Driving updates and local Info

All,

As some will be aware, we created a newsletter which offered information regarding sevices etc around the Valencia / Murcia region, one of them we regularly featured was driving considerations over here to those different in the UK. Some important local information has come through that slipped by us and we'd like to share with you. As a business, we have just sign an 'Approved Agent' status with an Insurance organisation that provides car / home & contents insurance on properties abroad (details soon on our business website). Via this relationship agreement, this information has come to light.

Many 'Ex-pats' over here are experiencing issues with car insurance claims when having the mis-fortune of having an accident. If you are a UK Licence holder and intend to buy a car over here and drive on your UK license, you have correctly & legally purchase car insurance for the vehicle, many are not being paid out by insurance companies for a little-know 'get out clause'. Alledgedly, for the insurance to be valid, a 'compulsary' Health Check has also to be undertaken to make sure you are physically fit to drive. This test costs approx E30.00 and is basically an Eye-Test. Without this certificate, many insurance companies are using it as a loop hole to avoid paying thus leaving the owner to pick up the bill, mechanically and legal.

In addition, some stats to be aware of if you intend to use your property for rental purposes - Costa Blanca has just been announced as the top area along the coast for un-registered accommodation. Last year 102.8M overnight stays were taken in the Region, yet only 23.2M were 'officially' registered....ie, taken in registered properties. The local authorities are now clamping down on this by providing more Inspectors to audit accommodation, and by raising the penalty to those who are proven to rent 'un-authorised'. Has a good and bad side, so many doing it, you can lose yourself in the crowd, however, you stand the risk of being caught like anyone else.

Just to keep you updated.

regards

Darren

This message was last edited by Darren_Michelle on 2/12/2008.

Hi Darren & Michelle

Funny you should mention eye tests, at the time you posted this topic I was talking to my sister Jan about the very same thing she did say that you can get these tests quite easily at any optician

Will you send me a PM about the insurance ?

By the way you should be having a siesta in the afternoon by now !!!

GAL

Linda

Hope alls well and Jan & Les are ok........you're right, the costs aren't expensive but as Ex-pats and without a Residencia, we can only go through a private doctors practice for this test to be done....again, it's not a problem.

Regarding having to have the test done, it all stems from an ex-pat who was involved in a collision in her expensive car. It went to court and the opposition crawled through all the details in order to find a technicality in which they could refuse to settle. The only thing they had was the non-ability to produce this certificate therefore they won the case. It's not a necessity, just another issue that's been blown up out of proportion in the papers etc however, if you do get an over-zealous Guardia Civilia who asks you to produce your documents at the station, you are better off with it than without.....the more documentation you have here the better.....like the residencia itself.

I've dropped you a PM regarding the Insurance and await your arrival down here on the 7th April.

D&M

This message was last edited by Darren_Michelle on 2/13/2008.

Darrens quite right the more documentation the better.

We were stopped (again) some months ago.  The Guardia said we did not have the correct paperwork. We said we thought we did.  No he said, you dont have in your document folder the receipt from the bank to say that the insurance has been paid.  You only have the insurance document.  It had the correct dates ect but apparently you now have to get a receipt from the bank to confirm you have actually paid and keep that receipt in the car with all the other documents.

It is as Linda says, in the documentation folder it has to be the receipt from the bank as you have paid your insurance.

Darren best get the curry on early you are in for a surprise I arrive a fews days before the 7th !!!!

Oh  on my way to Spain I may be a midwife my first great niece may put an appearance in whilst I am at her mother's

GAL

If anyone is interested,

we also have a list of the latest sign's / methods of the criminal fraternity regarding monitoring property / holiday homes for potential burglary. Don't be dis-heartened, unfortunately it's the world we live in and to be fore-armed is fore-warned.

regards

D&M