Short term insurance UK: Who, where?

[Warthog]

I am looking for insurance companies in the UK that will give short term cover so that I can ride a Uk bought bike, back over to mainland Europe, without having to buy a 12 month policy and then have the hassle of concelling the policy etc...

I have found a company called expressInsurance.com, but are there any others?

PS Prefarably one with standard telephone numbers , because 0800 free numbers don't seem to go through the Estonian telephone exchange, and web-quotes make me homicidal with their endless questions that don't apply to me...

[Bobduro]

You can try flexirider, insuredaily or dayinsure. They tend to do 1-28 days cover.

[Warthog]

Originally Posted by Bobduro

You can try flexirider, insuredaily or dayinsure. They tend to do 1-28 days cover.

Cheers.

Flexi and dayinsure are the same bunch. and Insuredaily appear to onbly do bikes. I know that Dayinsure won't cover perm export vehicles, even though they are not yet re-registered. I am seeing if it can be done if the bike is registered with another keeper, so that it is not an export case. I can then transfer the bike to my name and re-register... hopefully, possibly.

Still ammazed by how inflexible the system is, partticularly as Europe is now supposed to be an "open" market and society. With the amount of movement of people her and ther, you'd thinking that there would be scope....

[Tony P]

Originally Posted by Warthog

Still ammazed by how inflexible the system is, partticularly as Europe is now supposed to be an "open" market and society. With the amount of movement of people her and ther, you'd thinking that there would be scope....

You are finding an impasse with commercial organisatins whose aim is (or shoul be) to make a profit by providing a service.

Sorry to have to say this, but wait until you meet the DVLA when you buy the bike in UK and try get it registered into your name to have a Registration Document that will be valid in both UK and accepted by its UK 'partners' as you use the vehicle on public roads - even for the few days journey home.

I may be wrong, and wish I am, but I think they will really depress you with negativity and unhelpfulness - all in the name of their 'regulations'.

[Warthog]

Spot on.

Despite being in the EU, where driver's licences are mutually accepted, and despite being a UK citizen and having proof of 16 years no claims (until the point when I left the UK, and suddenly it's not valid because I spent more than a day not insured in the UK ), I can't ride the bike because its being exported; by another means, I can't get a policy because I'm not a resident, even though I have an address I can register it to in London.

So even though it is legal to do, bureaucracy and small print actually prohibits an EU resident going to another country (ie the UK) to buy a vehicle built to EU registration standards, in order then use it back in the country of residence.... insane!

Still looking at an alternative, but it is such a (unecessarliy) complicated process. When I think that it only took me 7 hours of queues to get a UK bike legally inot argentina! I've spent that long phoning and surfing as it is... ridiculous.

[trophydave]

Could you get the seller to deliver the bike to the port?You hand over the money then (cough) push the bike onto the ferry and sail away.

[Warthog]

Originally Posted by trophydave

Could you get the seller to deliver the bike to the port?You hand over the money then (cough) push the bike onto the ferry and sail away.

Nice idea, but unfortunately, that does not solve the problem. I don't need insurance just for the Uk stretch: I need it for the whole journey. That would leave me in the Netherlands with a bike, but no insurance to ride it to Germany....

[Tony P]

Registration Document.
The Seller would return the V5 to DVLA with your name and address (London one) - you are given Part 10 of his V5 as your proof for UK authorities pending new documentation being sent out.
At this point I would chance it and ride to EST. As you know there are open borders all the way from Calais and all the French border people have ever asked to see is my Passport - generally sight of the front cover being sufficient - often, on a bike, I just get waved through without even showing that!
Then when your London people receive the new V5 they can mail it to you to re-register in EST.

Insurance.
With this I would never chance it - the potential consequences to my finances and conscience of damaging someone in an incident while uninsured are too great.
However, could you not insure it in EST - assuming you know the UK registration number? Insurance in one EU country generally includes legal minimum insurance in other EU countries for a period, and the Insurance Certificate (in whatever form) is acceptable to police elsewhere.

[trophydave]

Originally Posted by Warthog

Nice idea, but unfortunately, that does not solve the problem. I don't need insurance just for the Uk stretch: I need it for the whole journey. That would leave me in the Netherlands with a bike, but no insurance to ride it to Germany....

Ah,I see.I realise that you want to ride it home,who wouldn't.If you can't get insurance could it go on a train,back of a lorry,van,trailer heading your way?

[Warthog]

That is my problem exactly: I don't actually think I at a huge risk of a prang, but the merest possiblility is not worth it.

Having said that, 1000km on a bike I don't know, against the clock, in November Germany and with little sleep: If ever there was a recipe for increasing your chances of coming acropper: that would probably be it!

[Warthog]

Although the bike in mind is reasonably priced, all these extra costs (the flight, the ferries the insurance etc), are all starting to add up and train or van costs on top would be a no-no.

Plus work commitments mean that I would need to fly out on a friday and yet be back in work by 13.00 on the Monday afternoon!!

Basically, unless things change: I'm a bit screwed...

[Warthog]

Well, I got yet another response. This time telling me that this particular company (flexirider. The irony of the name is staggering) does not offer comprehensive cover for riding outside the UK.

Well, that must be the niche market of all niche markets. A rider in the UK, who wants to ride their bike only for a few days....but nowhere else...It's almost funny now. On the plus side, there seems to be a company I was recommended.

It looks like the only way i can do this is to get a "Green Card" policy to ride in my own bl##dy country!! At least I am nearing a solution.... I think...

[paulcam]

Have you checked eBikeInsurance online? I know they do UK/Euro monthly PAYG cover.

[Warthog]

Finally went with German outfit called Knopftours: 1 Month green card insurance, about €55. Not the cheapest, but could have been worse...!

Game on, tomorrow!!!