Car Insurance Companies that insure Americans

Greetings! First post for me, my husband has been here (Steve Reedy) many times before asking all sorts before I moved here on a Spousal Visa. Thanks for the help guys!

Anyway, to my post. I have an international license, and have to wait still quite a bit before I can take my first driving test. I have been insured here up until today, in fact, on my American Car my husband brought over 2 years ago.  But the insurance was switched today, as they have been charging £2,500 A YEAR on a simple little Saturn coupe with me on it (and £2,200 a year without me on the policy...WWWHYYY?!?!)...and thats simply just too much, and after the insurance company said no other Saturns were in the UK or Europe....which is a lie. 

So, we insured my car with a new insurance company for a fraction of the £2500, but they WILL NOT insure me to drive the car. They will insure Americans, and they will insure American cars...but will not insure them together, even though I have driven this car for nearly 8 years, a driving record Insurance companies DREAM of, and know it inside and out like nothing else (Raced the car for a few years in the SCCA....but of course the insurance companies were not told about the racing)! Insane or what?!?

So anyway, does anyone know of any GOOD Car insurance companies that will insure Americans in British cars? We plan to buy a cheap little car that I can get insured on, and drive my Saturn.

If anyone could help, give pointers, or just anything, I would be grateful

Look up insurance brokers in your phone book, give one a call and let him/her do the work for you. 

It still doesnt answer the question if they are crap or not. I HATE going with CRAP insurance companies.

Still seeking other's experiences.

And, we do not own a Phone Book

And, we do not own a Phone Book

Phone up and ask for one! In the meantime, the Yellow Pages are online here.

As for whether companies are crap or not, I wouldn't say there's too much difference from one to another. An insurance broker can get you information on whichever companies can offer you coverage, and you can compare what exactly they cover.

I am a UKC.....and I have always used Direct Line Insurance.  They have always been really good for me.. For house / car insurance ect...

They have always been quick to process any cliams I have had in the past and pay out swiftly.

To be honest most companies all offer the same service.....Don't be afraid to haggle price with Direct Line....they are good for reducing their charges once challenged without reducing their service.

You will have to call them Re: Insuring a American..I don't think they would advertise it on the internet..but I am sure they possibly would.

I am a UKC.....and I have always used Direct Line Insurance.  They have always been really good for me.. For house / car insurance ect...You will have to call them Re: Insuring a American..I don't think they would advertise it on the internet..but I am sure they possibly would.

That's who I'm with and they insured my American no problem.

Being British, I can't say what the position would be for an American driver, but you might try Adrian Flux:

http://www.adrianflux.co.uk/

They specialize in "unusual" situations, such a modified and kit cars, imported vehicles, etc. 

I've used them for years for insurance on U.S. vehicles here and not had any problems, so worth a try.

Thanks for the help guys, but I think some got a bit confused. I need help finding an insurance company FOR ME, and not the car. Finding stuff for the car isnt too hard ... its just finding for me has been.

I will check out Direct Line! THANKS

I am still open to experiences and suggestions

I am still open to experiences and suggestions

I stand by my suggestion of using a broker. They don't charge you anything, and they have access to much more information that you'll ever have. Plus, why make the effort of doing it all yourself when someone else can? If you'd rather do it yourself, fair enough, but that would be a colossal waste of time to me! 

Having just did this last week, believe it or not, I got the best deal through the post office. 

Having just did this last week, believe it or not, I got the best deal through the post office. 

Post office? No kidding!  Do they allow the occasional use of other insured cars as well, do you know?

I hate using Brokers, as you DO pay them in the end. My husband would check through brokers for insurance prices and then go direct to the insurance company, and ALWAYS got a better deal direct. I hate giving money to 3rd parties when I dont need to. I dont mind doing the work, as long as I get the savings back Thanks for your help, Chary   

I hate using Brokers, as you DO pay them in the end.

Actually, you don't. But do whatever you feel more comfortable with. 

(My bf is a broker, and we were just discussing RAC breakdown coverage this morning. For the plan that costs £128.25 directly from the RAC, my bf is free to charge whatever he wants. The RAC charges him £40 for that plan, so he generally charges anywhere from £80 to £100. Big savings over going direct!)

I took everyone's advice here and used a broker who did tons of legwork for me and told me who was reputable and who was not.  He was very friendly and helpful. But in the end, he couldn't find me quotes anywhere near where I wanted to be (and what I had preliminarly found online, but made my head spin) and per his suggestion, he told me to check out the post office.  So I did and it worked out great.  I can drive other cars without issue.  

I am a UKC.....and I have always used Direct Line Insurance.  They have always been really good for me.. For house / car insurance ect...

They have always been quick to process any cliams I have had in the past and pay out swiftly.

To be honest most companies all offer the same service.....Don't be afraid to haggle price with Direct Line....they are good for reducing their charges once challenged without reducing their service.

You will have to call them Re: Insuring a American..I don't think they would advertise it on the internet..but I am sure they possibly would.

Yup they even take your 2-3 year no claims from america.

Being British, I can't say what the position would be for an American driver, but you might try Adrian Flux:

http://www.adrianflux.co.uk/ [nofollow]

They specialize in "unusual" situations, such a modified and kit cars, imported vehicles, etc. 

I've used them for years for insurance on U.S. vehicles here and not had any problems, so worth a try.

We tried Adrian Flux when we first got my Saturn to the UK. They would NOT insure the car because they didn't know what it was, even if pointed in the right direction.    Eh well

Husband says he is willing to try a Broker again, since people seem so insistent they're great. We have tried Swindon, and they are FAIL. Can anyone else suggest anyone?