I have a UK car and need swiss insurance until we can swap it for a swiss one, we have no intention of importing.
I have the CO2 certificate thing, what else do I need and does anyone have any suggestions regarding companies that will insure us?
Cheers

You can do two things,

Buy insurance at the border.

Or phone up an insurance company.
BASLER, WINTERTHUR. or phone the TCS they work in conjuction with the BASLER Insurance.

If you only want third party then best bet is at the border, and you can get it monthly, if you go with an insurance co. you may find they will want an annual premium.

I had a car here on UK plates for 18 months - insured with permanent greencard through the AA.

Hmmm what's your secret, they told me they'd only insure me for 3 months maximum, unless I wanted to pay a hefty amount extra.

I phoned around and I think The AA brokered via Norwich Union to give a permanent greencard.

Without a greencard you effectively have third party cover (which covers the legal requirement in most countries bar Spain).

Thats great. Will give them another call and push the point a bit more forcefully. Having trouble with Swiss insurance at the moment as I only have an L permit.
Cheers

www.NVC.ch can arrange cover for a UK car.
Did for me, have just done for a colleague

Thanks for this. Do you know if you can get fully comp at the border?
I don't have an official address in the UK so am currently using my parents, which is fine, but I found I am keen to move on and get adequate cover.

I know this is going to seem like a daft question to those in the know, but for those like me please explain how you can take your car into CH without importing it.....I thought if you come from outside CH if you take your car with you you are automatically importing it...what are the advantages and disadvantages for doing like you? From various things I´ve read it seems taking your own car with you to CH is a major hassle...I´m rather attached to mine as it was my first car and is in pretty good shape, and as it´s German it´s got the steering wheel on the correct side but nonetheless am starting to hesitate about taking it with me...

Your case is a little different - you will be bringing in a car with the steering wheel on the correct side. You'll be able to sell it in Switzerland without too much hassle and your insurance won't be a problem. It probably also cost you about the same as it would have in Switzerland, so there's no financial incentive to sell it in Germany and buy one in Switzerland.

However - I am truly puzzled why so many brits bring over a car which cost much more than exactly the same car in Switzerland, has the steering wheel on the wrong side, costs more to insure. Since cars here are so cheap and buying and registering them is ridiculously easy, I'm honestly baffled. (note: these comments don't apply specifically to this thread - since the original poster did mention they intended to sell the car and buy a Swiss one, it was directed more at previous discussions where people have driven their UK cars in Switzerland for extended periods)

So in short - this is probably not the right thread for you

Yeah, I thought it would be easier too, but apart from having the steering wheel on the correct side, I seem to have many of the same problems as those from the UK - will have problems to insure my car while on foreign plates, and who knows what other expenses will appear once I arrive at the border - have just read on a German site (perhaps not correctly as my German is not great) that importing a car from Germany could cost about 1500 €...plus someone said to me that not all "non-Swiss models" are easily serviced and later sold in CH...hence am wondering whether it´s worth taking my beloved car with me at all...how much are people paying to take their cars with them?

Some of what you've been told is correct, other parts probably less so. In the past the Swiss car market was much less friendly towards "import" cars, but I believe most of the silly restrictions were lifted a long time ago. I myself had a German import car. Sometimes the dealers tried to make noise about this when I sold it, but in the end I think this was nothing but posturing.

I know that Richard imported his car from Germany, I can't remember the details, but I'm quite sure it was painless (he may correct me here...)

I can't see a problem insuring a car on foreign plates, but I could understand the insurance company wanting a higher premium if the steering wheel is on the wrong side!

Zurich insurance will not ensure UK-plated cars. I believe foreign plates in general they will not issue policies for.

Importing a homologated EU vehicle will cost the test, the preparation (service and steam-clean of engine/underside), the exhaust fume test. I don't see it costing €1500 if everything is OEM (ie. no bling wheels or exhaust)

Au contraire, Herr Rockster.
Myself and 2 others have/had insurance on UK plates.

Zürich issued the papers and certificates with my UK VIN and UK reg plate

really? Can you PM me your policy number so I can follow up and ensure people sing from the same hymnsheet (like my Zurich chap!)?

Interested in this too...I've tried Zurich and whole host of others, but no one will insure my car with UK plates, Zurich included.

The UK companies are also unhappy to do so for more than 90 days.

LOB: the AA no longer give out more than 90 day policies, or rather they do but when quoted for a year it more than doubled the cost of my policy.

www.nvc.ag, Basel office, ask for John.
He's a Scottish bloke ;-)

Lob:
My UK car is back with my folks in Blighty.
I'm have a Swiss car now.

	Quote:	Lob
	I had a car here on UK plates for 18 months - insured with permanent greencard through the AA.

Hi everyone,
I am moving to Suisse in August and I intend to bring my little car for up to 12 months max. AA advised that they could provide a 12 month extended insurance policy (agrees with the above info), which I am going to take and then - if I stay longer - I will take the car back to the UK and buy something locally. I have owed the car for about 4 years. I think this is still cheaper that buy even an used one in Suisse. PLEASE CORRECT ME IF I AM WRONG! Maybe it is really not worth it - my beloved car is 7 years old.
Can anyone advise, please, what sort of charges I have to pay in the circumstances? Do I have to pay an import tax, if I intend to keep it only for 12 month max?
Another question: I have over 9 years no claim period - would any Swiss insurance company recognise that? I will have a B permit.
I will be grateful for any advise and other tips!
THANK YOU! Looking forward to hearing from you - experienced folks!

If you have insurance and the car is legal to drive in your home country then you will be ok for a year here in Switzerland. Even if you import it since you have it over 6 months you won't need to pay import tax anyway. You will however have to jump through hoops to pass the safety tests here.

I heard yesterday that some Swiss insurance companies will accept your no claims bonus, you will need a letter confirming the amount of no claims benefit from your insurance company. When you get over you can shop around to see which company will give you the best deal.

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Hello Eire,
thanks!
I am planing to do MOT just before i leave the UK and then get the car back here before the MOT expires. Hence the car would be legal to drive in he UK and Europe. I insure it also just before I leave.
But you say: "You will however have to jump through hoops to pass the safety tests here. " - does it mean my car has to go via a safety test when I enter Switzerland? would the UK MOT 9safewty test) not suffice?
THANK YOU!!!