French reg car insurance nightmare

[capsuleboy]

Help!

I have just come off the phone to a very snotty and unpleasant member of the Footman James insurance team.

 

In a nut shell the problem is:

 

I have insured a French registered car with them before and have just gone to add another to my classic multi car policy. They now inform me that although they are happy to insure the car, I cannot drive it legally in this country and that they will not issue a certificate of insurance. 

So whats the point of the insurance you may well ask and why have they changed there tune... I drove around in my Estafette van last summer, insured with them, only to be told now that I was not covered for driving, good job I didn't hit anybody.

 

So is it illegal to drive a foreign registered car that's insured in this country?

 

The car by the way is that gorgeous metallic blue Citroen GS that was on ebay a week or so ago. I am now trailering it back instead of driving. So if you see an Avantime / GS road train on the M1 tomorrow morning its going to be me.

 

Advice please...

[Micrashed]

Try a different insurance company, or insure it on the VIN and tell them that you will be applying for a UK registration just as soon as is practical.

[Junkman]

I had quite some hassle with Footman James lately myself and also noted the snotty, dismissive, and arrogant tone, reminiscent of 1970s Britain.

I usually cherish this hallmark of English culture and heritage, but not when I am at the receiving end of it.

It's about time to shop elsewhere.

[cms206]

I had quite some hassle with Footman James lately myself and also noted the snotty, dismissive, and arrogant tone, reminiscent of 1970s Britain.

I usually cherish this hallmark of English culture and heritage, but not when I am at the receiving end of it.

It's about time to shop elsewhere.

 

I too have had issues with FJ recently; after dealing with a torn faced cunt for the best part of 40 minutes a couple of weeks ago, I was left on hold for a further 20 minutes before being cut off.

 

On the other hand, I phoned back a few days later and the service I recieved was impeccable and the changes to my insurance were made in a matter of eight or nine minutes.

[dollywobbler]

FJ is sadly at the size where luck is very much part of the phone call experience. You either get someone super helpful, or a proper jobsworth. If you don't get the answer you want, phone again and cross your fingers.

[theorganist]

I insured my 14 with them on French plates back in 2010 with no hassle.

 

There was a time though when you could be holding for half an hour waiting to speak to someone. I think they employed a few more staff members after some dubious publicity!

 

Peter

[Asimo]

" if you see an Avantime / GS road train on the M1 "

 

If you do see it, photograph it and add to the calendar thread. Please.

[Ratdat]

I must say that in the last couple of years that I've been with FJ, they've been nothing but helpful and polite on the numerous occasions I have called them. Not had a single problem and it's been super cheap adding cars to my policy. The Pony pickup cost £17 plus admin fee to add for the remaining 10 months of the current policy.

[capsuleboy]

That's how they have always been for me in the past as well, not many, if any other companies do that. Its not something I want to lose.

 

Its more the question of is it legal to insure a French reg car here? Its been done before...But if they will not issue a cover note or certificate of insurance then it makes me worry.

 

I'm going for the trailer option tomorrow, but hydro Citroens are a pain on trailers. You have to drop the car right down and then try to get out without catching the door on the mudguards and getting the straps on can be a challenge, otherwise it can settle after you secure it and come loose.

[trigger]

Try these http://www.rhclassicinsurance.co.uk/. I've never had a problem with them. As for insurance preoblem, try Micrashed's idea of insuring it on the VIN plate?.

 

Make sure you take plenty of photos, that GS was stunning!

[pshome]

When i picked up the blue Tagora in France, i took insurance with this french company and drove it home on the french plates.

http://www.autotemporaire.com/

These chaps are very helpful and you get a "green" insurance card valid everywhere in the EU.

You just call them up for pricing, they need a copy of your drivers license by email and you can pay by credit card.

Insurance certificat, french windows insurance sticker and international green card then come within a few hours by email.

I think it was 60€ for 10 days insurance, not really cheap but easy and hazzle free for the purpose.

 

By the way, to my knowledge, french registration is only valid for 10 days after change of ownership to allow the new owner to register the car. After that its not legal to drive on the old numbers, at least in France.

 

Greetings

 

Peter

[richardmorris]

My Citroen Traction and SM owning mechanic tells me you have 6months to re-register a French car in the UK, so presumably you must be able to insure it here for that period.

[panhard65]

Most uk companies won't insure on a foreign reg number. They will insure on the vin but very limited. What with the latest NOVA scam its just easier to register it properly as soon as it arrives. I will be on the M1 tomorrow morning, only between the M6 and Worksop though. Then heading back south with a lovely Renault 25 V6 Bacarra on the trailer.

[michael1703]

I insure a German reg merc on its German plates with my insurer but they only give cover for a month, there principal is that you should have uk registered it within a month

[capsuleboy]

Series one 25? If so its pretty much top of my wanted list...