Insuring a car in Ireland whilst still living abroad

bodice ripper

hello


I know this is probably a noob question, but this sort of thing is not my long suit. any advice would be appreciated.

I emigrated a few years ago. I am currently getting my **** together to move home, and as part of that I want to get a car organised. I wont be moving home permanently until next april/may, is it possible to insure a car while still living abroad? i used to be with quinn but I take it that they went tits up...

what do I need to do?

djimi

AFAIK you need an address in Ireland to insure a car over here (its part of the risk assessment). Have you an address over here that you could use; parents/sibling or the likes? It would need to be where the car is stored the majority of the time.

bodice ripper

yes, I have parents, grandparent and a sister

bazz26

If you plan to use the car outside the country before you permanently move home then insurance companies generally may only insure you for up to 30 days abroad, one or two may cover you for a bit longer. Most will ask you to notify them in advance when you take it abroad.

bodice ripper

I don't plan to you it anywhere but Ireland

CiniO

AFAIK it's impossible to insure a car in Ireland, if you are not resident here. And you clearly are not resident here at the moment.

CiniO

bazz26 wrote: »

If you plan to use the car outside the country before you permanently move home then insurance companies generally may only insure you for up to 30 days abroad, one or two may cover you for a bit longer. Most will ask you to notify them in advance when you take it abroad.

Any time limitations for insurance abroad, may only apply to fire, theft and comprehensive part of the policy (own car damage, windscreen, accident benefit, personal belonging, breakdown cover, etc).
Third party cover will be valid abroad for the whole period of the policy. That's the law, and every insurer is obliged to offer it.

bbsrs

CiniO wrote: »

Third party cover will be valid abroad for the whole period of the policy. That's the law, and every insurer is obliged to offer it.

Hi CinO , you wouldn't have a link to that law so I can print it out would you?

keithclancy

bbsrs wrote: »

Hi CinO , you wouldn't have a link to that law so I can print it out would you?

http://ec.europa.eu/internal_market/insurance/consumer/motor/index_en.htm

bbsrs

keithclancy wrote: »

http://ec.europa.eu/internal_market/insurance/consumer/motor/index_en.htm

Many thanks.

ba_barabus

Could you not get a family member to name you as a driver on their policy? I've done it numerous times for family when they travel back to Ireland on extended holidays and told the insurance company. Never encountered an issue.

oldyouth

keithclancy wrote: »

http://ec.europa.eu/internal_market/insurance/consumer/motor/index_en.htm

Abroad is not the same as EU

CiniO

bbsrs wrote: »

Hi CinO , you wouldn't have a link to that law so I can print it out would you?

Here:

"(2A) An approved policy of insurance referred to in paragraph (a) of subsection (1) of this section shall extend to damages or costs on account of injury to persons or property incurred by the negligent use of a mechanically propelled vehicle by the user in any of the designated territories to the extent required by the law relating to compulsory insurance against civil liability in respect of the use of mechanically propelled vehicles of the territory where the damages or costs may be incurred, or to the extent required by this Part of this Act, whichever is the greater.".

http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/1992/en/si/0347.html

To find out what "designated territories" are, the most up to date what I found is this:

designated territories’ means the territories of the Member States (other than the State) and Croatia, Iceland, Norway and Switzerland;

http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/2008/en/si/0248.html

However many insurer extend this to even greater area:
F.e. insurer I'm with (Allianz) says the following in their policy:

This insurance shall operate in terms of this Policy in respect of Private Cars in the
following countries: Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland, Great Britain, The Isle of Man,
The Channel Islands.Your Policy is automatically extended to cover You to travel to or on
the Continent of Europe for up to 60 days in any period of insurance.
[/QUOTE]
So that means that full cover is available on the whole continent of Europe (not only EU), but limited to 60 days only.

We will also provide the minimum legal insurance required by law to use the Car in any
European Union country and any other country which has made arrangements to meet
the minimum insurance requirements set by the European Union.

This pretty much means, that third party cover is valid without any time limitations in any EU country + more.
I'm not sure however, which are the countries that has made arrangements to meet minimum insurance requirements set by the EU. I'm sure those must include countries listed above in the regulations (Iceland, Norway, Switzerland), but it most likely include more.

keithclancy

oldyouth wrote: »

Abroad is not the same as EU

Yes they are different words.

munchkin_utd

oldyouth wrote: »

Abroad is not the same as EU

if the OPs profile location of Amsterdam is correct, then to him abroad is EU.

djimi

oldyouth wrote: »

Abroad is not the same as EU

For the purposes of car insurance, abroad is anywhere that isnt within the Republic of Ireland.

oldyouth

djimi wrote: »

For the purposes of car insurance, abroad is anywhere that isnt within the Republic of Ireland.

Exactly, so why is the EU directive being quoted?

CiniO

oldyouth wrote: »

Exactly, so why is the EU directive being quoted?

Most people who drive abroad, drive within EU.

But yes - have a look at my post earlier - I quote Irish law stating what territories Irish issued policies cover.
This is indeed all EU countries + Norway, Iceland, Switzerland, etc...

But there is also Green Card system, which covers all of Europe and most of Asia. I think every insurer in Ireland will issue a green card when requested. I'm not sure though about validity date of such green card and cost.