Car insurance for Africa
 

I've got an english-registered Peugeot 305 van and I am planning (foolishly enough?) to drive it to Mali (through Mauritania, not passing through Senegal).
Trouble is, I am finding it hard enough to find an Insurance company that will cover third party insurance for a van if it is not for comercial use, let alone extend the policy to cover Mauritania and Mali. Any advice there?

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Gustau

Fat chance. You can, and usually have to, buy their insurance at the border, but I wouldn't want to put it to the test. I have never found an insurance company that will cover me beyond Europe. Some will do 3rd party only for Tunisia, but thats the best on offer. Drive carefully!!

Landmark Insurance Company Ltd in Croydon(tel. 0208 649 3731, fax 0208 649 6739)can offer an overseas motor insurance cover, but at a premium that will make you laugh. That's right, drive carefully 'cause you're on yer own, pal.

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Roman (UK)
www.polandrover.com

Hi Gustau,

Getting your vihicle insured for Africa in Europe is almost inpossible. Not really useful either because African counties ussualy dont accept it and will make you buy an insurance in the country / at the border.
Morroco does accept your 'normal' insurrance if it covers Morocco. If not you can buy insurance at the border.
In Mauritania you have to buy it after you crossed the border in Nouadhibou. Its called "Carte Brun" and is only valid for Mauritania. In Mali you can buy insurance at the first city after you enter the country. Mali, like most countries in West Africa, sell insurance that covers (almost) all Westafrican countries.

car insurance Sahara crossing
 

Hi Peter Kik

I'm trying to find confirmation of your advice kindly given in 2001, regarding car insurance for north and west africa.
We're travelling down in Toyota Landcruiser either Mauritania or Hoggar route (still undecided) to Mali.

Say (relative) safe and Mauritania - do i understand I can buy car insurance at Ceuta for Morocco,
at Nouadhibour for Maruitania - Carte Brun
at Nouakchotte or Timbuktu for Mali and most west aftrian countries?

Thanks

Rachel

.... buy car insurance at Ceuta for Morocco,
See other recent posts about situation in Ceuta. Buy in first big Moroccan town - or even from a booth in Algeciras i hear.

at Nouadhibour for Maruitania - Carte Brun
Dont know carte brun - you buy from the caravan at the Mori frontier post with all the other immigratation stuff.

at Nouakchotte or Timbuktu for Mali and most west aftrian countries?

It won't be Nkt, it will be the first town in Mali. Not to be confused with laisser-passer and not sure everyone bothers with it.

Ch

Just to clarify Chris's post, The Ecowas Brown Card is not valid for Mauritania, therefore they dont normally sell it in the dodgy caravan at the frontier.

You can however buy the Ecowas Brown Card in Nouakchott, which will then be valid for Mali and other Ecowas member states. If you only want it for Mali, then it is easiest to buy insurance at the Malian border, but if you want the policy valid for a number of months and several countries, it may actually be cheaper to buy in Nouakchott.

Most of the insurance offices in the centre of town will sell you the brown card on behalf of a Malian based insurer. I cant remember the name of the insurance company I bought mine from, but it was about one block south of Cafe Tunis and near the new Israeli built hospital.

cheers

car insurance
 

Dear Chris and Matt

Thank you both for your prompt and very clear responses.

Here's my conclusion for potential Western journey
Morocco - Big Moroccan town/ booth in Algeciras
Mauritania - Mori frontier post
Mali - Ecowas Brown Card in Nouakchott, which will then be valid for Mali and other Ecowas member states. (Yes, Matt, we are travelling to these states, so this information very useful)

What’s laisser-passer? Somewhere on this excellent Hub spider web of information I saw someone had generously shared copies of documentation useful and time saving to pre-prepare and present at each frontier - do you recognise this? Frustratingly cannot find this reference again.

Best wishes to you both for 2009, and i hope it fulfills your curiosity and is an adventurous one for you both.

Rachel

Hi Rachel,

A laisser passer is the french translation of temporary import permit.

To get your vehicle through each border post will require you to produce the following documents:

1. Either a carnet or temporary import permit (laisser passer)
2. Proof of 3rd party insurance (either bought at the border, or else a Brown Card / Carte Brun that covers several countries)

You can buy Moroccan insurance at the border coming from Spain, but if you have an EU insured vehicle, then your 3rd party insurance (Green Card) should also be valid in Morocco, although it wont be valid for anywhere else in West Africa.

You will have to buy insurance at the Mauritanian border post. The insurance agent operates from a beaten up old caravan.

If you dont manage to collect a Brown Card in Nouakchott, I wouldnt be too worried. Just buy temporary Malian insurance at the Mali border, and then pick up the Brown Card later on. You might not get it at every small border crossing, but you should be able to get it without too much hassle in any capital city.

There is loads of other info on the HUBB re:carnets v temporary import permits. You can enter virtually everywhere in West Africa (with the possible exception of Senegal, although this can be done with patience) solely using temporary import permits, although a carnet will give your more piece of mind.

cheers

ECOWAS Insurance-Mauri
 

Actually Matt you can buy ECOWAS Insurance in the dodgy caravan at the Mauri border-at least you could in Nov 2007. Surprisingly it's not a rip-off either as when we renewed in Senegal a month later it was virtually the same price. Oh, and you can forward date it to start when you reckon you're going to cross into Mali or Senegal.

Q

Thanks for the update Quintin,

I did try for the Brown Card at that caravan a few years ago (Dec 06) without success, so havent bothered on recent visits.

I assume you also had to buy separate Mauri insurance at the same time?

cheers

Thanks to all of you for your very clear paper processes. where would i be without a HUBB?