As an international student in the UK, one common question is whether or not you can get car insurance. After all, owning a car can be a great way to explore the country and make the most of your time here. However; can you get car insurance if you're not a UK resident?
First, it's worth noting that the UK has strict laws around car insurance. It's illegal to drive a car on public roads without at least third-party cover, which protects you from claims for damage or injury you cause to others. If you're caught driving without insurance, you could face fines, points on your licence, or even a driving ban. So; if you're planning to drive a car in the UK, you'll need to make sure you have insurance in place.
so, is car insurance for students from abroad possible?
The short answer is yes. However, there are a few things you'll need to consider.
Are you looking for insurance for a short period only?
In Britain people with licences issued in the EU, or a few Commonwealth countries, can apply for short term car insurance. This can cover you for driving for any length of time from just a few hours to a few weeks, and cars that have been borrowed from a friend can be insured, too. Admittedly, you may find it a lot more expensive (at least on a day-to-day basis) than a yearly policy, but if you only need cover for the odd short period it could get you on the road, legally. You could visit this page for more short term car insurance information.
Do you need a yearly insurance policy, instead?
Let us be realistic and accept that if you are a young foreign student with a non-uk licence, car insurance may be difficult to find, and expensive. This is because insurance providers consider non-British residents to be higher-risk drivers; after all, even if they have had a lot of driving experience, they have probably gained it in a country with different road regulations, and where driving may well on the right hand side of the road, and not the left, as it is in the UK.
According to a study by the Association of British Insurers, drivers from outside the UK may be twice as likely to be involved in an accident than UK drivers. This means that insurance providers may charge higher premiums to cover the increased risk.
So: do you have a valid UK driver's licence?
If you have a driving licence from your home country, you may be able to use it to drive for up to 12 months in the UK; after that, you'll need to exchange it for a UK licence. If you're from a country outside the EU, you may need to take a driving test. Once you have a valid UK licence, insurance may be a lot cheaper - and easier to get - for you.
How do I apply for a policy?
When it comes to finding that car insurance policy, you have a few options. Price comparison sites can be tried, but you may well find that you need to ring the insurers on their sites to discuss your application before they will accept you as a customer. You can shop around, ringing up various insurers and see if you can get suitable cover that way. You can also consider working with an insurance provider who specialises in insurance for international students; they can probably help and guide you through the process and find the best options.
Can the cost be reduced in any way?
There are, of course, ways to lower your insurance premiums. One option is to choose a car with a smaller engine size, as these are generally cheaper to insure. You can also consider adding a more experienced driver to your policy as a named driver. This can help lower your premiums, as insurance providers see the added driver as reducing the risk of accidents.
That person should, of course, actually drive the car a reasonable proportion of the time that it is actually on the road; otherwise there is a chance that you could be accused of an offence called 'fronting', which could cause your insurance to be invalidated.
Another factor to consider is the type of insurance you need. There are three main types of car insurance in the UK: third-party, third-party fire and theft, and comprehensive. Third-party insurance is the minimum legal requirement and covers you for damage or injury you cause to others. Third-party fire and theft covers you for third-party damage, as well as damage to your own car if it's stolen or damaged in a fire. Comprehensive insurance is the top level of cover, and covers you for all of these benefits as well as damage to your own car; and sometimes additional perks such as a courtest car if your own is involved in an accident and is awaiting repair, or roadside assistance if you break down.
You may want to consider comprehensive insurance to give you greater peace of mind. This can be more expensive than third-party insurance; but not inevitably so. Many insurers have found a higher level of claims from customers who have chosen that level of cover, and although there are several different thories about why this should be the case, some of them won't offer third part cover at all, some have made it a lot more pricy, and others even charge more for it than for comprehensive cover, despite the additional benefits. It's worth weighing up the costs and benefits of each option before making a decision.
To sum up:
When you're looking for car insurance as an international student, it's important to be honest and transparent about your circumstances. You may well need to provide documentation to prove your identity and residency status, as well as your driving history and any previous insurance claims. If you're caught missing out any important facts, or providing false information, your insurance may be invalidated and you could even face legal consequences, so it is imperative that you are completely upfront with the insurers.
