U.S. driver - U.K. Insurance?

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Wed 6 Oct 2004 04:34
U.S. driver - U.K. Insurance? - A. Badger
I'm getting the runaround (how appropriate!) from my insurance company on this one - so the natural recourse is to the collective wisdom of the backroom.

My American girlfriend (full U.S. license, insured to drive her own car in the U.S.A. etc etc)would like to drive when she visits the UK and I'd be perfectly happy for her to use my car.

My insurance company says they won't cover her and implied they didn't think anyone else would, either.

She can, of course, hire a car here and get coverage for that vehicle, but has anyone a clue how I can get her covered to drive my car for a few weeks every year?

Hope someone can help because, so far, I've drawn a blank.

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Wed 6 Oct 2004 06:58
U.S. driver - U.K. Insurance? - Mark (RLBS)
Norwich Union will be ok with her nationality, but I don;t think they do short term insurance anymore so you might have to move your car policy to them completely.
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Wed 6 Oct 2004 07:43
U.S. driver - U.K. Insurance? - trancer
Direct Line did temporary cover with my US license when I came over for visits so my then fiance switched her auto policy to them as her previous insurer didn't. When I moved here I was able to fully insure my own car with my US license. Direct Line wouldn't cover my particular car (insurance group too high) while Norwich Union did. They also honoured my US no claims, something that none of the others would do.
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Wed 6 Oct 2004 12:24
U.S. driver - U.K. Insurance? - NARU
As others have said, Norwich Union Direct take it in their stride. They wanted only £10 extra mid year to add my wife's cousin to the insurance - much cheaper than her renting a car for a couple of weeks.
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Wed 6 Oct 2004 23:17
U.S. driver - U.K. Insurance? - v8man
Norwich Union are tops IMHO. They don't rip you off for driving performance vehicles and as for bikes they're great.
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Wed 6 Oct 2004 23:24
U.S. driver - U.K. Insurance? - A. Badger
Thanks for the speedy and helpful responses.

I've now had quotes from Direct Line and Norwich Union. The latter's was horrible (it always is from NU when I shop around - must be something about me they don't like) and, while DL's quote was a fair bit higher than I'm currently paying (with Hastings Direct), it will still work out cheaper than hiring a car for her.

So, Direct Line it is and thanks again for the advice!
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Thu 7 Oct 2004 11:19
U.S. driver - U.K. Insurance? - Cliff Pope
Tesco charged £10 a few years ago. All done over the phone, no documentation needed. Apparently the nationality and driving record were irrelevant - they just wanted name and DOB.
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Fri 8 Oct 2004 08:11
U.S. driver - U.K. Insurance? - trancer
If I am not mistaken, Tesco insurance is really Direct Line insurance. Except for the fact that you can get club card points with one, but not the other.
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Fri 8 Oct 2004 09:10
U.S. driver - U.K. Insurance? - Mark (RLBS)
they just wanted name and DOB.


But I suspect that you were asked to confirm UK driving licence for more than 12months ?
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Fri 8 Oct 2004 09:22
U.S. driver - U.K. Insurance? - Cliff Pope
>> they just wanted name and DOB.
But I suspect that you were asked to confirm UK driving
licence for more than 12months ?


No - not asked for. Hong Kong licence, in fact.
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