How easy is it to move abroad with an Elan??

[ianh]

I've now hit a crunch moment with my job move to Germany - do I take the Elan with me??

I really don't want to sell the car, but have no idea what I'm letting myself in for if I take it over (registration, insurance, etc). Has anyone been through this move before?

I'm likely to be away for 3 years, which is probably too long to do an extended "holiday" on my UK insurance.

Any help would be appreciated, as my other half is constantly suggesting that I use Ebay's Free Listing Day this Thursday................!!!

Ian

[Nige]

Ian,

I was in Germany when I got my Elan 10 years ago and it spent the first 6 months I had it in Germany. It wasn't a major problem as I recall. I was in the RAF and the car was registered through the British Forces Germany scheme, that restricted the number of insurers I could use as they had to be approved I'm pretty certain I used Norwich Union at the time. The car carried UK registration plates and was insured with a UK company on a specific policy for continental use.

If you are going to work in Germany in a private capacity (non HM Forces that is) I suggest you establish if you can keep the car on a UK registration (DVLA/VOSA should be able to advise) if so I would expect you would need to keep your UK MOT valid (annual trip home for an MOT?) and an insurance policy that recognised the semi permanent nature of being in Europe and was therefore valid. Alternatively you may wish to consider deregistering in the UK and reregistering in Germany, you will then be subject to the German equivalents of MOT etc and could seek insurance from a German company. I think the first option is perhaps easier on the basis of familiarity and the finite length of your Germany stay.

[ianh]

Thanks Nige. It's non-Forces, but it at least sounds like some insurers can get their heads around the temporary nature of it all.

I probably need to ring a few as "Mr Smith" to check out my options!

Ian

[Sy V]

Notwithstanding what Nige says, you could try Albingia - they insure a good percentage of the forces out there.
They did a great job covering me for seven years in Deutschland.

http://www.business.com/directory/finan ... erungs-ag/

[Nige]

There you go another recommendation. You could possibly keep it British registered but insured through a Geman company as well.

[ianh]

Problem now solved!

Providing that I keep my UK address active, it turns out that Footman James will write a green card for up to 12 months. Comes at a price, but it at least avoids re-registering the car in Germany.

Thanks for the input,

Ian