UK Car Insurance

Hi Everybody,

My car insurance is going to need to be renewed in June and I am wanting to be prepared and get some ideas now.

Have had my Full UK License since September '09.  Have had no claims and no points [if that matters].

Have had my US License for 16 years prior to this with no claims and no tickets of any kind.

Does anybody know of any UK Car Insurance companies that will take my US driving history into account and my no previous claims before moving here?

When I look at comparison sites it always seems much higher when I add my info in and can only assume it is treating me as a 'new driver' when I am not.  Well I guess I am 'new' over here but you know what I mean. 

Any help is much appreciated!
Christine

I would go to an insurance broker rather than a website. Talking to a real human may allow to account for any additional information you have to provide and the insurance can be better tailored to your needs. May be more expensive premiums but you will be getting a a more accurate service.

http://www.biba.org.uk/ConsumerHome.aspx

http://www.fsa.gov.uk/register/home.do

Oh this was fun to get car insurance. Our company Adrian Luex <maybe is the name> insured me with just my US license as I got Nationwide to send me a letter showing my driver record and that helped.

Once I get my ful license the cost will go down but I just needed insurance and for both DH and I it was like £700 which adding me went up about £180 but it didnt matter as I would go stir crazy without a car ;-)

Let me know what you find

Hi there

Good information already! Definitley speak to insurance Brokers, as they'll have access to policies not normally offered on all the price comparison sites.

Overall, yes it does matter you've had no claims or points of any kind, yes it does matter how long you've had your full UK license as well. Seeing as you'd had it less than a year, you are in the highest risk catagory. One good aspect is that you're a girl and you will be seen as less of a risk than a boy!

Some companies and underwriters will take into account that you've had a long previous driving record in the US with no claims or accidents etc. However, they will counter that the US driving experience isn't applicable to the UK as we are different here - Right hand drive and Drive on the Left etc - However it's worth a go and any reduction is a good thing. Finding which ones do offer some concession is hard though as theres so many underwriters and insurance companies. Have a look through this site as this questions pops up quite often and I'm sure I've read some people have written in and got some reductions.

Jennbean - I'm sure you mean 'Adrian Flux' insurance! ?! 

Cheers, DtM! West London & Slough UK!

Jennbean - I'm sure you mean 'Adrian Flux' insurance! ?! 
 

That is EXACTLY what I meant ;-) Ya know I think you recommended them as well ;-)

An insurance broker I spoke to last week told me that Aviva gives credit for your time in the US with a license and they also accepted my US proof of no claims and gave me full no claims bonus.