islandwoman120

Billions, actually! Hope they don't all find us!

sallysimmons

So true.

DDL, it seems as though you took my post as a dig against America. It wasn't. It just happens to be the place I live and therefore the place where I encounter ignorance about immigrants.

As I have said more than once, I think the Daily Mail is a scourge. My mother reads it and parrots back the same nonsense to me about lazy immigrants coming for the benefits.

Ignorance and fear of 'the other' happens in every country and it's always worse in bad economic times, when people are looking for someone to blame for their problems. I'm lucky that the part of America I live in is less prone to this kind of stuff than most parts, but it still happens.

Gabgoeshome

lol ..my MIL told me she was fed up with dealing with immigrants on the telephone (when dealing with gas , phone etc...)

Those funny accents apparently ?

Funnier that it ended up being me (funny accent ) getting her a better rate in the end ...

ldyinlv

Hi everyone,
I am a little frustrated today..so just a vent from me.
My parents being the sweet people they are, bought me a little car, I know very sweet right?? Unfortunately, as I dont have a British drivers license yet, and cant get one for 6 months, I cant get insurance here for it, even though I have a brand new US license and have been driving there for 33 yrs. Well I could get insurance, but it would cost over a thousand pounds for a year. I cant say I blame the insurance companies, but I am really frustrated that I have a car, and I can drive, but I am still stuck...grrrrr....OK end of vent..

Jackie..

Gabgoeshome

Oh no !
Sorry for you .

That has also made me nervous ,we both only hold a US license .
Were you even given the option to pay monthly ?

cheers

Jackie, so nice to hear from you. Sorry about your problem but don't give in. I know from posts that there can be hugh differences in auto insurance rates so call around until you get a reasonable rate. I think some get a good rate from the Post Office. Apparently they sell auto insurance?
I will check some posts. How about DDL did she get a reasonable rate?
OK I did some research and found the recommendation you go through a insurance broker. You can also see if you can use a letter from your US insurance company that shows a clean driving record. There are hundreds of drivers in the UK who are insured and drive on a US license.
Hey Dunroving are you able to help a damsel in distress?

This has not been my experience at all. The brokers know exactly where to go to get you the best rate for your particualar situation and are much easier to reach than someone in a big insurance group. I have recommended my broker to a few people on UK-Y and he's been able to help all of them. I can give you his info if you want. Just let me know and I'll send a PM.


I would definitely go with Avivia. They were the only major insurer that took into account my US driving history-- even the fact that I was never a policy-holder in america, they took into account I had over 10 years clean driving on my record there.

We ended up paying £750 for fully comprehensive with breakdown on a £6000 car ('03 Astra in 2006)


I think Dun pays £600 a year

Fish n Chips 56

I Love those two for £10 meal deals at the pub, you can get them week days too in many places.

Fish n Chips 56

I think its one per person although some have been lucky and managed to get two.

Thats a lot of gas coming from both ends.

Fish n Chips 56

Im glad that never happens here... Lol

Fish n Chips 56

Jackie...

Surely this can be sorted, yes Insurance prices are expensive, I like Gabbys idea of monthly, still it costs the same just divided by 12, I agree with cheers, shop around dont just accept the first quote, its a competitive biz just like here.

Dont forget it will get cheaper as you build up a NCB, No Claims Bonus...
I think your US licence will count for a lot with the right company.

I'm curious what Mum and Dad bought you, and yes that is so sweet.

dunroving

My insurance this year was less than £200 (hastings), though I drive a junker.

My first year back (2006) I paid about £400 through the AA. Insurance of all kinds has gone up a lot in the past 5 years, but for a low insurance group car, you should still be able to get insurance for about £500 even as a returning expat. Just keep trying different brokers and people until you find the right person is my advice.

Fish n Chips 56

I just want to welcome all new posters, I wont name you all as I'm sure I will miss someone and dont like to offend, you all sound like happy people now you've found new direction, thats a good thing...

Bandrui, don't think for a minute your long posts are boring, we love to read and understand a persons situation, we are all in the same boat...

DDL

We're paying £332/year with Direct Line. That's for a 2007 Renault Megane and 2 drivers: my husband (UK license) and me (UK Provisional license).

Once I get my regular UK license (I'm taking my Theory exam this Saturday and in about a month, when I finish my driving lessons, I'll take the Practical) our annual premium will drop.

We lived in the States for 6 years but Tony kept his UK license. When we moved back, we each brought with us letters from our US insurer showing that we had no claims. We provided Direct Line with these, and were given a No Claims Discount.

DDL

Jackie, why do you have to wait 6 months to get a UK license?

Can you be added onto your parents' policy in the meantime?

Why don't you give Direct Line a ring? They were very helpful with us, answering all of our questions 0845 246 8701

sallysimmons

I'm seconding everyone else to say keep trying around. You will definitely get something less than £1,000 - especially if you can get a letter from your US insurance company saying you had no claims. The key to success when emigrating is never give up! (I remember trailing around 10 car dealers here in the US before I found one who would lease a car to us).

Good luck!