Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Planning, Trip > Trip Paperwork
Buying bike in UK and insuring is as a non-resident? Buying bike in UK and insuring is as a non-resident?
Register FAQ Calendar Today's Posts
Trip Paperwork Covers all documentation, carnets, customs and country requirements, how to deal with insurance etc.
Photo by Marc Gibaud, Clouds on Tres Cerros and Mount Fitzroy, Argentinian Patagonia

25 years of HU Events


Destination ANYWHERE...
Adventure EVERYWHERE!




Photo by Marc Gibaud,
Clouds on Tres Cerros and
Mount Fitzroy, Argentinian Patagonia



Like Tree2Likes
  • 2 Post By Tomkat

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 26 Jan 2021
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: London
Posts: 3
Is this still best way to buy and insure (post brexit)?
Is this still the best/only way to buy a bike in UK and insure?

I'm a UK citizen but have been expat for 10+ years. In the past I've always just used a friends UK address to keep my drivers licence 'alive', register and insure bike.

But since my last bike in 2018, I've seen a number of forum posts claiming that Insurance companies are checking if true residency and denying claims which could be financially painful post incident.

Obviously using a UK resident friend to register and insure with you as named rider is one step closer to truth but might be more tricky if post-brexit European (or further afield) border checks try and match names with documents.

Anyone found any insurance companies that actually understand what a global citizen looks like or other work-arounds, especially post-Brexit?

Cheers
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 26 Jan 2021
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Wessex, UK
Posts: 2,136
Quote:
Originally Posted by antipodes View Post
Is this still the best/only way to buy a bike in UK and insure?

I'm a UK citizen but have been expat for 10+ years. In the past I've always just used a friends UK address to keep my drivers licence 'alive', register and insure bike.

But since my last bike in 2018, I've seen a number of forum posts claiming that Insurance companies are checking if true residency and denying claims which could be financially painful post incident.

Obviously using a UK resident friend to register and insure with you as named rider is one step closer to truth but might be more tricky if post-brexit European (or further afield) border checks try and match names with documents.

Anyone found any insurance companies that actually understand what a global citizen looks like or other work-arounds, especially post-Brexit?

Cheers
I am not sure how they would show that you are not resident, in some countries you have to be official resident on some or other register or officially out of the country but in the UK we come and go as we please and don't have to tell anyone, if you have motoring related and perhaps other paperwork going to one address that seems enough unless I am missing something.
I don't think Brexit will have any bearing on your question as rules around residency are different from one EU country to another anyway, the UK always seemed more relaxed than others.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 26 Jan 2021
Tim Cullis's Avatar
Super Moderator
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: London and Granada Altiplano
Posts: 3,172
Assuming your situation is a simple one of flying in and using your bike in the UK, have a look here, courtesy of Google, https://www.google.com/search?q=uk+m...e+non-resident
__________________
"For sheer delight there is nothing like altitude; it gives one the thrill of adventure
and enlarges the world in which you live," Irving Mather (1892-1966)
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 6 Feb 2021
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: London
Posts: 3
UK (non) Residency and Insurance
Thank you both for replies. I have spoken with suggested insurers and many other brokers and insurers. With one exception they all said they would not cover for motorcycles a UK citizen currently non-resident. One bike insurer did after much searching quote me gbp2300 for third party only on a gbp8000 bike value. Not great but at least it is doable. The residency test on the DVLA is may not be as strict and well defined as the HMRC (tax office) but it is clear enough that plays into the hands of a well resourced insurance claims team and lawyer post incident. Certainly asking up front they say "no" unless you are substantially living in UK in previous 12 months or next 12 months.

It seems that getting a UK friend to register bike and insure then adding expat as named rider is still the best way to go at this stage, as described in earlier posts.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 23 Nov 2024
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Oct 2024
Posts: 38
Old post but same questions:

Isn't there a risk to your UK Friend for registering the bike in their name, and insuring you on their bike? If you were to get into an accident and use the insurance, doesn't that go on their record, and possibly increase their insurance rates?
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 23 Nov 2024
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: Devon, UK
Posts: 877
A friend could buy a bike in their name and insure somebody else as a named rider. However... the named rider cannot be the main rider and if there is an insurance claim the insurers would investigate who mostly uses the bike. They call it "fronting" and it invalidates the insurance. Invalid insurance has a number of implications in the UK, one being that the bike is seized by the police and impounded, and you have to buy a special and very expensive policy to release it. Another is that it's an offence carrying a big fine and 6 points for both rider and owner. Last but not least the owner would have to declare to any future insurer that they had had a policy cancelled, making getting future insurance impossible or at least very expensive.
Reply With Quote
Reply

« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 4 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 4 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

25 years of HU Events
Be sure to join us for this huge milestone!

ALL Dates subject to change.

2025 Confirmed Events:

Virginia: April 24-27
Queensland is back! May 2-5
Germany Summer: May 29-June 1
Ecuador June 13-15
Bulgaria Mini: June 27-29
CanWest: July 10-13
Switzerland: Aug 14-17
Romania: Aug 22-24
Austria: Sept. 11-14
California: September 18-21
France: September 19-21
New York: October 9-12 NEW!
Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2

2026 Confirmed Dates:
(get your holidays booked!)

Virginia: April 23-26
Queensland: May 1-4
CanWest: July 9-12

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

Adventurous Bikers – We've got all your Hygiene & Protection needs SORTED! Powdered Hair & Body Wash, Moisturising Cream Insect Repellent, and Moisturising Cream Sunscreen SPF50. ESSENTIAL | CONVENIENT | FUNCTIONAL.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes.
(ONLY US RESIDENTS and currently has a limit of 60 days.)

Ripcord Evacuation Insurance is available for ALL nationalities.


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Every book a diary
Every chapter a day
Every day a journey
Refreshingly honest and compelling tales: the hights and lows of a life on the road. Solo, unsupported, budget journeys of discovery.
Authentic, engaging and evocative travel memoirs, overland, around the world and through life.
All 8 books available from the author or as eBooks and audio books



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

Your ad could be here, on EVERY page of the HUBB, or the whole website, or as many as you like!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.



All times are GMT +1. The time now is 06:35.

Contact Us - Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Travellers Website - Archive - Privacy Statement - Top