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18/05/2008, 11:19 Llantony Joined on 23/08/2004 Nottingham & Lauzerte (82) Posts 248 Cost of insurance in France I've read all the arguments about whether a UK car should be used in France. Still confused! Our motor insurance currently covers us for up to 45 days but we are going for 2 months before returning to take some more stuff over.  It would make sense to sort out re-registering the car after that.  We will probably come and go so would need French insurance that covers us on trips back to the UK. What I'd like to know is:  how expensive is motor insurance in France compared to the UK?  Looking at all the battered vehicles one sees in France, I get the impression most people don't have fully comp as they don't bother to get their cars repaired.  Does that mean fully comp is very expensive?  If 3rd party only, what happens if our car is damaged by someone uninsured/unknown?    Report

18/05/2008, 21:00 ErnieY Joined on 05/12/2006 Nr Prayssac (Lot) Posts 3,739 Re: Cost of insurance in France Hi, I'm not an expert but as no one seems to have replied to you yet here's my tuppence worth. Someone will undoubtedly correct me if I'm mistaken anywhere  The cost of insurance seems to vary enormously and for everyone who says it's cheaper someone else says the opposite. Ours for instance was about 50% more than it had been in UK. Fair enough we had a good postcode in insurance terms and the family car was insured in the OH's name with full NCB. For starters the NCB system works differently in France and it takes 13 years to earn 100%. If you cannot prove that level (and who coming from the UK can) then your premium will only be proportionally reduced. The proportion relative to how many years UK NCB seems to vary from insurance company to company so shopping around is still essential, if your French is up to it that is ! Our unfortunately was not, besides which we changed our car almost as soon as we arrived last year and with all the other things going on we settled for cover via a recommended English broker which I'm sure was not the cheapest but was acceptable to be able to put at least that item on the 'done' pile. We'll definately be looking around before renewal. Overall I'd say that if you have got a decent provable NCB from UK and you shop around then insurance is probably on a par with UK. I think you're right about battered cars. On the whole the French don't seem as precious about their cars as do the Brits and are prepared to put up with the odd scratch and dent the likes of which would have your average Brit running straight for the body shop. Another factor is that they tend to hang on to their cars for a lot lot longer and are therefore not so preoccupied with resale values. Uninsured drivers are allegedly a much bigger problem here than in UK but I believe a similar system to the MIB in UK operates to compensate affected motorists. The question of blame is a bit different too. If you have an accident you're expected to fill in an accident report on the spot which both drivers should sign. You should carry one in your car at all times. On the form is a tick box for who was to blame and you should try to get the other driver to tick it thus admitting liability. If not, then unless you have an independent witness or irrefutable proof that the other drive was at fault, photos of their skid marks on your side of the road for instance then you will likely find it being dealt with on a 50/50 basis. Needless to say the last thing you want to do if at all avoidable is tick that box yourself. There is no legal obligation to complete the form but if you do not then you could find yourself being held at least partly responsible even if you were completely innocent. The 45 days you speak of with your current insurance are for extension of your comprehensive cover exactly as you have in UK. Outwith that you still have 3rd party cover, or more correctly, the minimum insurance required in the country which you are visiting, so if you're prepared to take that risk then you need do nothing and just insure and reregister your car when you come over proper. There is no confusion about this. If you become French resident then you have one month in which to reregister your car, plain and simple, everything else people may tell you is either bullsh*t or lies  Hope this helps.   My doctor said one drink per day, I can live with that !    Report

18/05/2008, 21:52 Ron Avery Joined on 29/11/2004 Aveyron 12 Posts 3,288 Re: Cost of insurance in France I think nobody bothered to answer because it seemed that the OP should just change his UK insurer, most give 90 days in a year,which would adequately cover his trip to France.   Ernie, you cannot get 100% NCB anywhere, even France, you would pay no premium would you?  The maximum is normally 50% based on no claims in last three years, it used to be 13 years as this was based on the number of years it took to discharge a claim through enhanced premiums, which is what happens if you have a blame accident. Premiums vary and are pro rata cheaper in France for French made cars but do climb steeply for foreign made cars. Why not post a sensible answer, people will appreciate it more    Report

18/05/2008, 22:13 ErnieY Joined on 05/12/2006 Nr Prayssac (Lot) Posts 3,739 Re: Cost of insurance in France I think you've misunderstood his post Ron. My reading is that he's preparing to move over to France but visit UK fairly frequently, hence the plan to register in France. Thanks for the extra info and a bit of a play on words perhaps but as for 100% NCB - whether it's 50% or whatever, you can still get 100% of that which was my meaning, just for you though let's call it FULL NCB instead shall we   My doctor said one drink per day, I can live with that !    Report

18/05/2008, 22:14 Sharkster Joined on 20/10/2006 Posts 217 Re: Cost of insurance in France It takes 10 years to earn 50% NCB in France according to Aviva.  When we moved, I had full NCB from the UK which was 5 years and this was converted to 25% discount.  On the accident front, be extra vigilant to physically take down the persons insurance details from their window screen sticker, and do not expect your insurer to try and track the other person down.  They just payout and do not work on recovering the losses. Also French loss adjustors are very thorough and will try and reduce the payout wherever possible (I know from personal experience). French car insurance seemed a lot higher to me, but we live in Languedoc and it is my understanding this is the highest risk region in France.    Report

19/05/2008, 4:10 Clair Joined on 23/08/2004 ------- Forum Moderator ------- Lot (46) Posts 7,244 Re: Cost of insurance in France  Sharkster wrote: It takes 10 years to earn 50% NCB in France according to Aviva.  When we moved, I had full NCB from the UK which was 5 years and this was converted to 25% discount. My full UK-earned full NCB was translated as 50%. Clair, a Real Virtual French Person    Report

19/05/2008, 7:08 Cerise Joined on 23/08/2004 Laguepie Tarn & Garonne Posts 747 Re: Cost of insurance in France The secret is to ask your UK company to give you a letter expressing your NCB in percentage not years.  Worked for me anyway.    Report

19/05/2008, 7:32 Jay Joined on 26/09/2007 Posts 58 Re: Cost of insurance in France When we moved permanently to France we ran our UK registered car with UK plates, French CT and insurance for approximately nine month before changing it to French plates. We were given full no claims discount by the insurers here after providing a letter from our UK based insurance company confirming we had full discount and that we had not had an accident in the previous 3 years. When we bought a second car we also got full discount on that too. An imported car will obviously cost a little more to insure, just as it does in the UK. Prices here compare favourably with the UK I think and breakdown/recovery is included in the price and usually the car is insured for any driver (check policy!). If you have the car on finance you are supposed to inform them or pay it off before you move the car here permanently.    Report

19/05/2008, 8:22 Bob T Joined on 05/10/2006 Dordogne Posts 971 Re: Cost of insurance in France  Jay wrote: When we moved permanently to France we ran our UK registered car with UK plates, French CT and insurance for approximately nine month before changing it to French plates. We were given full no claims discount by the insurers here after providing a letter from our UK based insurance company confirming we had full discount and that we had not had an accident in the previous 3 years. When we bought a second car we also got full discount on that too. An imported car will obviously cost a little more to insure, just as it does in the UK. Prices here compare favourably with the UK I think and breakdown/recovery is included in the price and usually the car is insured for any driver (check policy!). If you have the car on finance you are supposed to inform them or pay it off before you move the car here permanently. Wise words in the last sentence Jay. Shame that you illegally drove your car on UK plates for nine months though. Bob T 24 http://bikesindordogne.blogspot.com/    Report

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