Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Regional Forums > Northern and Central Asia
Northern and Central Asia Topics specific to Russia, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, Mongolia, China, Japan and Korea
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 2 May 2011
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Wirral, England
Posts: 5
Temporary Bike Insurance at Russian Border

Hi everyone,
We have just travelled through the Polish/ Ukrainian border and were asked for our green card at the border post- when i have travelled this way previously i have been allowed into Ukraine to purchas the GC at the office sited at the petrol station. The border guards at first insisted we walk out to the GC office, purchase the GC and return to the border post to continue our way with our motorcycles. In the end they relented and allowed us to proceed on our bikes to the GC office to purchase our GC. Within a 1/4 mile of the office we were challanged by the police and upon seeing our newly purchased GC were waved on.

Can anyone tell me if we can purchase shorterm insurance for Russia in the Ukraine before the borderpost- would smooth things over somewhat ;-) Thanks for any information received.


Henry
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 3 May 2011
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Washington, DC
Posts: 1,377
I imagine it is a bit different at each border post, but in the past I have been able to buy insurance for Russia between the two border posts. I'm pretty sure that insurance is also generally available at or very near the Russian border post (inside Russia) and that it should not be a problem to wait until you get to Russia to buy it.

If nothing else, however, I think things go faster at the Russian border if you already have insurance, so I usually try to buy insurance before reaching the Russian border post.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 3 May 2011
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Moscow
Posts: 1,117
I have entered RUS by road many times but only from Finland, Estonia, and Latvia (also Lithuania into Kaliningrad).

Apart from the first time 5 years ago, in each case I have gone through all the border controls and checks without having Russian insurance.
No one ever asked for it and whenever I asked where I could buy it, I was told at the shops/offices/fuel stations that surround the inside of RUS borders or in the first town.


Sure enough, almost every shop was selling it. I have bought it from a tiny office only selling insurance, a petrol station shop and even in a DVD shop!
Note: these 'shops' are often small huts or converted containers! Look for "страхование"
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 3 May 2011
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Poland
Posts: 273
Insurance

Hi
Russia is member of international Green Card System. You don't need any insurance for your car/bike in Russia if you have GC. Look at your GC, there are all countries in GCS.

Bartosz
__________________
Bartosz
www.wyprawy4x4.com.pl
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 4 May 2011
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Washington, DC
Posts: 1,377
In my experience as of a year or so ago, not all insurers include Russia on their green card, so you should certainly doublecheck. I assumed that the OP had already done so.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 4 May 2011
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Wirral, England
Posts: 5
Thank you for the info and your time. UK insurance wouldn't include RUS on GC.

Henry
Travelling East.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 15 May 2011
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Switzerland
Posts: 277
Hi! That's true, my Swiss green card has a cross on Russia, but I don't have any insurance in Russia, nobody told me to buy one at the border, you think I should need one? What does it covers exactly?

Thanks for your help. I still have a long way to Ulaan Ude, I will be in kazan tonight

David
zimiontheloose.ch | Rock'n'roll Motorcycle Adventure!
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 15 May 2011
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Washington, DC
Posts: 1,377
I would definitely try to get it, it covers your liability for accidents, etc. This is good, but moreover, many police will ask for it, and if you don't have it there is a good chance you'll have to pay a bribe or face some other problem (bike impounded, etc.). They also might ask for it at the border when you leave, although I'm not sure.

The Russian word for insurance is страхование, there are signs for it all over the place. Now that you are in the interior though, it might be harder to find somewhere that insures foreign bikes (not sure about this).
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 20 Jul 2015
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: May 2011
Posts: 103
Came in via Sakhalin and don't have any insurance.

Quote:
Originally Posted by motoreiter View Post
I would definitely try to get it, it covers your liability for accidents, etc. This is good, but moreover, many police will ask for it, and if you don't have it there is a good chance you'll have to pay a bribe or face some other problem (bike impounded, etc.). They also might ask for it at the border when you leave, although I'm not sure.

The Russian word for insurance is страхование, there are signs for it all over the place. Now that you are in the interior though, it might be harder to find somewhere that insures foreign bikes (not sure about this).
As the title says I bought my bike in from Japan to Sakhalin and was not asked for or directed to anywhere to buy insurance. Now in UU and heading for Mongolia. Am I likely to be asked to produce evidence of insurance at the border on exiting? Is there anywhere in UU where I can buy Greencard Insurance that will cover me here and through Europe?
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 20 Jul 2015
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Washington, DC
Posts: 1,377
I've now exited Russia many times and don't think I've ever been asked for insurance upon exit.

Not sure if you can get greencard insurance in UU--I doubt there is much demand for it--but you shouldn't have any problem getting Russian third party insurance in UU or any other Russian town. Some insurance agents might get confused and tell you that they can't issue insurance for bikes with foreign plates, but in my experience most of them will do so (at least in Moscow and near the borders).

I was at that border crossing a couple of years ago but don't recall if there were any insurance booths at/near the border. When you exit, you might want to scout it out, and either buy insurance then or on your way back in.

Last edited by motoreiter; 21 Jul 2015 at 04:54.
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 21 Jul 2015
colebatch's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: London / Moscow
Posts: 1,913
i actually think you will be able to get it in UU. I recall buying some once inside Russia when previous insurance ran out. A local biker took me to an insurance agent and away we went.
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 21 Jul 2015
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Somerset, Great Britain
Posts: 471
I bought 3 months' worth coming in from Georgia. The first few buildings inside Russia, on the right, cost around EUR 20. Quick and easy,
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 21 Jul 2015
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: May 2011
Posts: 103
Thanks

Thanks fr the replies, I'll be here for another couple of days and scout out what's available.
Reply With Quote
  #14  
Old 4 Aug 2015
klausmong1's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Vienna
Posts: 720
As I wrote already in another tread, I definitely got stopped in Russia and directly asked for the insurance papers.

So I would not rely on that that you dont get stopped for that.
__________________
www.klausmotorreise.com
Reply With Quote
  #15  
Old 4 Aug 2015
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Somerset, Great Britain
Posts: 471
Came over the border at Semey today. Although I'd already bought insurance coming in from Georgia, the guys I was with needed it. Exactly the same, first buildings on the right, simple, and cheap.
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
temporary insurance in Halifax lost1 North America 2 1 Feb 2010 22:26
Didnt get a temporary import at Brazilian border - What do I do ? *Touring Ted* SOUTH AMERICA 9 3 Apr 2008 02:29
rough cost of insurance at russian border -Ali- Trip Paperwork 4 28 Mar 2007 01:08
Insurance,overland,temporary???? bvanlinden Trip Paperwork 0 3 May 2004 12:32
Border Thailand/Cambodia temporary closed Nannup Travellers' Advisories, Safety and Security on the Road 1 1 Feb 2003 18:25

 
 

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 16:15.