Carnets for idiots + insurance in the middle east
 

Hi,
Ok, OK I hold my hand up high, I've read all of these posts yet I still can't figure out exactly what a Carnet:
a) Actually does
b) Why it does it
c) How much it costs (although I can see that it's related to the value of my bike which is aproximately £1500)
d)Why I would need to get insurance to go with it
If anyone can answer these questions I'd be extremely grateful. A couple of other questions
1)How much wouuld 3rd party insurance cost (where required)
2)How easy is it to get.
The countries outside the EU which I'm considering at the moment are Romania, Bulgaria, Turkey, Syria, Israel and Egypt. Anyone's help would be great!

OK Sam

1. Countries have import taxes. Some countries let you import a veichle temporarily by stamping the veichle in your passport. Others require a guarantee that the import taxes will be paid if the veichle is sold within the country, the Carnet de Passage guarantees this payment. If you do not want to pay import taxes (Iran 480 %of the value) its a good idea to have a Carnet.

When you return the Carnet a "reconciliation" process takes place..they determine from the stamps in the carnet wether the bike has returned home or been left in another country.

2. You can have a wad of cash depoited with a bank that you forfeit if you sell the bike on the Carnet or take out insurance to cover this payment. Where you are determines how much this costs. Your RAC should be able to help you here.

If you sell the bike in a country requiring the carnet and tax needs to be paid the amount is deducted from your banked wad of cash, or by the insurance company to the countries tax man.

3. It is difficult to get 3rd party insurace for the whole world, some countries require you get it at the border others dont ask. The Green Card insurance is Europes version.

4. I understand you will need a Carnet for Egypt, if you have one Turkey will stamp it.

hope that makes things clearer.

cheers

alec

http://users.netlink.copm.au/~asimpson

That's brilliant Alec. Thanks for clarifying. All I could find on the other posts were just hints as to what a carnet was, it's nice to have a complete definition. Cheers

Try www.alessie.com for 3rd party insurance in countires outside Europe and North America. I know they issue for Central and South America, and I think they cover for other countries too if you want it.

And they say on their site that they issue Green Cards for Europe.

Grant: I think this should go into your list.

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Salut from Southern France, the bikers' paradise,

Peter.

Hi All,

I almost read all the forum pages about carnet and insurance. However, there are still somepoints which are not clear for me. Here they are:
Carnet is required for Iran and Bahrain, thats clear. And I also need an insurance for these countries. I've wrote an e-mail to www.alessie.com about insurance. Still waiting for reply.
1- If I cannot get an insurance before I leave, is it possible to get at the Iranian and Bahrainian border? If yes, would that be expensive for me?
2- Do I need any other documents like IDL or anything else?

Thanks a lot.
ozhan u.

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ride safely
ozhan u.
www.ozhanu.com

The Alessie insurance is available only from the ADAC in Germany, they say so on their site. I think Knopf Tours also sell it, but I suspect they also get it via ADAC, but I don't know for sure.

Your UK insurer should issue the GC. You may have to ask for Turkey and Iran cover, possibly Balkan countries, too.

In theory insurance is compulsory in Iran & TR. They didn't ask me so I forgot to ask, too. Could be tricky in case of accident. Having had an accident in TR I wouldn't want to ride there again without.

Turkish insurance is available at the border, see my post on the subject elsewhere. I got it from the horse's mouth (TR AA).

I suggest you get an IDP regardless. It's cheap and you can afford to leave it with any corrupt cop you may encounter.

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Salut from Southern France, the bikers' paradise,

Peter.

Thanks beddhist,
I got an e-mail from Alessie today and they say that the insurance only for Iran will be 235 Euro-Thirth part and only for a month. And they'll look for Bahrain and tell me. 235 quid is toooo much for me. And my insurance company covers only EU countries. So, I am gonna go for Carole Nash for all Europa+Turkey. But, I am not sure if they can cover Iran+Bahrain. Any other ideas about the insurance for Iran and/or Bahrain? And also, can I buy a insurance from Iranian and Bahranian border?
Thanks in advance

[edit]: I was going to buy IDL. I've checked the rac web site. DO I have to buy for every coutry or only one will do for 3 countries?

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ride safely
ozhan u.
www.ozhanu.com



[This message has been edited by ozhanu (edited 26 May 2005).]

Strange, but i have european Green Card insurance on my hand now, where is Iran marked too! Does it work there?

ozhanu: that's way too expensive. I have posted the link to the TR AA web site elsewhere where you can see their prices for TR insurance, available at the border. Just search.

The IDP is merely an official translation of your national licence, valid worldwide.


Margus: you are lucky, just like us. If it's not crossed out then it's valid. They will most likely not even ask to see it at the border, but it's good to have.

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Salut from Southern France, the bikers' paradise,

Peter.

Hi Folks,
Thanks for your honest replies.
PETER: I don't have a problem with Turkish insurance. I am Turkish and I can sort it out at the border. My concerns are insurance for Iran and Bahrain. And unfortunatelly, my insurance certificate doenst cover this countries.
MARGUS: Thats is good news. Where did you get this Green Card? Whats is you insurance company? I can switch to them actually.

Again, thanks for your help.

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ride safely
ozhan u.
www.ozhanu.com

Mine is done in Estonia. "If" insurance. http://www.if.ee/

Costed about 100 dollars per year for my '98 GS (acctually, Green Card comes for free with local country insurance which is obligatory for citizens here). Check if they have something to offer for foreigeners!

Many say Estonian Green Cards seems to be one of the best - nearly none of the countries marked on it aren't crossed (=not working), so it works on many-many countries! Can name them one by one if anyone interested?

Cheers, Margus

[This message has been edited by Margus (edited 26 May 2005).]

Hi Margus,

Thanks a lot for the link. I've visited their web site and sent them an e-mail about my situation. Hopefuly (fingercross) they can sell me the magic Green Card. It's really magic, it only doesn't cover Sirbia-Montenegro, however, it's not a big issue. They didn't mentioned on their website about foreigeners. I really hope they can cover me.

I wonder why there isn't an insurance company in the UK that covers these countries? Or is there any and I don't know it?

Thanks

I got an reply from http://www.if.ee. They say that they can only issue Green Card for Estonia registered bikes http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/ubb/frown.gif

Now, can please anyone tell me which British insurance company (name and contact info please) provides/issues green card for outside of EU. Like Turkey, Iran and Balkans? I have called about 10 companies and non of them do except Carole Nash. But, Carole Nash doesn't cover Iran. Any idea how much would it be cost if I buy a Insurance at the Iranian border?

Thanks a lot.

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ride safely
ozhan u.

[This message has been edited by ozhanu (edited 27 May 2005).]

Iran....you can buy the insurance at the border if you are coming from Turkey as there is an insurance office on the Iran side of the border crossing. If coming from Pakistan there is not an insurance office at the border and you will not be asked for it.....but they will check out every printed number on your carnet to make sure that they are correct.
Turkey....coming from Iran you can purchase the insurance at the border in Turkey. We paid 4 US dollars for each bike for 3 months......minimum time......do not let the touts help.....they charge 20 US dollars to get it for you.