California licence, need motor insurance.

[creampuff]

My relos, who are Americans and have a California issued driving licence are coming to visit.

I want them to be able to drive my car.

I can't find anywhere that sells short term insurance to non-EU licence holders.

Any ideas?

[HaloGen8]

For the cost of the excess etc. Would it not be cheaper to hire a small Kia or Polo for their visit?

[996TT02]

Is it not about insuring the car so that other people can drive it? I.e. if there are any restrictions, such as named driver only, or age restrictions, removing those restrictions, and if there aren't any then nothing needs to be done.

If a US driving licence is valid in the UK then I don't see the problem.

I don't understand how you are trying to insure THEM.

[creampuff]

996TT02 said:

I don't understand how you are trying to insure THEM.

Because that is how motor insurance works in the United Kingdom.

[NateWM]

creampuff said:

Because that is how motor insurance works in the United Kingdom.

I think his point is that all you really need to have insured is the car, not them.

Check your policy and see if it states anything about other drivers using your vehicle. If it says yes, then they will be fine.

[ima poster]

This is an old link but may be worth trying. Also Adrian flux are really good for oddball needs. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/motoring/caradvice/hone...

[R I C H]

I live in Canada and am visiting my parents in th UK this month. My father called his insurer to check if I'd be covered on his existing policy, and they just added my details - name and age. As simple as that.

[NNH]

R I C H said:

I live in Canada and am visiting my parents in th UK this month. My father called his insurer to check if I'd be covered on his existing policy, and they just added my details - name and age. As simple as that.

+1. While I lived in the USA, my mother in London had no problem adding me to her UK car insurance.

[Ed.]

NNH said:

R I C H said:

I live in Canada and am visiting my parents in th UK this month. My father called his insurer to check if I'd be covered on his existing policy, and they just added my details - name and age. As simple as that.

+1. While I lived in the USA, my mother in London had no problem adding me to her UK car insurance.

+2 Same for me when I was living in Canada.

[creampuff]

NNH said:

+1. While I lived in the USA, my mother in London had no problem adding me to her UK car insurance.

Did you have a British licence or a licence issued by a US state?

[Snowboy]

creampuff said:

Did you have a British licence or a licence issued by a US state?

That's going to be the keep point that people have missed.
Most 'other drivers' clauses include a comment about value UK or EU driving licence.

I would think that most insurance companies would be able to add the parents, but you'd need to get past the call centre drones first and speak to someone with a bit of intelligence and authority.

[NNH]

creampuff said:

NNH said:

+1. While I lived in the USA, my mother in London had no problem adding me to her UK car insurance.

Did you have a British licence or a licence issued by a US state?

I had both, but i think my mother told the call centre about the Californian one. Similarly, when we moved back to the UK, although I used my UK licence for insurance, my wife's Califonian licence was fine for her as an additional driver on my (Admiral) policy.

[Minemapper]

US license holders can drive and be a named driver for up to 12 months on a UK vehicle. Just call your insurance co and ask for them to be added. I've done it numerous times for my MIL.