Sam, an American citizen on a long-stay visitor visa in the UK, had long dreamed of bringing her beloved Toyota with her. After extensive online research, she felt confident she could secure insurance, and so, she shipped off her vehicle, reassured by countless websites that stated it was possible.
However, after her car was in transit and Sam had settled in the UK, she began the process of securing insurance. The first problem she encountered was, “Nobody would cover that car without it being registered.” She added, “Even after I jumped through those hoops and got the temporary residency I needed to register it, I was still stuck because I didn’t have a UK driving licence, there was always another wrinkle.”
Unbeknown to Sam, a recent law change had quietly reshaped the landscape for US-imported vehicles just months prior. As of January 2024, US-imported vehicles could only be driven on UK roads for two trips: to the residence and to an MOT test, unless the driver held a UK driving licence. Unfortunately, many insurers hadn’t updated their websites to reflect this change, leaving Sam’s car “being held hostage in a customs lock-up” until she could secure insurance.
Struggling to find a provider, Sam was eventually referred to BIBA’s Find Insurance Service after being unable to offer her the necessary cover. Skeptical but hopeful, she reached out. To her relief, she was quickly connected with a knowledgeable broker who understood the complexities of insuring imported vehicles, well versed in the law change.
The broker assessed her situation and found a solution that met her needs. “I couldn’t believe it, after so many dead ends, somebody was actually able to help,” Sam said. With a suitable policy in place, she was finally able to insure her car and have it released from customs. Reflecting on the experience, she was struck by the ease and efficiency of BIBA’s service. “To finally have it sorted so smoothly was such a relief.” Sam’s story highlights the vital role BIBA’s Find Insurance Service plays in connecting people to brokers who can help navigate complex insurance situations, ensuring they can get the insurance they need, even when faced with unexpected roadblocks.
