Insurance for a US Visitor

derekbarrier
derekbarrier Forum Participant Posts: 14
edited December 2015 in Caravan & Motorhome Chat #1

I am aware of a US citizen who wishes to spend an extended holiday in the UK.



He would like to purchase a motorvan whilst here for the period, but has concerns as to whether he would be able to get insurance or not.

Does anyone know of a company who might be able to assist this person please??

Comments

  • Bakers2
    Bakers2 Forum Participant Posts: 8,196 ✭✭✭
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    edited December 2015 #2

    I don't know about a specific company, but I would have thought that he'd need a UK address.  Also is a US driving licence valid over here these days or can you still get International Driving licences??  Sorry adding to the questions rather than answering
    them Surprised

  • eurortraveller
    eurortraveller Club Member Posts: 6,830 ✭✭✭
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    edited December 2015 #3

    One of Google's suggestions which caught my eye was HertsInsurance based in Bishops Stortford, a firm of insurance brokers offering among other things motor insurance for backpackers over here with campervans for short periods but without a UK address. But there are others if you like to look through the long list, or pass it to your friend. 

    Moderator Edit:

    Post slightly modified.

  • WanderingHans
    WanderingHans Forum Participant Posts: 134
    edited December 2015 #4

    I'm sure the dealer we bought from, Ikonic Campers in Lincolnshire, had previously sold a Hymer to an Australian family who took it round Europe on holiday.  They might be worth getting in touch with them, they might be able to help out.

  • PR1
    PR1 Forum Participant Posts: 96
    edited December 2015 #5

    I met an Australian who was over here touring in a motor home. The dealer he bought the motor home from also let him use there address for insurance etc.   He had also agreed to resell the motor home to them when he returned to Australia.

  • Bob North
    Bob North Forum Participant Posts: 57
    edited December 2015 #6

    As an Australian touring Britain and Europe for the last three summers, car insurance was a nightmare.

    In the beginning, I thought I'd get a deal the same as any other motorist in Britain.  . . . . . that was a joke!

    My insurance was over 600 Pounds a year, insured thro an in surance broker in Horley, Surrey because the main insurance companies wouldn't touch me, since I wasn't a resident of the U.K.

    I'd have thought that driving on the same side of the road and storing the car for most of the year in a storage compound would make me a "good" risk, especially with over 45 years' driving experience and a full 60% no claims bonus from my insurance company in Australia.

    Good luck.

    If the American bloke gives up and just throws his hands in the air in disgust at the hurdles they put in front of him, heading back to airport, I wouldn't criticise him at all.

    Things are much more bureaucratic this side of the Atlantic.

  • Lutz
    Lutz Forum Participant Posts: 1,564 ✭✭✭✭
    edited December 2015 #7

    I would expect that most who come over from the States or Australia to tour in the UK won't leave it at that, but include mainland Europe, too, in the course of their travels. In view of that and the fact that it seems to be difficult to buy, register, and insure a vehicle in the UK without a UK address it may be worth considering starting off on the Continent instead. The thought of going through administrative hurdles in a foreign language may be a bit off-putting to some, but on the other hand the hurdles seem to be a lot lower and one is usually able to find someone who is able to help out with the English if that is an issue. There's no problem on the Continent in getting insurance without a local address, for example, or to register a vehicle. On the contrary, for someone who is not a permanent resident within the EU the car is exempt from vehicle tax and it will get temporary tax-free export plates to that effect.

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