I’m going to be spending a bit of time in france… probably not a full year but certainly over half a year.. my main address is in the UK and I have a UK car… problem is I can only find LV who cover 180days in Europe… who offers more than that?

No one I could find when I went to Germany.
It was easier to drive back for a weekend rather than go about getting full time insurance in Germany (France will probably be tough too I imagine)

Your covered third party within the EU with any UK insurance policy for the full term. It is only fully comprehensive which will be limited. Just make sure your tax mot is uptodate as its a condition of insurance. Insurance companies never seem to know the law though and normally lie to you when you speak to them!

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/OwningAVehicle/Motorinsurance/DG_067630

“All UK policies provide the minimum cover required by law in other European Union (EU) countries or the minimum cover required by UK law if that is greater. This cover doesn’t automatically include theft or damage to your car.

Most people want the same protection they have in the UK when travelling abroad, for example comprehensive or third party, fire and theft. This could, in addition to the legal minimum of third party liability cover, include accidental damage to, or theft of or from, your own vehicle, depending on the policy cover.

A number of insurers automatically provide this extended cover for a specified period and often without additional charge. It’s important, however, that you check with your insurer or insurance adviser before you go abroad.”

Ah thank you very much Balfa very useful information 😀

Speaking as an EU expat, this is not so easy…
Everyone else in Europe gets issued 12 month green cards with their policy, rather than just a UK type A4 certificate, that looks like you could have written it yourself at home.

I appreciate that ultimately UK insurance is required to cover you anywhere in the EU but if you have a problem whilst overseas the police will expect to see a green card. Without they may assume you are not insured…

@Balfa, thanks.
So what happens when you get stopped in Eire by Garda and you’re told they are taking your car as you have no insurance?

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Sorted me out a few years ago, the policy only cost me about 100 quid more than I been paying, I think the policy was with axa so you could also try direct with them, but maybe a specialist broker only policy. The policy even stated that coverage even continued if the MOT expired while abroad, which surprised me.

I looked all over for this. Most insurers will not touch you, mine didn’t. And those that do offer extended cover don’t offer it to new customers.

Stuart Collins are your friends, as MSP says.

directline did mine, covered for 3 months, the question i asked was
‘how do you know how long i have been in europe’
the woman said
‘we dont – you tell us if you make a claim’

….hmmm

Saga car insurance cover you for a year.

directline did mine, covered for 3 months, the question i asked was
‘how do you know how long i have been in europe’
the woman said
‘we dont – you tell us if you make a claim’

….hmmm

OP asked for more than 180 days which is more than 3 months. Plus in my case it’d have taken ten seconds of questioning to prove when I was in Europe. DO NOT try and pull the wool over insurance companies’ eyes.