Brits, Croatia Insurance
 

British visitors do not need a green card for Croatia any more. I just passed through and the senior police officer enquired by phone. My insurance had Croatia crossed out clearly and he knew that. Green Card? From the horse's mouth. Nay! Linzi.

Why do you suppose that was then?

John

now now John

No Idea
 

The insurance was issued by a German broker. I believe Germans are always covered throghout the Balkans but they limit foreigners' cover. This because they can. Going into the Balkans Slovenia was the last country covered. Linzi.

I would submit then, that you had no insurance in Croatia. Irrespective of what that policeman might have said.
Had you or a third party needed to claim on your insurance, that crossing of Croatia out would have been very important to YOU.

Cheers,
John

Insurance
 

I suggest, if you're interested, that you contact the Croatian police or embassy. When the officer looks at your papers, checks by phone, then says all in order, I disagree with you. It would seem somewhat odd to argue with a police officer, trying to make him make out papers which he says you don't need. That would change his mood I think. On the other had it could have been because it was German that he said it. Then again I don't know who he phoned or what he said. The insurance company is from Luxembourg. I don't insure them, I only ride them. Linzi.

My UK esure covered the EU and Croatia, but not the other Balkan countries. German insurance certainly seems to cover these too, in general but i'm surprised they modified your cover - i wouldn't stand for that:nono:. Can you elaborate on your German insurer?

Yep
 

Hi, yes. The excellent service was provided by Stefan at knopftours@aol.com The insurer is Arisa from Luxembourg. I understand that Germans no longer get green cards. Their insurance automatically covers, jokes aside, a larger area than the EU. The whole second row of countries was crossed out for me. But it seems to me that if you don't need a green card somewhere it is obviously because you're covered already. That's my understanding. I had to pay for Bosnia thaough. Stefan insures any nationality of rider or country of registration. That was the reason for using him. I hear that a laptop bought in UK has 1 year guarantee
in Germany 2 years
in Czech Republic 3 years

So the insurance is limited because it can be presumably.
Linzi, GREAT Britain.

Hi Linzi,

I don't doubt what you were told, but the police/embassy or Jesus H whatshisname cannot overrule what the insurance COMPANY say they will or will not cover.
If I had a cover note/green card with a certain country crossed out, I would buy insurance at the border... or chance my luck:innocent:

John

Balkans
 

For HUBBers the important point seems to be: For Brits, Slovenia and Croatia are now both likely to be included with EU cover. You're right, thourough is best. Linzi.

The fact that a border guard doesn't require insurance coverage doesn't necessarily relate to the question of whether you're insured or not. Border guards are inconsistent at best, ridiculously temperamental and incompetent at worst. I've posted elsewhere about two trips to the Balkans and neighboring countries where, carrying the same Arisa insurance, I've sometimes been required to purchase coverage, sometimes not, at the same border crossings. Mileages vary.

Then again, holding valid insurance doesn't mean the company in question will actually pay out on your behalf, or that a promise to pay out will prevent legal or other trouble should you be involved in an accident. Mainly, I buy insurance in order to cross borders, not because I suffer from some sort of delusion about the value of my policy on the backroads.

enjoy,

Mark

Ya Know What?
 

I just checked with Stefan and it seems I was mistaken. It is true we Brits get less cover than Germans. I agree with what you say. I however on this occasion had every intention of being covered but I boobed. I think in Croatia it is pretty well organized but in Montenegro I saw many cars with no number plates. My interpretation of this is no papers and possibly smuggled in. I'd much rather not have to claim especially out there! I try to abide by all laws and customs but I'm not losing any sleep over it.
In Montenegro, I was stopped for "Going through a red light". This was a blatant money earning trick, round the corner from a filter light. What could I say? His problems with getting across how to pay, where to pay and where to get back my papers and he gave up. "You're a visitor, enjoy your visit." It helps sometimes to be a bit slow! Linzi.