Temporary car insurance for UK (non UK licence)

[Taytotots]

We should finally be able to get back to the IK this summer (fingers crossed!). A relative has offered use of their car but their insurance won't allow them to add non uk drivers. I originally got my licence in the uk but had to turn it in to get my Canadian licence. I presume there are third party companies that I could buy a policy through. Any recommendations?

Ask 'honest john' who has, or had, a column in the Telegraph.

Go here
www.moneysupermarket.com/car-insurance/short-term/

to get quotes.

Thanks @Discovereads . The moneysupermarket one needs a uk licence but there are some others like www.completecovergroup.com/products/car-insurance-for-drivers-with-foreign-ncb/ I might try. Will look up honestjohn @newtb .

I think that probably still requires you to be UK resident (reads that way and very recent research in this area would make me take that at face value). 2 separate issues - foreign driving licence and non UK resident. Together they are a perfect storm.

A couple of companies I have spoken to have said if an existing policy holder were to call about adding a non res, non UK licence driver temporarily they would call the insurer/speak to the underwriter and check but it's very much on a case by case basis. Keith Michaels will insure non res, non UK/EU licence on a policy in your name but the temp options mentioned on their website aren't an option.

Sorry to jump on but anyone know what about when you’re a U.K. resident in a foreign licence? We’re moving back but because I’ve never had a U.K. licence I can’t even apply for a provisional until I’ve been resident for 183 days but can drive on my US licence for a year

Admiral/Elephant will insure UK resident with foreign licence and no requirement to have been resident for a certain amount of time. Go Girl/insure2go accept foreign licences. Look at Veygo for temp cover I think they accept foreign licence but must be UK resident. If this is a car which will be owned by you/spouse then try Keith Michaels, TL Dallas, Stuart Collins Brokers, Clements Worldwide. There are some others, I just didn't note down all the details if being UK resident was a requirement.

I've used Stuart Collins and they are really good. However, can you not apply for an International Driving License?

I bought a car and got insurance through Admiral on my non U.K. licence when I first moved back - no problems at all with them on how long I’d been back for. I exchanged my licence to a U.K. one after 6 months - be warned though DVLA took months to sort it!! I got it with one day to spare before my 12 months were up…….

Thanks @TheTeenageYears . Will get the relative to call again. Sounds easier! @TequilaShot not sure if your reply was for me or @KobaniDaughters ? @KobaniDaughters this might be a bit confusing now as two distinct issues - a separate thread might have been better.

After initially being told no by Stirling, I have just managed to get a quote from them for a temporary period on an otherwise uninsured to drive car (currently off road) for a policy in my name. They have some in house underwriters so it's worth giving them a call to see if there's any possibility of a secondary policy to cover you on your relatives car. They will definitely cover non UK resident, foreign driving licence, car owned by family member and temporary period the question is will they do all that on a car which is already covered by your relatives insurance?

Unbelievably helpful, thankyou so much!!

Thanks @TheTeenageYears will check out Stirling. Worth a try!

You will be able to get insured but sadly it will be expensive as you will be considered a new driver. Also once you take the written test you are technically considered a learner driver so not allowed to drive on your own until you’ve passed the road test. This sounds completely bonkers I know but I promise it’s true. A friend of mine who is also American was pulled over during this time period but not cited for any specifics violation other than driving on a learner license. Even though it was within the year you are permitted to drive on an American license she got a massive fine and her insurance skyrocketed.

@KobaniDaughters are you sure about that 183 days thing? We are American and we did not have to wait any period of time after we moved to London before starting the process of getting a UK license. I took the written test a few months after we arrived and the road test a month or two later. This was five years ago so maybe it’s changed but it’s worth double checking. I’m told it is hard to schedule the testing these days and six months goes quickly.

Thank you to whoever suggested Keith Micheal as worth a go

https://www.keithmichaels.co.uk

They found me annual car insurance which allows named drivers with Australian licence (probably other international licences, I only ask about this one) who are not resident in the uk.

Most others were not prepared to cover non uk licences, those that would it was only for uk residents.

Anyone having family visiting from AUS and want to lend a car, they are the only car insurance people who can help.

And they were £250 less per year than my current insurance.

Goodness. I'm so pleased

Thanks for the advice everyone. We eventually managed to get a short term policy with Sterling Insurance..www.sterling-insurance.co.uk/short-term-car-insurance/