License date of issue
Discussion
My wife is driving on a full Chilean license which she received back in 2006. She is driving in the UK with it during the 1 year grace period, but must transfer to a UK license by January 2019.
However, with her UK license (a provisional for now), the "Valid from" is now going to be 2018 and as such, her insurance cost is much, much higher than with her Chilean license.
Does anyone know if upon passing the UK test, the UK license can somehow be back dated to when her Chilean license was received which indicates that she's not actually a new driver. Seems crazy that the same person cost hundreds more to insure one day to the next because they receive a UK license.
(I know it helps to contact the insurer, but I wanted to ask around at the same time as the call centre staff don't always know...)
However, with her UK license (a provisional for now), the "Valid from" is now going to be 2018 and as such, her insurance cost is much, much higher than with her Chilean license.
Does anyone know if upon passing the UK test, the UK license can somehow be back dated to when her Chilean license was received which indicates that she's not actually a new driver. Seems crazy that the same person cost hundreds more to insure one day to the next because they receive a UK license.
(I know it helps to contact the insurer, but I wanted to ask around at the same time as the call centre staff don't always know...)
speedking31 said:
Does Chile use the same signs and road markings as the UK? Does it have the same traffic density? In Chile they drive on the right etc. She is to some extent a new driver.
The insurers will have their statistics and pitch their premiums accordingly.
Yeah, understood... but right now, with her Chilean license driving in the UK it's cheap to insure. As soon as she converts to a UK license by passing the UK test, her insurance sky rockets because the "valid from" date on the license is 2018. That's what seems crazy, that by changing from Chilean to UK license, the insurance cost goes up!The insurers will have their statistics and pitch their premiums accordingly.
I currently pay £450 for her on her Chilean license. With a new UK license, it's likely to be over £800!!!
In any case, I rang the DVLA and they were aware that this was an issue for foreign drivers in the UK, but could not offer any sort of solution unfortunately. Just seems to be one of those slight flaws in insurance logic.
I obtained my US driving license 20ish years ago (whilst living there) and only received my UK license a couple of years ago. My current insurer (Aviva) were happy to accept the date from which I had my US license as the relevant date. Made sure I did the application on the phone to ensure the full situation was recorded/documented. It was actually the Aviva sales/service person that suggested to use the US license date instead of the UK one.
akirk said:
considering the standard of the Chilean test and driving out there (my brother lives there and I was out there driving last Christmas), I am amazed at how low her premium is... but yup, go through a broker...
Ha, it's not too bad. Colombia, Brasil, Mexico etc... are much worse. I would say Chile has the highest standard in Latin America. Hell, I even saw a speed radar van set up next to the road last time!Regarding cost, I have to say I was pleasantly surprised too. She's driving a 2008 Kia Cee'd 1.6... so, nothing really she can get herself in trouble with! Made sure to take her out for a few trips together before unleashing her upon Joe Public.
DeuceDeuce said:
I obtained my US driving license 20ish years ago (whilst living there) and only received my UK license a couple of years ago. My current insurer (Aviva) were happy to accept the date from which I had my US license as the relevant date. Made sure I did the application on the phone to ensure the full situation was recorded/documented. It was actually the Aviva sales/service person that suggested to use the US license date instead of the UK one.
OK, that's very good news. I hadn't really expected they would do that. I'll see what her current insurer say and then ring around and try explain the full scenario.Thanks for letting me know that it was possible though!
alex98uk said:
At the moment, just checking the comparison sites and online quotes etc...
Didn't even consider using a broker, didn't know they dealt with car insurance honestly.
Really? I don't mean to be rude, but that's a stupid thing to do. Do you think that comparison websites are geared up for the circumstances? Phone an actual insurance company or broker and tell them the circumstances. Be prepared to phone around to find one that understands and has good rates for the circs.Didn't even consider using a broker, didn't know they dealt with car insurance honestly.
Honestly, your first thought was how to get the date on the licence changed!
Bert
BertBert said:
Really? I don't mean to be rude, but that's a stupid thing to do. Do you think that comparison websites are geared up for the circumstances? Phone an actual insurance company or broker and tell them the circumstances. Be prepared to phone around to find one that understands and has good rates for the circs.
Honestly, your first thought was how to get the date on the licence changed!
Bert
Hi Bert,Honestly, your first thought was how to get the date on the licence changed!
Bert
Yes, probably is stupid! That's why I'm here asking and why others are teaching. We learn from doing stupid things, so I'm glad you can point me in the right direction. I've not had to deal with brokers before and haven't ever owned my own car in the UK before (been living abroad), let alone helping someone on a non-EU license... So it's all new to me...
I will give some brokers a call and explain the details.
Thank you for your advice anyway and please excuse my stupidity.
BertBert said:
Really? I don't mean to be rude, but that's a stupid thing to do. Do you think that comparison websites are geared up for the circumstances? Phone an actual insurance company or broker and tell them the circumstances. Be prepared to phone around to find one that understands and has good rates for the circs.
Honestly, your first thought was how to get the date on the licence changed!
Bert
I am just glad that someone knows how to spell licence.Honestly, your first thought was how to get the date on the licence changed!
Bert
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