Medical Insurance for Aussies in Europe
 

Hi,

Was wondering if anyone out there had a recommendation for insurance for an aussie taking a 5 month bike trip around Europe?

Very few of the companies I've found on the net cover for bikes. The travel agency I used for my flights here in Australia offer travel insurance that covers motorcycles....but only for below 200cc!!

I am planning on getting a green card via Knopf Tours, as well as insurance for theft and breakdowns, but what's really important is insurance for damage to me or to someone else (where I'm involved). Any ideas?

Cheers,
Damien

Nomads
 

World Nomads - Keep Travelling Safely

Cheers,
John

Left side bar ...
 

Over to the left you will find a vast range of information - spend a week and read it all ...

For your question
http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/tripplan/safety

This place is huge .. you need to spend some (a lot?) of time just wandering around ...

Your insurance (bought in the EU?) will cover whatever the legal minimum cover is in the EU country you are visiting - that will vary from third party injury only to third party property including injury.

If you have bought additional cover for your vehicle then the green card will provide that in all countries that accept it - even outside EU but in the European Zone - Norway and the likes.

As far as medical insurance goes why bother chasing bike accident protection? If you are involved in a bike accident you'll be covered via the national health system of the country you are in - I think the old 9 EU members have reciprocal health care with Aus. Check with Fed Govt Dept of Health in Aus. But vehicle accidents dont cause diplomatic incidents and are so common that I doubt anyone even tries to get costs back from overseas visitors - and what are they going to do - stop you leaving?

For other non bike related illness and injury then maybe just some travel insurance will do, Flight Deck covered us last year for 7 months.

Second Worldnomads.com for health insurance with the disclaimer that I never had to make a claim. Would also look into National Health Service reciprocal agreement but your mileage on location may vary.

For Australians they are underwritten by Allianz Australia and just exclude racing and the obvious of riding w/o a license in the relevant country. With 5% off (PROMO5) you are looking at:

Apologies to Frank, Thanks to all
 

Thanks for all the info - and yes I agree, I probably should have spent more time checking out the "left side bar". Apologies.

Unfortunately a lot of the info I found when I searched "medical insurance" on this site, and I did, pertained to UK citizens only, and was quite old, and I hoped someone had an answer from being through it all before from an Australian perspective. Live and learn.

In answer to other questions, the cover I am really interested in is if I get hurt and need to go to hospital, irrespective of whose fault it is. As a doctor who regularly treats victims of road accidents (I specialise in anaesthesia/emergency/retrieval and intensive care medicine) I am reminded every day about the dangers of riding (and I know how much it costs).

Thanks boarder - I will check that option out.

Cheers,
Damien

I made a claim last year after an accident on the KKH.
I have nothing but praise for the service I received. Paid all hospital bills and plane fare from India to France.

Nomads is more of a "broker" if I can use that term.
Because I live in France, the underwriters were Danish(!?).
Its the company in Denmark that I dealt with for the claim and were very on the ball. Chasing me up to send in bills and receipts!

Cheers,
John

Cheers John
 

Thanks John,

That's very reassuring. I appreciate the useful feedback - I think word of mouth is the best advertising.

I am definitely going to get a quote from them.

Cheers,
Damien

Hi Damien,

I'm on my trip through Europe at the moment. I got my travel insurance through MBF Health which was reasonably priced at about $100 a month. It includes medical evacuation and there are n limits on motorcycles. Some of them would only insure small bikes.

Try Carole Nash(based in UK) for fully comp insurance for your bike.

Cheers,

Kenny

Thanks
 

Cheers Kenny,

I ended up going with World Nomads after a couple of recommendations. Cheap ($340 with extra for certain items that might get stolen...). Remains to be seen whether it is good value for money.

I'll check out Carole Nash (have only had a cursory look thus far).

What's the story with your trip and bike? Would be interested in your experiences. Can email me if you like.

Cheers mate, safe riding.

Damien

Hi Damien,

I'm only 6 weeks into my trip and plan on riding around the top of the Baltic Sea then down through Turkey etc. to Nepal. I will have to fly my bike to Thailand then will ride to Timor then ship to Darwin.

Am in a fairly cool Denmark now having done France, Germany etc.. I have a bit of a blog going at

Kenny Rides Again

Cheers,

Kenny

I'm with insure4less (.com.au). Booked online - less than $50 per month and no bike restrictions.

Garry from Oz.

Cheers for all the info. A lot of useful stuff here not found in the "left side bar" after all... perhaps some of it can be added.

Kenny, I'll get in touch as we head off to see if we are able to catch up somewhere in Europe.

D