Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Planning, Trip > Trip Paperwork
Vehicle insurance and road tax in Canada, US, Central & South America- help! Vehicle insurance and road tax in Canada, US, Central & South America- help!
Register FAQ Calendar Today's Posts
Trip Paperwork Covers all documentation, carnets, customs and country requirements, how to deal with insurance etc.
Photo by George Guille, It's going to be a long 300km... Bolivian Amazon

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by George Guille
It's going to be a long 300km...
Bolivian Amazon



Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 1 Apr 2015
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Feb 2015
Posts: 2
Vehicle insurance and road tax in Canada, US, Central & South America- help!
Hello everyone,

I've spent the last hour and a half hunting for information about insurance in the Americas. We are heading off RTW, 2 up on May 7th. We start in Canada for a couple of weeks, head to the US for 2 months and then down through Central and South America.

We want to know about vehicle insurance and road tax, where we need it and whether we can buy at the borders or not but info is a bit scarce. Here is what I have found so far but the threads or websites were quite old. Can anyone help me to update the list below?! THANKS!!!!

Canada- Don't know though is often covered on USA insurance

USA- No idea if we can get this at the border or not. Is it state by state or the whole country??

Mexico- no insurance at border- must buy from border town in Mexico

Guatemala-- no info

Honduras- insurance not mandatory

Nicaragua- insurance available at the border

Costa Rica- insurance available at the border (but poss not at Los Chiles crossing??)

Panama- insurance available at the border

Colombia- no info

Ecuador- insurance required- must be purchased at automovil club del Ecuador but not sure if this is at the border??

Peru- insurance required- but at MAPFRE- is this at the border??!

Bolivia- insurance not required for trip of less than 30days- for more purchase at Credinform (where?)

Chile- no company sells insurance to tourists- so what do you do??

Argentina - no info yet.....

It's a bit patchy as you can see- will keep looking but anyone who can fill in gaps will be my hero for the day!
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 1 Apr 2015
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Mimbres, New Mexico, USA
Posts: 510
Quote:
Originally Posted by Blinkeyblonck View Post
Hello everyone,

I am from the USA and have recent experience with Mexico and Guatemala. My other comments are from 2006-7
Canada- Don't know though is often covered on USA insurance

USA- No idea if we can get this at the border or not. Is it state by state or the whole country??


Any USA based insurance will cover you throughout the whole country. Every policy I have ever had covers Canada as well, but be sure to ask and read your policy. GEICO and Progressive have decent websites to get you a quote.

Mexico- no insurance at border- must buy from border town in Mexico


I have used www.mexadventure.com many times. I have never had a claim, so I can't say how well they handle them. There are only a few insurers in Mexico, but many resellers. www.bajabound.com is another one.

Guatemala-- no info


I have never found anyone who sells insurance to foreigners in Guatemala, so I go without. Have never been asked for it at the border or at checkpoints.

Honduras- insurance not mandatory


Same as Guatemala.

Nicaragua- insurance available at the border


Not only is it available, but you will be required to purchase it as part of the border crossing procedure. It cost me $12 US for 30 days.

Costa Rica- insurance available at the border (but poss not at Los Chiles crossing??)

Panama- insurance available at the border


CR and Panama ,I couldn't find insurance at the border, but my info is old, may have changed by now. I went without.

Colombia- no info


I was required to have insurance to get my bike out of customs after I air freighted my bike from Panama. Easily available, and reasonable price.

Ecuador- insurance required- must be purchased at automovil club del Ecuador but not sure if this is at the border??

Peru- insurance required- but at MAPFRE- is this at the border??!

Bolivia- insurance not required for trip of less than 30days- for more purchase at Credinform (where?)


I was uninsured in Ecuador, Peru and Bolivia.

Chile- no company sells insurance to tourists- so what do you do??

Argentina - no info yet.....


I bought a policy in Argentina that covered the Mercosur countries, which at the time were Arg, Chile, Uruguay and Paraguay. There may be more countries in the Mercosur now.


Basically, if insurance was easily available and/or required I bought it. If not, I went without.

Have a great trip.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 1 Apr 2015
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: NSW Australia - but never there
Posts: 1,235
Are you asking about comprehensive vehicle insurance that covers loss of your vehicle, or liability insurance that covers any damage you do to other's property and injury and death to others.

The first will be difficult to get south of Mexico, and the latter should be like travel insurance - don't leave home without it.
__________________
Tony
Click here for Travel Photos & Travel Map
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 1 Apr 2015
Riq Riq is offline
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Edmonton, Canada
Posts: 246
Sanborn insurance
It has been awhile since I went south however I got insurance for Mexico and Guatemala from Sanborn.

Mexico Insurance Online - Sanborn's Mexico Insurance - Quote and Buy Online.

I purchased the actual policy at an American Motor Association office in Texas.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 2 Apr 2015
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Mimbres, New Mexico, USA
Posts: 510
Quote:
Originally Posted by Riq View Post
It has been awhile since I went south however I got insurance for Mexico and Guatemala from Sanborn.

Mexico Insurance Online - Sanborn's Mexico Insurance - Quote and Buy Online.

I purchased the actual policy at an American Motor Association office in Texas.

Interesting, I didn't know Sanborn's covered Guatemala. I don't see anything about it on their website, but I will call them before my next trip.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 21 Apr 2015
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Apr 2015
Posts: 1
Great info. Thanks guys for the heads up. Been thinking of visiting these places
Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
border crossings, insurance, road tax, soat, vehicle insurance

« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

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

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

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Complete Central America/Mexico/Colombia Border Crossing Information sellheim Central America and Mexico 30 6 Mar 2023 23:33
Insurance, road tax in Nairobi frenchian sub-Saharan Africa 2 17 Jan 2015 18:24
Provisions for driving in China. - facts. uk_vette West and South Asia 2 24 Jul 2014 07:58
Turkey by Moto 2013 EMBEE Ride Tales 3 22 Apr 2014 14:44
To Central America Tom Udulutch Ride Tales 1 5 Feb 2013 18:34

 
 

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!

Your ad could be here, on EVERY page of the HUBB, or the whole website, or as many as you like!

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 08:27.

Contact Us - Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Travellers Website - Archive - Privacy Statement - Top