travel Insurance Public Liability and vehicle insurance
 

Just reading through my PDS for my travel insurance and it says I have $4m in public liabilty insurance for personal or property damage for third parties.

So since i presume most other travellers have travel insurance, why are people getting other third party coverage at the borders. Is it because this doesnt count in the eyes of the countrys officials?

Just wondering if I could rely on this instead. Maybe for the less developed countries though as $4m isnt that much. I feel that i have overlooked something really simple about why this is not possible.

Sorry pds is product disclosure statement which tells you all the rules of the policy

You're confusing travel insurance with vehicle insurance, your travel insurance will not cover you to ride/drive a vehicle legally.

My policy says

"

15 PERSONAL LIABILITY
You have this cover if you chose Plan A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H or I.
15.1 WE WILL PAY:
We will cover your legal liability for payment of compensation in respect of:
• death or bodily Injury, and/or
• physical loss of, or damage to, property,
occurring during your Journey which is caused by an accident or a series of accidents attributable to one source or originating cause.
We will also pay your Reasonable legal expenses for settling or defending the claim made against you.
"

To me that sounds like it would cover a motor vehicle accident as well.

Maybe there is some other exclusion but I cant find it. Maybe ill call them to ask.

"Call them to ask" is your own best advice. Your travel insurance would not pay out because it would not pay out for something caused by an illegal activity on your part. Riding/driving a vehicle without motor insurance is illegal in most countries, therefore they would not entertain a claim.

Hmm good point.

But for the countries where it isnt compulsary they couldnt do that and I would be covered here without buying further insurance.

Ill have to ring them monday.

I think you've answered your own question - the only time when you have to buy insurance at the border is when it IS compulsory.

As I have also said in the past, and many have disagreed, I believe the real risk when riding in 3rd world countries is to your life and limb, not to your hip pocket.

If you are prepared to risk significant injury to yourself, then a measly couple of thousand dollar payout to someone/thing you injure or damage, is insignificant in the overall scheme of things.

Ah cool.

Yeah good point about risk. I was going to pay for insurance even if not needed but I am risking a lot more money in future earnings on this trip than anything ill be sued for in a minor collision.

Wont bother unless compulsary now.

I think I would counter with the phrase "Shit Happens."