Returning to UK after 3-1/2 years, and my previous insurers say that there is no way I can resume insurance with my full no-claims after this time out of the country; any of you know of insurers who will?
I will have 9-10 grand to spend on a diesel saloon and was thinking of a 2000 BMW 320SE, or an Audi A4 1.9. Moving back to the north of Scotland so, judging by the car prices I may need to make a car purchase trip down south; any info welcome!
|
Were you an insured driver whilst out of the UK? Any evidence of no claims?
I find the attitude of many of the mainstream insurers to be, quite frankly, laughable. 9 times out of 10 you are dealing with a clueless 19 year old who, having not come across it before, speaks to their "senior" 22 year old. The 22 year old has only ever worked in the call centre and wouldn't know an underwriter if they came round the office wearing an "I'm an underwriter" t-shirt and only got promoted because they haven't the wit to leave and get another job.
I would try www.Liverpool-Victoria.co.uk
Whilst they have their faults, their motor insurance side seems to be staffed by humans with some desire to understand unusual needs and circumstances.
|
I have been driving company-leased vehicles, so have not personally held insurance, but could easily get a "no accident" confirmation from the leasing company.
I'll get in touch with LV, thanks.
|
wouldn't know an underwriter if they came round the office wearing an "I'm an underwriter" t-shirt!
lol @ nodosh.
Just seen this and I know that Frizzell's (now = Liverpool Victoria) will honour German no-claims proof just as German companies honour UK no-claims proof. Not sure under what conditions.
Frizzell's telephone staff will speak to underwriters while you are on the line to discuss unusual risks and situations.
So they're worth a try. Get your "no accident" confirmation definitely and presumably some record of UK claims experience from before.
Maybe also your previous insurer might welcome the return of you and your money?
hth
pat
|
dang re-read the attitude of your previous insurers, can't believe that and can't edit my last post!
still as no dosh suggests maybe you need to ask the person you spoke to at the previous insurers if he saw anyone wandering round the office with a T-shirt with some long words on it which he didn't quite understand and if so, could you speak to him...
after all German insurers are happy to accept new risks with no record of German driving whatsoever subject to notification of number of years' no claims.
NB if anyone is thinking of going out to Germany it can make a big difference whether you have 10, 15 or 20 years' no-claims. so get enough (original, not photocopied) documentation together to prove your record for all the time, your UK insurers may stop at "9 years and over" which could cost you mega-euros!
pat
|
Cannot advise about cheap vehicle purchasing, but returned from five and a half years abroad last March facing the same issue that you are.
I found ringing around the only solution - a solid half day going through the yellow pages. Direct Line were happy to take my African NCD (rule appeared to be that it simply needed to be in English!) Norwich Union were also prepared to take my Kenyan NCD, and this one related to my company car policy - all I requested from my previous employer's insurance agent (Aon Minet) was a letter from them and their underwriter stating that I had had a vehicle allocated to me during my employment and that there had been no claim on that vehicle.
A painful process, but saved me hundreds of pounds, not only this year but in years to come (hopefully) in which I would otherwise be building up NCD.
Hope that helps
Jono
|
|
|
|
I took 5 years protected NCB with me to Oz in 1996. Most insurers there were happy to accept this (despite the one claim for theft months before we left). I took a renewal letter from the insurance company with me. I then kept this insurance going in Oz for 5 years
and on my return brought a renewal advice showing 10 years NCB from
the NRMA (equivalent to AA or RAC).
When we bought a car back in the UK phoned around the usual culprits....many would not cover me at all and most would not accept the NCB. Excuses varied from not being resident in the UK for the past 3 years etc etc. The one major exception was Direct Line who wanted the originals of the docs from the NRMA but were happy to keep the NCB.
After a year with DL I had a doc from a UK insurer showing 11 years NCB and moved to the best deal I could find (Esure).
Hope this helps
Ian L.
|
Thanks to all who replied. Funny thing is, I was with DL before I left and had four years under my belt, but they inform me that, although they are willing to go to 3 years (with supporting documents) there are only certain countries from which they will accept the documentation. . . . . . . where I've been isn't one of them.
Looks like I'm hosed!
|
|
|
|
