[quote=Chris Scott;283368]

The radars are especially common on the N1 west coast road north of Guelmim, IME. Never seen one in the desert.

[quote]

I´ve been catch by a radar between El Aiún and Bojador a couple of years ago...

You're right pera, I recall seeing one leaving Layounne one time, just after a bend when you're about to open up. They know all the tricks!

Ch

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Adventure Motorcycling Handbook 8 • Morocco Overland 3 • Overlanders Handbook 2 • Twit

what's wrong with obeying the law of a country where you're a guest ?

Sounds like a great idea and one that, judging by Niva Say Never's post, might be adopted by some locals too (outside the Rif of course).
To be fair, NSN's experience sounds like an exceptional example of extortion for Morocco - less so further south as some know.

For some EU nationals, it's not possible to get a Green Card and so they need to buy at a local port. This has not been possible at the popular Fnideq crossing this last year or two, but ought to be available at the next big town which means driving uninsured.

If you don't like the idea or ethics of this (or they stop you leaving as, within the letter of the law, you'd fully expect) do what I was told back in 1981 on arriving at Figuig from Algeria. Leave your machine at the border and take a bus to Oujda, buy insurance and get a bus back: 2-3 days travel, all up.
They seem more lenient these days and since then, on occasion I've not been able to buy at the port and tried in town after town until, due my route, I've found myself close to the Mauritanian border.
Now it seems similarly-priced green card extensions are not so hard to get in the UK again, maybe because it took them a while to realise Morocco does not = Iraq.

It's also worth recognising that in Morocco (certainly for rentals) insurance may not be valid on unsealed roads, even though this these tracks can be considered part of the national road system connecting what one imagines are tax-paying settlements. It's where we like to go but what happens when you run someone over here?

It's an interesting debate. Me, I believe it's worthwhile being realistic rather than sanctimonious about travel in places like Africa. Morocco is for better or worse less like the 'real Africa' which explains it's popularity among travellers who'd never dream of going further south.
I recall reading that many local drivers have an insh allah attitude towards motor insurance and driving licenses - not so good when they run you over, although Morocco is trying to move towards EU standards on this, as with many other things.
A local will get away with it with a bribe and a promise to buy insurance asap - so may you. That is the way of the world outside the EU/West.

Just don't assume that insurance gives you immunity from considerate driving. I believe the antics of some Iberian 4x4 tour groups are far more damaging than driving from Fnideq to Chefchaouen uninsured. We have read about the justified results that their actions have brought about.

In the worst case scenario of running someone over, from what I've heard it can be a traumatic experience for a tourist, even with insurance. It is often settled quickly and informally out of court, rather than through the protracted claims procedure we have in Europe.

Get insurance as soon as you can - all the info is now here so it's getting easier and it's only a pound or two a day.

But better to always drive or ride in MK as if you're uninsured because the consequences in an accident are not the same as being back home.

Ch

PS: This is how the Brits react!

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Adventure Motorcycling Handbook 8 • Morocco Overland 3 • Overlanders Handbook 2 • Twit

Agreed, it didn't tally with any of my other experiences in Morocco, before or since. It was a pretty half arsed attempt on his part, he got bored and gave up far sooner than i expected. I was glad not to give him any ammo though, i'm guessing finding i had no insurance would have made his day!

FYI, anyone insured in the UK through Sainsburys (underwritten by Esure i believe), they'll give you a green card for third party fire and theft in Morocco, no problem

Ride/drive safe
Sam

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Well worth asking the question at insurance renewal time and find a company that will issue green cards for Morocco, mine does but I have to pay around a pound per day for the card but it is fully comp, even in Morocco (4x4)

I've just re-read my post.....

To save any confusion, instead of 'give', i really should have said 'sell'!
It is pretty reasonable though, from memory about £40 for 5 weeks in a 4x4 i think

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I don´t know any insurance that covers you out the sealed roads. In Spain al insurances excludes towing you out of sealed roads. I agree with you when you said that Morocco is not "real Africa" but if you go out of the civilized sealed roads you must be able to solve your problems: knowing basic mecanics, carrying water and fuel reserves, having an contact to phone for asking for towing (a hotel or the police)...

Sadly I must agree when you say that spanish 4x4 drivers are more dangerous than moroccan, even more in "Africa". I exclude portuguese, they are dangerous too, but they are a little bit more polite than spanish driving. Moroccan drivers are more predictable and they don´t speed very much. Better not to have any driving incident in Morocco, It can be hell.

Sorry but I don´t write english since school...many years ago.

Pera, your english looks fine to me

I did ask weather the insurance was valid while driving on pistes and off road generally, they confirmed it was ok.
But, you are right, they certainly wont be coming to help anyone who breaks down

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Thanks Niva but I can´t say everything that I want to, I must practice a little bit my english.

You are lucky, as I said here in spain nor the best insurances cover out the asphalt but, on the other side, our green cards usually cover more countries including all aside the Mediterranean that is a good deal

I am just a bit shocked that anyone would think it "clever" or whatever to enter Morocco without insurance.......

All legal aspects aside.....you will crap yourself if involved in an accident that involves personal injury of another.......

Without going into detail.......In my Unimog I ran over a young child, no fault implied as the kid ran out of a shop and into the road without looking and went under the BACK of my vehicle.

For awhile.......under shock and being harrased by locals and parents, I could not find my paperwork........Long story but I and vehicle was taken from Ain-Aicha to Fes, under close escort, where I spent 9 hours sorting it out.....7 hours even AFTER I found paperwork. As it looked like I was maybe hiding something or the note may have been forged they were checked with calls to the UK [NFU] etc etc. I was treated Ok by the cops but not a great day!

If I did not have insurance I dread to think and anyway I hope the lad, who was seriously injured, eventually got a big payout!

Anyway......off again to Morocco in a few hours......

Ray [DesertDetours]

..

Just an update on buying insurance at Tanger.

5days, 10days or one month cover. A month is 950 dhirams. The latest try-on is calling them demanding you pay 2750 dhirams as they claim your land Rover is a fougonette or a camionette - a commercial vehicle. We persuaded them otherwise by showing our UK insurance certificates.

Happy trails,

Jojo

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Tours to Morocco, Iceland, Arctic Circle, Portugal, Alps, Pyrenees, Eastern Europe, Corsica, and UK weekend tours.

surely as cuetta is a spanish enclave you are covered by european insurance. with regards to morocco NFU also include it on your green card

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I was in Morocco 2/3 weeks ago.... if you knew me, I am the world's biggest worrier and everything has to be 100% sorted before I go.

After taking advise from a regular traveller to Morocco (7 years organising tours and never asked to show insurance) I decided to take their advice and not get insurance.

Saw loads more Police than in Europe...... had I have had an accident, I don't think insurance would have made a difference.......

I arrived via Tangiers..... (didn't see insurance agent)..... but if I did, I still wouldn't have bought any.

Any other Continent in the world....... yeah!.... I prob would buy insurance

drop me a PM if you are still in doubt...... I am probably Europe's most law abiding citizen..... but wouldn't advise wasting your money on Morocco insurance!

BS, I hope you're just trolling...

Ch

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Adventure Motorcycling Handbook 8 • Morocco Overland 3 • Overlanders Handbook 2 • Twit

We got into Morocco via Melilla on 31 or March, and they do not let people if they do not have insurance. There is shop just across the border which sells the insurances, but in our case they did not have the correct papers, which meant a 3 hour wait.


Casper

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