Hello,

I'm buying a new vehicle from a German dealer. A swiss insurance company, Smile, told me that in order to insure the vehicle it would first have to be imported. I would like to pick up the vehicle and drive it directly to the customs office in Switzerland. But of course it must be insured. Do you think a different Swiss insurance company would do this? Or would a German insurance company provide temporary insurance first first resident?

I tried searching the forums, but didn't get much clarity.

Thank you

Read here for "Ausführkennzeichen". In short, you will need a temporary German plate and at least 3rd pty liability insurance. In case your dealer is close to the border, they will know and can probably provide this.

https://www.adac.de/rund-ums-fahrzeu...gskennzeichen/

Thank you for the info. I should have mentioned that the dealer will provide me with the temporary German plates and all necessary export/import documents, but there is still the outstanding question of: How to get the 3rd-party liability insurance when the Swiss insurance companies I've talked to all say that the vehicle needs to be imported before they can apply coverage.

In my understanding you only get the temporary transfer plates in Germany wit insurance. So if the dealer organizes the plates, they will also procure insurance. I suggest you ask them directly.

Does your dealer offer a solution for the insurance?

The export license plate , also called customs or export license plate, is generally recommended for exporting a vehicle abroad from Germany.

These documents are usually required when you apply for an export license plate:

ID card or passport

Confirmation of a special liability insurance (often offered by "sign makers" near the vehicle registration offices)

Registration confirmation part 1 and 2 (vehicle registration document and letter)

Proof of a valid main inspection

old license plates, provided the vehicle is still registered

SEPA mandate for collecting vehicle tax

Please inform yourself in advance from the local authorities responsible, eg on their website, and make an appointment.

Don't need it, German temp plates come with 30 days 3rd party insurance included