Expat Exchange
Free MembershipSign In

Italy Expat Forum

Buying a car in Italy

New Topic Newest First
steffi14
  8/23/2014 08:40 EST

Hi,
I was wondering if anyone can help me with the process in buying and registering and insuring a car in Italy. I will be moving there permanently in the Spring. I already have residency but have read about the process and am a bit confused. I will probably purchase from a dealership however in everything I have read it states that the insurance needs to be in place prior to taking the car. If this true? What if I am not sure which car I want to buy until I get to a particular dealership? After I pay for the car will the dealer give me the paperwork and then I can take it to an office of the automobile club near my home to purchase insurance? Please someone help

stefanaccio
  8/24/2014 15:03 EST

I am in AIRE and bought a car a couple years back. The dealership wanted to see my Italian ID card in order to buy the car. Then they gave me paperwork which I took to insurance company and I purchased the insurance. The car dealerships do this all the time and it will not be a problem. My insurance is with Allianz; I found a great deal of variability ranging from 750 euros or so to over 2000 euros (liability only). It pays to look around...

GeoBlueGeoBlue
Get Quote

GeoBlue is a trusted leader in international health insurance. Wherever your destination, GeoBlue can keep you and your family covered with the right health insurance. Get a GeoBlue Quote Today!

GeoBlueGeoBlue

GeoBlue is a trusted leader in international health insurance. Wherever your destination, GeoBlue can keep you and your family covered with the right health insurance. Get a GeoBlue Quote Today!
Get Quote

steffi14
  8/25/2014 07:35 EST

Thank You for your sharing your experience, it will help me a lot.

Caccicoo
  8/30/2014 09:17 EST

We just bought a car this summer. We bought from a dealer and he helped us arrange for insurance which we got after we bought the car but before we drove it off the lot. Make sure you shop around for insurance. We got quotes from 3000E for the year down to 480E for 6 months. Something to note about Italian car insurance, if you are going out of the country, you can put your insurance on "pause" while you are away so you are not paying for insurance while you are not using the car. A very useful and cost saving thing to know.

steffi14
  9/3/2014 07:18 EST

Hi,

Thank you for replying to my inquiry. How exactly did you shop around for insurance? Can you recommend any companies?

stefanaccio
  9/3/2014 08:09 EST

The first year I bought insurance I did not shop around and paid ~1600 euros for liability only insurance. Shopped around the second time via the internet and found policy that was as cheap as about 680 euros. But if you are going to come and go then the ability to start and stop the insurance is vital. Most of the cheaper policies would only let you start/stop a couple times; charged money to do this, and/or required sending documents back and forth via snail mail. At the end of the day I got Allianz insurance from a local guy in Teramo for about 880 euros, unlimited start/stop (although there is a 3 month rule attached). This is good for me because I can pick up and drop off the needed paperwork without having to worry whether it will arrive in the mail.

GeoBlueGeoBlue
Get Quote

GeoBlue is a trusted leader in international health insurance. Wherever your destination, GeoBlue can keep you and your family covered with the right health insurance. Get a GeoBlue Quote Today!

GeoBlueGeoBlue

GeoBlue is a trusted leader in international health insurance. Wherever your destination, GeoBlue can keep you and your family covered with the right health insurance. Get a GeoBlue Quote Today!
Get Quote

maluza86
  9/8/2014 11:35 EST

We also bought a used car in Italy and the dealership (which was very small, like a used car lot in the states) did all the paperwork.

We, too, have Allianz insurance and pay €422 for six months. The only thing I will caution is you sign the contract for the year, but pay semi-annually. We found cheaper insurance via USAA but was unable to change at this point as we still have 6-months on our contract.

GeoBlue
GeoBlue

Top-quality coverage for people who live, work, study and travel internationally.
Get Quote

GeoBlueGeoBlue

Top-quality coverage for people who live, work, study and travel internationally.
Get Quote

Living in Italy GuideLiving in Italy Guide

Expats in Italy discuss the pros and cons of living in Italy. From bureaucracy to expensive cities, Italy can be a challenge. Most expats find that the amazing food, charming countryside, beautiful beaches and public healthcare make up for the cons.

Italy Forum Italy Forum
Join our Italy forum to meet other expats and talk about living in Italy.

Contribute to Italy Network Contribute
Help other expats and newcomers by answering questions about the challenges and adventures of living in Italy.

Best Places to Live in Italy Best Places to Live in Italy

If you're considering a move to Italy, here are the 15 Best Places to Live in Italy in 2023.

Healthcare in ItalyHealthcare in Italy

An overview of the healthcare system in Italy - public and private hospitals, Servizio Sanitario Nazionale (SSN), getting your Tessera Sanitaria (healthcare card), Covid-19 entry requirements, vaccinations for Italy, prescription medication availability and more.

Cost of Living in ItalyCost of Living in Italy

Expats offer insight into the cost of living in Italy.

Moving to ItalyMoving to Italy Guide

Expats moving to Italy envision a romantic lifestyle in one of the most beautiful countries in the world. However, it is important to make sure that you do comprehensive research and fully understand what it will mean to move to the city, town or village you choose.

Real Estate in ItalyReal Estate in Italy

Real estate listings in popular cities and towns in Italy.

Pros Cons of Living in ItalyPros & Cons of Living in Italy

Take off your rose-colored glasses and learn what expats have to say about the biggest challenges and the greatest rewards of living in Italy.

Retiring in ItalyRetiring in Italy

Advice for people retiring in Italy.

Visa and Residency ItalyItaly Visa & Residency Guide

Expats share their experiences obtaining residency in Italy. They discuss the ins and outs of the applying for the permesso di soggiorno, recent travel issues, permanent residency in Italy and more.

10 Tips for Living in Italy10 Tips for Living in Italy

If you've recently arrived in Italy, here are 10 tips for digital nomads living in Italy.

GeoBlue
GeoBlue

Top-quality coverage for people who live, work, study and travel internationally.
Get Quote

GeoBlueGeoBlue

Top-quality coverage for people who live, work, study and travel internationally.
Get Quote

Contribute to Italy Network Contribute
Help others in Italy by answering questions about the challenges and adventures of living in Italy.

Allianz Care
Allianz Care

Copyright 1997-2024 Burlingame Interactive, Inc.

Privacy Policy Legal