Still interested in discovering if there is a Central American country that does not require minimum liability insurance for a foreign tourist's motorcycle/vehicle. Please, Tommytrojan - keep us advised if you find one.

All tourist auto/moto insurance policies have a clause stating that the insured vehicle must be "legal" indicating a valid TVIP for the country, a valid title and registration, plates etc. Not having any of these is cause for the insurance company not to pay liabilities or bail you out of jail. And, yes in the event of serious personal injury, death or substantial property damage the insurance companies do investigate - before paying liabilities, while you sit in a foreign jail.

I may be one of the very few posting here who has - while working for the IRC, actually visited foreigners in foreign jails because of vehicle accidents. It is not a pleasant experience!

Without valid insurance a foreign tourist could remain in jail for months, even years while waiting for a judge to decide fault. The local police, even federal police generally arrest everyone involved in a serious accident and let the insurance companies and a judge sort out fault. And, most people will more readily blame a foreigner than a neighbor.

Hiring a foreign attorney after an accident - without having valid insurance - is a nightmare.
Just as in every country it is very difficult to determine which attorney to trust . So, please do not risk riding a motorcycle in a foreign country without a valid TVIP, legal title, registration, plates, and valid insurance.

It has been my experience - that other than suggesting an "attorney," your embassy may not be of much assistance. The IRC is very under funded and understaffed but does try to keep tract of foreigners in foreign jails, a very difficult task as some arrests are never officially reported as required by international law.

xfiltrate