Car insurance

I emailed my insurance company to have my American partner added to my insurance policy ready for when she moves to the UK later this month. This is their response and I'm wondering whether anyone else has had this experience - any suggestions welcome:

We will only accept drivers who have a UK or EU licence. We can not cover any other type of International licence.

If a customer has an International Driving licence and the DVLA agrees to do a swap, without the driver being required to sit a test, then we would class the customer as having held a full UK licence for the number of years they have held their international licence.

Unfortunately due to this we are not able to offer insurance to your partner on an American licence and until she has been resident for at least the last 4 years.

My husband had me on his insurance straight away, although our friend is an insurance broker and explained to the company (not sure who it was) that I had been driving for 10+ years and no citations. I got my own car and was immediately insured by Ford insurance with my US license, no hassle, and a VERY low rate. I have my UK license now and am with another company. Hope this helps, have you tried calling the company to explain the situation? Even when I was in Greece I was able to get insurance on the rental car.

Thanks Lissy, that's really helpful. I haven't tried calling the insurance company as they seemed so inflexible in their response. I think I will call a broker to try some different insurers.

My DH is an insurance broker and I agree - that's your best bet.

Good news is that when you do find someone who will cover you both, you may notice that your premium goes way down once you've added her.  My husband added me and his insurance rate was cut in half b/c "married couples are generally more responsible" he was told!  Go Figure!  If it would help, I can give you the name of our insurance company in PM... just let me know.

Good luck!

Interesting and helpful responses, thank you. I thought it would be a breeze to add my partner's name to jointly own stuff but it's not turning out like that and I am surprised at the complexity and the costs of everything. Oh well, compared with the stresses of the LDR and the endless waiting and the visa etc. this is peanuts I suppose!

Definitely time to consider changing insurers.   You could even go back to your existing insurer and play them off against other quotes; sometimes their "absolute" rule about something can suddenly become surprisingly flexible when they realize you'll be going elsewhere. 

Thanks Paul. Yes, I will change insurers. Problem is I think I will lose a lot by changing as they take a hefty cut in 'administration fees'!