[335tim]

Had a call from VW today saying my new Golf R will be ready next Tuesday, which is 2 weeks sooner than expected.

Obviously I will need to change my insurance over to the golf from the 335 on that date but I will still need to sell the BMW privately so im wondering what I do about insurance on the bimmer for test driving purposes?

Sorry, might be a silly question but never been in this situation before.

Help much appreciated.

[rowingone]

I believe that is a federal law that if you purchase a new or used vehicle and have current coverage on another you are automatically covered on both vehicles with the same level of insurance but . .call your insurance company and confirm!

[rowingone]

It is either for 10 days or 30 . . cant remember.

[IrishNoodles]

30 days on the new vehicle that you purchase

[rowingone]

but I just realized . .that's here in the US

[kceire]

OP is in London, all replies from North America, so it may not be the same over here.

[335tim]

Anyone in uk know?

[M4rius]

it's illegal to have uninsured car on your drive way uncles it's sorn'd .

[xenon]

Swap your main policy to the Golf and then buy temporary insurance (say 2 weeks) for the 335i. Google temporary car insurance - there's loads of places that do it.

['V']

^^^^ what he said
I've done this before. It's not particularly cheap but serves a purpose

[Mikex101]

Any test drivers need their own insurance. Yours is unlikely to cover them.

[shrimpvende]

When I sold my old car privately it was hanging around for a month or so after buying my new one, so I just insured it 3rd party under my mum for a month to keep it legal (it wasn't driven) and it was only about £30 for the month (albeit for a fiesta). If someone wants to test drive it they will need their own insurance unless you're going to risk letting them drive it third party if they have that extension. If you are doing it this way make them prove they have it - many insurers have stopped doing this especially for under 25's. Again goes without saying to make them prove they have bought temporary cover if they say they have, and that it's fully comp. A serious buyer would spend the £30-40 for this.

I know it's now illegal to have a car uninsured and not declared SORN but I know a few people who have risked it for up to a month and heard nothing, and I must admit I think mine went at least a week with no cover before I sorted it all out - I'm sure you must get a grace period.

[bungleaio]

Just call your insurance company and tell them the situation, most companies will cover you on both cars for a short term.

[335tim]

Originally Posted by xenon

Swap your main policy to the Golf and then buy temporary insurance (say 2 weeks) for the 335i. Google temporary car insurance - there's loads of places that do it.

Just had a search on temporary insurance. Really ain't cheap is it?

[AWebster]

Originally Posted by bungleaio

Just call your insurance company and tell them the situation, most companies will cover you on both cars for a short term.

+1

[cage911]

Originally Posted by M4rius

it's illegal to have uninsured car on your drive way uncles it's sorn'd .

Even if a car is declared of the road (SORN'd) by law it is required to have insurance. Some insurance companies of SORN insurance, but like others have said get temporary cover.

Your policy won't cover test drivers, so they need to ensure they have full comprehensive cover that allows them to drive other vehicles (which is usually only 3rd party cover).

[335tim]

Im going to be changing insurers. The golf comes up really cheap at only £240 a year with Admiral. My insurers (swiftcover) want an extrea £85 more than I pay for the BMW which was about £440!

Ill call Admiral today and ask the question.

Originally Posted by bungleaio

Just call your insurance company and tell them the situation, most companies will cover you on both cars for a short term.

[bungleaio]

Originally Posted by cage911

Even if a car is declared of the road (SORN'd) by law it is required to have insurance. Some insurance companies of SORN insurance, but like others have said get temporary cover.

No you don't, if you have a car that is SORN no insurance is required. If you have a taxed car that is parked off road then you must either SORN it or insure it.

https://www.gov.uk/vehicle-insurance/uninsured-vehicles

[C.J]

Originally Posted by cage911

Your policy won't cover test drivers, so they need to ensure they have full comprehensive cover that allows them to drive other vehicles (which is usually only 3rd party cover).

Just to highlight something here (incase the OP decides to leave his uninsured), you'll find most policies that state you are insured 3rd party to drive ANY other car, requires that other car is also insured (by the owner/garage etc).

So even if someone test drives it with their 3rd party cover, if you've not insured it, their policy is invalid.

[cage911]

Originally Posted by bungleaio

No you don't, if you have a car that is SORN no insurance is required. If you have a taxed car that is parked off road then you must either SORN it or insure it.

https://www.gov.uk/vehicle-insurance/uninsured-vehicles

My bad, thanks for the heads up

[335tim]

Update: I took out new insurance with Admiral (only £240!) and cancelled my swiftcover policy getting a refund of £185. I then called Admiral, explained the situation and got 2 weeks temporary insurance on my BMW as well for £42 for 2 weeks. Thats ALOT cheaper than the temporary insurance companies I have been looking at who charged that per day or more! This can also be extended if the car isnt sold by then.

So happy days! Cheers for your help all.

[billyyoung]

just done this with my car bought an impreza wrx sti type uk ppp which cost £294 fully comp for the year then had to pay £64 for my octavia vrs for 14 days which gave me the time to get rid of it . If it's taxed it must be insured . So either sorn it which is not great for selling or put it on temp cover . Depend's on you insurance company . they wouldnt transfer my policy over to my new car so it also cost me £75 to cancel the orignal one . To let me take one out on the impreza using my no claim's , because that can only be used on one car and then used my impreza policy and put the octaiva on as a temp cover. So £139 just to cancel and cover for 14 day's yet £294 to insure for a year . go figure !