galaxyhunter 309 Posted April 19, 2015 Share Posted April 19, 2015 Good morning from Canada I am wanting to purchase and insure a left hand drive Motorhome from a dealer in the UK. I have found one which I would happily buy as long as I can sort out the details. And insure it. In Canada I have a 31ft Pace Arrow which I have used for years. Camping is in our blood. Since I live in Alberta we spend much time in or near the mountains. And we frequent star parties where we enjoy the fellowship of other amateur astronomers. Last year I used an agency in Utrecht to buy a Motorhome that I used to travel around Holland, Denmark, Germany and Norway. It was a brilliant adventure which I want to repeat this year starting in England. Some highlights would be military museums at Bovington, Cosford, Duxford, Henley to name a few. Those and a slow meander about discovering a few of the delights that make motor homing so much fun. I am not familiar with right hand driving. So I thought I would get the Motorhome, then park in some lovely and convenient campground then take driving lessons from a local driving school. Your opinion please. The chief obstacle is the insurance. So I am asking for your help or guidance on this. Is it a doable goal or should I return to the agency I used last year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tonyg3nwl Posted April 19, 2015 Share Posted April 19, 2015 Hi, and welcome to MMM q and a .. I am not sure how you will be able to insure as a non resident with a uk company..they always require a permanent address in uk regarding size of vehicle, and uk driving licence regs, over 3.5 ton vehicles will require a different licence category , depending on your age and when you passed driving test..dont know how it affects someone from over the pond.. A local hire firmfor uk type motorhomes, near to me is called Abacus Motorhome hire, and is based near Bournemouth, and another is called Tilshead Caravans, and Motorhomes, based reasonably near Salisbury...both companies can be found via Googleing, and could possibly help. All people travelling in a motorhome must use seatbelts , so the question is how many people will be in your party..a lot of the under 3.5 ton vehicles are only 2 belted seats, so check the vehicle specs. A google search for motorhomes manufactured by Swift, , or Autosleeper, will bring up some examples of what is available , and Dealerships such as Marquis for example have outlets spread over UK Hiring in UK will almost certainly be a right hand drive vehicle, that might not suit you, so finding a hire left hander could be a problem Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PJay Posted April 19, 2015 Share Posted April 19, 2015 If only driving in UK a right hand would be easier. Our roads are pretty crowded! Why are you buying? Why not just hire here? The insurance would then be included with the hire. As already stated, to insure a vehicle in UK you need a UK address, and may also be a problem with a Canadian licence A friend of ours an ex Brit, who know lives in NZ, had great difficulty in getting a van insured over here, when he came over for a years stay. Where would you need to get the van from in UK? Will you have a base? I am sure there will be others along who more have more useful information for you Nick Fisher of Euroserve I believe hires vehicles,and he comes on this forum, with very useful advice. Try a google search PJay Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grimaud54 Posted April 20, 2015 Share Posted April 20, 2015 Thanks for all the information. :-D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
galaxyhunter 309 Posted April 20, 2015 Author Share Posted April 20, 2015 Tony and PJ et al Thanks for the info. Very helpful as I try to build a picture of the various regs that will apply. My preference is to buy. I will spend considerable months over there over the course of several years (I hope). So to hire would be prohibitive. Having said that I could hire for a short while when visiting England, Wales, Scotland and perhaps Ireland. I very much desire spending time there and given that my wife is a history buff. And I am a subscriber to MMM which features so many great tours and spots to visit. I should add that my wife is handicapped and in a wheelchair for anything but very short distances. So given all the junk I need to bring an owned Motorhome would be preferred. And I guess a hire could be a RHD which would help reduce my stress levels. Although I still think driving lessons would be advisable. We have spent time in Japan and England but have not driven there. It seems to me that instinctive safety behavious which I have spent a life time using would get me into trouble (perhaps) I can see me spending a couple of years poking about Europe. There is so much to see and experience there. So a LHD would be very desirable for the continent. Thanks once again for responding. Your suggestions are excellent and may form the basis for our next trip over. In the meantime I will get my Motorhome here cleaned up and road ready for a summers exploration. Thanks again. Graham Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PJay Posted April 20, 2015 Share Posted April 20, 2015 Good Luck with your research Graham. As your wife is restricted with mobility, you do have more to consider than most people. i guess maybe a garage in van would be useful for you. BUt do remember that in Uk and most of Europe, our towns are small with narrow roads, (from what I have seen of Canada, not a problem you would experience!) so the smallest size you can manage with would be better,. You could of course always hire a car on occasion for sightseeing. Do let us know how you get on, and ask as many questions as you like, we do try to help, and there are people on here who have experience of mobility problems, PJay Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bb_wales Posted April 20, 2015 Share Posted April 20, 2015 Hi Graham, I would get an international licence whilst in Canada, this will give you the same rights as you have at home, I know this as my in laws have just done this coming here from South Africa, an international driving licence is good for I believe 6 months at any time. There is a large MH seller near Whitchurch, Shropshire, who sells all forms of MH, from European to American, may be worth having a think about it. Regards Bob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StuartO Posted April 20, 2015 Share Posted April 20, 2015 Does having an international driving licence solve the insurance problem? Maybe not. If you are cming over here repeatedly over a number of years it might be worth getting a UK driving licence, which would alow you to insure on relatively normal terms. If you are planning to buy from a UK dealer, they might be willing to help by allowing you to your their adress as your UK "residence", which would also help. I have a LHD MH and find that perfectly OK for UK and Europe, so I wouldn't be too worried about that. The bigger chalenge will be the much narrower urban and country roads in UK and Europe and the higher traffic densities. There are some parts of UK, eg in the Home Counties, where I find driving them a real challenge because all the locals are driving fast and taking no prisoners,, so there is far too much happening while you are also trying to cope with limited width. Your idea of taking some lessons could be extremely valuable. But don't be discouraged. There are also parts of UK where driving is still a pleasure - and there are even a few placed where motorhomes are welcomed! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest JudgeMental Posted April 20, 2015 Share Posted April 20, 2015 probably easier and cheaper to organise this in Germany. PM me and I can put you in contact with a good dealer if interested. the insurance is expensive though..I know that much Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tonyg3nwl Posted April 20, 2015 Share Posted April 20, 2015 Hello again, I have just noticed the bit about your wife being wheelchair bound, and this immediately made me wonder about access for wheelchair into motorhome..most access doors are quite narrow width, and I wonder what width you require..then come question of lifting wheelchair into vehicle..do you need a special hoist etc.. once on board, does she travel in the wheelchair, if so how is it restrained.. there are specialist converters who can modify a motorhome to better suit disabled folk, but to find one ready to buy may be a bit like looking for hens teeth.. and rental even rarer. hope this comment is useful..and wish you success and happy holiday when it comes as far as sites are concerned, both Caravan club, and Camping Club have sites and Certified Locations throughout uk so worth considering a membership..currently around 40 pounds a year for each club..not sure if they do offers for overseas visitors.. Ferry crossing from uk to continent main route is Dover, but potential hazards at French end with illegal immigrants, so other routes are preferable but more expensive..we are travelling Poole to Cherbourg this year in late May. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
galaxyhunter 309 Posted April 20, 2015 Author Share Posted April 20, 2015 Wow!!! What a wonderful response to my post. Thank you all so much. Although my wife is handicapped she has some mobility. Very much like a toddler she furniture walks as she gets about our home. And when we are camping I often take her for short walks, arm in arm, as we slowly meander the 4 or 5 hundred metres enjoying a sunny afternoon. So no need for a modified Motorhome. On my last trip I joined a couple of camping groups. ACSI being the most notable and valuable. And would join the clubs mentioned if they would have me. Lol. What Groucho Marx said just flashed through my brain " I would not want to join any club that would have me as a member". Lol. As for the size. The smaller the better. Less than 6m and under 3500kg. A garage would be lovely but a bike rack would suffice. Last year I had a Defleffs class c that fit the bill nicely. I should have kept it. Hindsight is always 20/20. It did have some shortcomings though. The emergency brake didn't work (an issue in Norway - lol) and it took two hands to light the stove which would be impossible for my wife as she is hemipalegic. Just now I recieved an email from an HIC agency in Hertfordshire that indicated that they might consider underwriting a policy for me. Brilliant!! So I will give them a call to see what I can sort out. Once again. Thank you all so much for the words of encouragement and the great tips. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
19721973 Posted April 20, 2015 Share Posted April 20, 2015 Have you thought about importing your own van to Europe, I looked into importing my van to the USA by roll on roll off Ferries based in Germany and they have two ports in the UK Southamton and Liverpool and the cost was £1500 hope this is helpful. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
galaxyhunter 309 Posted April 20, 2015 Author Share Posted April 20, 2015 Hi. Very interesting but not practical in my case. My old PaceArrow is a fairly big Motorhome even here and far too big to be practical there. And it's gas mileage is horrific. The idea is a good one especially if I find a Motorhome there that I can't live without. Then I would sell my Motorhome here and ship the smaller, more fuel efficient one back to Canada. Last year I visited Winterwig in Holland. The camping accessories there were incredible. I bought a small folding electric bike that I used extensively. This I brought home with me as carry on for a measly $30. I use it often. And I have modified it to pull my wife's wheelchair which will enable us to see and do more when we are traveling. Thanks for the suggestion. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
galaxyhunter 309 Posted April 20, 2015 Author Share Posted April 20, 2015 We don't need to modify the Motorhome for my wife. She has some mobility. But having said that I think I saw that Hymer specially made a Class-A Motorhome for the disabled. I will join both CaravanClub and CampingClub if I can. To my mind the information gained from the connection is well worth it. ACSI was and is brilliant. So worth the money as it paid for itself time and time again. Good point on the France Access. Duly noted. Thanks again. Graham Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
19721973 Posted April 23, 2015 Share Posted April 23, 2015 Do you happen to have an address or post code or lat/lon of the accessories shop In winterswijk as I will be passing though there next month. Thanks in advance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
galaxyhunter 309 Posted April 27, 2015 Author Share Posted April 27, 2015 The business name and address in Winterswijk is: Obelink Vrijetijdsmarkt Misterweg 179 7102 EN Winterswijk www.obelink.de This place is well worth the visit. This Canuck was blown away by the store. So much so I visited it twice. There is ample parking for cars, caravans and motorhomes. And when I looked on Google maps there is a campground within a couple of kilometres. Enjoy your visit. I know I will return. But before I do I will lock away my credit cards. Lol Buon Viaggio. Graham Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobalobs Posted April 27, 2015 Share Posted April 27, 2015 Graham I am intrigued. What is the " HIC Agency" ? Quick Google search only refers to the International part of the University of Hertford. Do you have to enrol as a student to get insurance!? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PJay Posted April 27, 2015 Share Posted April 27, 2015 bobalobs - 2015-04-27 8:48 AM Graham I am intrigued. What is the " HIC Agency" ? Quick Google search only refers to the International part of the University of Hertford. Do you have to enrol as a student to get insurance!? Bob I think the H stands for the condition his wife has, not Hertfordshire PJay Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobalobs Posted April 27, 2015 Share Posted April 27, 2015 Thanks for that PJ. Looks as though I might have put my foot in it. Still intrigued. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
galaxyhunter 309 Posted April 30, 2015 Author Share Posted April 30, 2015 hi again folks, The HIC I refer to is actually Herts Insurance Corp in Hertfordshire. I sent out a number enquiries to the insurance companies that advertise in MMM. They were the only ones that responded saying they may be able to help me out. So I will connect with them by phone (8 hr time difference). They made my day. My wife had a major stroke 25 years ago. She has a passion for history, especially of Canada's connection to the UK and how that has shaped our national identity. She would argue that our crucible was compromise and cooperation and a respect for government, it's institutions and especially our relationship to the Royal family. No feet in mouth in my books. Take care Graham Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
galaxyhunter 309 Posted April 30, 2015 Author Share Posted April 30, 2015 Add to the Obelink posting the following web address: www.obelink.nl A great place to visit if you can. I purchased an electric bike there which I brought back to Canada with me What a great bike!!! Take care all. Graham Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobalobs Posted April 30, 2015 Share Posted April 30, 2015 Hi Graham Great to hear I had no put my foot in it. Let us know how you get on with the Herts insurance agency as we are seeing our Australian friends next week and they will be very interested if you are quoted sensible rates as a non resident with no provable permanent address in the UK. As an aside I was born in London Ontario but have a UK passport as I only stayed six weeks!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
docted Posted May 1, 2015 Share Posted May 1, 2015 DRIVING LICENCE If you are going to be resident in UK for less than 12 months you do not need an"International Driving Licence" as they are not recognised in the UK. Under reciprocal rights you can use a full licence from any country for up to 12 months. If you intend to or even stay for 1 more day you have to pass a UK test unless you have a EC member Driving Licence or a licence from several other countries of which Canada is not one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alistair Posted May 3, 2015 Share Posted May 3, 2015 Herts Insurance and Downunder Insurance cater for tourists from New Zealand, Australia, South Africa and North America. Their premiums are expensive and they do not give no-claims discounts. In desperation, we used Herts a while back but found after a year that they didn't cover the van while it was in storage. As we store it for much of each year while we are back in New Zealand, this didn't suit well but at least gave us cover on the road. We eventually found a broker who would insure us on the same terms as locals, despite our not having UK licences or residency. He was happy with International licences and a UK contact address (a friend). He can no longer offer motorhome insurance as the company we are with has pulled out of that market, but we can stay on as we were already customers. Insurance for non-residents is extremely difficult to find and is made even harder without a UK driving licence. The above companies were the only ones I found would offer it, despite weeks of email and website enquiries. Good luck with your search. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobalobs Posted May 3, 2015 Share Posted May 3, 2015 This is exactly what our Aussie friends found. So often they were told "we used to cover" or " through a favour from an old friend" we managed to get cover but as a general rule cover is not available and they were told by some that they were not legally allowed to offer cover. This seems farcical when the actual insurance provider is often a massive international company. They also found when changing from a £40000 van to a £10000 van there was little difference in premium. Well in excess of £1000 and climbing. I am very interested to hear from a British resident who has insured a camper in Australia/ NewZealand as to the availability and cost. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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