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Temporary car insurance for a car with US license plates

Posted: Tue Sep 03, 2024 11:18 am
by Nixon
Hello,

I was searching TT, but no topic like this was found.

Friends from the US will come to Europe for a longer visit (less than 6 months) and they will bring their car with them here.
Is there an insurance in Germany that would cover nonresidents with foreign plates for a short period (1-3 months)?

Thanks,

Nixon.

Re: Temporary car insurance for a car with US license plates

Posted: Tue Sep 03, 2024 1:41 pm
by Nixon
Found these from Hamburg: https://www.tourinsure.de/en/home

Re: Temporary car insurance for a car with US license plates

Posted: Tue Sep 03, 2024 8:32 pm
by Robinson100
Nixon wrote: Tue Sep 03, 2024 1:41 pm Found these from Hamburg: https://www.tourinsure.de/en/home
- may I ask what sort of price they are offering?

Re: Temporary car insurance for a car with US license plates

Posted: Wed Sep 04, 2024 12:19 am
by Nixon
I didn't go through the process, just forwarded the page to my friend.
However, this is what they say on their page regarding prices: https://www.tourinsure.de/wp-content/up ... per_en.pdf

Re: Temporary car insurance for a car with US license plates

Posted: Wed Sep 04, 2024 12:32 am
by Franklan
Nixon wrote: Tue Sep 03, 2024 11:18 am Friends from the US will come to Europe for a longer visit [..]
If/when their car gets in touch with German soil, it must be insured... Anything else would be illegal (to my understanding).
So - in my book - they need to have their *existing* American insurance extended to cover their car even on non American soil.

That should be doable with a phone call to their existing American insurance.

Re: Temporary car insurance for a car with US license plates

Posted: Wed Sep 04, 2024 9:44 am
by Nixon
Right, this add on has to be done in advance, and I will for sure let them know about the requirements in Germany.

Thanks.

Re: Temporary car insurance for a car with US license plates

Posted: Thu Sep 05, 2024 12:00 pm
by hh-sailor
At those prices, wouldn't it be cheaper / easier to rent over here?
Additionally, the rented car wouldn't be so obvious (so less risky)

Just my thoughts...

Re: Temporary car insurance for a car with US license plates

Posted: Mon Sep 09, 2024 2:40 pm
by Nixon
Different people, different thoughts.
It would be boring if we were all the same :)

Re: Temporary car insurance for a car with US license plates

Posted: Mon Sep 09, 2024 3:11 pm
by Franklan
Just as a hint: if a car's paperwork says that the car has a max. speed of 240km/h, its tires must meet or exceed those speeds to be considered road legal in Germany.

This is something that the average American has not on the radar, as they consider 100mph to be warp speed, and thus usually have tires with specs lower than the top speed of the car, because they're cheaper.

Re: Temporary car insurance for a car with US license plates

Posted: Mon Sep 09, 2024 3:26 pm
by Nixon
Thanks Franklan!

Warp speed :D
(Yep, I agree with you)

Re: Temporary car insurance for a car with US license plates

Posted: Tue Sep 10, 2024 10:47 am
by kaffeemitmilch
Franklan wrote: Mon Sep 09, 2024 3:11 pm Just as a hint: if a car's paperwork says that the car has a max. speed of 240km/h, its tires must meet or exceed those speeds to be considered road legal in Germany.

This is something that the average American has not on the radar, as they consider 100mph to be warp speed, and thus usually have tires with specs lower than the top speed of the car, because they're cheaper.
Can't you just put a sticker with the allowable top speed inside if you have tires that aren't rated for the top speed? I've seen that in several cars.

Re: Temporary car insurance for a car with US license plates

Posted: Tue Sep 10, 2024 11:04 am
by Franklan
kaffeemitmilch wrote: Tue Sep 10, 2024 10:47 am Can't you just put a sticker with the allowable top speed inside if you have tires that aren't rated for the top speed? I've seen that in several cars.
Only for winter tires... Paragraph 36 STVZO (5) 1. a

Re: Temporary car insurance for a car with US license plates

Posted: Wed Sep 11, 2024 12:02 am
by kaffeemitmilch
Franklan wrote: Tue Sep 10, 2024 11:04 am
kaffeemitmilch wrote: Tue Sep 10, 2024 10:47 am Can't you just put a sticker with the allowable top speed inside if you have tires that aren't rated for the top speed? I've seen that in several cars.
Only for Winter tires... Paragraph 36 STVZO (5) 1. a
Ah good to know, thanks.