You are a Guest, please Join now to allow full access to the website and be part of our community. You can register by clicking the "Click Here to create an account" link at the top left of the page under our Logo
I have never imported from Germany before but was led to believe that I must buy temporary insurance from the ADAC before going to the burgeramt with the seller to transfer the vehicle.
However, the following is an extract from an email that the vendor's wife kindly sent me earlier:
--------------------------------- snip ---------------------------------
Der ADAC ist nicht in Coesfeld, sondern in Münster, ca 40 km von hier. Du mußt aber nicht zum ADAC für die Arisa-Ausfuhrversicherung ( Kostet 230 Euro für 15 Tage) um anschließend die Ausfuhrschilder beim Straßenverkehsamt zu bekommen. Du kannst gleich beim Straßenverkehrsamt die Schilder und die Ausfuhrversicherung ( kostet hier 143 Euro für 15 Tage) bekommen.
--------------------------------- snip ---------------------------------
Or, with a little help from Babelfish, now in English so I can
(sort of!) understand it:
--------------------------------- snip ---------------------------------
The General German Automobile Association is not in Coesfeld, but in Münster, approx. 40 km from here. You do not have however to the General German Automobile Association for the Arisa Ausfuhrversicherung (230 euro cost for 15 days) around following export-describe with the Strassenverkehsamt to get. You can directly with the office for traffic describe and the export insurance (here 143 euro cost for 15 days) to get.
--------------------------------- snip ---------------------------------
So, it looks as though I don't need to visit the ADAC at all, and can do it all in the Burgeramt. Am I reading this right?
Would it help if I could translate "Strassenverkehsamt"?
The following members of MHF thanked OilBurner for this posting
Just buy your insurance from the guy who makes up the number plates at the German registration office. Costs about €150 total with the export pates etc.
the ADAC is just one of many organizations offering export insurances "Ausfuhrversicherung". You do not have to go to there. As you have to go to the "Kfz-Zulassungsstelle" anyway: There is always a bunch of numberplate printers around each German "Kfz-Zulassungsstelle", with more or less aggressive advertising. And to one of them you have to go anyway to get the plates. And he will be very happy to sell you an export insurance.
Just be aware that all these export insurances are liability only.
Best Regards,
Gerhard
______________________________________________________________ Never attribute to malice that which can be adequately explained by stupidity. (Finagle´s law)
The following members of MHF thanked Boff for this posting
So is it OK to buy this insurance after re-registering the vehicle to me then, Gerhard? I had assumed that this was something that would be checked by the German registration authorities as part of their process and I must buy it first (or at least, concurrently)?
It is because of this very limited liability insurance (at extraordinarily high cost!) that I will be coming straight home with my purchase, not taking a few days out to enjoy it in Germany. In reality, 12 hours insurance would probably be sufficient as I expect to be on a ferry within 7 hours and my own UK insurers will cover me from Port of Dover onwards.
The following members of MHF thanked OilBurner for this posting
You've got the right idea OilBurner, buy the van, do the registration changes, buy the plates and insurance then get back to the UK without delay - and don't leave the M/H unattended at any stage until you're safely on board the ferry.
Good luck in your enterprise, It'll all seem worth the effort when you're home safely.
So is it OK to buy this insurance after re-registering the vehicle to me then, Gerhard? I had assumed that this was something that would be checked by the German registration authorities as part of their process and I must buy it first (or at least, concurrently)?
Hi,
the procedure works as follows: You drive up to the car registration office ("Kfz-Zulassungsstelle"), still with the original plates on and with ALL the papers (so "Fahrzeugschein" as well as "Kfz-Brief"). Take off the old plates, enter the office, obey their queueing system (usually you pull a ticket with a waiting number; should not be too difficult for UK citizens... ), and when it is your turn apply for an export number plate ("Ausfuhrkennzeichen"). You have to specify the validity period, usually the maximum they allow is two weeks. The clerk will then do the paper work, which involves among others invalidating the old plates and papers, you paying a fee, some signatures, the clerk walking out with you verifying the van's serial no. etc. In the middle of the proceedings you will receive a paper with which you have to walk over to one of the numberplate makers. He will print your export plates (takes 5 minutes) and sell you an insurance for exactly the validity period of the plates. You then walk back to the office, get the plates stamped, collect all your paperwork, mount the plates. Done.
Consider 1 to 2 hours for the complete proceedings. And really drive the van to there, if required together with the seller. Because for export plates the officer has to check the engine and chassis number in person. But never drive, or leave the vehicle on any other public car park than the one at the registration office without valid plates. It is also important that the regular technical inspection interval ("TÜV") of the van is not expired. You will also need some kind of photo ID of yourself, best would be a valid passport. And make sure that you have some hundred Euros in cash with you, because you have to pay not only the registration fee, but also the plates and the insurance at once, and they normally don't take credit cards.
Best Regards,
Gerhard
______________________________________________________________ Never attribute to malice that which can be adequately explained by stupidity. (Finagle´s law)
The following members of MHF thanked Boff for this posting
He will print your export plates (takes 5 minutes) and sell you an insurance for exactly the validity period of the plates.
Hi Gerhard,
Do I take it from this that, as I expect to be back in UK within 12 hours in accordance with Gaspode's advice, I can request plates and insurance for e.g. 1 day and in so doing save most of the cost of the 14 day option?
The following members of MHF thanked OilBurner for this posting
if I remember correctly there is also a minimum period of 2 or 3 days. But of course nobody obliges you to take the full 14 day period. 14 days is the possible maximum!
Best Regards,
Gerhard
______________________________________________________________ Never attribute to malice that which can be adequately explained by stupidity. (Finagle´s law)
The following members of MHF thanked Boff for this posting
You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum You cannot attach files in this forum You cannot download files in this forum
Bookmarks
Watched Topics
), and when it is your turn apply for an export number plate ("Ausfuhrkennzeichen"). You have to specify the validity period, usually the maximum they allow is two weeks. The clerk will then do the paper work, which involves among others invalidating the old plates and papers, you paying a fee, some signatures, the clerk walking out with you verifying the van's serial no. etc. In the middle of the proceedings you will receive a paper with which you have to walk over to one of the numberplate makers. He will print your export plates (takes 5 minutes) and sell you an insurance for exactly the validity period of the plates. You then walk back to the office, get the plates stamped, collect all your paperwork, mount the plates. Done.
