Motorcycle insurance

[Handy]

Having toured France and Europe for more than 35 years and having just retired I would like to use my sidecar outfit from our house in France rather than leave it in the UK. It will retain a UK MOT and tax but is it possible to insure it so I can use it for pleasure in France for say 6 months of the year ? It would of course need to come back to the UK for MOT etc but leaving it in France from April to say November would be ideal. I would not cover more than 3000 max per year - any advive you bikers out there?

[tasng4]

If you have a house in France why not just import it?  that way you may not need to worry about an MOT (bikes don't need then in France - not sure about combos though)

How old is the bike?  I have just imported a 1983 Honda and as it's 25 years old it's possible to register it an a Vehicule de Collection hereby negating he need for a certificate of conformity - you just need to send the details to the F.F.V.E. and they will issuea certificate.

Hope this helps.

[Dave&Olive]

hi ok

 just wonder how he pays his ??

 http://www.break.com/index/monkey-riding-mini-bike.html

or could it be SD`s pet hate

 sorry Dave

[Sunday Driver]

Handy

If you are still UK resident, then your UK insurance covers you for third party risks whilst riding in France without any time limit.  If you have comprehensive cover, then ask your insurer about extending that cover for the six months abroad.

 

 

 

[Chris]

Hi there,

My insurer in France, Philip Schreinemachers, can register UK plated vehicles which are in France full time. Apparently this is not illegal - on the

contrary they have an obligation to insure any vehicle offered to them. This could be particularly helpful for people who have admin difficulty obtaining a "certificat de conformité".

He can also provide cover notes recognized by the UK Post Office for tax disc renewal if you are still taking you bike back to the UK occasionally.

His website is here for more info and I'm sure there's an article about insuring non-imported UK vehicles on there:

www.insurance.fr

Hope that helps..

Chris

[tasng4]

Just to close this thread off.  I have now obtained insurance wih AXA.T cost of 135 euros and an agreed value of 1500 euros.  Of course I do have to get a valuation, which I'm doing from www.retro-expertise.com at a cost of 23 euros.

It was dead easy in the end, after messing about with specialist vehicule de collection insurers none of whom returned my calls, E_Mails or letters I just walked in off the street and walked out with three polocies (MGB 230e, Sunbeam Alpine 187e and bike 130e) I pay monthly and got a 10% discount for 3 policies.  I did have to prove my bonus/malus which was easy as I have a modern car insured with AGF.

Thanks to all those who responded.

[Sunday Driver]

[quote user="Chris"]

My insurer in France, Philip Schreinemachers, can register UK plated vehicles which are in France full time. Apparently this is not illegal - on the contrary they have an obligation to insure any vehicle offered to them. This could be particularly helpful for people who have admin difficulty obtaining a "certificat de conformité".

[/quote]

I assume you mean he can insure UK plated vehicles which are in France full time? 

I notice he's just an agent for Generali - are you saying that he's not telling them about the legal status of these UK plated vehicles......?

 

 

[Chris]

Hi Sunday Driver,

I was speaking to Philippe today and he says that no, this is a misconception that all UK-plated vehicles are illegal and he seems very sure.

If you can prove that with a letter from the manufacturer or importer that it is not possible to issue a French confirmity certificate, then the car can legally be insured in France.

Under EU law a car is legal in France if it legal in another EU member state. Although conformity is required to obtain French reg plates, French reg plates are not a requirement for a car to be legally insured or driven in France full time.

This may seem controversial but Philippe has had much wrangling with Generali about this on behalf of clients and is certain this is the case. For any more info please call him, as I am not an insurance expert!

Best wishes,

Chris

[Bob T]

If you can prove that with a letter from the manufacturer or importer that it is not possible to issue a French confirmity certificate, then the car can legally be insured in France.

There is no reason why any car cannot be insured in France, but that does not mean it is legal to drive here!

Under EU law a car is legal in France if it legal in another EU member state. Although conformity is required to obtain French reg plates, French reg plates are not a requirement for a car to be legally insured or driven in France full time.

Quite correct any legal EU registered car is legal in any other EU country - for visitors. French law requirers that a car be imported if it is here more than 6 months.

This may seem controversial but Philippe has had much wrangling with Generali about this on behalf of clients and is certain this is the case. For any more info please call him, as I am not an insurance expert!

And Philippe is not a law maker! He is someone who makes his living selling people insurance, and the more that buy from him the better. If you want to know what is legal then get leagal advice from a professional, not someone who is trying to sell you something.

Chris, as this is only your second post, I would urge you to read through all the past posts on the legalities of driving a UK registered car in France, it will open your eyes.