...here's something I'd forgotten.....

galwaytt

...we've got so used to flitting abroad at the drop of a hat, by flight or by car, to far away or the UK/NI, and I'd forgotten the motor insurance issue.

Basically, uncle-in-law, from Wales, comes over here maybe 3 times a year, and brings the car. Has done so for 40 years, never a blemish.

Long story short, at a junction in Galway the other day (Monday, I think...), he was making a right turn, which meant he had to cross traffic. Two lanes oncoming, the outer if which would be a right turn (from their own side....), and the inner of which was a straight on (or left turn) lane.........so with car sitting in the outer lane, opposing, and to see if the way is clear, and with a green light, he begins a very slow, inching r.h turn.

BANG ! :eek:

...gets ploughed into by what the mechanic who quoted the damage said must have been a guy 'flying low' (his words). 05 Corolla Verso D4D. I haven't seen the damage yet (will in the a.m.), but I believe it's bad. Wing inner and liner, door, sill, B-pillar...........over 5k worth of damage.....ouch.

But here's the kicker: he rings his insurance company (back in Wales), and advises them of the incident, and they advise him that...........he has TPO only !! :eek: OMFG !
He's adamant he has comprehensive, until they point out that your insurance is only Comp in your home jurisdiction - once you leave home, it reverts to EU wide TPO !

He is in complete shock.

I'd completely forgotten the insurance thing, above. And I've been back and over to the UK in the 968 and our then-new Galaxy ! Yikes!

So, just a reminder: to keep your cover as Comp, outside RoI, you have to BUY the extra cover. This includes for all those little jaunts to NI to buy your tyres/Chateau Neuf de Pape/Pampers in Tesco..........

just today's scary thought, that's all.

P.C.

Thanks

Was totally unaware of the insurance only being 3rd party when away from home.

si_guru

galwaytt wrote: »

...we've got so used to flitting abroad at the drop of a hat, by flight or by car, to far away or the UK/NI, and I'd forgotten the motor insurance issue.

Basically, uncle-in-law, from Wales, comes over here maybe 3 times a year, and brings the car. Has done so for 40 years, never a blemish.

Long story short, at a junction in Galway the other day (Monday, I think...), he was making a right turn, which meant he had to cross traffic. Two lanes oncoming, the outer if which would be a right turn (from their own side....), and the inner of which was a straight on (or left turn) lane.........so with car sitting in the outer lane, opposing, and to see if the way is clear, and with a green light, he begins a very slow, inching r.h turn.

BANG ! :eek:

...gets ploughed into by what the mechanic who quoted the damage said must have been a guy 'flying low' (his words). 05 Corolla Verso D4D. I haven't seen the damage yet (will in the a.m.), but I believe it's bad. Wing inner and liner, door, sill, B-pillar...........over 5k worth of damage.....ouch.

But here's the kicker: he rings his insurance company (back in Wales), and advises them of the incident, and they advise him that...........he has TPO only !! :eek: OMFG !
He's adamant he has comprehensive, until they point out that your insurance is only Comp in your home jurisdiction - once you leave home, it reverts to EU wide TPO !

He is in complete shock.

I'd completely forgotten the insurance thing, above. And I've been back and over to the UK in the 968 and our then-new Galaxy ! Yikes!

So, just a reminder: to keep your cover as Comp, outside RoI, you have to BUY the extra cover. This includes for all those little jaunts to NI to buy your tyres/Chateau Neuf de Pape/Pampers in Tesco..........

just today's scary thought, that's all.

No completely true... by law your company has to cover you TPO in all EU countries whether you tell them your whereabouts or not.

On thing you can "shop for" when buying insurance is automatic EU coverage at Fully Comp.. mine is unlimited for UK and Western, restricted time and higher theft excess for Eastern.. but was free.

Some companies will sell you a Green Card to extend your cover for a specific period.. usually very low cost.. 25 quid or so for 28 days.

You should of course check yourself before you travel anywhere as all companies are different.

EPM

Rang my crowd and they said if I was to bring it with me I'd have a month fully comp free. After that it's KY time. Worth checking out

unkel

First I've ever heard of it or remember it being mentioned here. I always assumed I was fully covered abroad (anywhere else in the EU, including the North). Is your uncle in law abroad a lot? I'd like to see more comments please!

galwaytt

si_guru wrote: »

No completely true... by law your company has to cover you TPO in all EU countries whether you tell them your whereabouts or not..

I know TPO is legally mandatory, but afaik not indefinately - usually up to 30 days only.

Comp is def extra, at your cost.

Random

The best advice is to check with your insurance company re your specific policy before you travel. There is generally no hard and fast rule and beyond legalities there are a large number of differences between some policys and terms.

bazz26

Always good to read the small print of your policy but how many of us actually do to be honest?

demanufactured

Bit confused at the OP post , who was actually in the wrong here?

bazz26

demanufactured wrote: »

Bit confused at the OP post , who was actually in the wrong here?

I don't think anyone is debating who was in the wrong. The point the OP is making is that their relative had full comp at home but once they left the UK they were unaware that the policy was only third party by default. If taking your car abroud and you want full comp insurance you may need to contact your insurance company and may need to upgrade your policy.