365 European Car insurance?
365 European Car insurance?
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Discussion

Malcolm Feth

Original Poster:

70 posts

165 months

Tuesday 28th November 2023
quotequote all
Hi,

I need help with insurance as I couldn't find much online myself...

I want to take my car abroad for at least year (likely 2-3) as I'm planning to try a few countries before I decide where I want to live. My aim is first for Lithuania and Poland, later maybe Spain and Portugal... Staying in each country for about half year (maybe less or more as I don't have specific route or plan).

I want a car insurance that will cover me a whole year and everything on the market is 60/90 days. LVE offers 180 days, which is nice, but still far away from what I need biggrin

Do you have any suggestions where to start? smile

Earthdweller

19,396 posts

155 months

Tuesday 28th November 2023
quotequote all
Give Stuart Collins a ring, they do an extended foreign use policy

Car must be registered to a U.K.address and taxed/mot’d but you aren’t restricted in time spent abroad

https://www.stuartcollins.com/

Edited by Earthdweller on Tuesday 28th November 16:45

CraigyMc

18,369 posts

265 months

Tuesday 28th November 2023
quotequote all
Malcolm Feth said:
Hi,

I need help with insurance as I couldn't find much online myself...

I want to take my car abroad for at least year (likely 2-3) as I'm planning to try a few countries before I decide where I want to live. My aim is first for Lithuania and Poland, later maybe Spain and Portugal... Staying in each country for about half year (maybe less or more as I don't have specific route or plan).

I want a car insurance that will cover me a whole year and everything on the market is 60/90 days. LVE offers 180 days, which is nice, but still far away from what I need biggrin

Do you have any suggestions where to start? smile
First thing I'd ask is, does your immigration status support this plan?
Pre-brexit it would not have been a question due to our previous freedom of movement around the EU, but now it is a factor. The durations you're talking about would require a visa since you're talking about over 90 days in each 180 day rolling period; this is the limit for non-visa travel for UK to EU now.

Things like healthcare plans (medical travel policies aren't set up for what you want to do), local income taxes, pensions, benefits and everything else that comes with being resident are all factors if you're planning to stay in these countries for several months.

As for the car, the authorities locally will require that you register and the car locally, depending on how long you're in each country, and some require that you swap your UK driving license for a local one if you live in the country in question (eg. Lithuania).

In order to insure and tax the car legally for each location, you need to have an idea of where you will be and for how long. Unless you want to attempt to ignore the laws, it's not as simple as "car is UK, tax and insured in UK, all is well".

TarquinMX5

2,675 posts

109 months

Tuesday 28th November 2023
quotequote all
CraigyMc said:
First thing I'd ask is, does your immigration status support this plan?
Pre-brexit it would not have been a question due to our previous freedom of movement around the EU, but now it is a factor. The durations you're talking about would require a visa since you're talking about over 90 days in each 180 day rolling period; this is the limit for non-visa travel for UK to EU now.

Things like healthcare plans (medical travel policies aren't set up for what you want to do), local income taxes, pensions, benefits and everything else that comes with being resident are all factors if you're planning to stay in these countries for several months.

As for the car, the authorities locally will require that you register and the car locally, depending on how long you're in each country, and some require that you swap your UK driving license for a local one if you live in the country in question (eg. Lithuania).

In order to insure and tax the car legally for each location, you need to have an idea of where you will be and for how long. Unless you want to attempt to ignore the laws, it's not as simple as "car is UK, tax and insured in UK, all is well".
Did you just mention the B-word, you naughty boy?

You should actually rest assured that it was a seamless transition with no downsides and to say, or even infer, anything else is to go against govt. policy. Shameful wink

Malcolm Feth

Original Poster:

70 posts

165 months

Tuesday 28th November 2023
quotequote all
The legality is not in question. I have multiple citizenships and in most EU countries you can drive a foreign car for half year without need to register it locally. The law is not a problem in my case (nor health insurance, paying taxes and other stuff). Thank you for your concern but that's not what I need advice on smile

I contacted Sterling for bespoke insurance and they told me to send them detailed plan where the car is going to be exactly throughout the year - soo that won't work as I don't know biggrin Even if I just drive for one to Latvia for sightseeing, this has to be already planned now.

Thanks for suggestion with Stuart Colins, I sent a request for quote, but lady on the phone she said it shouldn't be a problem smile
Any more suggestions?

Malcolm Feth

Original Poster:

70 posts

165 months

Wednesday 29th November 2023
quotequote all
Unfortunately Stuart Collins came back saying they can't insure the car because it has modifications :/

alscar

9,820 posts

242 months

Wednesday 29th November 2023
quotequote all
I think you may struggle finding someone that goes beyond the 180 day period.
You are basically asking for Europe + wide cover for an unlimited time ( 12 months ).
Perhaps ask a specialist motor broker - A Plan always seem quite helpful.
I use Nowell and Richards but have no idea whether they represent an Insurer who will offer what you want.
I’m guessing if you do find it it won’t be cheap either.
Good luck.

Malcolm Feth

Original Poster:

70 posts

165 months

Wednesday 29th November 2023
quotequote all
Howden (aplan) said they can't help.
Nor classic car insurance frown

Local insurance companies are very unlikely to insure my car for more than 30 days... So it sounds like my Supra will be soon for sale ??

Mandat

4,631 posts

267 months

Wednesday 29th November 2023
quotequote all
Malcolm Feth said:
Howden (aplan) said they can't help.
Nor classic car insurance frown

Local insurance companies are very unlikely to insure my car for more than 30 days... So it sounds like my Supra will be soon for sale ??
Have you tried looking at EU insurers?

alscar

9,820 posts

242 months

Wednesday 29th November 2023
quotequote all
I would certainly give N&R a call but I suspect that 180 day limit will rear its head again.
Other than that maybe try and find a broker that advertises dealing with difficult cases and / or advertises as dealing with Lloyds Insurance Syndicates who may give you a better chance.
Failing that maybe find an overseas broker using a semi permanent address somewhere in Europe who may be able to help or maybe even offer a separate policy per country.


Malcolm Feth

Original Poster:

70 posts

165 months

Thursday 30th November 2023
quotequote all
Thanks for suggestions

N&R said no as car is too low value (has to be 55k+)
I tried Keith Micheals - no, they can't offer over 90 days outside UK.

So no luck so far.

alscar

9,820 posts

242 months

Thursday 30th November 2023
quotequote all
You could try the likes of Sterling or Clements Worldwide.
Both have ex Pat schemes which although not necessarily applicable to you might have alternatives.

JamesK2

3 posts

83 months

Monday 11th March 2024
quotequote all
Sorry to bring up an old thread, but did you get any further with this?
I'll be in Spain/Italy for around 260 days starting July time this year and would love to drive down.
I've got a fairly modded hybrid turbo Fiesta, my Insurer Brentacre will only offer 30 days, and Stuart Collins wants you be to 25 so I don't yet quality.
Any advice is greatly appreciated, perhaps it's time to get rid of the Fez...

Ben-389im

1 posts

29 months

Wednesday 17th April 2024
quotequote all
Clements said they couldn't help, but gave me these details: (I'm 36, and haven't contacted them yet. Also living abroad with a UK car that cannot be reregistered in the country I'm in)

Maria M. Alessie

Assurantiekantoor Alessie

Eliotplaats 174

3068 VL Rotterdam

The Netherlands

tel +31 10 4 555 946
alessie@alessie.com