Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Planning, Trip > Trip Paperwork
Trip Paperwork Covers all documentation, carnets, customs and country requirements, how to deal with insurance etc.
Photo by Daniel Rintz, Himba children, Namibia

The only impossible journey
is the one
you never begin

Photo by Daniel Rintz,
Himba children, Namibia



Like Tree7Likes

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #16  
Old 26 May 2012
Scootergal's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: May 2012
Location: On the road around Oz
Posts: 154
Quote:
Originally Posted by CourtFisher View Post
The broker contact info is very helpful.
It would be even more helpful if you (happen to) know, or could find
out, what is the UK underwriter for the policy that
the broker obtained.
Aviva. But when I had rung them directly (prior to finding StJohn) they only offered 30 days coverage in EU tops. It was StJohn who understood my circumstances, listened to my needs and negotiated the contract.
Reply With Quote
  #17  
Old 3 Sep 2012
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: UK
Posts: 4,343
Quote:
Originally Posted by Scootergal View Post

The insurance also came with AA Breakdown Cover for the UK and I paid extra to get 90 days breakdown cover in the EU
That seems to be a common insurance "scam" with the UK market; I can understand why it is done - basically loads of Brits take a couple of weeks holiday/vacation in mainland Europe once, or twice, per year.


Quote:
Originally Posted by Scootergal View Post
Aviva. But when I had rung them directly (prior to finding StJohn) they only offered 30 days coverage in EU tops. It was StJohn who understood my circumstances, listened to my needs and negotiated the contract.
Yep, I use ebike as a totally online broker (there is not even a phone number for getting quotes etc) because the policy covers me for 365 days per year riding in Europe.
When I first took out a policy with them it did not include this, but they offered another underwriter when renewal time came around and they wanted to get the annual payment from me - that is the time to insist that you get the exact policy you need (it is then that ebike have a phone number for negotiations ;-)
__________________
Dave
Reply With Quote
  #18  
Old 4 Oct 2012
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: scotland
Posts: 78
MCE Scam

We recently took a policy with MCE. We found out when the paperwork arrived that the recovery insurance was only for a 10 mile radius of our home. When we contacted them they said that this was our problem and we should have asked for more details when we were told the policy included breakdown cover, of course it would be no problem to upgrade for MORE money sir!
__________________
www.adventuresidecar.co.uk
Reply With Quote
  #19  
Old 5 Oct 2012
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Bristol, UK
Posts: 43
I'm also with MCE. I would be tempted to call them the most dishonest bunch of thieves around, but since that description could be applied to any insurance company I won't bother.

A few months ago I changed from one 2001 Transalp to another 2001 Transalp. Exactly the same model and age. The new one had better security (alarm) and I valued it at less than the old one. At the same time I moved to a (significantly) safer postcode. MCE increased my premium. A lot. And they charged me a £40 admin fee. I gave them £40 to allow them to charge me more money.

Before that I was with Bikesure. When my bike was stolen I ended up paying £700 out of my own pocket for recovery and repairs because the hit I would have taken when making a claim would have been greater (£350 excess, loss of no claims, increased premiums and having to declare the claim on every quote for the next 5 years). £700 for being a victim of crime. Bloody marvellous. I understand that insurance companies exist to make a profit, just like any other company, and that no company can make a profit by giving out lots of money. But when someone offers to take on the risk of something bad happening I expect them to do just that, not weasel out as soon as they are called upon to provide the service they have promised.

Frankly, the only reason I have insurance is because I am legally obliged to. No other reason. It is a complete waste of money. I have reduced my policy to the bare minimum and will always search out the cheapest premium because I know insurance is just throwing my money away. I am convinced that if I ever do cause damage to another persons property through my own wrong doing my insurers will not pay for the repairs.
__________________
Don't go right
Reply With Quote
  #20  
Old 10 Oct 2012
Moderator, Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Lancashire England
Posts: 313
Morning Guys n Gals,

my experience with my own insurers has been the opposite to other posts here.

I've been covered through the Be Wiser brokers for the last 5 or so years.

They were quick to offer quotations on my imported bikes (Yamaha Serows), didn't have a problem with my annual mileage of 25,000 miles (OK they did charge extra for it) and have been prompt in emailing documents directly to me.

I've got protected NCB, an all sections X/S of £250 (without any other excess's) and breakdown cover included. I had to laugh when they said I'd got handbag and gadget cover of £200 (what sort of a bloke do they think I am?).

I've been involved in two claims with them, the first where I was hit whilst stationary at traffic lights (on red) and the repairs were quickly sorted out and they arranged the uninsured loss recovery. The second when I was hit by a white van driving t**t, who did a runner and left me out cold on the road. My bike was written off in this incident and they paid me a fair price, in good time.

OK the prices have gone up a bit over the last two years but I'm more than happy to use them.

Am I the odd one out here?

Regards

Reggie
Reply With Quote
  #21  
Old 19 Feb 2013
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Angouleme, France
Posts: 41
Extended Euro insurance

deleted

Last edited by Stray Dog; 17 Jan 2015 at 12:05. Reason: wrong place post
Reply With Quote
  #22  
Old 11 Mar 2013
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: UK
Posts: 4,343
Quote:
Originally Posted by The Cameraman View Post
Am I the odd one out here?
Possibly/probably!

There is a short thread here with yet another sad tale of utter incompetence by a broker (again, Carole Nash) who had to refer back to the actual insurance company to find out what is a basic condition of insurance (the whole business of minimum insurance cover within the EU).
http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...nsurance-69292

Their service appears to have degenerated, ever since Carole Nash "sold out" as a specialist motorcycle insurer and switched to becoming just one of dozens of intermediaries for any form of motor insurance.
__________________
Dave
Reply With Quote
  #23  
Old 18 Jul 2013
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Hereford, UK. & Chiang Mai, Thailand.
Posts: 29
Sign of the times

Trying to help an Australian biker with a similar issue, and following this thread I contacted St. John ... helpful chap, but not very hopeful.
So then I called Aviva directly ... I guess its a sign of the times that you now get a selection of music you can choose from while they put u on hold.
Made me smile anyway ... suppose that's their idea of "continual improvements in customer service" .
Anyone remember the Man from the Pru, who came to your house...
yes, I know, we all pay less now ... allegedly
Russ
__________________
Reply With Quote
  #24  
Old 18 Jul 2013
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: UK
Posts: 4,343
[QUOTE=Walkabout;391333]
Yep, I use ebike as a totally online broker (there is not even a phone number for getting quotes etc) QUOTE]

I recently renewed my annual insurance with ebike; the quote cost rose a bit this year, but, considered overall, I decided to hang in there for another year - I may put in more effort next time around to get a wider range of quotes.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Russ McDermid View Post
Trying to help an Australian biker with a similar issue, and following this thread I contacted St. John ... helpful chap, but not very hopeful.
So then I called Aviva directly ... I guess its a sign of the times that you now get a selection of music you can choose from while they put u on hold.
Made me smile anyway ... suppose that's their idea of "continual improvements in customer service" .
Anyone remember the Man from the Pru, who came to your house...
yes, I know, we all pay less now ... allegedly
Russ
There are some recommendations in here which might provide some leads:-
Motorcycle Insurance - Best Reviews of 2012 & 2013 at Review Centre

IMO, where there is a small number of reviews only then it has to be taken as dubious, at best.

ps getting green card cover shouldn't be all that much of an issue; fully comprehensive cover is a different proposition all together.
__________________
Dave

Last edited by Walkabout; 18 Jul 2013 at 14:40. Reason: ps added
Reply With Quote
  #25  
Old 18 Jul 2013
mustaphapint's Avatar
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Brittany, France
Posts: 401
On the whole I can only say good things about ebike. Being able to insure 4 bikes with up to 4 riders on one policy has saved us a lot of money over the last few years. One problem we had about 3 years ago was when my daughter insured her bike. She had passed her test on her 18th birthday and when filling in the details to re-insure her 125 not long before her 22nd birthday claimed she'd had a full bike licence for 3 full years. On receiving a copy of her licence ebike complained she'd lied on her application as technically she'd only had a full licence for 1 year because she'd had a restricted licence for the first 2 years and they charged an extra £30 for "admin" costs to correct the discrepancy. We had no choice other than to pay or they were going to cancel the insurance. I offset this against the money we'd saved between my wife and I over the previous years by insuring both our Harleys on one policy instead of 2 with our previous insurers and decided it wasn't worth getting too upset about it. We did have to make a claim on my policy once and I can't fault the way ebike handled it. I didn't even lose my no-claims.
I have nothing but contempt for Bennetts though, again because of my daughter's insurance. Bennetts offered her the best quote for her 2nd year of riding just before she went to university in Edinburgh so we took it. A few months later she started at Edinburgh uni and took the bike with her. I rang up on her behalf to tell them she had relocated and at first they refused to talk to me as I wasn't the policy holder but eventually told me that there was a £40 admin fee to notify them of the change of location and that they would need to be told whenever she brought the bike home for summer, xmas and easter nad back again to uni and would charge £40 for each change, which would more than triple the annual premium cost. Naturally they refused to accept me giving instructions to cancel the policy and my daughter had to spend over £10 in mobile phone charges to do it herself. We've been with ebike ever since, who don't charge for small admin changes like this.
After my experience with Bennetts and their obnoxious attitude to my phone calls will never ever consider using them again regardless of how much money I might save.
Reply With Quote
  #26  
Old 19 Jul 2013
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: UK
Posts: 4,343
Quote:
Originally Posted by mustaphapint View Post
On the whole I can only say good things about ebike.
On the whole I have done much the same, and I have insured bikes with them for quite a few years for the same reasons.

It has to be recognised though that the brokers are little more than call centres nowadays; for instance, when a claim is implemented your case is passed on, immediately, to another intermediary - a claim specialist company contracted to the insurance broker/underwriter to carry out the negotiations (many years ago, I learnt this hard lesson via a claim based on car insurance with Directline - I did most of the "legwork" myself!).
__________________
Dave
Reply With Quote
  #27  
Old 19 Jul 2013
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: UK
Posts: 4,343
More experience with a UK insurance product

There is an account of UK based insurance experience in this thread which may be of value to some folks:-
http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...p-needed-71169
__________________
Dave
Reply With Quote
  #28  
Old 8 Feb 2014
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Holywood
Posts: 33
e-bike

Hi,
Need some help on long term fully comp cover for touring Europe.
I think e-bike has change an underwriter, and they now offered me 365 days full cover per year, but each trip can only last a max of one month, after which I have to return to the UK, of fall back to the EU legal minimum!

Anyone know a company that will offer long stay cover?
Kinda wary of some EU based ones which may or may not be worth the paper they are printed on; sceptical old me!
What ever happened to EU harmonisation!

Trawled the internet, but no luck.
Reply With Quote
  #29  
Old 30 Mar 2014
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: somewhere with the bike
Posts: 5
Great Info .

thanks alot
tschuss
Reply With Quote
  #30  
Old 26 Apr 2014
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Brisbane Australia
Posts: 193
Hi all looking for advise on third party insurance. I am an Australian coming to the UK next month where a friend has very kindly offered to lend me his bike to tour around England and Ireland. Can anyone advise what I need to do with regard to 3rd party insurance and recommend a company that will cover me for a month?

Thanks for any advice.
Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
agents, brokers, insurance


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now
, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

HU Event and other updates on the HUBB Forum "Traveller's Advisories" thread.
ALL Dates subject to change.

2024:

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

HUBBUK: info

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.




All times are GMT +1. The time now is 08:07.