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I've owned an apartment in Italy for 6 years and regularly visit but I don't live there full time. Tried to buy a second hand car last year and hit the 'non-resident' wall so am looking for solutions. Having explored several options and read many threads it seems every choice brings its own complications. So I welcome any sound advice from fellow Forum members who have jumped through this hoop before me.
Option 1: I can buy a LHD in the UK, drive it to Italy, Stuart Collins will provide 3rd Party cover for 365 days a year on an annual basis so no issues with the insurance. It's the MOT that concerns me, although SC's policy provides cover for vehicles with no MOT I'm worried what happens if i get stooped by the Carabinieri to check documents. I'd rather not drive back to UK every year for an MOT certificate and I don't think I can register the car for Italian plates after a year unless I'm resident, is that correct? So I think Option 1 leads me down a cul-de-sac where I have to risk that the cops in the small town where I have my place are satisfied with driving license and insurance docs only. Great if they do.
Option 2: I can buy a LHD in the UK with Italian registered plates and drive it to Italy. This means I own an Italian 2nd hand car in Italy which sounds like a good way around the problem of 'residence'. The issue here is no UK insurer will insure an Italian registered car. So my question here is; do I need resident certificate to get 3rd party insurance cover in Italy? Is Italian insurance ridiculously expensive or more in line with UK nowadays? Any other tips on going down this route?
Cheers, Nathan
Option 1: I can buy a LHD in the UK, drive it to Italy, Stuart Collins will provide 3rd Party cover for 365 days a year on an annual basis so no issues with the insurance. It's the MOT that concerns me, although SC's policy provides cover for vehicles with no MOT I'm worried what happens if i get stooped by the Carabinieri to check documents. I'd rather not drive back to UK every year for an MOT certificate and I don't think I can register the car for Italian plates after a year unless I'm resident, is that correct? So I think Option 1 leads me down a cul-de-sac where I have to risk that the cops in the small town where I have my place are satisfied with driving license and insurance docs only. Great if they do.
Option 2: I can buy a LHD in the UK with Italian registered plates and drive it to Italy. This means I own an Italian 2nd hand car in Italy which sounds like a good way around the problem of 'residence'. The issue here is no UK insurer will insure an Italian registered car. So my question here is; do I need resident certificate to get 3rd party insurance cover in Italy? Is Italian insurance ridiculously expensive or more in line with UK nowadays? Any other tips on going down this route?
Cheers, Nathan