How to get temporary insurance on my sister's car in Ireland?

My sister lived in Co Donegal for 40 years. She had a Skoda Citigo (2012 reg). I brought her back to the UK three years ago to a care home where she now lives. I have tried to insure the car in my name but cannot do so because I am not permanently resident in Ireland. Is there any way I can get it insured for me to drive when I visit every few months?

Michael Griffin (Cambridgeshire)

Jun 2025 Filed under: insurance

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Expert answer

Hi Michael,

Have you tried talking to your own insurer in the UK to get temporary cover while over here? Or to change your cover so that it allows you to drive any car, even in Ireland?

If the Citigo is insured by someone else already in Ireland, then it should be possible to add you as a named driver or change the policy to allow all drivers with a full licence to drive the car.

Finally, if the car is just lying idle in Ireland unused, it may make more financial sense, and less hassle, to sell it and use the funds to hire a car when you need one here.

Shane O' Donoghue - Complete Car Advisor