jeffnz100

Hi everyone

We are a British couple currently living in New Zealand but planning to spend maybe three to four years in France with occasional visits to Portugal and Spain. We are having huge difficulties in identifying reputable car vehicle insurers either in the UK or France who would cover our proposed time in France. This whole area appears to be a minefield. Could anyone please advise what our best options/ companies to approach may be please. Is it better to buy a car in France rather than bring one over from the UK just so documentation and insurance/ breakdown/ warranty issues are covered?Thanks

Ka Ora!

Welcome to the Forum, I honestly think you would be better buying a car here in France. For that period of stay you will need to exchange you license within the first year.

http://www.nzembassy.com/france/nzer...ving-in-france

There are lots of insurers here in France, but as has come up in another ongoing thread you will need a fixed abode to register a car and insure it. You will also need to clarify the finer points of the categories your license has as globally these thing don't line up perfectly and it normally means not being able to drive slightly larger things.

If you have any questions don't hesitate to ask and once again welcome to the Forum.

cyrian

As Ka Ora has said you need an address in France by renting a house or flat.
I found it difficult to get insurance because they needed a certificate of no claims bonus otherwise the premium would have been 3-4 times the price.
I eventually got something which they accepted.
The other thing to know about insurance contracts in France is that you can't just let them lapse - you have to give up to 3 months notice of non-renewal.
I eventually found a small local agent of a Mutuelle Insurance company who worked hard to get me insured. I wouldn't have found him on the internet.
I recently met an american who has recently arrived in France and he has opened a bank account and is driving a car (french registered) so it must all be possible.

Good luck

bigglesworth

Jeffnz.
The simplest solution is undoubtedly to buy, register and insure the car in France. The big insurers (we used Allianz) we have found very helpful at every stage, with matriculation (registration) and everything. It is however probably the more expensive option.
Second Hand cars are expensive in France, and in Spain and Portugal. New cars were also when we bought (three years ago). They may have become less so with the appreciation of sterling against the Euro
It is possible to buy a new Left Hand drive car in the UK, so long as you take it abroad VERY quickly. (We did it). But swapping insurance is a bit of a problem, as the UK insurance only covers you abroad temporarily. So if you are moving abroad permanently, then in theory (and in our case in practice) they just withdraw your insurance. So you need to be very organised.
We were warned of the intricate bureaucracy involved in all this (and in health cover) before we started, but we found French and Spanish officialdom incomparably more helpful and sympathetic than in the UK.
Our local Mairie even supplied us with an attestation that removed the need for the rental contract! (Our then landlord was in Dubai, and an infrequent communicator)
Any questions feel free - you will find this forum peopled by members with an absolute goldmine of valuable and helpful knowledge. We have found it incredibly helpful

Im_and_Er

Unless you are UK resident with a bona fide address you will find it virtually impossible to insure a car there, having a NZ licence will only compound that so your idea of buying in UK is probably a non starter.

Yes S/H cars are generally more expensive in France but conversely you will get more back for it when you come to sell so it's swings and roundabouts. If you import a relatively new larger vehicle you could be hit with a massive eco tax (mallus) when you register it in France, potentially this can be as much as €3600!. The equivalent S/H car in France will have had this paid already.

There are few legalities to consider too:

If you live in France, and therefore are deemed to be resident, you are not permitted to drive a foreign registered vehicle.

French insurance companies increasingly are only insuring foreign registered vehicles on a temporary basis to allow registration.

Add to that that any foreign registered vehicle you may import can only remain in the country for 6 months in any 12 before it must be registered.

All in all buy in France has to bhe the sensible option.

jeffnz100

Thanks to everyone for the great advice regarding cars, car insurance and even medical insurance in France. We may also have another option that is worth considering which is lease and buy back from the major dealers. Fantastic advice though..I can see why this site is so helpful to members. Cheers everyone.