Avoiding car insurance rip-off on returning to U.K.
#1
Avoiding car insurance rip-off on returning to U.K.
Here was my experience last time I went back to the U.K.:
My brother called several car insurance companies before I returned, to see which ones would give me no claims for my 20+ years of trouble-free driving (some of which was in the U.K., but mostly in the U.S. and Bahamas). Many companies didn't seem to give a toss but the AA said sure, just bring evidence of your no claims.
In reality, the AA premium ended up being ridiculously high. The explanation was that, yes, they had given me full no-claims, but for my first year my premiums were set high because I had been driving utside the UK and therefore presumably was a higher risk driver. They said my premiums would go down to a "normal" level once I'd been driving in the UK for a year.
Has anyone else had this experience, or have any advice for finding reasonable car insurance as a returning ex-pat?
My brother called several car insurance companies before I returned, to see which ones would give me no claims for my 20+ years of trouble-free driving (some of which was in the U.K., but mostly in the U.S. and Bahamas). Many companies didn't seem to give a toss but the AA said sure, just bring evidence of your no claims.
In reality, the AA premium ended up being ridiculously high. The explanation was that, yes, they had given me full no-claims, but for my first year my premiums were set high because I had been driving utside the UK and therefore presumably was a higher risk driver. They said my premiums would go down to a "normal" level once I'd been driving in the UK for a year.
Has anyone else had this experience, or have any advice for finding reasonable car insurance as a returning ex-pat?
#2
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 6,848
Re: Avoiding car insurance rip-off on returning to U.K.
Originally Posted by dunroving
Here was my experience last time I went back to the U.K.:
My brother called several car insurance companies before I returned, to see which ones would give me no claims for my 20+ years of trouble-free driving (some of which was in the U.K., but mostly in the U.S. and Bahamas). Many companies didn't seem to give a toss but the AA said sure, just bring evidence of your no claims.
In reality, the AA premium ended up being ridiculously high. The explanation was that, yes, they had given me full no-claims, but for my first year my premiums were set high because I had been driving utside the UK and therefore presumably was a higher risk driver. They said my premiums would go down to a "normal" level once I'd been driving in the UK for a year.
Has anyone else had this experience, or have any advice for finding reasonable car insurance as a returning ex-pat?
My brother called several car insurance companies before I returned, to see which ones would give me no claims for my 20+ years of trouble-free driving (some of which was in the U.K., but mostly in the U.S. and Bahamas). Many companies didn't seem to give a toss but the AA said sure, just bring evidence of your no claims.
In reality, the AA premium ended up being ridiculously high. The explanation was that, yes, they had given me full no-claims, but for my first year my premiums were set high because I had been driving utside the UK and therefore presumably was a higher risk driver. They said my premiums would go down to a "normal" level once I'd been driving in the UK for a year.
Has anyone else had this experience, or have any advice for finding reasonable car insurance as a returning ex-pat?
Looking through the following thread from US expats moving to the UK, it seems that your best bet is to speak with an insurance rep direct (or an insurance broker) rather than filling in online applications with Direct Line etc. Someone has had a good experience with motor insurance offered by Tesco:
http://talk.uk-yankee.com/index.php?topic=7137.0
#3
Forum Regular
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 79
Re: Avoiding car insurance rip-off on returning to U.K.
Originally Posted by dunroving
Here was my experience last time I went back to the U.K.:
My brother called several car insurance companies before I returned, to see which ones would give me no claims for my 20+ years of trouble-free driving (some of which was in the U.K., but mostly in the U.S. and Bahamas). Many companies didn't seem to give a toss but the AA said sure, just bring evidence of your no claims.
In reality, the AA premium ended up being ridiculously high. The explanation was that, yes, they had given me full no-claims, but for my first year my premiums were set high because I had been driving utside the UK and therefore presumably was a higher risk driver. They said my premiums would go down to a "normal" level once I'd been driving in the UK for a year.
Has anyone else had this experience, or have any advice for finding reasonable car insurance as a returning ex-pat?
My brother called several car insurance companies before I returned, to see which ones would give me no claims for my 20+ years of trouble-free driving (some of which was in the U.K., but mostly in the U.S. and Bahamas). Many companies didn't seem to give a toss but the AA said sure, just bring evidence of your no claims.
In reality, the AA premium ended up being ridiculously high. The explanation was that, yes, they had given me full no-claims, but for my first year my premiums were set high because I had been driving utside the UK and therefore presumably was a higher risk driver. They said my premiums would go down to a "normal" level once I'd been driving in the UK for a year.
Has anyone else had this experience, or have any advice for finding reasonable car insurance as a returning ex-pat?
Hope you sort something out.
#4
Re: Avoiding car insurance rip-off on returning to U.K.
Originally Posted by Englishmum
Looking through the following thread from US expats moving to the UK, it seems that your best bet is to speak with an insurance rep direct (or an insurance broker) rather than filling in online applications with Direct Line etc. Someone has had a good experience with motor insurance offered by Tesco:
http://talk.uk-yankee.com/index.php?topic=7137.0
http://talk.uk-yankee.com/index.php?topic=7137.0
Actually, next time around I'll have the advantage of free calls to the UK (Lingo.com) so maybe that's what I'll do. I also now have online Yellow Pages, etc., to find numbers of various brokers.
Last time, I had my brother call around as US calls were for me (at that time) expensive. Also, by the time I realized the actual quote was ridiculously high it was too late (as I literally bought a car within 24 hrs of getting home and needed to be able to drive it up to Glasgow straight away).
Still a good 9 months from going home (H-1 expires next May) but figure it's never too early to start planning (plus it's fun to start looking ahead at being home again). Just the small consideration of finding a job first, of course.
#5
Re: Avoiding car insurance rip-off on returning to U.K.
Originally Posted by dunroving
Thanks, EM. Surprising that some of those US expats got some pretty decent premiums. I've saved that page for future use.
Actually, next time around I'll have the advantage of free calls to the UK (Lingo.com) so maybe that's what I'll do. I also now have online Yellow Pages, etc., to find numbers of various brokers.
Last time, I had my brother call around as US calls were for me (at that time) expensive. Also, by the time I realized the actual quote was ridiculously high it was too late (as I literally bought a car within 24 hrs of getting home and needed to be able to drive it up to Glasgow straight away).
Still a good 9 months from going home (H-1 expires next May) but figure it's never too early to start planning (plus it's fun to start looking ahead at being home again). Just the small consideration of finding a job first, of course.
Actually, next time around I'll have the advantage of free calls to the UK (Lingo.com) so maybe that's what I'll do. I also now have online Yellow Pages, etc., to find numbers of various brokers.
Last time, I had my brother call around as US calls were for me (at that time) expensive. Also, by the time I realized the actual quote was ridiculously high it was too late (as I literally bought a car within 24 hrs of getting home and needed to be able to drive it up to Glasgow straight away).
Still a good 9 months from going home (H-1 expires next May) but figure it's never too early to start planning (plus it's fun to start looking ahead at being home again). Just the small consideration of finding a job first, of course.
I went to directline.com and was quoted around 400 quid fully comp, thats 100 less than when I left two years ago!
I think it helps that I am still registered to vote at my parents house and all my bills (CC etc) go there still...essentially it's like I never left!
#6
Forum Regular
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 236
Re: Avoiding car insurance rip-off on returning to U.K.
1. There are 20 insurance bands: pick a car in a low band initially, get the Ferrari after a couple of years
2. Have the car parked the car in a garage, or at least off-road. On-road has a big premium.
3. Your postcode affects your rate: bad crime area=much higher premiums
2. Have the car parked the car in a garage, or at least off-road. On-road has a big premium.
3. Your postcode affects your rate: bad crime area=much higher premiums
#7
Re: Avoiding car insurance rip-off on returning to U.K.
Originally Posted by Storini
1. There are 20 insurance bands: pick a car in a low band initially, get the Ferrari after a couple of years
2. Have the car parked the car in a garage, or at least off-road. On-road has a big premium.
3. Your postcode affects your rate: bad crime area=much higher premiums
2. Have the car parked the car in a garage, or at least off-road. On-road has a big premium.
3. Your postcode affects your rate: bad crime area=much higher premiums
My problem last time was more to do with my re-pat status than anything to do with the typical high-premium factors. And I've never, ever had an accident or insurance claim for the almost 30 years I've been driving.
And driving a Ferrari is a problem I'll never have
#8
Banned
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 79
Re: Avoiding car insurance rip-off on returning to U.K.
Originally Posted by dunroving
Yep, thanks for the suggestions but I had a boring Vauxhall Astra, parked off-road in a low-crime village.
My problem last time was more to do with my re-pat status than anything to do with the typical high-premium factors. And I've never, ever had an accident or insurance claim for the almost 30 years I've been driving.
And driving a Ferrari is a problem I'll never have
My problem last time was more to do with my re-pat status than anything to do with the typical high-premium factors. And I've never, ever had an accident or insurance claim for the almost 30 years I've been driving.
And driving a Ferrari is a problem I'll never have
#9
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Jul 2003
Location: California since 1997 now back in UK since July 2004
Posts: 1,398
Re: Avoiding car insurance rip-off on returning to U.K.
Hubby and I both got our full no claims on return to the UK. All we had was a letter from the US insurance company stating our no claims. Had a Renault Laguna 1996. Fully comp was £320 with Swinton.
I now have a Chrysler voyager 2001... Fully comp, protected no claims, windscreen cover, courtesy car etc for £440 with More Than insurance.
Online applications are not worth it. Our first one we went into their office, the second one I just called.
I now have a Chrysler voyager 2001... Fully comp, protected no claims, windscreen cover, courtesy car etc for £440 with More Than insurance.
Online applications are not worth it. Our first one we went into their office, the second one I just called.
#10
Just Joined
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 27
Re: Avoiding car insurance rip-off on returning to U.K.
Originally Posted by dunroving
Here was my experience last time I went back to the U.K.:
My brother called several car insurance companies before I returned, to see which ones would give me no claims for my 20+ years of trouble-free driving (some of which was in the U.K., but mostly in the U.S. and Bahamas). Many companies didn't seem to give a toss but the AA said sure, just bring evidence of your no claims.
In reality, the AA premium ended up being ridiculously high. The explanation was that, yes, they had given me full no-claims, but for my first year my premiums were set high because I had been driving utside the UK and therefore presumably was a higher risk driver. They said my premiums would go down to a "normal" level once I'd been driving in the UK for a year.
Has anyone else had this experience, or have any advice for finding reasonable car insurance as a returning ex-pat?
My brother called several car insurance companies before I returned, to see which ones would give me no claims for my 20+ years of trouble-free driving (some of which was in the U.K., but mostly in the U.S. and Bahamas). Many companies didn't seem to give a toss but the AA said sure, just bring evidence of your no claims.
In reality, the AA premium ended up being ridiculously high. The explanation was that, yes, they had given me full no-claims, but for my first year my premiums were set high because I had been driving utside the UK and therefore presumably was a higher risk driver. They said my premiums would go down to a "normal" level once I'd been driving in the UK for a year.
Has anyone else had this experience, or have any advice for finding reasonable car insurance as a returning ex-pat?
I returned to the UK some 8 years ago now, having lived in Toronto for 17 yrs. I contacted Dial Direct, and had no problem. Quick and efficient service, and cheaper insurance. Phone no. 0870 1609661. Hope this works for you.
#11
Just Joined
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1
Re: Avoiding car insurance rip-off on returning to U.K.
If you no longer hold a UK driver's licence, go and get one. When I returned from Germany this year, I was quoted extortionate amounts despite my unblemished no-claims bonus, but the premium sank by up to £150 if I claimed to have a UK licence instead of a German one. So I paid a small fee to exchange my German licence for a British one and saved an awful lot of money.