Bike Insurance UK - desperately need ideas!! - Horizons Unlimited

**mark travers** · #1 2 Apr 2000

Hi All,
I have a problem (fast becoming a major pain in the a--) regaring bike insurance in the UK. M Aussie reg'd CBR900RR is arriving mid-may from Home. I'm supposed to be riding through Europe for a few months. Because my address is changing from Aus to UK for over one year, I'm required to "import the bike permanently" which requires changing to UK rego. No problems, I'm lead to believe.
B4 being able to swap the reg., I need UK insurance.
I can't even get a quote on 3rd party from anyone for a variety of reasons - haven't lived in uk for over 3 years, no no-claim bonus, I'm 27 and have a 900cc sportsbike. The ONLY quote anyone can give me so far is £3500 for comprehensive, which I don't want - that's almost the cost of a bew bike!!
Been riding 7 years, never damaged anither vehicle,never claimed anything, but have only ever had the compulsory third party we have for our registration in Aus, which gives no no-claim bonus. HELP.....
Does anyone know how to get around this ??
Can I perhaps insure with a European company?
I really don't want to have to pack the bike and send her home without accomplishing my dream......

Regards,
Mark T.

**Grant Johnson** · #2 4 Apr 2000

Hi Mark,

I don't have the perfect answer, it's a bad scene for insurance in UK. I should be cheap, but have much the same problem as you except that I don't have a sport bike and have an old BM.

The important thing to know is that in the UK prices vary enormously. In phoning around I got everything from - no can do at all because I don't have a UK licence, to £1000. Ended up at 300.

Check Motorcycle News adverts, there are a ton of insurance companies there.

Your Australia insurance records should be of some use to you. I was told they would have been but mine were too old.

Another note: Are oyu SURE you have to registere the bike here? Your Aus insurance may cover oyu here. Failing that try for a "green card" insurance, try ADAC - see the Links page, and while there try Mike Mandell, he may be able to organise insurance for you.

Good luck

------------------
Grant Johnson

Share the Dream!
at: www.HorizonsUnlimited.com

**Peter B** · #3 5 Jul 2000

Re insurance with no prior record in UK.
Have you looked into getting a letter from your Aussie insurance company, that you have a 7 year "no claim record"? This as I think this should help in getting a cheaper insurance.

Hope it helps
Peter

**sarah** · #4 8 Jul 2000

Hi
I had a similar problem here in Australia because I haven't got my insurance records from the UK.
Anyway, are you a member of NRMA? If so have you checked out any reciprocal agreements they might have with the AA?
I got my best and easiest quote in the UK from Norwich Union.
What about Campbell Irvine - see Adventure Motorcycling Handbook for details. They deal in worldwide insurance and might be able to advise.

Good luck mate
Sarh