Can I Keep My UK Car Insurance If I Move Abroad?
Table of Contents
If you’re moving abroad, you might wonder if you can keep your UK car insurance. In most cases, the answer is no. UK car insurance is tied to your permanent address being in the UK, so moving overseas usually means your insurer can’t continue cover.
There are some exceptions, but they often depend on whether your car is staying in the UK, travelling temporarily or going with you for export. You can learn more about car insurance options when living or driving in the UK.
This guide explains what happens to your UK insurance if you move, and how to stay covered if you’re taking your car with you or storing it.
Key points
Here’s what to know about keeping your UK car insurance when moving abroad:
- UK car insurance usually requires a permanent UK address
- If you move abroad permanently, most UK insurers will cancel your policy
- Driving your car abroad temporarily may be fine with European cover
- You may need to register and insure your car locally after crossing borders
- If your car stays in the UK, you may be able to keep it insured for storage
- Let your insurer know if you’re moving to avoid invalidating cover
- Using a UK policy abroad long term could break local laws
Whether or not you can keep your cover depends mainly on your new location and how you’re using the car.
Can I keep my UK car insurance if I move temporarily abroad?
If you’re only abroad for a short time and your permanent UK address stays the same, your insurer may allow it. For example, if you’re working overseas short term but keeping your UK home and vehicle, your policy might still be valid.
However, most insurers have strict rules about who can be insured and where the main driver must live. If your insurer suspects you’re no longer a UK resident, they may cancel the policy at renewal or earlier. Always call your insurer to ask before assuming cover will continue.
What if my car stays in the UK while I’m overseas?
If you’re leaving the country but your car stays behind, you can usually insure it for storage or limited use. For example, you could get:
- Laid-up cover – if your car is off the road (with a SORN), this covers fire and theft but no road use
- Third party or comprehensive – if someone else will drive it occasionally with your permission
Keep in mind, your address must still be registered in the UK in most cases. If your car is left with friends or family, you’ll need to tell the insurer who’s keeping it and where. Make sure it’s parked somewhere secure and locked.
What happens if I take the car with me abroad?
UK insurance isn’t usually valid for long-term use outside the UK. While many policies include temporary European cover, it often only lasts 30 to 90 days. Longer stays may not be covered at all.
Most countries will require your vehicle to be registered locally after a set period, and your UK policy may become invalid as a result. If you’re moving long term and taking your car, your best option is:
- Export the vehicle formally
- Re-register the car in your new country
- Cancel your UK policy and buy local insurance in your new region
The rules differ by country, so check with the local licensing authority before driving across borders.
Can I use my UK no claims bonus abroad?
Many insurers outside the UK will let you transfer your no claims bonus, but you’ll usually need proof. Ask your UK insurer for a letter confirming how many years of bonus you’ve built up and when the policy ended.
This can help you get cheaper cover when insuring a car abroad. However, the way insurers apply discounts can differ by country, so the full savings may vary. Some countries also accept UK driving history as part of their eligibility checks.
What are my options if I’m still unsure?
If you’re uncertain, speak to your insurer first. They’ll need to know:
- Whether the move is temporary or permanent
- Where the car will be kept and how it’ll be used
- If anyone else in the UK will be driving the car
If you’re keeping your car in storage, it may still make sense to keep a UK policy for fire or theft protection. If you’re taking the car abroad, explore local cover and registration rules before relying on UK insurance.
Do I need to cancel my UK car insurance if I emigrate?
Yes, in most cases. Once you’ve moved abroad permanently, your UK-based insurance will no longer be valid. This is partly because you’ll no longer use the car in the UK, and partly because your permanent address is now outside the eligible regions for cover.
Failing to cancel properly could lead to missed payments or issues with auto renewal. Let your insurer know in writing and ask for confirmation. If you sell or deregister the car from the UK, keep that paperwork too, especially if requesting a refund.
When you return to the UK you may want to consider temporary car insurance for non-UK residents cover if you borrow a friends car.
In Summary
In most situations, you won’t be able to keep your UK car insurance if you move abroad permanently. Whether your car comes with you or stays behind, your cover will usually need to be updated or cancelled to stay compliant.
Talk to your insurer, check local rules and compare relevant car insurance options before making changes. That way, you can avoid breaks in cover and stay on the right side of the law.
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