Question about car insurance

R u shipping only your car in a container, or furniture as well? What's the estimate u got and which company will u be using and from where in the states? We r in Texas and want to move to Bulgaria as well, but we r thinking of selling the car in USA 🇺🇸. R u retiring or it is a work transfer? Can u write ✍️ me a pm regarding on how much you r planning on living there per month please 🙏 and in which region? Ty in advance

Merry 888 see my PM

@TonyFF

Yep. Got it. Ty. Best wishes and good luck

Please update 🙏 on the move

Shipping companies,  prices, first impressions of Bulgaria, property prices over there, rent vs buying,  monthly budget, food prices,  etc

@TonyFF

I don't think you can get the Bulgarian insurance before your car is re-registered here with Bulgarian plates. (I tried a couple of brokers when I drove my UK car over. They said they could offer the insurance based on the VIN number, but only for 30 days. Enough to cover me to get the car ready for inspection and registration in Bulgaria, and then return to get the insurance updated to the new plate.)

@gwynj

I presume that I could get fully comp insurance in Bulgaria or I won't be buying a new car ?

@TonyFF

Will your current insurance provider cover you in Europe for 3 months? When I brought my van from the UK to France, I could drive it Europe for 90 days, so I used that until the 90 days expired and then took out a French policy. I didnt have the French registration at the point, but they gave me a reference to quote, until the new registration number arrived. Obviously I realise you're a lot further away than I was and US Insurers may not do that, but its certainly worth asking.

@TonyFF

you can get civil liability insurance with your native plate

you have 6 months to get your BG plate - don't leave it til the last minute, this is the land of hoops and hurdles.

make sure that you have owned your car for 6 months before it gets here - otherwise you'll pay 10% duty plus 20% VAT

You'll need to declare your shipping costs and still write a begging letter to the chief of customs as to why he should waive the fees!

For your licence transfer (which can't be done until you've been here six months) make sure you bring a certificate (original) for your education acheivement at the age of 18ish - you'll need to have it translated and notarised...

and if you are colour blind, they'll only let you drive cars and bikes, whatever your current licence might say - but you will get a certificate to say you're colourblind - I've framed mine ;-)

can't remember if you can get fully comprehensive insurance before you have a BG plate - it was complicated and some insurers were a straight no - I think I could, but risked it for the 3 months between my home cover expired (3 months) and getting the BG plates

@TonyFF

one more point, check your vehicle registration certificate to see if you have an entry in the "type approval number"

if you haven't then there is an extra hoop to get through, you can't register the car in the EU without it

My car is an American built Ford Mustang and despite having been imported when new from US to UK (when UK was in the EU) there was no entry in that box...

600 Lev is a small price to pay to get the number!

@gwynj

I am planning to have the car temporarily in Bulgaria. So my question is: isn't there a short term insurance?

I am not interested to buy a car in Bulgaria while there. I have European car so I am sure it will meet the EU requirements. Even my odometer is in kilometers.

Wow, thanks for this overwhelming response. For whoever doesn't know my wife is Bulgarian( but we live in the USA). So she will be the one to deal with customs. We will not pay anything to bring the car.    The car is old but super reliable and good, I have proof of years of insurance and the pink slip( which is certificate of ownership). Since we are not sure if we will stay permanently we want everything to be temporary at this point.

@Erm1ntrude

I do not understand " type approval number". ????

@Erm1ntrude

I'm sure I've read somewhere that you no longer need the certificate of education. I left school before my 15th birthday, so I have nothing from school. I did an access course as an adult, which is equivalent to 2 A Levels, so I'm hoping that will suffice if necessary. I wish I could remember where I'd read it....🤔

@TonyFF

i think you have most bases covered...

https://www.vehicle-certification-agenc … -approval/

possibly explains it

my UK van has a number in that field, my Mustang didn't - it;ll be on your registration certificate somewhere

@grumpyoldbird

i needed one in August 2023

@grumpyoldbird

I do not understand the education thing. Are you referring to high school diploma???

I have been a driver for many decades.

@TonyFF

https://www.mvr.bg/opp/en/administrativ … garian-one

@TonyFF

a copy of a document for completion of at least the first high school stage of secondary education, and in case the education was completed in a foreign country - a certificate under Art. 110, para. 2 of Ordinance No. 11 of September 1, 2016 for evaluating the results of student learning. Persons who have completed primary education or Grade X by September 26, 2017 under the repealed Public Education Act, instead of a copy of a document for having completed at least the first high school stage of secondary education, submit a copy of a document for having completed at least primary education.

posted a link above but under review - look up mvr dot bg

@Erm1ntrude

What's the thing with the education document ?  Do you have to have one ?  In UK you only get one it you pass exam not because you attended and completed like in Philippines.   And it's 48 years ago since I left eek where did it all go .

Phil

@philip Mckay

There is no longer a requirement for a certificate of education, it was changed in September last year. You will need a medical certificate though and if you want to keep any hgv, trailer categories you will also need a psychological certificate.

You can check the requirements on the GovUK page or the British Embassy Sofia Facebook page.

@TonyFF

Me too. Been driving for 48 years, but I was told that you need proof of education to get a Bulgarian driving license. I have read somewhere that this no longer applies, but I've read so much stuff from so many sources, that I can't remember where I saw it! 😵‍💫

I think that a lot of questions will be answered once we finally get there. I remember when I went to South Africa there seemed to be a thousand things that you needed to do but they all fell into place once you got there and started living the life. From what I have seen and read some of the Estate agents seem to be best source of information about what you need to do.

    @TonyFF
Me too. Been driving for 48 years, but I was told that you need proof of education to get a Bulgarian driving license. I have read somewhere that this no longer applies, but I've read so much stuff from so many sources, that I can't remember where I saw it! 😵‍💫
   

    -@grumpyoldbird

@grahamstark1

Many thanks for the info Graham..  I'll just have to forgow the HGV but as I don't think I'd pass the phycological exam 😱. I used to love my trailer tent and caravan trips all over UK and down to Spain once I got fed up with UK weather.. don't think I'll do that again just to expensive to buy these days they want £1000 just for a trailer tent! 

@Merry888

Omg.so many questions need answering

Google

Or best way is to book a small vacation

And ask directly.

I don't believe you want to move to BG without even knowing the price of a pint of milk...sorry to be so exact.

    @Merry888
Omg.so many questions need answering.   

    -@wtruckyboy

Inquiring minds need to know! :-)

@Merry888

Just one man's opinion, of course, and no guarantee I'm right. :-) But I would sell everything over there and start afresh in Bulgaria, AFTER I've found a place to live (and I know how much space I have). I'd also find a reasonably-priced immigration attorney who can prepare my D visa application TOGETHER WITH a local health insurance policy AND  a rental contract for immigration purposes. Then I can explore the country and view properties at my leisure AFTER I'm a resident, rather than being under pressure to get something quickly. As to costs, I'd aim for $50k-$100k in cash to buy an inexpensive property, and then $1,500-$2,000 per month to live on.

that is not a bad plan @Merry888

👍

I would like to give you my experience searching for insurance to cover my car -

YES, there are at least 2 companies that offer 3rd party liability insurance for Bulgaria:

The Bulgarian bulstrad dot com ( still waiting to get the details on this one but they said "yes, no problem")

The Dutch  alessie dot com -This one can provide 1-12 months coverage which can be extended ( "Territorial Limits:All European countries, including Russia (international Green Card)." Very nice. Perfect to enjoy Europe with personal car. It appears a little expensive but hey- nothing is too expensive if you come from California!

I still do not have the final quote, so we'll see.

I am still to verify also if they offer comprehensive insurance.

If not:Clemens International is another company that covers your own car - very good coverage. They are very reasonable. They are partner with my current insurance company with great reputation.

So if you are trying to bring your car from another country - it is absolutely possible ; you can drive in Bulgaria with foreign plates, international Driver's License  and home Driver's License( as Gwyny said)

You have long time to decide whether you want to change the plates to Bulgarian one.....

sorry Clements Wordlwide is what i meant in the previous post

@TonyFF What motor insurance did you end up going with? Also, what did you do about health insurance?

@MRLaw

re . car insurance

Alessie from Netherland (Third Party Liability good for all Europe)

Clements Worldwide  is the second one to insure the car.

I did all the paperwork, but after all  I decided not to bring my car. Too complex to transport my car, expenditure, customs, etc. I will get a car in Bulgaria.

I have my US health insurance with unlimited emergency worldwide coverage including medications.

I have a second one : a mandatory Bulgarian coverage for up to 30K euro.

@TonyFF

even with the cost of transport it is much cheaper to bring yours from US than buy one in BG. Consider what options come with the one you buy in BG, My research indicates that car in US are equipped much better for the pr. you pay there. Now if it is old like more than 5yr and older, then yes no point most likely, but anything newer than 3yrs I think You're better off importing. Do others have any experience/knowledge in this area?

I will be in same situation in a yr or so, where I'll have to decide which is a better option. Lets assume it is a car $40-60k eg. Genesis or Infinity, nothing crazy.

It is cheaper to get a  nice car in the EU. This is my conclusion after extended research.

There are  too many losers companies in the US that do overseas transportation.

Good luck if they damage your car.Not worthy. Sell your car, get your cash and get a

new one( or a used one) in Europe. Germany is the best place to buy a reliable car( not Bulgaria).

@TonyFF

I agree on buying in Germany, or elsewhere in western europe, but when you bring it to BG you will have to pay VAT and some other taxes, will it still be better/cheaper or at least less hustle than importing from US?

Also, my friends and family in EU are buying in the US/Canada and claim that they get better equipped cars and cheaper even with duty/taxes.

@adardom

There is no VAT or import duty if you're importing a vehicle from Germany or another EU country. That's one reason why Bulgarian car dealers typically have lots of cars they've just brought in from Germany and Italy. Even if it's a non-EU vehicle (e.g. USA) you can potentially avoid VAT and import duty if you can qualify for a ToR (Transfer of Residence) and your vehicle ownership meets certain conditions.

I know a few folks that have bought accident damaged vehicles at US auctions. These are low-mileage, high-spec and high-end vehicles, but the VAT/duty is based on the current write-off value. And then they repair them cheaply in Bulgaria.

Bulgarian dealers have a bit of a bad rep, but I don't think car dealers get much love in any country. :-) I suspect it's far quicker and far less aggravating to rock up at a decent dealer and get something he's just imported.

Good luck!

@gwynj

ok, great response. I am battling with this topic of importing vs buying in EU or BG for a while now. Importing in my case should be tax free as I'd be relocating permanently to BG or another UE country. It will be rather expensive for me to ship from my current location (about 3k US). Are thefts of cars in BG high? if so, maybe just buying a beater to move around for shopping, and traveling around BG is a better option, and less of a worry and less costly on insurance. Is it possible to buy liability and comprehensive (theft, vandalism, etc.) coverage in BG, without collision? or are there only 2 options i.e. liability (third party) or autocasko ? so you either have full coverage or just third party? Here in NA, you have 3 options to insure, which makes more sense.

@adardom

If you think a ToR might be an option, here's the info page. You basically need to have proof of your residence/life in two locations (before/after). This means, I think, that you need to have already moved to Bulgaria (i.e. got a place to live, done your EU Citizen Registration at a local immigration office).

https://customs.bg/wps/portal/agency-en … 0community

If it's a very fancy car, and you know it well / love it to bits, then maybe the cost of shipping is not a huge issue. Especially, if you can qualify for ToR and not pay VAT/duty (32% in total, I think).

I've not heard that car thefts are a big issue here. But I suppose very fancy cars are a potential target in many places. It also depends where you'll be living, and whether you're parking in a building's private spaces, or on the street. Here in Plovdiv, I see loads of very upscale vehicles that I'd guess are 150-300k, and their owners seem quite smug and contented to me. :-)

I'd have guessed that if you went back to CZ to see family, you/they would know where's the best place to buy decent cars there. And then you can drive it over to Bulgaria and use it while you sort out your residence here.

As far as I know, insurance here has 2 options, as you say. Legal minimum (3rd party), and comprehensive. The latter seems very expensive to me, but if you have a very fancy car then you need very fancy insurance.

I'm Mr Frugal at the other end of the spectrum, so I'm not the best adviser on the economics of luxury car importation. :-) I bought our two cars and my motorcycle on Ebay in the UK, and then re-registered them in Bulgaria. Cheap to buy, cheap to run, cheap to insure. Very cheap to repair (as I think dents and scratches add character). And of zero interest to car thieves. :-)  Any spare money I have goes into property instead.

@gwynj

good response as always. I'm not Czech, but you are not far off, was born and raised north of CZ, and yes, I have been talking to family there. the car I was thinking of bringing is not very fancy, just newer, mid ranged. I'm thinking Burgas or around, I assumed that parking is included in the rental, but I may be too accustomed to how things are in N.A. I Have not lived in Europe for over 35 yrs and am out of touch.

Regarding RE, yes RE had been a go to train for the last 25 yr, but don't you think that train has left the station in terms of price appreciation? It's ok if you want to park your $$ and don't care if the pr going forward will fall or not (interest rates, geopolitical issues, cost of living, the upcoming global mega recession/depression, etc.) are important to not overlook. the 0 int. rates times are over I think, so what will make the pr. to at least stick? I get that inflation is good for RE, but it is a double edged sword. SO if you bought  at least 5yrs ago, then you can sit the next slump out no problem, given you won't ever need that $$. I asked this question in this thread before; what do people think about where the RE prices are going forward in BG, but there were no takers, sadly?

I'll be visiting BG; Burgas and maybe Bansko this yr, then move to BG in 2026, rent for a while and buy 1 place regardless of what the prices are going to do, but am still curious what folks think on this subject for BG and most importantly the reason for such thinking. Maybe I should start a new thread for this subject?