Car Insurance

Spipov

Good morning all.

I have a question, and was wondering about technicalities.

My wife and i just bought a car for her. We are now trying to get insurance. She has a provisional since May 2011, but has an international licence (non eu) and has had her licence from home since 2003.

Now, i am getting quotes for her on the provisional (around 500-1000 euros varying companies) but no one has quoted her for the internation, but what i would like to enquire is this:

1. being on a provisional licence means she needs me to be with her at all times, however, on the international, she can drive alone. therefore, i am thinking she might need to be insured on the international. or is it a case of she can get the insurance on the provisional and if she is stopped can use the international?

2. however, the issue is that if she gets into trouble, the insurance company will be displeased as she was alone at the time?

3. i have a full irish licence and have my own policy with her as a named driver on provisional (with axa) - no bother there.

4. i rang axa and they will not insure her on an international licence (even though i have a friend who is insured on it). and they quoted me 1200 for the provisional which was ridiculous i thought (being that i am with them already).


5. anybody knows of companies that insure on international licence? or would i be able to insure on provisional and wait till she gets her licence in 6 months hopefully?

mathepac

Some insurers may insure her on her international licence, however if she's been resident in this country for more than 12 months her right to drive here on a non-EU licence is forfeit; she needs an Irish / EU licence or learner's permit.

If you look at the assumptions (tick the boxes) on most online insurance quotation systems, an Irish / EU licence is a prerequisite to getting an online quote otherwise you must phone in for a 'bespoke' (aka very expensive) quotation.

BTW, yours is the classic dilemma; "Let's buy you a car and we'll look after permits / licences / insurance afterwards. How hard can it be?" It is generally easier to progress if the horse is positioned before the cart

Spipov

right, update on this:

i rang around and axa were bad, aa wouldnt entertain the international, and insure.ie said take the provisional and dont worry. (i was a bit sceptical, but i was going to do this)

until somebody mentioned bestquote.ie

i spoke to a great guy Charles in Cork in McCarthy for bestquote and i got a quote for 3rd Party Fire and Theft, but with both provisional and International (and he even put it in writing that it was fine with both licence) for 100 euros more than insure.ie

now thats 100 euros more, but its for so much more peace of mind.


both insure.ie and bestquote were for quotes with zurich. very different stories eh.


anyway, now we're pleased. to find a GOOD valet in the area and get the car serviced as well.

up up and away.