed

 

[sallylillian]

I had difficulty getting mine for the Rapido, took them six weeks to come up with a copy, however I didn't have one for the Fiat base but managed to get it registered just with the Rapido one , was I lucky ?
Cheers
Ed

No they only require the final converters CoC now.

 

[BreweryDave]

Wow, she is a stunner. Did they take the Burstner in part exchange?

Thank you, took some finding! And yes, px agreed, sent loads of photos and spec by email. Wasn't going all that way before I had a provisional deal in place!

Dave
As an aside, when you collect the vehicle you need to make sure the paperwork includes the Certificate of Conformity for both the base van and the Habitation area.
You’ll need both of these to register the van.

Yup, the dealer has the CoC, one of the first things I asked!

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