Has anyone ever successfully added a "foreign visitor" as a named driver to their car insurance. If so, with whom?

I'm a named driver on a car in another EU country, (at no extra cost),

yet it would appear that the same courtesy can't be extended in return.

:thumbdwn:

They have the cheek to moan about 1.6 million people not bothering with insurance,

then say "that's not possible!"

Maybe I should just start telling lies instead, "oh yes, they're a UK resident"

(Insert lots of ranting for several more pages)

Any help appreciated ...

Actually, I'm that wound up by this, I've written to my local MEP about it!

Was strange that on one of these "police camera action" style programs on TV recently they pulled over a foreign man with a foreign license who had insurance with a UK company and claimed he had a British license. Officer contacted the insurance company expecting them to say they will revoke the insurance due to invalid details so he could impound the car - but the insurer basically said that's not a problem - he told the driver off about a bald tyre, and off he went.

We've just had this problem as my Mum wanted to put my Uncle and Aunt as named drivers on the insurance for her Escort as they're over from NZ for a month and want to do some sightseeing. Insurance company wasn't having any of it because they didn't hold a British licence :thumbdwn:

Now they've got to get a hire car instead which will cost a bit more in the long run.

...

I'm a named driver on a car in another EU country, (at no extra cost),

yet it would appear that the same courtesy can't be extended in return.

:thumbdwn: ...

That sounds nuts.

Before I bought my Furby here at home, I investigated importing a car from the UK and my insurance company informed me that :

a) On my Irish licence and

my Irish insurance policy that I was fully covered to drive

c) a UK registered car in the UK or Ireland, provided

d) My Irish car was parked up.

They were willing to insure me if I supplied the VIN for the car, in case the car had not been registered or taxed (I know, road traffic offences), but my insurance would still be valid once the driver and vehicle were properly identified (licence for me, VIN for car)

I have also included a driver from the US temporarily on my insurance once they faxed through a copy of their International Drivers Permit, issued by the AAA in the States (same as the AA/RAC over here).

Maybe if your visitor got an International Permit issued in their own country you could get cover?

Was strange that on one of these "police camera action" style programs on TV recently they pulled over a foreign man with a foreign license who had insurance with a UK company and claimed he had a British license. Officer contacted the insurance company expecting them to say they will revoke the insurance due to invalid details so he could impound the car - but the insurer basically said that's not a problem - he told the driver off about a bald tyre, and off he went.

I've seen a couple of those. Under EU law, once a driver holds a licence that is validly issued and current in another EU country, the cops and insurers have no option but to accept it. At the moment they can't put points on a licence from a different country, but that'll change soon. :(

Essentially an EU licence is an EU licence & is universally accepted.

She can hire a car here as a "visitor", no problem.

If she became "resident" here, I can add her to my policy as a named driver, or she could insure a car of her own here. However, it's just the "visitor" status that seems to be the issue, the UK insurers seem to take the view that a "visitor" will runaway & disappear, despite the fairly obvious fact that they'll actually be driving a car belonging to a friend or relative & 99.9999% of the time will be treating the car carefully, so as not to upset, said friend or relative.

She's asked her German insurance company for extra cover for her in the UK in my car, they've replied, that's for the UK company to sort with the car owner. Essentially, they think our companies, should do like they do & allow named "visitors".

My MEP's assistant has sent a "we're looking into it" reply. In the interim, it looks like I'll still be doing all the driving, I'll keep you posted if there's a breakthrough.

Well, fair play to my MEP's assistant, she's replied with the following direct quote from her email

"Your insurance company should not be discriminating against your German

partner on the grounds that she is only a visitor and not a resident.

If they still refuse to add her to your policy as a named driver, please

contact:

Elisabeth Hoskins

Senior European Adviser

Association of British Insurers

Phone: +44 207 216 7505

Blackberry: +44 789 446 2056

[email protected]

The ABI will take up the issue on your behalf."

So big thumbs up to my MEP (Diana Wallis) & her assistant Deborah for that info'.

Of course, ironically I'd already renewed this morning.