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Tue 27 Nov 2007 15:48

Tricky insurance question (driving abroad) - jonrice

Ok can't seem to find an answer to this. I'm popping over to England to buy a car BUT I will be leaving for Sweden the next day and want brake down cover.

So far it seems the car as to be registered in the U.K but I won't have time to do this unless it takes one day or something to register it at my parents address in my name ect. (I will be there only 2-3 days)

Now I've done this before and got the car insured o.k for what was holiday cover on my mums insurance, but I had not sent of the form to re-register it in my name at that point.

So can I get the car insured straight away which is yes and if so I must then be able to get brake down cover.

It's been a long time since I have used U.K Insurance thus the question.

One way insurance if possible would be better as I'm not sure if and when I will return.

Hope that make a little sense would really appreciate any help.

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Tue 27 Nov 2007 17:06

Tricky insurance question (driving abroad) - gmac

If the car is going to be covered for breakdown in Sweden with a Swedish company then take European breakdown cover with them from the day you intend to buy the car.

Again, for insurance take European cover with the company you will use in Sweden.

If the car is going to be out of the UK for twelve months or more you need to export the car and do all the associated paperwork, headlight conversions etc...

If you take a UK spec. RHD car to mainland Europe and re-reg. it you may have to pay a premium on insurance for it being RHD in a LHD country (same as LHD cars can be upto 25% more expensive to insure in the UK).

Depending on the car, you may find spare parts, especially for steering, more difficult to get hold of also.

Edited by gmac on 27/11/2007 at 17:07

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Tue 27 Nov 2007 19:37

Tricky insurance question (driving abroad) - jonrice

Hi thanks for reply like I said I've done it before and it still works out cheaper to buy from the U.K.

The problem is you have to have the car registered (in Sweden) in order to get Swedish insurance thats why I need a way to insure it from the U.K first before anything. Prb just best to get U.K insurance with some sort of holiday cover for break downs or take my chance and hope nothing goes wrong.

Cheers. jon

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Tue 27 Nov 2007 21:44

Tricky insurance question (driving abroad) - Billy Whizz

What car are you buying? Is it LHD or RHD? Are you a Swedish resident? What are you going to do for winter tyres?!?

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Tue 27 Nov 2007 22:34

Tricky insurance question (driving abroad) - jonrice

dont know yet nothing fancy and yes,RHD, No, the mrs is thow she will be insuring it,dont need winter tyres.

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Tue 27 Nov 2007 22:56

Tricky insurance question (driving abroad) - pmh

For breakdown cover,IIRC most of the major UK offerings will have clauses about the absence from the UK being of a temporary nature, ie a round trip. They will not offer one way cover. So it may be wise to ensure that it is a holiday trip to Sweden. Of course you can always change your mind when you sucessfully get there!
--

pmh (was peter)

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Wed 28 Nov 2007 09:07

Tricky insurance question (driving abroad) - jonrice

Thanks for that, a holiday it is then.

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Thu 29 Nov 2007 20:40

Tricky insurance question (driving abroad) - NVH

iirc EU law requires that the vehicle is insured in the country in which it is registered.
As a rule of thumb: 6 months is the maximum time you can spend abroad.

UK private insurance policies have a maximum of 180 days use abroad,
often with a restriction of 30, 60 or 90 days in any one trip.
Some companies require notification of each trip, others not.
Cover may also be heavily restricted.

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