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Green card to cover the Blakans for a UK registered bike Green card to cover the Blakans for a UK registered bike
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Trip Paperwork Covers all documentation, carnets, customs and country requirements, how to deal with insurance etc.
Photo by George Guille, It's going to be a long 300km... Bolivian Amazon

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by George Guille
It's going to be a long 300km...
Bolivian Amazon



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  #1  
Old 27 Dec 2010
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Green card to cover the Blakans for a UK registered bike
Does any one have insurance with Swinton? I am planning a Balkan trip and just need to know if they issue green cards for the Balkans? as I dont want to buy insurance at every border outside the EU-that will be expensive.
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  #2  
Old 27 Dec 2010
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It might seem a silly suggestion, but what about asking Swinton?

Surely they know better what they do and sell than anyone else.
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  #3  
Old 27 Dec 2010
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i have, the two people i spoke to said i dont need a green card for europe. it seems they have no idea that there is a europe outside the eu, as ive rocked up the the macedonian border last summer and was refused entry with out a green card or unless bought local insurance at the border for €50.

or i could come in, but not with my bike
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  #4  
Old 27 Dec 2010
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Hi, it will be cheaper and a lot less hassle at the borders if you get a green card from your insurer.
Most insurance companies will not want to issue you with one (don't know why) and tell you it is not needed, it is definately needed to travel in the Balkans, also check which counties their Green Card covers. AXA Insurance covered me last year for everywhere in Europe( except Russia but inc Turkey) Cheers Andy
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  #5  
Old 27 Dec 2010
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Your insurance probably wont have a clue, from what I remember some balkan states dont require one, some do but its very very cheap, a couple of pounds. Dont sweat it and just go with the flow!
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  #6  
Old 27 Dec 2010
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I know that ALL the Balkan countries have a clue, as I've been before- its the UK insurance companies that don't have a clue.

Insurance on the border is not a couple of pounds- €85 for serbia, €50 for macedonia .....

thats why i'm wondering is i can just get a months green card in the UK to cover the Balkans
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  #7  
Old 27 Dec 2010
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i was able to get 90 days green card cover for myself and my son at no cost. As Tony said, ask Swinton. Andy
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Old 28 Dec 2010
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dmitrij View Post
I know that ALL the Balkan countries have a clue, as I've been before- its the UK insurance companies that don't have a clue.

Insurance on the border is not a couple of pounds- €85 for serbia, €50 for macedonia .....

thats why i'm wondering is i can just get a months green card in the UK to cover the Balkans
That's bizarre, I rode into Macedonia approaching Lake Ohrid from Albania and didn't get charged a penny in 2007?! Maybe its dependent on which border you go in on?
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  #9  
Old 28 Dec 2010
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I am not seeking to defend Swinton - but generally I find the quality of an answer is often dependent on the precision of the question and knowledgeable persistance of the questioner.

Did you specify which country(s) you want to visit outside of the EU? Or did you just say the vague, imprecise and potentially misleading term "The Balkans" - as you use in the thread title and your opening post?

Try them with the actual names of the non-EU countries for which you want/need a Green Card.

If they still say your present UK/EU insurance covers you, ask for a certificate you can present to the Police in the non-EU countries not included on your Certificate of Insurance*.

*The automatic extention of UK insurance to cover use in EU generally also includes use in the non-EU states of Iceland, Norway, Switzerland, Lichenstein and Croatia and this is printed on the reverse of UK Insurance Certificates in a number of languages.
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  #10  
Old 28 Dec 2010
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I was asking Swinton for Macedonia, Albania, Serbia and Montenegro. THeir answer was that in Europe the whole green card system has been phased out.

To be honest Im hopping Macedonia, Albania, Serbia and Montenegro will join Croatia and just let me in with the regular UK insurance, since from December they no longer need visas to enter the schangen so there will be much more traffic from now on and it will be easier if we just mutually recognised each others insurance
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  #11  
Old 28 Dec 2010
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dmitrij View Post
I was asking Swinton for Macedonia, Albania, Serbia and Montenegro. THeir answer was that in Europe the whole green card system has been phased out.
I would then have insisted on a fuller answer on the understanding that these Countries are not part of EU nor included on my Certificate of Insurance and I need appropriate documentation to provide proof of cover.
Asking for this in writing concentrates their minds to give accurate answers.

Quote:
Originally Posted by dmitrij View Post
To be honest Im hopping Macedonia, Albania, Serbia and Montenegro will join Croatia and just let me in with the regular UK insurance, since from December they no longer need visas to enter the schangen so there will be much more traffic from now on and it will be easier if we just mutually recognised each others insurance
Remember you need insurance for two reasons -

-to get "let in" and have paperwork to satisfy Police documents checks,
AND
-to ensure someone capable of paying will pay the consequences of you being held responsible for injury or death to persons.

Your Insurance Company (not the Broker!) will not pay if a claim arose in a territory they were not informed you would be visiting and had agreed to extend cover to.

Insurance is not just for getting past officials, but to protect your financial well-being for potentially the rest of your life!

Good luck. I hope you get it sorted and enjoy the roads.
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  #12  
Old 28 Dec 2010
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dmitrij View Post
THeir answer was that in Europe the whole green card system has been phased out.
Strange, that. In France & Germany you still get a green card with your annual insurance!

Don't forget, that unless you make other arrangements, a green card ONLY provides for the MINIMUM cover required in countries visited.
It is the UK companies that is out of step on green cards.

The Green Card system : Directgov - Motoring

Cheers,
John
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  #13  
Old 29 Dec 2010
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I'm going to keep my eye on this. As I'm in the same boat. I've e mailed Just about every insurance company I can think of. All I get is, we only cover EEC country's. The country's you need extra cover for are.

Croatia
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Serbia
Montenegro
Kosovo
Albania
Macedonia
And if you go on Turkey.

Link to EEC Country's
List of European Economic Area (EEA) countries

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  #14  
Old 30 Dec 2010
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dmitrij View Post
I was asking Swinton for Macedonia, Albania, Serbia and Montenegro. THeir answer was that in Europe the whole green card system has been phased out.

To be honest Im hopping Macedonia, Albania, Serbia and Montenegro will join Croatia and just let me in with the regular UK insurance, since from December they no longer need visas to enter the schangen so there will be much more traffic from now on and it will be easier if we just mutually recognised each others insurance
I was reading this thread for info on insurance but my next search was going to be about visa's. As you mentioned it here can you tell me if I need a visa for any of the Balkan countries, I am on a UK passport.

Thanks Guys
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  #15  
Old 30 Dec 2010
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I didn't need any when I went (2007)
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