Hire car insurance from South to North

Verading


Joined: 17/02/2008
Posts: 18

Message Posted:
21/02/2008 11:36

Hi again,

Just a note that may be of some interest to those of you that find flights to Ercan difficult to get.

I have booked a car to be picked up and dropped off at Paphos airport through A Pestas and sons [rent-a-car@pestas.com.cy]

The interesting point is they have arranged (and confirmed in writing) fully comprehensive car insurance for the TRNC with Islek Sigorta at a rate of 43 Euro for nine days.

This may be old news to those of you with more experience of car hire in the TRNC than I have, which is not really difficult, but hopefully it will be of assistance to others.

Let me know your thoughts. I'd be interested to ind out if I've missed something obvious.

All the best,

Grahame

orangekazzie



Joined: 31/07/2007
Posts: 1091

Message Posted:
21/02/2008 12:28

Hi Grahame

I'd be a bit concerned about a breakdown or accident situation. There again if they've agreed to you using the car in the North then it would in theory be up to Pestas to come up to the North to collect their car.

Interesting.

Karen

Verading


Joined: 17/02/2008
Posts: 18

Message Posted:
21/02/2008 12:39

Hi Karen,

Good point , I should have mentioned that the written quote also assures me that a 24 hour pick up and recovery service is included, with a contact number for 24 hour assistance of any nature.

Too good to be true? It might be but I've printed off the e-mails just in-case, although how much weight they would carry is probably debatable.

Grahame

glencoe


Joined: 01/02/2008
Posts: 256

Message Posted:
21/02/2008 13:20

Hi Grahame,

This is an interesting one - I personally have never heard of Islek sigorta and would be delighted if anyone could throw some light on who they are or where they are based and £19 pounds ish sounds like great value.

Hope fully someone on the forum will be able to throw some light on them

By the way hope you dont mind me saying - your name - it has a most unusual spelling, I have heard of Graeme and graham but have never come across it with the E, you are maybe unique

Verading


Joined: 17/02/2008
Posts: 18

Message Posted:
21/02/2008 13:26

Hi Greg,

Yes it's unusual but there are other Grahame's about. I think it's most prevalent on the Scottish Borders, At least that's what my dad told me but he was dis...dysl....Coodnae spell!

orangekazzie



Joined: 31/07/2007
Posts: 1091

Message Posted:
21/02/2008 14:22

Grahame

Unless things have changed please bear in mind that you cannot ring the South from the North from a mobile phone.

Karen

Mountain Edge



Joined: 23/02/2007
Posts: 199

Message Posted:
21/02/2008 14:46

It is Petsas not Pestas

TimothyCadman


Joined: 13/12/2007
Posts: 1040

Message Posted:
21/02/2008 14:48

Any E-mail that can be proven to come from a company that forms part or all of an agreement of business is acceptable prove in a court of law.



What you need to do is print out the email with all the email headers. The "from" and "to" are not good enough as these can easily be forged through certain email suppliers. The headers show the route of the email and the originating machine. If this information can be linked to the company involved then the law protects you and the email headers help to do this.



An IP check of the IP numbers will give the required information.

Verading


Joined: 17/02/2008
Posts: 18

Message Posted:
21/02/2008 15:58

Thanks Timothy,

I'll make sure the header is on the print, thanks to you Cliff I guess I may have inherited more than I thought from my old man! Lastly thanks to you Karen I was unaware of the problems with calling the South, it's amazing what you learn on this forum.

livethedream


Joined: 12/04/2007
Posts: 455

Message Posted:
21/02/2008 16:17

Hi all - it is possible to call the south on a mobile - the code is 00357

orangekazzie



Joined: 31/07/2007
Posts: 1091

Message Posted:
21/02/2008 16:20

Hi Livethedream

Is that using a Telsim/Turcell mobile or a roaming networked one?

Karen

livethedream


Joined: 12/04/2007
Posts: 455

Message Posted:
21/02/2008 16:45

Hi Karen



Turkcell - but assume the code is the same for any network, same as the code for other countries, ie. uk +44.



Karen

orangekazzie



Joined: 31/07/2007
Posts: 1091

Message Posted:
21/02/2008 17:24

The facility for ringing South to North was always blocked so unless its been lifted recently then unfortunately it can't be done. I think you can ring on landlines but not mobiles. In the past I have had to use a foreign roaming SIM to ring friends in the South.

Karen

orangekazzie



Joined: 31/07/2007
Posts: 1091

Message Posted:
21/02/2008 17:25

Sorry I meant to say ringing from North to the South.

Karen

spud1


Joined: 22/05/2007
Posts: 544

Message Posted:
21/02/2008 18:37

hi verading how did you find this car hire company spud1

livethedream


Joined: 12/04/2007
Posts: 455

Message Posted:
21/02/2008 21:12

Hi Karen



My hubby is working over on the South and we ring each other every day - it can be done.



Karen

lovingcyprus


Joined: 02/03/2007
Posts: 1272

Message Posted:
21/02/2008 22:24

Verading



Does your written quote specifically state that the 24 hour pick up and recovery also applies in the TRNC???

glencoe


Joined: 01/02/2008
Posts: 256

Message Posted:
22/02/2008 09:55

Hi Verading,

have you had time to see who this company Islek are and where they are based, it probably will give their office address on the e-mail, I would be really interested

Bye the way love the couldnae spell bit

G

Verading


Joined: 17/02/2008
Posts: 18

Message Posted:
22/02/2008 13:34

Hi again,

I think it's best for me to give you the communications given to me verbatim, that way you can interpret what is being said for yourselves. I don't want to unitentionally put a slant on things that may not be correct. I'm a Fireman not an insurance broker so I may not be the most reliable source of information!

I got the name of the car hire company off of this Forum Spud so I really don't know any more about them than a recommendation and the blurb on their web site.

As far as Islek is concerned they came as an option when I asked the car hire company if there was any provider of fully comprehensive insurance in the North for a car hired in the South but going to the North. (I hope your still with me I'm starting to confuse myself!)

They said "Insurance for the North can be arranged by Islek Sigorta at the price of 43 Euro for 9 days."

I then asked for confirmation that this was fully comprehensive insurance and inquired about a recovery service, the availability of an assistance telephone number and how the insurance could be purchased.

they replied with the following information.

"1.Islek Insurance for the North is full comprehensive with a small excess of EURO 250"

2. "A recovery service is available and a conduct telephone number is provided for 24hrs assistance of any nature."

3. "Islek insurance can be purchase from our representative when you pick up car in Paphos Airport. We have a desk manned 24 Hrs in the main Hall"

The grammatical errors contained within the quotation marks have been included for added authenticity. Those outwith the quotations are basically there 'cause I'm a bit thick!

I hope this helps, but again I would stress my knowledge of insurance is next to nil so draw your own conclusions.

Best Regards,

Grahame

glencoe


Joined: 01/02/2008
Posts: 256

Message Posted:
22/02/2008 14:33

Hi Grahame,

That explains a lot, many thanks, I will be at Paphos airport next week so will try and get any information I can and pass it on

G

Heathfield


Joined: 21/02/2008
Posts: 14

Message Posted:
22/02/2008 22:42

I am in the middle of a 35 day stay in the TRNC with a Petsas car. In addition to full CDW in the South, I have an insurance cover note from Islek Sigorta Ltd (Turganer Binlari No 3, Lefkosa) which was issued by Petsas when I picked up the car: "This special cover note is Third Part - plus Collision - Excess £100 CYP". HOWEVER, I made the booking through Your Way Car Hire (www.yourway-carhire.com ) after much trawling of the internet, as they offered the best deal. For a 1400cc, 5-door Toyota Corolla with 8000km on the clock, I am paying just EUR12 per day, plus EUR1 per day for the TRNC insurance. Even at today's dreadful exchange rate, that's less than £10 per day all in - and I did not have to pay anything until I collected the car. For that, I've got the freedom of the whole island as well as the advantage of flights to/from LCA. I think I've cracked the problem!

Verading


Joined: 17/02/2008
Posts: 18

Message Posted:
24/02/2008 00:40

Hi Heathfield,

Thanks for that, very interesting, I may have to renegotiate my car hire contract.

glencoe


Joined: 01/02/2008
Posts: 256

Message Posted:
24/02/2008 10:09

Hi Andrew,

Many thanks for that, I found it difficult to understand how fully comp insurance was being offered by someone in the south, but as you say yours is third party, which can be arranged easily through many agents, again I wonder about the insurance company in the north though, how sound are they ? doubtless we will not get an answer to that until someone has a serious bump

Verading


Joined: 17/02/2008
Posts: 18

Message Posted:
24/02/2008 12:50

Hi again,

Andrew you say the insurance is third party plus collision, pardon my ignorance but doesn't that make it fully comp?

Heathfield


Joined: 21/02/2008
Posts: 14

Message Posted:
24/02/2008 15:33

I take the view that, as Petsas is apparently the largest operator in the South, they will have made a sensible and informed choice of TRNC insurance company. Petsas merely act as agent for Islek Sigorta, issuing the cover note and collecting the premium.

glencoe


Joined: 01/02/2008
Posts: 256

Message Posted:
24/02/2008 16:07

Just be careful

I have heard it all before - sorry verading this does not mean anything like you suggest - once again I ask what are the limitations of cover !!! you may take this view but buyer beware - trust me ask all the questions before commiting and trusting

G

ps HOPE YOU DONT HAVE TO GO THROUGH WHAT i DID better leave people to make their own decisions then fingers can't be pointed

lovingcyprus


Joined: 02/03/2007
Posts: 1272

Message Posted:
24/02/2008 17:06

Verading



Once again I ask does your written quote specifically state that the 24 hour pick up and recovery also applies in the TRNC???



From what you have said sofar it does not.



Remember the saying it is better to be safe than sorry!!!!!!!!!!!!!

lovingcyprus


Joined: 02/03/2007
Posts: 1272

Message Posted:
24/02/2008 20:14

Let us consider the following situations, I am driving a south cyprus hire car in the TRNC and:-



1. I swerve to avoid an oncoming car and end up crashing down a ravine and is written off

2. The car catches fire and is destroyed

3. The car is stolen

4. The car is parked overnight another vehicle crashes into it and just drives of



Does your 3rd party - plus collision - cover you in all the above situations, it

might but then it might not!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



It is very easy to read something and it says what you want it to say but the real position is that it means something else.



Food for thought.

sungoddess


Joined: 16/12/2006
Posts: 44

Message Posted:
24/02/2008 20:25

Visiting friend who drove to North Cyprus from Paphos put me on to this clever idea.

First, she booked her hire car online at http://www.cyprus-car.com , and got a 20% discount on a week's hire of a new Renault Megane, so that was a good start! (They also gave her a free child car seat and free named second driver, BTW.) Then she bought a policy from http://www.insurance4carhire.com, which, quote: "... covers you not only for the total amount of Excess for which you are liable if the car is damaged or stolen, but also for damage to the roof and undercarriage of the car, and windows and tyres." So she felt very confident purchasing the usual additional insurance at the border, as this policy gave her extra CWD coverage in TRNC. The smart part is that the policy runs for a year for any hire car anywhere (if you buy the worldwide version), so you can use it whenever you hire a car more than 150 miles from home, even in the UK.

BTW, I have no association whatsoever with Insurance4carhire, I just thought it was a good idea!

lovingcyprus


Joined: 02/03/2007
Posts: 1272

Message Posted:
24/02/2008 20:56

sungoddess



The insurance you have mentioned is only CDW, if you are hiring a car for say more than 14-21 days in any one year it is worth buying that rather than the hire company's own CDW.



Remember though that if the hire car insurance is only 3rd party and the accident is your fault there will be no payout. However, the policy excess (typically £300 or so) would be paid out. That will not go very far if the car is a write off!!!

Heathfield


Joined: 21/02/2008
Posts: 14

Message Posted:
25/02/2008 00:12

Unlimited Third Party plus Own Damage is probably a bit less than UK fully comp - which might include windscreen, courtesy car and a few more frills. I was very nervous about driving a car here in the TRNC and being responsible for all damage to it and I am content that I am covered against that. I can't give an answer about the level of support I might get were the car to break down or be seriously damaged - I have a 24-hour Petsas number to call, but I doubt whether they would be able to help. No hire is completely risk-free, but I'm very satisfied with the arrangement I have.

Notsoboredhw


Joined: 15/03/2007
Posts: 1254

Message Posted:
17/03/2008 00:17

Just read something that you can get fully comprehensive insurance at the border for £3 per day - is this right?

suntanman



Joined: 18/04/2007
Posts: 721

Message Posted:
17/03/2008 00:22

Where did you read this?

It would certainly make people more comfortable driving in TRNC if the option was available.

Freddie


Joined: 18/03/2008
Posts: 12

Message Posted:
18/03/2008 14:15

Hi Boredhousewife, suntanman and All



I have just discovered this website and forum and would also be very interested in any fully comp insurance at £3 per day. We are hiring a car in Paphos and want to cross the border to visit Famagusta and Kyrenia.



Can we cross at one border point and back via another? Not sure about the outbound journey, but the best return for us would be via Morphou.



Any advice appreciate, thanks

Freddie

Mountain Edge



Joined: 23/02/2007
Posts: 199

Message Posted:
18/03/2008 15:38

Don't know about the £3 a day bit but you can cross the border at one place and come back at another, no problem.

Notsoboredhw


Joined: 15/03/2007
Posts: 1254

Message Posted:
18/03/2008 20:06

Someone who owns an apartment in our development is advertising this fact on their website and I was a bit concerned this wasnt the right information. UKTurk/Izzet - is this right??

Freddie


Joined: 18/03/2008
Posts: 12

Message Posted:
19/03/2008 17:21

Thanks for that Mountain Edge.



If we are driving in from Paphos, with first visit being Famagusta, which border gate do you think is best for us to use?

Freddie


Joined: 18/03/2008
Posts: 12

Message Posted:
19/03/2008 18:10

Hi All



From all the info given above, I contacted Petsas asking for a quote for 11 day car hire (7-seater Opel Zafira or similar) and asking about insurance for the north, saying that I had heard they could arrange/supply such cover.



For info, here is the reply I got:



"Further to your request we are offering you:



1. Opel Zafira Manual Gear A/C 7 seater at the price of EURO: 50.00 per day.



2. Opel Zafira Automatic A/C 7 seater at the price of EURO: 60.00 per day.



The insurance for self drive cars and all other cars legally covers you for driving in the areas where Cyprus Republic Law has jurisdiction. It does not cover the areas occupied by Turkish Troops (The North).



We are, however, in contact with a Turkish Cypriot Insurance Company (Islek Sigorta Ltd) who will, by arrangement, provide you with third party plus comprehensive excess of EURO: 260.00 to cover in the North at extra cost of EURO: 35.00 for 3 days stays.



Regards

Aliki"



Doesn't fill me with confidence as it is only third party and the comprehensive excess of 260 euros is not high.

lovingcyprus


Joined: 02/03/2007
Posts: 1272

Message Posted:
19/03/2008 18:44

Freddie



Why would you want to hire a Zafira in the south at the prices you have quoted when you can get the same in the North for less AND you don't have to worry about only having 3rd party insurance

Freddie


Joined: 18/03/2008
Posts: 12

Message Posted:
19/03/2008 19:17

Hi lovingcyprus



Well, we are actually staying in Coral Bay, Paphos, and to-date the best quote we have had is for a Zafira at 458 euros for 11 nights. And, whilst they don't insure it for the North, they also don't stop us taking the car into the North, buying insurance at the border, whereas many others said we would have to sign a document saying we wouldn't take the car out of the South.



We really want to see the North, particularly as my father did his National Service there.



It was at that point I found this website, saw the above discussion, joined the Forum and tried out some of the options / companies listed above, resulting in the above mentioned email.



Would it be possible to actually leave our car somewhere, walk over the border and hire a car in the North? As you say, for less and with proper insurance?



I am open to all ideas.

lovingcyprus


Joined: 02/03/2007
Posts: 1272

Message Posted:
19/03/2008 21:38

Freddie



I guess you would be able to park up somewhere near the border (Near the Ledra Palace foot crossing) and walk across and hire a car, BUT normally, most hire companies will hire for a minimum of 3 days. I suppose you could hire for less than 3 days but you would probably have to pay for 3 days.



If you are only planning to go to the north for a day you maybe better off just getting a taxi to take you round, a taxi for all day would I reckon cost £60-70.



Here is an idea if you are planning to look round the north for say a few days, why not stay in the North and then for the other 8 or so days stay at Coral Bay Paphos. If you did that could then hire in the North for say 3 days and then you could walk across the border and hire for the rest of your holiday in the south.

newlad



Joined: 02/03/2008
Posts: 7819

Message Posted:
20/03/2008 00:35

Freddie,

Pull yourself together, stay in the north forget the south hire your car in the north and explore, jobs a gud un.The futures bright the futures north.

Regards,

Paul.

Freddie


Joined: 18/03/2008
Posts: 12

Message Posted:
20/03/2008 16:36

Hi lovingcyprus



I love your idea and only wish I had thought of it back last year when our bookings were made. To cut a long story short (ish)! we are celebrating my Mum's 65th birthday in Coral Bay, because she chose the location (following Dad's 65th some 4 years ago). If I had had my wits about me (and had I known a trip down memory lane was on the cards at that point), I would have booked a week at Coral Bay and the additional 3 or 4 nights in the North. That would have been easier for both villa and flight bookings. But it is all paid for now, so even persuading my party to spend one night away has not been easy. I think the long journey in one day would be too much for them.



And Paul, I am sure after this trip we'll pull our sox up and all future trips will start and end in the North! Thanks for the advice!