Insurance - Hungary, Romania, Bulgary, Turkey

[Kevin Beretta]

I'm looking for info related to bike insurance for Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, Turkey, Syria, Lebanon, etc. etc.

I know I can get a "green card" for Europe, but surely this does not cover all the other (East) European / Mediterranean countries?

Anyone have insurance info for the ones listed above? (or better, for all of the ones on the link below..)
http://www.nohorizons.net/pickingaroute.htm

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[Susan Johnson]

Hi Kevin

From Grant's post on this topic back in January -

"MANY countries don't have any use for insurance, especially for foreigners. In our trip around the world we had insurance in Mexico, required at the border and available, probably one or two Central American countries, the EU, Kenya, South Africa, and uh, uh, well, that's about it.
Even the USA and Canada didn't ask me for insurance proof, and at the time of my return my registration was expired by over a year, and I hadn't had insurance in almost two years.

I may have had it in Egypt and Libya, but since it was in Arabic I have no clue what I was paying for.

We tried to get it in Argentina, and wasted a day running around BA in vain. They thought we were crazy.

It's quite simple really - if you are required to have it, you can get it at the border for a small fee. Stupid they ain't - how better to make money? And then it's usually merely a ploy to line the border posts pockets. Worthless.

Documentation such as vehicle registration, bill of sale, and national and international drivers licence must LOOK GOOD, NOT expired, and be absolutely correct for numbers matching the bike and such. The carnet if needed must be REAL. The rest is unimportant. Draw your own conclusions. And relax."

Bottom line is you will be unlikely to find bike insurance that covers you in any of the countries you listed. If required to drive in the country, they will sell it to you at the border, but don't expect that it will be of any use to you - it's just another border fee.


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Good luck and safe travels!

Susan Johnson
Share the Dream at <A HREF="http://www.HorizonsUnlimited.com


" TARGET=_blank>www.HorizonsUnlimited.com


</A>

[PanEuropean]

I did find insurance during the summer of 2001 that covered all of the countries you mentioned (plus a few more, as well as all of Western Europe). Basically, it was a 'green card' with all countries checked off, excepting only Iraq and Yugoslavia (Bosnia-Serbia).

I purchased it from Motorcycle Express. It covered everything and everywhere, but, it was expensive.

[RV]

I travelled across Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria and Turkey in the summer of 2001. My regular UK third party insurance covered all of these countries, as they are part of Europe, with no extra premium.
My insurance company in the UK (Bennetts) told me that green cards were no longer in use and wouldn't issue one. As it turned out only the charming gentlemen at the Bulgarian immigration department demanded to see a green card and as a consequence I had to pay about 20 pounds for Bulgarian insurance (a 10 day policy). I had no problems in any of the other countries with my regular policy document (although I cannot remember now which ones actually asked to see it).
Safe travels.

[PanEuropean]

RV:

I'm not convinced that your insurance company was correct when they told you that the Green Card was 'no longer in use'. It may be that a Green Card is no longer needed within EC countries, due to harmonization of insurance norms, but the Green Card itself is the product of an international treaty, and still recognized both within the EC and in non-EC member countries that have acceded to the treaty respecting Green Cards.

More information, direct from the horse's mouth, so to speak, can be found at this link: The Green Card System. The information provided there explains why the Bulgarians still wanted to see a Green Card.

[mmaarten]

Hai,

Michael is right.
The green card is still in use in europe. It's just a (green) piece of paper isued by the insurance company to prove that you have insurance. The document is standarised (has been for as long as I can remember) so every european country recognizes it. The country's it is vallid for may vary. They are listed on the document.

Maarten

[eruschetta]

Hi
Insurance for bikers outside Europe is a very complicated subject.
Last Year I spoke to many insurers in the UK and none of them were able to help.
PanEuropean gave me hope mentionning the motorcycle express web site, but unfortunately that is suitable for american citizens only.
I am planning to go very soon from London to Sidney across many european and Asian countries and I am rather concerned on this subject.
Can anybody help?

Originally posted by PanEuropean:


I purchased it from Motorcycle Express. It covered everything and everywhere, but, it was expensive.[/b]

[This message has been edited by eruschetta (edited 05 April 2002).]

[mmaarten]

Hi,

It all depends if you want a "full all risk" insurance, or just liabillity.
All risk will probably be very hard to find, and if yiou can find it, it will be very very expensive.
For liability you can try WWW.ALESSIE.COM
Probably cheaper is getting the liability insurance at the border of the country you enter.

Maarten

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- www.maartensworld.tmfweb.nl -

[eruschetta]

Hi Maarten
I understand that you are leaving Europe in August 2002 for your Tour of the world.
I am planning to do the same the following year and I agree with you on the dates you have picked.
Has anybody found a way to go from India to Thailand without shipping?
What is your budget from Europe to Sydney and how long is it going to take you?
Paolo

[mmaarten]

Hi Paolo,

The gouverments of India, Myanmar and Thailand have agreed to build a road together for overland crossing. It should be in operation somewhere around 2003 (if all goes to plan)
In my opinion: I'll believe it when I ride it, but it's a step forward.
I have had contact (again) with two local travel-agent in Myanmar and they are trying to get the necesary permits. A few months agoo I tried also, but at the end it failed.
Lets keep our fingers crossed.

I have no clue what the budget is. It will probably take me 9 month's... mostly becourse of the climate-zone's and monsoens.
I'll be in SE-Asia at the end of the year, but don't want to go to indonesia in Januari (to much rain) So i'll be doing it slowly. Go to Indonesia in March or April and down under around May or June.
I am not in a hurry becourse I can only go to South America around Oktober or November (again becourse of the climate)

As you can see... I don't like rain or cold.. hahaha

Maarten

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- www.maartensworld.tmfweb.nl -