Car insurance abroad?

Bazz1234 · 18-02-2019 10:43pm #1

I’ve been offered just over 7 months work this summer in Portugal and initially thought (since we’re all part of the EU) that it was just a matter of letting my insurance company know and taking care of the details (ferry and passport etc) Seems I was wrong. My insurance company will cover me for only 2 months (60 days) so what’s the solution? I need the transport to get there and live while over there. Has anyone else been in a similar situation? Anyone know the best way to tackle this? All helpfull advice much appreciated 👍

Henry Ford III · 19-02-2019 1:13pm

Why not buy cover in Portugal?

CiniO · 19-02-2019 1:22pm

Bazz1234 wrote: »

I’ve been offered just over 7 months work this summer in Portugal and initially thought (since we’re all part of the EU) that it was just a matter of letting my insurance company know and taking care of the details (ferry and passport etc) Seems I was wrong. My insurance company will cover me for only 2 months (60 days) so what’s the solution? I need the transport to get there and live while over there. Has anyone else been in a similar situation? Anyone know the best way to tackle this? All helpfull advice much appreciated ðŸ‘

Your insurance will provide full cover for up to 60 days, but they are obliged under EU directive to provide third party cover all over EU for the whole period of the policy.

So even if you exceed 60 days there, you'll still have third party cover and still be road legal.
You won't have own car damage, fire, theft, windscreen, etc cover so depending how valuable your car is, this might not be an option.

Marcusm · 19-02-2019 2:15pm

CiniO wrote: »

Your insurance will provide full cover for up to 60 days, but they are obliged under EU directive to provide third party cover all over EU for the whole period of the policy.

So even if you exceed 60 days there, you'll still have third party cover and still be road legal.
You won't have own car damage, fire, theft, windscreen, etc cover so depending how valuable your car is, this might not be an option.

CiniO, as is often the case, is correct.

If you are looking for confirmation from your insurer then write to them, do not rely on a telephone conversation.

What you need to tell them is:

You are an Irish resident with an Irish car and Irish motor insurance policy
You will travel to Portugal for a temporary period during the summer (up to 7 months).
You will not be taking up Portuguese residency but you will take your car with you.
You are aware that the policy which you hold meets the EU standard meaning that it contains third party cover for the period of any temporary stay in Portugal.
Invite them to confirm the period for which any additional (comprehensive or fire & theft or breakdown) cover applies.

Bazz1234 · 19-02-2019 3:23pm

CiniO wrote: »

Your insurance will provide full cover for up to 60 days, but they are obliged under EU directive to provide third party cover all over EU for the whole period of the policy.

So even if you exceed 60 days there, you'll still have third party cover and still be road legal.
You won't have own car damage, fire, theft, windscreen, etc cover so depending how valuable your car is, this might not be an option.

This is very helpful cheers mate. And could be suitable also as the car is not very valuable (fortunately enough)

cribbit · 16-09-2019 1:45pm

Hi Bazz1234 - Just wanted to see if you had results with an insurance company in Ireland covering you in Portugal for the 7 months? I am in a similar situation to yours and am trying without much luck of finding a solution! Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Car insurance abroad?

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