I think I'm being a muppet - expat car insurance
Discussion
Hey folks
I've just bought an Impreza Wagon and I really like the car. I've also put about £1,500 into it sorting various things and getting it as I wanted.
Unfortunately a few weeks after buying it my company confirmed they want me in New York and as it's something I've been wanting to do for a long time I've accepted. I'm loath to simply sell the car as want to have it when I get back. I'm also a bit reluctant to SORN it as don't want it to sit at my folks' house under covers and not being driven for 2 years as that'll not be good for it.
My ideal plan was to keep it insured but have my Dad as the main driver and me as a named driver but this seemingly isn't possible as I'll be a non-UK resident. They will only offer "laid-up" cover which basically means no driving on public highways and takes me back to the SORN issue.
Short of transferring the V5 to my dad and him insuring it in his name with me as a named driver, is there anything else I should be thinking of that would enable my Dad to drive it and keep it mechanically healthy and me to have use of it on the odd time I'm back in country over the coming couple of years? He'll definitely be using it more than me so there's no fronting issue.
Cheers in advance
I've just bought an Impreza Wagon and I really like the car. I've also put about £1,500 into it sorting various things and getting it as I wanted.
Unfortunately a few weeks after buying it my company confirmed they want me in New York and as it's something I've been wanting to do for a long time I've accepted. I'm loath to simply sell the car as want to have it when I get back. I'm also a bit reluctant to SORN it as don't want it to sit at my folks' house under covers and not being driven for 2 years as that'll not be good for it.
My ideal plan was to keep it insured but have my Dad as the main driver and me as a named driver but this seemingly isn't possible as I'll be a non-UK resident. They will only offer "laid-up" cover which basically means no driving on public highways and takes me back to the SORN issue.
Short of transferring the V5 to my dad and him insuring it in his name with me as a named driver, is there anything else I should be thinking of that would enable my Dad to drive it and keep it mechanically healthy and me to have use of it on the odd time I'm back in country over the coming couple of years? He'll definitely be using it more than me so there's no fronting issue.
Cheers in advance
Mannginger said:
Hey folks
I've just bought an Impreza Wagon and I really like the car. I've also put about £1,500 into it sorting various things and getting it as I wanted.
Unfortunately a few weeks after buying it my company confirmed they want me in New York and as it's something I've been wanting to do for a long time I've accepted. I'm loath to simply sell the car as want to have it when I get back. I'm also a bit reluctant to SORN it as don't want it to sit at my folks' house under covers and not being driven for 2 years as that'll not be good for it.
My ideal plan was to keep it insured but have my Dad as the main driver and me as a named driver but this seemingly isn't possible as I'll be a non-UK resident. They will only offer "laid-up" cover which basically means no driving on public highways and takes me back to the SORN issue.
Short of transferring the V5 to my dad and him insuring it in his name with me as a named driver, is there anything else I should be thinking of that would enable my Dad to drive it and keep it mechanically healthy and me to have use of it on the odd time I'm back in country over the coming couple of years? He'll definitely be using it more than me so there's no fronting issue.
Cheers in advance
You are not a non-UK resident you simply have a secondment for 2 years and your home address will remain your UK address.I've just bought an Impreza Wagon and I really like the car. I've also put about £1,500 into it sorting various things and getting it as I wanted.
Unfortunately a few weeks after buying it my company confirmed they want me in New York and as it's something I've been wanting to do for a long time I've accepted. I'm loath to simply sell the car as want to have it when I get back. I'm also a bit reluctant to SORN it as don't want it to sit at my folks' house under covers and not being driven for 2 years as that'll not be good for it.
My ideal plan was to keep it insured but have my Dad as the main driver and me as a named driver but this seemingly isn't possible as I'll be a non-UK resident. They will only offer "laid-up" cover which basically means no driving on public highways and takes me back to the SORN issue.
Short of transferring the V5 to my dad and him insuring it in his name with me as a named driver, is there anything else I should be thinking of that would enable my Dad to drive it and keep it mechanically healthy and me to have use of it on the odd time I'm back in country over the coming couple of years? He'll definitely be using it more than me so there's no fronting issue.
Cheers in advance
I don't see why your insurers won't rate the vehicle based upon your dad being the main driver. The main driver of a vehicle isn't necessarily the owner which is the case with a considerable percentage of cars insured.
Suggest you seek a different insurer.
Never had the problem, my car was in specialized storage outside Swindon, phone up a few days before, bus from Heathrow,to M4 roundabout and they picked you up, not mentioning names as they were paranoid on security, storage you paid for what you wanted, all under cover, but extra for air con extra again for a cocoon, service maintenance extra, They did a specialized storage policy, that included so many days a year driving, can't remember the cost and it would be irrelevant now as a long time ago, but it was well worth it and I always thought good value and made the journey home chap and fun as no train.
Expat Insurance is expensive and there are only two or three brokers.
I was paying £900 per year on a 330 convertible and only drove it for 2 weeks a year. It was mostly laid up when away but I had my brother and father on as named drivers so it would get a monthly run out.
Trying to get it on my brothers policy would have saved a little, but he would be in effect starting new NCB, so not very helpful.
I was explicit in my arrangement and the insurer seemed content.
After last years trip, I sold the car and now rent a 435/430 convertible for two weeks for less than my insurance was. No brainer really.
I was paying £900 per year on a 330 convertible and only drove it for 2 weeks a year. It was mostly laid up when away but I had my brother and father on as named drivers so it would get a monthly run out.
Trying to get it on my brothers policy would have saved a little, but he would be in effect starting new NCB, so not very helpful.
I was explicit in my arrangement and the insurer seemed content.
After last years trip, I sold the car and now rent a 435/430 convertible for two weeks for less than my insurance was. No brainer really.
What a strange thing to get worked up over.
Anyway thanks for your thoughts folks. I'm leaning towards just selling it now as keeping it on the road fort he odd time I'm over isn't really making that much sense so I may just have to accept taking the hit on the money I've put into getting her right.
Someone will get a good little car
Anyway thanks for your thoughts folks. I'm leaning towards just selling it now as keeping it on the road fort he odd time I'm over isn't really making that much sense so I may just have to accept taking the hit on the money I've put into getting her right.
Someone will get a good little car
Mannginger said:
What a strange thing to get worked up over.
Anyway thanks for your thoughts folks. I'm leaning towards just selling it now as keeping it on the road fort he odd time I'm over isn't really making that much sense so I may just have to accept taking the hit on the money I've put into getting her right.
Someone will get a good little car
What a bizzare comment from the other poster!Anyway thanks for your thoughts folks. I'm leaning towards just selling it now as keeping it on the road fort he odd time I'm over isn't really making that much sense so I may just have to accept taking the hit on the money I've put into getting her right.
Someone will get a good little car
Anyway, OP do you have a friend that may take on the car as their daily?
Perhaps cover the costs of servicing etc that way you know it'll be in decent condition on return.
Subaru started it when it comes to calling them (sports-) wagons. In some ways they're more hatchback than estate.
But anyway, OP, will you still have UK residency and an address? If so I would judge that you're over-thinking this and just insure it as normal with the named drivers you need, but carefully check the T&Cs for stipulations about how long you're allowed to be out of the country etc.
If you're giving up your residency or not comfortable with the above, just tuck it up in a garage somewhere (safe enough to 'self-insure') for the time away - it will be fine (except the battery and alarm's battery if you don't trickle charge it). Ideally, get someone to turn the engine over (by hand) every few months to move the cambelt's position, and roll the car back and forth a few inches to vary the load point on the tyres. Brim the tank, wash, wax and very thoroughly dry before you leave it, chock the wheels and handbrake off. Then it will be fine on your return, just treat it gently while you use up the stale fuel. I've done similar with my Subaru wagon several times with no ill effects, and am glad I still have it.
But anyway, OP, will you still have UK residency and an address? If so I would judge that you're over-thinking this and just insure it as normal with the named drivers you need, but carefully check the T&Cs for stipulations about how long you're allowed to be out of the country etc.
If you're giving up your residency or not comfortable with the above, just tuck it up in a garage somewhere (safe enough to 'self-insure') for the time away - it will be fine (except the battery and alarm's battery if you don't trickle charge it). Ideally, get someone to turn the engine over (by hand) every few months to move the cambelt's position, and roll the car back and forth a few inches to vary the load point on the tyres. Brim the tank, wash, wax and very thoroughly dry before you leave it, chock the wheels and handbrake off. Then it will be fine on your return, just treat it gently while you use up the stale fuel. I've done similar with my Subaru wagon several times with no ill effects, and am glad I still have it.
bongtom said:
Wowsers. So many snowflakes here getting offended.
s
t. PH is very different nowadays. PetrolTed will be crying in his £10 unicorn fart breakfast sereal.
Chill out sunshine, you were/are acting like a berk and were called out on it.s
t. PH is very different nowadays. PetrolTed will be crying in his £10 unicorn fart breakfast sereal. I'm guessing you're a previous user considering your current one says 14 months, perhaps it's this attitude that led you into the requirement of a new profile I wonder.
ZOLLAR said:
bongtom said:
Wowsers. So many snowflakes here getting offended.
st. PH is very different nowadays. PetrolTed will be crying in his £10 unicorn fart breakfast sereal.
Chill out sunshine, you were/are acting like a berk and were called out on it.s
t. PH is very different nowadays. PetrolTed will be crying in his £10 unicorn fart breakfast sereal. I'm guessing you're a previous user considering your current one says 14 months, perhaps it's this attitude that led you into the requirement of a new profile I wonder.
Carry on with your keyboard warrior slick. It works for you. Good on ya.
bongtom said:
ZOLLAR said:
bongtom said:
Wowsers. So many snowflakes here getting offended.
st. PH is very different nowadays. PetrolTed will be crying in his £10 unicorn fart breakfast sereal.
Chill out sunshine, you were/are acting like a berk and were called out on it.s
t. PH is very different nowadays. PetrolTed will be crying in his £10 unicorn fart breakfast sereal. I'm guessing you're a previous user considering your current one says 14 months, perhaps it's this attitude that led you into the requirement of a new profile I wonder.
Carry on with your keyboard warrior slick. It works for you. Good on ya.
Gassing Station | Finance | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff