CAR IMPORT INSURANCE

To transport a car from abroad to Switzerland, you have two options: the German export licence platefor importing on your own or a lorry transport.

In this article, we explain what you need to bear in mind when importing a car with an export licence plate and how to organise it. It is important to pay attention to important details during transport in order not to be left alone with the costs in the event of damage during the transfer.

WHAT IS A GERMAN EXPORT LICENCE PLATE?

The German export licence plate is an international licence plate and allows you to drive to Switzerland for a limited period of time. Its period of validity ranges from 5 to 360 days. After that, the registration expires – even if the car does not yet have a Swiss registration. Therefore, consider the duration until the Swiss MFK (motor vehicle inspection). In certain cantons, you wait 3 to 4 weeks for an MFK appointment. It is therefore advisable to accept the higher costs for a 30-day period of validity for the export licence plate.

In order to obtain a German export licence plate for importing a car into Switzerland, the first step is to have valid German liability insurance.

EXPORT LICENCE PLATES AND THE INSURANCE GAP

The German export licence plate requires a valid liability insuranceof 3 million euros. If damage to third-party vehicles occurs during a car import to Switzerland, the German liability insurance will pay for it. However, damage to the new import car is not insured. Diese Versicherungslücke kann teure Folgekosten auslösen, die auf Sie zurückfallen. In order to close this insurance gap, we as Swiss insurance brokers have established cooperations with the largest Swiss car insurance companies and can offer you the Import Kasko product to cover the hull riskon the way home.

CAR IMPORT INSURANCE

The car import comprehensive insurance covers damage to the vehicle already on the way from the car dealership abroad. If damage is caused to your own car during the car import to Switzerland, the import comprehensive insurance will cover it in full. Even if the export licence plate has lost its validity, there is still the parking risk, which is also covered by the import insurance.

AN OVERVIEW OF THE ADVANTAGES OF CAR IMPORT INSURANCE:

• No financial risk with your new vehicle
• Closes the insurance gap in the import process
• Mobility, Breakdown and Towing Service in Europe
• Simple and efficient claims settlement
• CO2 rebate for low CO2 vehicles
• Crash Recorder – drivers up to 25 years save an additional 15% premium
• Partial cover deductible CHF 0 per claim, without reservations
• Extended cover, for example in the event of glass breakage incl. Front and rear lights
• Parking damage cover unlimited, deductible CHF 0.
• Current value compensation in the first year 100% of the new value of the vehicle
• Part of the basic cover: In addition to the vehicle value listed in the policy, additional equipment and accessories added after conclusion of the contract are also insured free of premium – in total, however, up to a maximum of 10% of the vehicle value.
• Current value supplement Insurance of the vehicle up to the 8th year of operation
• Deductible CHF 500 possible for hull insurance from the age of 25

The only requirement for taking out import hull insurance:

• Receipt of the signed insurance application (min. 1 day before car import).
• Inclusion of liability insurance according to Swiss registration.

Due to the high demand for the Auto-Import Kasko, the insurance companies offer a discount on the annual premiums over the entire term when concluded via CO2 Börse AG. As a car buyer, you can choose between different companies yourself. Comparing car insurance is easy and free of charge.

REGISTRATION WITH THE GERMAN ROAD TRAFFIC OFFICE FOR THE EXPORT LICENCE PLATE

The next step is to go to the German registration office(equivalent to the Swiss road traffic office). The actual registration of the export licence plate takes place there. You will be asked to submit all requested documents. You will need the following documents for successful admission:

• Vehicle registration and vehicle title or foreign vehicle documents including COC.
• Official vehicle registration number (if the vehicle is still registered) or the note of deregistration in the vehicle registration certificate
• Valid identity card or valid passport
• Written power of attorney if the vehicle owner does not apply for the export licence plate himself/herself
• Confirmation of insurance (yellow card triple)
• Valid main inspection (HU) until the last month of export (duration of HU must be at least insurance period)
• Extract from the commercial register or business registration if the export licence plate is applied for by a company
• Customs, import declaration and export declaration

As a rule, the vehicle tax is collected by direct debit. Since we, as Swiss car buyers, do not have a German bank account, the vehicle tax is due directly on site. Therefore, take enough cash (euros) with you.

EXPORT LICENCE PLATE: SIGN SHOP

After successfully completing the registration process at the registration office and receiving the new vehicle documents, the last thing to do is go to the sign shop. The export licence plate will be issued to you on site.

Tip:

Before buying a car abroad, ask to what extent the car dealer can support you with the export licence plates. Some German car sellers already organise German export licence plates for their Swiss customers as standard.

CONCLUSION

Taking a few details into account, you can apply for a German export registration plate for the transfer without much effort. To avoid unpleasant surprises in the event of a claim, you should take out Swiss car import insurancein addition to German liability insurance. The period of validity of the export licence plate should be at least 30 days. If the vehicle has been registered for less than 6 months, a CO2 taxis also due.