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It’s illegal to drive on UK roads without car insurance. This applies even if you’re a non-UK resident or only visit briefly. So, if you need to drive while visiting the UK, you’ll have to arrange car insurance for non-UK licence holders. The only exception is if you’re driving a hire car, in which case car insurance will be included in your rental agreement.
Get the lowdown on everything you need to know about car insurance for non-UK residents, including what temporary insurance is available, with our comprehensive guide.
If you have an international driving licence, you can still drive in the UK, but you’ll need to ensure you have at least third party car insurance before doing so. This is because driving on UK roads without car insurance is a criminal offence.
In addition to ensuring you have non-resident car insurance, you must ensure the car:
You don’t need to worry about non-UK resident car insurance if you plan to hire a car while in the UK. That’s because insurance will be included in your rental agreement. However, it’s still worth checking what cover is included and taking out additional cover if needed, such as car hire excess insurance.
Short-term or temporary car insurance is a great option if you’ll only be in the UK for a while, or until you find your feet and are in a position to arrange a more long-term solution.
Taking out a temporary car insurance policy for non-UK residents means you don’t need to alter or adjust any other car insurance policies you might have, which keeps things simple. It also means any claims you have to make won’t impact someone else’s policy if you’re borrowing their car (as opposed to being added as a named driver to their policy).
Temporary car insurance for non-UK licence holders is usually quick to arrange and available for periods from one hour to 30 days, and if you need it for longer, you just need to renew it. These policies also offer fully comprehensive insurance, the highest level of cover, which protects you and your vehicle as well as third parties.
It’s important to note, though, that the cost of temporary car insurance for non-UK residents will be higher than for UK residents, even if you’re an excellent driver with a spotless driving record in your home country.
If temporary car insurance isn’t suitable for your needs, you still have other options as a non-UK resident.
If you’re borrowing a car from a friend or family member, asking them to add you to their policy as a named driver is another option. This option could be convenient for you if the car owner is willing. However, the downside is that it may increase the cost of their insurance, and if you make a claim, it could harm their no-claims discount, increasing the cost of their policy next year.
If you know you’ll be in the UK for a while, you can buy annual car insurance as a non-UK resident, but you may need to use a specialist provider. When searching for cover, you might also see car insurance for non-UK residents referred to as expat car insurance.
When searching for an annual policy, you’ll be picking between three different levels. These are:
If you’ve driven your own car to the UK, your car insurance policy should provide some cover, but it’s vital to check what is included before you drive on UK roads and how long that cover will last.
It may well be that your current insurance only offers cover overseas on a third-party basis. If your car is damaged, you would need to pay for repairs yourself, so you might want to consider upgrading to fully comprehensive car insurance. You might also find the cover duration is limited to a number of days.
Your insurer may give you a document known as a green card, which proves you have the minimum level of insurance to drive in the UK.
Unfortunately, car insurance for non-UK residents is typically more expensive, as they’re considered higher risk. For example, insurers argue overseas drivers may not be familiar with UK motoring rules and driving on the left side of the road, meaning there’s a greater chance of being involved in an accident.
Understanding these factors can – in some cases – influence your decisions and help you keep your costs under control.
Factors that affect the cost of your car insurance include:
To make sure you get the best value for money, it’s important to shop around for your non-UK resident car insurance, and compare the widest range of quotes possible.
Depending on your circumstances, you might get a better deal from a specialist insurance company that understands the needs of non-resident drivers.
Alternatively, if you intend to stay for the long-term, you can consider exchanging your international licence for a UK licence to cut costs.