I wanted to share my experience...

• Previously, we lived in Germany - and bought a new car there in 2006.
• We came to CH in 2009 - and brought the car with us.
• Although we imported the car in May 2009 (crossed the border, handed the form to Zollamt) - we later heard it was going to be September before our mandatory testing, and hence, until our Swiss plate could be granted (KT ZH)

We were left in some kind of limbo. We had a car with German plates - but we no longer lived at the address (or even the country) it was registered to. My German insurer told me that my German insurance policy was valid as long as I had a "german address". At the time, I took that to mean "a postal address at which documents could be served". As we had post forwarding - I kept the German insurance for a while.

Next, I searched this forum for some insurance help. Someone came recommended as an expert on these matters - and I contacted them. They told me that it was not legal for a Swiss insurer to cover a foreign registered car. I called a few Swiss insurance companies - and they backed up the forum expert's advice.

All except Zurich Connect, it appears.

They gave me an insurance policy on my German registered car - and I canceled the German insurance. Eventually, I got the car tested/approved and tags with Swiss plates. ZH Connect were automatically notified of the change of registration status.

The insurance was more or less 30% higher cost than I could have gotten with the same car with Swiss plates. But ZH Connect were pretty helpful.

Now I wonder if I was allowed to have German plates on my car - whilst living in CH? (a registration issue - rather than insurance). I also wonder why CH likes to put arbitrary barriers and hurdles in the way of doing, what should be, quite simple things. Perhaps that a way to justify a burgeoning civil service - jobs for life for the children of farmers.

/GD

Foreign-plated vehicles are permitted here for one year from the date of importation. It's mentioned in several places on the Swiss customs site.

Yes, Zurich Connect will cover cars on foreign plates. So will Italsure.

After the car becomes "Swiss," you're free to change insurers and find a cheaper one of course. I'll probably dump Italsure for this exact reason after I get my CH plates.

Zurich Connect did the same for me.

I called them up well in advance and arranged for the insurance the day I was going to arrive in Switzerland. They are OK with this as long as you proceed to getting the car onto Swiss plates as soon as you can.

Just to let folks know, Zurich Connect does not insure Cars with Foreign number plates anymore. They changed their policy a month ago and you have to have a Stamm Nr from the Zollamt which means you are transferring to Swiss plates.

This is true. A lot of the legislation has changed.

Our company, a division of Zurich, requires a Stamm / matriculation number. No cover may be offered without this. Temporary cover may however be granted whilst the changeover is occurring, but the car must have been assigned it's number by having it's duty (if applicable) paid and MFK ordered.

Anyone is welcome to PM me if they have any questions of issues relating to this.

For an 18.44 import, you can get a Stamm Nr and drive the car on foreign plates for up to one year. Would Zurich Connect impose a tighter time restriction on the insured?

That was the impression I got. Once I said I was getting a Stamm Nr and that I will be changing my plates, she was happy to provide a Quote.

However.. Once I have the Stamm Nr, then it will be cheaper to find something through www.comparis.ch

I'm a little confused by whether I can get the liability insurance for my car that I need to drive it while I wait for Swiss inspection and plates (the collision and comprehensive seem to be no problem).

After reading this thread, I called Zurich Connect. However, they told me that I need to have Swiss plates to get liability insurance. But, the consensus here seem to be that I can insure foreign plates, as long as I have a StammNummer (which I have along with forms 13.20 and 18.44, which I got from customs).

Am I missing something? Does anyone know if I need to speak with someone in particular at Zurich Connect? Or, can anyone recommend another agency that might be helpful?

I would be more than happy to help you with this if you'd like to PM me your details.

Best,
David.

Comparis is a great tool, but not necessary comparing like for like. It's good for a basic idea however we can sometimes better these prices and our policies range wildly and need tailoring to the clients individual needs.

As far as the Stamm, the cover received in CH on the foreign plates is temporary whilst the tests and migration to Swiss plates is progressing. Usually this needs renewing every 30 days, but we have some ways to integrate it into the upcoming Swiss policy on Swiss plates.

Does someone know if the temporary insurance that Zurich provides for foreign cars covers only civil liability or is it a "full" coverage insurance? I contacted an office by phone but they said they wouldn't insure a car with foreign plates (even with the stamped forms and everything) but in customs they have told me they will... I really don't know what to do at this point!

Hi,
Welcome to the world of "someone official said"... and start to ignore them: I was told lot of bullocks from custom officer, then Service Automobile staff, and insurance (allianz24).

You don't get anymore temporary insurance for foreign cars.
If you "temporarily use" the car for 1 year (renewable up to 2 years) you can get insured. But you will need "temporary plates" (marked with Z).

Once you get the plate the service automobile give you a number, which you give to the insurer by the phone.

You can chose either "RC" (basic) or Partial or Full casco (partial or complete).


So please clarify what you have now and what your plates looks like.

Many thanks for your reply!
I have my foreign plates yet and the stamped 13.20A form with a "matricule" number (9 digits).
I am going to apply for the technical check tomorrow but they said it takes 1 month to get an appointment - and my insurance won't cover the car anymore because I live in Switzerland now.
I have just called Zurich connect and they said they would insure it starting from now, but it is a 1year contract that doesn't specify the car number plates. In customs they said: Zurich provides temporary insurance, but only third party liability insurance.
I really don't know what to think!
How long does it take to have temporary plates? Will a swiss company insure me with those plates?
Thanks again for your help! I'm starting to freak out having my car parked in the street with no insurance!

There is not much crime in CH, your car will be pretty safe, I've only ever had 3rd party insurance since I passed my test 32 years ago, saved a fortune!

The problem is that I have no insurance right now... and I'd rather have full coverage though, because the car is just 1 year old - not because of the crime but in case I have an accident. Anyway, regardless of the type of insurance I do need one and don't know how to get it!

I got my car insured with Zurich while waiting for the test and still with Irish plates using this broker: www.nvc.ch. They were very helpful.

Then you should not be parked on the road, only on private property.

That is illegal to do!

Tom

Ok understood:
Here some infos:
http://www.sifagmbh.ch/en/leafleMF.pdf
Anyway in your case you are right. You won't be able to insure your car until you pass the inspection and get a number (written on a paper they'll give you at the same time of handing you Swiss temporary plates).

Now why you don't have "foreign" insurance with your car? Did it just expired?

Because it looks like the obvious here: you can not use the car until the inspection .

On the other hand there are workarounds:
1) Buy german export plates (red) valid 1 month, including basic RC insurance. Approx 200euros!! Of course if you're coming from another country you need to get their "export plates" if available.

2) Politely ask your "service des automobiles section Inspections of vehicles" for taking an appointment when someone cancel it (ie putting you on a waiting list of cancellations). It can save you a lot of waiting.

I asked for an appointment in Zurich yeaterday at 7.30 am, got the test at 3.20 in the alternoon & passed!