Importing, US Insurance and Car Alarms
Discussion
Niggly, niggly impediments when importing that someone might know the answer to.
1. I have a guy in the US to inspect, purchase and buy a suitable Corvette. He wants me to insure it from the time he collects it. Adrian Flux say they won't insure the car until it arrives in the UK. Can I insure it through a US insurer short term?
2. Aside from having to register it within 30 days, Flux also insist on a Thatcham Category 1 alarm. Are US alarms legal in the UK or do they operate on a different frequency. If so, I presume they can't be retuned and you have to fit an aftermarket alarm??? If not, is there an insurer who recognises the stock item as acceptable.
1. I have a guy in the US to inspect, purchase and buy a suitable Corvette. He wants me to insure it from the time he collects it. Adrian Flux say they won't insure the car until it arrives in the UK. Can I insure it through a US insurer short term?
2. Aside from having to register it within 30 days, Flux also insist on a Thatcham Category 1 alarm. Are US alarms legal in the UK or do they operate on a different frequency. If so, I presume they can't be retuned and you have to fit an aftermarket alarm??? If not, is there an insurer who recognises the stock item as acceptable.
This may not help but in the past, when faced with the same requirement from insurers I have absolutely refused to install a third party alarm in my Corvette.
This is due to the complexity of the factory system plus the fact that the GM alarm / immobiliser fitted as standard to my C4s (even in my 84 it was reliable) is the ONLY anti-theft device I have ever had that hasn't left me stranded.
I've always gone to an insurer that will accept the factory alarm.
This is due to the complexity of the factory system plus the fact that the GM alarm / immobiliser fitted as standard to my C4s (even in my 84 it was reliable) is the ONLY anti-theft device I have ever had that hasn't left me stranded.
I've always gone to an insurer that will accept the factory alarm.
I am with A/Flux and just have the stock alarm
Malc is right. I am forced to have alarms fitted to my bikes by insurance companies and they are always a complete pain in the ass. I think alarms are a complete waste of time anyway-people ignore them. Years ago (on a bike) the alarm/imob. system packed up. I managed to run a bi-pass and start the bike and then rode it home, some 25 miles with the alarm still going, lights flashing etc. Did anyone take any notice ? did they heck
The only alarm system thats is a good idea is a paging alarm and thats a waste of time in the UK 'cause you can't do anything if you do catch them red handed.
Malc is right. I am forced to have alarms fitted to my bikes by insurance companies and they are always a complete pain in the ass. I think alarms are a complete waste of time anyway-people ignore them. Years ago (on a bike) the alarm/imob. system packed up. I managed to run a bi-pass and start the bike and then rode it home, some 25 miles with the alarm still going, lights flashing etc. Did anyone take any notice ? did they heck
The only alarm system thats is a good idea is a paging alarm and thats a waste of time in the UK 'cause you can't do anything if you do catch them red handed.
I have my Z06 insured with Hill House Hammond and they did not stipulate a Cat 1 for mine. However they did for Jan's Skyline. The Z06 is garaged, the Skyline in kept on the drive this maybe why or it could just be the Skyline is more nickable.
I insured my Z06 on the VIN number from the time of purchase, again with HHH.
I insured my Z06 on the VIN number from the time of purchase, again with HHH.
vetteheadracer said:
I have my Z06 insured with Hill House Hammond and they did not stipulate a Cat 1 for mine. However they did for Jan's Skyline. The Z06 is garaged, the Skyline in kept on the drive this maybe why or it could just be the Skyline is more nickable.
I insured my Z06 on the VIN number from the time of purchase, again with HHH.
Well I've just spoken to HHH and I think you just THOUGHT you were insured from the time of purchase. I asked about getting insured in the US and they said "Ooh, no, only when it arrives on British soil". I thought that might be the case as different insurance laws apply.
Not all bad news however, they just gave me a cracking quote of £400 even though all my NCB is on my other car and that's for 4000 miles, £250 excess and no extra alarm other than stock.
HHH were the only insurers who didn't stipulate an additional alarm. I went through the 'research' process and I 'believe' that when Corvettes were sold in the UK (for all of about 3 years), aftermarket alarms which conformed with Thatcham were fitted by another company. Imports categorically do not.
I gave up and took up insurance with another company only to find out that HHH didn't require an additional alarm so I switched my policy to them. As with most insurance companies, they will only insure the vehicle from the date it's on UK soil, and you can only set up the policy 30 days beforehand.
An additional hurdle I ran into as a UK expat returning from the US was that almost all underwriters REQUIRE you to have been resident in the UK continuously over the past 3 years. Again, HHH didn't care. If you ignore this requirement, your insurance could be worthless!!!
-kenski
I gave up and took up insurance with another company only to find out that HHH didn't require an additional alarm so I switched my policy to them. As with most insurance companies, they will only insure the vehicle from the date it's on UK soil, and you can only set up the policy 30 days beforehand.
An additional hurdle I ran into as a UK expat returning from the US was that almost all underwriters REQUIRE you to have been resident in the UK continuously over the past 3 years. Again, HHH didn't care. If you ignore this requirement, your insurance could be worthless!!!
-kenski
LuS1fer
Don't know if you solved your problem with insurance yet but US companies are not exactly flexible for non residents. I'm in Vegas (as an Air Force guy I'm still a UK resident)and I had to jump through hoops to get cover at a reasonable price on arrival. Surprised your contact can't work short term cover on his policy.
You should be covered by marine insurance in transit and easy once off the boat.
Don't know if you solved your problem with insurance yet but US companies are not exactly flexible for non residents. I'm in Vegas (as an Air Force guy I'm still a UK resident)and I had to jump through hoops to get cover at a reasonable price on arrival. Surprised your contact can't work short term cover on his policy.
You should be covered by marine insurance in transit and easy once off the boat.
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