I will be buying a LHD car here in the UK (very cheap) and bringing it to Madrid, where I am working and living.
Does anyone know a reputable company (British preferably as I want someone who will recognise my 5yrs no-claims!) which will insure a LHD UK plated car over there for 1 year plus?
Any suggestions will be welcome as I am having a job finding an insurance company here who will give me a green card for more than 6 months...
we use the Spanish arm of Direct Line Insurance (Linea Directa), they recognised our no claims bonus once it was confirmed by a letter from the English insurance company. HOWEVER this is for a Spanish car, the few people I know who brought cars over with them from England are really regretting the decision. The insurance is expensive and they have to drive back to the UK once a year to get it MOTd (otherwise the insurance is invalid)and you could buy a car here SO much cheaper !!
Fiona
Posts: 16 | Location: Cambridge, England | Registered: 13 November 2001
First of all, having imported my car with me from the UK when I moved here I second Fiona's statement - Don't do it!!
There are a couple of insurance companies here in Spain and one in the UK that will insure for here but it is more expensive than insuring a Spanish registered car.
The cost of importing is HUGE. For me it was still worth it as my little car was 11 years old, in great shape and a left hand drive.
If you want the full costing and listing of insurance companies I will dig out all my paperwork and either post or email...the real question though is: How much are you going to use a car? It isn't worth it in the city (I won't get started on the parking nightmare or cost of a garage space) and you can get seriously good deals on rental if you want to make a trip.
originally posted by Louise: [qb] ...and you can get seriously good deals on rental if you want to make a trip.
Louise [/qb]
How much is the typical one day rental in Madrid including insurance? Any company you recommend? Do they generally have special deals on three-day, weekend or week rentals?
TIA
Kike
I'll make you an offer you won't refuse
Posts: 52 | Location: New York, USA | Registered: 10 March 2003
Thanks for the info! It has made me think twice before I buy a car in the UK. If Direct Line will recognise my no-claims here in Spain then its prob best to go with them.
However, can I buy and insure a car here without resident status?
In answer to your question regarding needing a car - I know I wouldnt use it in Madrid since we have great public transport here (walking is also easy - I live nr Puerta de Toledo ), but I would like to be able to escape the city at weekends...
The easiest car rental agency I have used is ConnectCar Rental http://www.connect4easyjet.com/comezy/crdest.htm which are part of the easyjet group. They have been doing a "rent for 3 days- pay for 2" deal recently.
Yes you can get the insurance without being resident and yes Linea Directa will recognise your UK no claims history (you will need to provide them with a certificate).
If you want the full costing and listing of insurance companies I will dig out all my paperwork and either post or email...
Please post it if you have it, or, if it is too much, send it to me in a word doc. (or other) and I will put it on my server and link to it here on this thread for all to see if they need it.
), but I would like to be able to escape the city at weekends...
- rent or buy a cell phone from me for your stay in spain, more info at 
- already have a cell phone, get a spanish SIM card for it at 
