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17 Apr 2014
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Insurance through Latin America, the laborious task of getting quotes!
Ok, I know that this is will have been discussed a million times but I'm aiming to get an up to date view on this subject and here is your chance to stand on your soap box!
So I am from the UK travelling from USA (probably California) to Argentina on a middle weight bike (650cc - USA registered) for around a year and was wondering on what sort of insurance people who were undertaking this trip or have done it before were taking.
Of course Medical insurance is a must but what about a bike specific insurance? Is there one company who will cover you for all countries? Have people just bout insurance (when required) upon entering the countries?
For medical insurance some companies stand out i.e. World nomads, worldwide insure, 1 stop travel insurance, Navigator travel have all been mentioned before on this site but does anyone have any view on which might be better or had any experience with having to use/claim from one of them (hopefully for nothing too serious)
Any advice or further insurance cover that I have not thought of would be much appreciated....I'm getting a little tired of shifting through websites now!
Thanks all and ride safe
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18 Apr 2014
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I have used Navigator for a couple of years for travel insurance. Seem friendly and helpfully but gladly never had to make a claim.
I use 'motorcycle express' for bike insurance. Used them for the USA and 3 months in Mexico. Just about to get some off them for Central America too and will probably use them again for S America. They seem to cater well for the Brit abroad on a 'big' bike.
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18 Apr 2014
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For the bike Motorcycle Express - Ship Your Bike They will cover you the whole way. Note that going into some countries you will still have to buy insurance at the border or they won't let you in. For example Costa Rica you have to pay $20 to get in but that coverage is only about 8k in liability. For medical I had Blue Cross. They say pay with your credit card and they will reimburse you. If you shop around you will go crazy. So I say just get these established policies. Dave
PS I got medical evacuation insurance from www.medjet.com They have an excellent reputation but since I did not have an emergency I can't vouch for how good they are.
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18 Apr 2014
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Which ever travel policy you go for, make sure you check they cover "overland" travel and have no cc limit on the bike.
They change from time to time, but currently Navigator would appear to be the best option.
For the bike, as suggested use Motorcycle Express in the US.
Mexico, buy at the border before you cross.
Everywhere esle, buy it as you need it (on entry or shortly afterwards)
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18 Apr 2014
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have no experience with motorcycle express, but i question the legitimacy of their insurance. insurance is highly regulated in the US. their site discloses nothing about the terms of their alleged policies. i doubt they are a licensed insurance company since they are not listed in the NY state department of financial service list of licensed companies.
buyer beware!
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18 Apr 2014
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Exactly. No one's ever answered to my satisfaction what you're actually purchasing when you buy an (expensive) policy from Motorcycle Express. What will they actually do for you if you're in an accident in, say, Peru? Who will show up to provide you with services?
It's worth noting that in countries which require insurance, you still need to buy locally--ME policies are not recognized, and not valid. That suggests the same will be true in countries where insurance is not required. As far as I know, the latter category includes, for example, the USA and Canada--ME can't sell you insurance valid in either country.
I'm happy to be corrected by anyone who knows differently.
Mark
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19 Apr 2014
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Quote:
Originally Posted by markharf
Exactly. No one's ever answered to my satisfaction what you're actually purchasing when you buy an (expensive) policy from Motorcycle Express. What will they actually do for you if you're in an accident in, say, Peru? Who will show up to provide you with services?
It's worth noting that in countries which require insurance, you still need to buy locally--ME policies are not recognized, and not valid. That suggests the same will be true in countries where insurance is not required. As far as I know, the latter category includes, for example, the USA and Canada--ME can't sell you insurance valid in either country.
I'm happy to be corrected by anyone who knows differently.
Mark
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Firstly, I agree that buying insurance for SA with the likes of ME is a waste of time, I would not want an insurance issue in a Latin American country being dealt with by a North American company (no offence to North Americans but ... :-) )
From what I gather of the policies I have bought from ME to cover North American motorcycle travel, they are legit enough for scrutiny by police. And cover you for a limited amount of 3rd party damages. IIRC they are issued in Arizona. What difference that makes, I dunno.
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24 Apr 2014
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BruceP
Firstly, I agree that buying insurance for SA with the likes of ME is a waste of time, I would not want an insurance issue in a Latin American country being dealt with by a North American company (no offence to North Americans but ... :-) )
From what I gather of the policies I have bought from ME to cover North American motorcycle travel, they are legit enough for scrutiny by police. And cover you for a limited amount of 3rd party damages. IIRC they are issued in Arizona. What difference that makes, I dunno.
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they are also apparently not licensed in ariona. 
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30 Apr 2014
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My 2012 policy purchased from Motorcycle Express says the insuring company is Insurance Co. of the State of Pennsylvania. Claims to be given to a N.Y. outfit called Chartis International. Motorcycle Services is the producer. Dave
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30 Apr 2014
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Quote:
Originally Posted by teevee
they are also apparently not licensed in ariona. |
Do you really think Grant would be accepting advertising off them AND promoting them in another thread recently ?
If you have an issue with them, ask them and maybe ask Grant. Beats starting rumours.
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30 Apr 2014
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Massive thanks for the advice guys, much appreciated. I will let you know how I get on.
Safe riding
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1 May 2014
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BruceP
Do you really think Grant would be accepting advertising off them AND promoting them in another thread recently ?
If you have an issue with them, ask them and maybe ask Grant. Beats starting rumours.
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well my friend, maybe you should go verify on the states' websites yourself. i did, and they are not listed as licensed insurers under the name motorcycle express in NY or AZ. they are also not listed as a licensed producer or agent in NY where they are based.
these are facts not rumors.
they may be legal, but if they're not it wouldn't be the first time an individual or entity engaged in illegal activity. oh, and the fact that their services are advertised here or anywhere else means absolutely nothing. maybe grant vetted them, maybe not.
__________________
'07 DL1000 '08 DR650
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2 May 2014
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Quote:
Originally Posted by teevee
well my friend, maybe you should go verify on the states' websites yourself. i did, and they are not listed as licensed insurers under the name motorcycle express in NY or AZ. they are also not listed as a licensed producer or agent in NY where they are based.
these are facts not rumors.
they may be legal, but if they're not it wouldn't be the first time an individual or entity engaged in illegal activity. oh, and the fact that their services are advertised here or anywhere else means absolutely nothing. maybe grant vetted them, maybe not.
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I will bow to your meticulous research (links ??) having used ME myself (twice) I never thought to check on the sites you mention (being a foreigner).
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2 May 2014
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"these are facts not rumors." sez Teevee
Bullshit. Motorcycle express is the name of the webpage that is all. They also ship bikes. Their license is same address Motorcycle Services NY License # 922871. I have used their services several times and they have always been very professional. You can discourage people from getting insurance. However to be honest you ought to point out that in several Central American countries they jail you after an accident unless you can prove financial ability to respond to a claim. Dave
Last edited by checkerdd; 2 May 2014 at 15:23.
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