bricwood

thanks for info I will try tomorrow, managed to get barclays to send £5000 to my iban number in Italy its the max they tell me, should have asked when I can do it again, I don't know if this is just Barclay but I would not be surprised I think they make it up as they go along

Margaret M

Have you tried Italsure for your insurance - very cheap compared with Italian insurance companies.

Margaret M

What do they charge you, and what exchange rate? I have always found it better to transfer large sums of money via a currency broker.

Mr Posh

I have always found I get a better rate when i bring the Cash over...I think now you can take out £10,000 per person from the UK. And i only pay 2euros commision for the transaction


As for the car insurance that is great news about italsure I will ring them for a quote as mine is due 15th Jauary

bricwood

I did the 10,000 in my pocket when I came here not sure about the rate, I used moneycorps when I bought the house, Barclay had 2 options one for 1 to 3 days delivery to my italian account and another rate for 3 to 4 days, I think things in italy sometimes seem expensive to me because I consider a euro the same as a pound which it almost is but that's not Italy fault, I once called moneycorp to ask if I could pick up 10000 at stansted the girls said only if you are leaving that day and you have a reason you need the money, buying a house for example , what if I wanted money for the casino I wondered, banks are all getting far to nosey, complain and its because of money laundering, if I do it again I will try to remember the charges, I think its the fact I am here that makes it slightly more tricky too

bricwood

I have been told you cant leave a dealer with a car without insurance which sounds fair enough but if I use italsure how do I get the yellow piece of paper for my windscreen, do I have to wait for that to arrive? I have not got a clue about this as you can tell, has anyone ever had a claim with italsure , did they pay up ok?

duffer

I've tried contacting Italsure several times via their website but they didn't bother replying. I'm not even sure they still exist.

Margaret M

Well I am renewing my car insurance with them next week. Never have any problem contacting them.

Margaret M

I am here too. All I do is pick up the phone to the brokers, then do an internet banking transfer to them. We have two current accounts so can transfer £20000 same day if need be. Even when buying the house getting the bank to transfer the money to the brokers, then to our Italian account, it was still much cheaper than the banks, and the exchange rate was better - but then the exchange rate was better anyway in March, 2006

bricwood

I contacted italsure and they got back in 10 minutes, I am not sure yet what I am getting but I said new fiat punto and the reply is 1133 euros fully comp, I have full no claims , its dearer than I am used to I paid 350 per year with protected no claims in uk nissan primera 2000 16valve but this is different I know

Lorna at Vicenza

Not many drivers in Italy have fully comp. It's mostly 3rd party only.

One good thing about a new car here is that you don't have to MOT it for the first 4 years - and then it's every two after that.

clint

In Feb I had a car accident (other driver didn't give way and hit my car). I had Italian car insurance policy 3rd party, unlike the UK though the Italian company dealt with the claim against the other driver, they paid for the car to be repaired and even sent out a 2nd assessor as the other party was trying to get away with 50/.50 faults but in the end they had to accept to be at fault 100%. It took a while to get everything sorted about 4 months.

So it looks like in my case at least that the only additional benefit to be fully comp here is that one is covered for theft and fire not worth on old car like mine

SaddleTramp

Aww rite, so I'll get a new car for 500 Euros?

I am actually shocked at the prices, I was raised by a car dealer back in Scotland and never paid more than £300 for a decent car, mind you though, I done all the mechanics for my auld mans cars....btw, I usually paid around 100 quid for a banger, good enough for an MOT and would last for a year or a few months...

What I am actually looking at getting is information on the taxes one has to pay, thanks for the links for insurance, and the auto sales, I'll take a look...

bricwood

I agree with saddletramp where I used to live there were dealers who sold nothing but cars for around £500 to £900 with a years mot, I once needed a car fast I walking to the station and there was a nissan for £665 at the side of the road I bought it was like a new car and I had for years, I have seen cars here 10 years old with 150000 klms on the clock for 4000 Euro, does anyone buy them? maybe the scapage scheme distorts the market, where I live there are potholes 18inches deep a new car seems a shame here, I noticed all the cars are covered in dents like a banger racer here too, but that's the market so what can you do

Lorna at Vicenza

Saddletramp,

First thing that has to be paid for a second hand car is the change of ownership. Must be done within 60 days. A one off payment. Can be expensive.

Bollo - road tax. Must be paid every year. Price depends on the power of the car. More cilinders or horse power or something equals more money. Can be paid at the local ACI office but can be paid in a tabacchi or edicola if they have one of those lottomatic machines. All you need is the number plate.

Insurance - every year. Disc must be displayed in car at all times.

MOT - every two years. Dad says I pay a lot less here than he does in the UK