Importation/first insurance.

So folks, we leave Almaty tomorrow lunchtime and fly to Dublin via London to pretty much move into our RV for the Christmas. I go with the two young fella's and the dragon follows on next Saturday, by which time I'm supposed to have kitted it out with all we need in it. That'll be fun, what won't be is trying to get it insured and dutied by the govt. body responsible.

Re importation of the machine does anyone know do they actually need to inspect it or can I just bring the paperwork and the cash and try do the deal like that.

Re insurance are Dolmen the only folks worth talking to in the ROI or are there other's? Will Dolmen insure me over the phone with the doc's to follow or should I travel to their offices and get it all done at once?

Also, we will be in the MIL's in Cork for the actual Crimbo period and wondered if any cork Craicers might know of a park that might be open where we could park it up, we'd probably be there a few nights before and after that time too, in it though!

Any help will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Whippy aka John.

I use Oakland brokers in Limavady. I find them cheaper than Dolman.
I have today placed my car with them as well as motorhome and saved £56 over last year with Belfast broker and got more extras included.
Tel. 02877761940
Worth a call
Brian

Pretty sure that won't work with me being a Mexican though Digger?!?

Thanks Jack, I'll check them out!

Can't help with the questions but it all sounds very exciting!

Have fun

Afaik revenue no longer handle vrt, I think it is now the Nct centers, Ken.

For simplicity i would ring Dolmen NOW there will only be a few euro between insurance companys tell them you have just brought it in and see what they say i would leave revenue and the re-regestering until the new year you are just going to be passed from pillar to post until after Christmas anyway, the main thing at the moment is to get it Insured ,you may also have to prove you have car Insurance to show that you are not using the van as your main vehicle
Best of luck and hope to see you in Athlone

I'm with Sureterm, who do all the oddball stuff but don't know if they cater for those "South of the border,down Mexico way" (incidentally written by an Omagh man)

Their 'method' will probably be far short of scientific and more akin to guesswork. But they wont guess low! AFAIK you will just have to pay whatever figure they come up with on the day. If you think that is too high then you can appeal. So do your homework and try to get a sample of 'similar' machines to demonstrate a more accurate OMSP.

One other thing, I'd doubt that you will have to get it weighed as there is no longer a connection between VRT and weight.

The Motorcaravan Club of Ireland ( http://www.motorcaravanclub.net/ ) also do insurance through the club and I used to use them when I first started with motorhomes - I changed to Dolmen because they seemed to be easier to deal with.

Best wishes with the move

Ahhh, shivster.... She's well aware of the term and knows it's absolutely a term of endearment!

Thanks so much everyone for the advice, comments and good wishes. We finally got to our new RV today and are simply blown away by its sheer size, the interior re-fit out, it's general condition for a 20 year old wagon and most of all how much there is to learn. I mean I can only imagine picking up ones first European style camper van must be a big task with so much to take in. To arrive and have to start learning all about 12 tonnes and just over 40ft incl the motorcycle rear deck of American metal was just mind boggling..... We were to sleep in it tonight but I made a decision to just book into a local hotel as, having spent the day at and in it, I was exhausted by 7pm. Is the fridge running on gas, electricity, generator? Is the generator charging the leisure batteries? Are we on hook up or leisure? Making female 16amp connection cables up with 13 amp 3pin plugs on the other end.... Going out for a little drive on fairly small country roads, reversing it back down a lane into it's shed using the camera which is very good but doesn't feel the same from a depth of field view point, Buying bedclothes and electrical items for it in Tesco extra with tired and jet lagged kids..... Oh man...... It's a hell of a lot to take in. I'm wrecked.....

Serious serious machine though, were delighted. I can see very many great family memories being made in and around this acquisition... After a hedonistic life of partying, travelling and playing music for many years, I now realise that this kind of thing, is what it's all about!!!

Good night and thanks again folks......


ZZzzzzzzzz........

Whippy did you get fixed up with insurance

All sounds very exciting. Hope Santa knows where you're going to be parked up on Christmas Eve