Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Regional Forums > Europe
Europe Topics specific to Western and Eastern Europe, from UK to the Russian border, and south-east to Turkey.
Photo by Daniel Rintz, Himba children, Namibia

The only impossible journey
is the one
you never begin

Photo by Daniel Rintz,
Himba children, Namibia



Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 12 Apr 2008
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: N.Yorks UK
Posts: 79
Bike Insurance for the Balkans - Croatia Albania etc

Hi, we are heading to Greece for a month long trip from the UK.
We are insured as far as Slovenia under our UK policy.

Can vehicle/bike insurance be purchased at borders for the rest of the trip. We are typically following the Adriatic coastline, so, Croatia, a bit of Bosnia & Herzegovina, Montenegro, Albania to Macedonia & to Greece.

The insurance company doesn't issue a 'Green Card', but whenever I phone I always get a different answer as to where I am covered!!!

Opinions appreciated.

Phil
__________________
650 Transalp

Last edited by shandydrinker; 12 Apr 2008 at 11:49.
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 12 Apr 2008
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Zagreb, Croatia
Posts: 85
Hi Phil,

HAK
(+385 1) 4640 800

this is a link and a phone number of Croatian Auto Club, ask them, they sholud know.


Nikola
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 13 Apr 2008
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: May 2004
Posts: 64
If you are inhabitant of EU you don't need "green card" for Croatia.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 14 Apr 2008
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Highlands of Scotland
Posts: 11
Insurance

I too am (was?!) planning the same trip from the Highlands of Scotland leaving on 17th May. So far, despite trying for weeks, I have not managed to find comprehensive insurance cover for countries that are not in the EU. I do not fancy at all getting insurance at the borders as I believe it will at best only be 3rd party (I value my bike and my skin!). Does anyone know of anywhere in the UK that could help?
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 14 Apr 2008
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Faversham,England
Posts: 137
Normally you would only be covered 3rd party as you know but most insurance companys will extend it to comprehensive for a small fee.Mine did (Hastings)This covered non EU countries too.Do try and get a green card from them otherwise you will have to pay on border for not having one.Bosnia was 20 Euros,as mentioned Croatia will be ok not sure about others but plenty of threads on here about Albania etc.
On my return I contacted Hastings and explained to them I had to pay because they didn't issue me a green card.They refunded the cost so i don't know if they and others are now giving out green cards.If they get pestered enough they might.
I don't know why they are reluctant to hand them out in UK.Other EU countries still issue them.
Although we are suppose to be a European Union we dont all 'sing from the same song sheet'.
Which is what i like about Europe,We are all different !
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 15 Apr 2008
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: N.Yorks UK
Posts: 79
Ok, thanks for all your replies.

After (yet) another call to my insurance company, they now tell me that I am covered in Coatia but not Austria!!!

They say that they don't issue Green Cards as they are no longer required for the EU???

I guess I'll just set off & see what happens!

Phil
__________________
650 Transalp
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 15 Apr 2008
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Falkirk, Scotland
Posts: 144
Are you sure they said you were NOT covered in Austria?



Quote:
Originally Posted by shandydrinker View Post
Ok, thanks for all your replies.

After (yet) another call to my insurance company, they now tell me that I am covered in Coatia but not Austria!!!

Phil
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 16 Apr 2008
Wheelspin's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Colchester, UK
Posts: 149
The reason some don't bother issuing a green card is that local authorities know that a UK cert provides minimum cover - and thats all they care about. I think most of them list all the countries on the back of the cert ??

They must be wrong about Austria - thats on the 'very easy' list !!!! Complete rubbish.

When I did my last long trip ( which was before a lot of the Eastern Europeans joined the EU ) the only country they wouldn't cover was Serbia. So I decided to go round it and through Romania and Bulgaria instead - and I'm very glad I did. That was with Carole Nash, who I think used Royal Sun Alliance for it ? But I guess the best choice will also depend on your age and the type of bike. I think RSA worked because I was 40 and on a Pan at the time. I know that because as soon as I got back and switched back to my normal sportier stuff they didn't want to know
__________________
Honda CBR 1100 XX, Yamaha XTZ 660, Harris Special
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 19 Apr 2008
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Salisbury, UK
Posts: 119
Your policy document should state where you are covered - times like this you have to read the boring small print!! I'm insured with Carole Nash and they insure all EU member states as well as Croatia.

Did they mean you're not covered for Austria or Australia?! A couple of years ago I wanted to extend my cover to Bosnia - they kept mixing it up with Bolivia!!
I got there in the end .... £27 per week extened my fully comp. to include Bosnia.

I was told I didn't need a Green Card so didn't worry. I had no probelms anywhere (including Bosnia) and didn't even have to show any paperwork other than my passport.

By the way, I'd recommend seeing more of Bosnia .... it was a great place and Sarajevo was fantastic.
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 7 May 2008
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: hants uk
Posts: 182
insurance

As I had no green card (Devitt would not provide despite 3 requests) I had to pay (also week/this week, so recent information)

Montenegro: about 10 Euro I think
Albania: very little

Macedonia : 50 Euro!!!

Turkey: about 7 Euro for 2 weeks

Syria: 25 Euro for a month

Croatia were not bothered, Slovenia there was no one at the border (Wurzen pass).

As you can imagine I will be moving from Devitt as they are very unhelpful!
regards

Simon
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 20 Jun 2008
pottsy's Avatar
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: london, uk.
Posts: 360
Got charged 50Euros for Macedonian 3rd party insurance at the Greece/Macedonia border yesterday for a 15-day period. In hindsight i should have asked for a 7-day period, but there may not be flexibility on that 15-day period.But as things are sooo much better value here in Mace then it helps reduce the blow... Friendly and efficient border crossing (20mins).
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 23 Jun 2008
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Bristol, UK
Posts: 69
Green card

Hi
- This is no help to the OP, but I've just returned from some of those places....

To those of you struggling with other insurance companies/brokers, my policy is with Carole Nash, and they were very helpful and efficient in producing a green card for me at no charge.

As already mentioned, my policy already covered Croatia, it was specifically mentioned on the certificate, I guess because they're "almost" in the EU now.
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 23 Jan 2010
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 21
Quote:
Originally Posted by shandydrinker View Post
Hi, we are heading to Greece for a month long trip from the UK.
We are insured as far as Slovenia under our UK policy.

Can vehicle/bike insurance be purchased at borders for the rest of the trip. We are typically following the Adriatic coastline, so, Croatia, a bit of Bosnia & Herzegovina, Montenegro, Albania to Macedonia & to Greece.

The insurance company doesn't issue a 'Green Card', but whenever I phone I always get a different answer as to where I am covered!!!

Opinions appreciated.

Phil
I am just about to start applying for green card and wanted to know if anyone out there is planning a trip through western balkans (Albania, Croatia, Montenegro, Bosnia) and what they have discovered are tariffs for each border. My trip starts in Dubai and ends in Cambridgeshire
Reply With Quote
  #14  
Old 24 Feb 2010
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Glasgow
Posts: 296
Hi, i travelled in these countries last summer and had to switch my insurance to AXA which issued me with a green card that covered all European countries & Turkey (not Russia). I was told by a number of companies that green cards are no longer issued (crap ). I was asked for it in a number of countries. Andy B
Reply With Quote
  #15  
Old 24 Feb 2010
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 17
No direct experience of this myself but I have heard of several people printing or photocopying their insurance certificate onto green paper. This I was told was accepted no questions asked, rarely more than glanced at.

I am not suggesting avoiding insurance but if you know you are covered (a list of countries I am covered in appears very clearly in my policy documents) it may prevent you having to pay twice.
Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
the balkans - insurance mrtom Trip Paperwork 11 8 Dec 2010 02:58
border insurance Montenegro, Croatia? Sheonagh Europe 28 29 Sep 2008 20:29
Green Card Insurance - for Croatia (HR) Global Rider Europe 5 27 Mar 2007 16:05
Insurance/accom. Serbia/Croatia Matt Cartney Europe 9 19 Jun 2006 10:29

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now
, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

HU Event and other updates on the HUBB Forum "Traveller's Advisories" thread.
ALL Dates subject to change.

2024:

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

HUBBUK: info

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.




All times are GMT +1. The time now is 13:38.