In August I come to Australia,with my Harley(ship it in July from the UK)
I have a Carnet,but do I have to take a extra insurance in Australia,or can I ride around on the Carnet.
What is a good insurance for a European bike in Australia.
Thanks.
Chris.

Where are you landing the bike? In NSW no insurance is required for foreign vehicles. Other states have different rules. We got full insurance through Swann - take the pay by installment option & cancel when you leave.

Cheers
Clint

Legally you do not need to take any insurance at all here in Aus for a bike on a Carnet (or a locally registered bike for that matter). All vehicles are covered automatically for third party injuries (person only) paid for with vehicle registration fees automatically, as your bike is on a Carnet and therefore has not paid the premium via rego fees it is also covered automatically through a scheme that is known as "the nominal defendant".

However, this does not cover you for damage to another vehicle or property (third party property) and nor does it cover you for any damage to your bike. Be aware also that as your bike would be technically uninsured, the Nominal Defendant has the right to recover as a debt, the amount paid in settlement from either the the owner or rider of your bike in the event of an accident and a proven claim.

It is therefore recommended (but as I said not compulsory) to get at least Third Party Person and Property insurance (commonly called "bomb insurance") as if you hit a Ferrari or injure another person and have to pay you will be covered. However I can't comment on getting this for a foreign registered vehicle.

Insurance for damage (locally called comprehensive insurance) to your bike is a personal thing, we have four bikes in the garage and none of them have ever been comprehensively insured and all have third party property insurance only.

Hope that helps.

If you land the bike in NSW then you dont need to get the compulsory third party insurance - if you look back over previous posts you can find a copy of an email sent to a HUBB member from the NSW RTA. Basically you can drive out of the port without any hassles. Its best to have a copy of the NSW RTA email to solve problems with no nothing coppers or transport inspectors. If possible have a copy of the email sent direct from the NSW RTA to confirm this - recent date helps.

In theory because the States have all agreed to recognise each others registration/permit and third party insurance systems, you are covered nationally as long as you arrive in NSW from overseas. In practice you may end up in an arguement with a copper from another State (not NSW) and be issued with an on the spot "no drive" order or vehicle confiscation. Thats why you must have a copy of the NSW RTA email and proof of landing in NSW.

Most states have what is called an "Overseas registered vehicle permit scheme" - its a pain in the arse - usually involves a full roadworthy inspection then paying for the third party insurance, being given a registration sticker and an overseas registered vehicle permit to carry with you. If you go down that route then you need a trailer to carry the bike to and from inspections and until the permit is issued - in QLD you cant even buy a permit to move an unregistered overseas vehicle. Some overseas vehicles will never pass a local roadworthy with incorrect headlamp lens (dips right), wrong coloured indicators (red), etc. so try and avoid getting caught up in those permits.

Buying insurance for the bike from the likes of Swann will only buy you cover for the bike, it does NOT cover the third party injury insurance which can only be issued by approved insurers in each State.

Just remember that Australia is a federation and that laws do change at state borders - much the same as they do in the USA or EC.

BTW whilst in the UK buy a beam bender for your headlamp so that you can drive at night with the low beam dipped to the left.

The CDP has nothing to do with vehicle insurance and is a Federal Government arrangement - all things relating to vehicle registration and insurance are a State matter.

I ship the bike to Melbourne,so what is the law in Victoria for a European bike,extra insurance or not?
Thanks.
Chris.

Chris, I've been in your position twice now within the last 18 months.

Registration ('rego' in the vernacular), tax & other requirements vary from state to state, so check out the transport agency for where you are going. In Victoria you are obliged to arrange third-party personal liability (CTP insurance in other states) which can be acquired through the state's statutory insurer, TAC (Transport Accident Commission).

Suggest, therefore, that you pay a visit to the nearest Melbourne area VicRoads office in person for guidance etc. I did, and was informed that I was legally obliged to buy the TAC element (only) of Victorian registration - but only allowable, under Vic rules, for the period up to, and not exceeding, the expiration of my bike's home country registration.

BUT beware, you are doing something quite out of the ordinary - e.g. not a day-to-day routine piece of business for your average VicRoads desk officer - so they very well might not know how to deal with your enquiry! If this is the case for you (it was for me .. on both occasions!) just tell the officer to consult his/her line manager, or contact VicRoads' head office for further guidance.

Furthermore, in addition to the above compulsory TAC cover, I also secured fully comprehensive cover with Swann Insurance for a very competitive premium of AU$22.55 per month, under their "Maxirider" cover scheme. [Hat Tip to Clintz for the referral]. I recommend you effect insurance cover, as if you cause any property damage to third parties, then it could cost you a packet; never mind the potential costs in time and money, even if you're not to blame, of 'fighting your corner' from thousands of miles away, after you've maybe left the country.

Just my 2p's worth. Hope it helps.

Enjoy Oz mate .. 'tis all quite wonderful (.. and bloody expensive as hell right now! )

Cheers

KEITH

.

__________________
Right Way Round ...

Yep, it's hard to find anyone in an Oz transport dept office that has any clue about foreign vehicles. When we enquired with the South Australian office they were sure there was something we needed but they weren't quite sure what it was... they told us to visit a regional office when we got to SA... We figured if HQ in Adelaide didn't know, the branch in Port Augusta was unlikely to know & the local coppers would definitely have no clue, so we didn't bother.

The TAC charge for Victoria can be paid just for the time you are in Oz, you don't need to pay the full annual amount.

Cheers
Clint

hello folks

i am in NSW,australia with my XT660Z Tenere .
i have entred in sydney under the CDP and swiss number/rego
now i have the problem that as a good biker i would like to ride insured.
but australia seems to want that bikers get in troubles.

email from NSW RTA:
"Overseas visitors and tourists may import their vehicle into
Australia for a temporary period of up to 12 months by obtaining
either a Carnet de Passages en Douane (carnet) from their local
(overseas) motoring organisation, or a Vehicle Import Approval (VIA)
from the Commonwealth Department of Infrastructure and Transport
(DIT). In either case the document must be obtained before the vehicle
arrives in Australia. Registration in NSW is not required, but the
vehicle must be exported from Australia within the specified time
limit.
Vehicles temporarily visiting NSW from overseas must have current
overseas registration. Number plates and labels from the country of
origin must also be fitted to the vehicle. It is also recommended that
the overseas registration certificate be carried when using the
vehicle.
These vehicles are exempt from NSW registration and cannot be issued
with an Unregistered Vehicle Permit. Vehicles exempt from NSW
registration, are also exempt from Compulsory Third Party (CTP)
insurance. A NSW third party personal injury claim involving a vehicle
visiting from overseas is made against the Nominal Defendant Scheme.
This scheme is administered by the Motor Accidents Authority (MAA)."


so in NSW everything is fine.

this would be great if someone of the officials could confirme it.

email from MAA:
"Dear Juerg
Thank you for your email to the Motor Accidents Authority of NSW (MAA).
The information that you obtained from the RTA regarding overseas vehicles temporarily visiting NSW is correct. For your information Compulsory Third Party (CTP) is an insurance policy linked to your vehicle. It provides compensation for anyone you injure, if you or the person driving your vehicle is at fault in a motor vehicle accident. It does not provide any kind of cover for vehicle or property damage. CTP Insurance is compulsory, and under normal circumstances, would need to be taken out as part of the registration of your motor vehicle.
For vehicles that are exempt from registration, CTP cover is provided by the Nominal Defendant while they are being driven on any road or road related area in NSW. However, this information applies to vehicles being driven in NSW only. If you are intending to drive the vehicle in other states or territories you will need to contact the registration authorities in those jurisdictions to determine their requirements. To assist you with this, I have included contact details for each of the registration authorities across Australia."

neather the AAA nor the RTA , MAA do now what is to do.

edit:
just received this email from AAA:
"Unfortunately, there is little more we can add to the advice previously provided to you by the NSW RTA and the Motor Accidents Authority of NSW. It would appear that you will need to contact each of the relevant state authorities, as suggested by MAA, to determine the situation for each state.
I also understand that you will be entering Queensland (QLD) shortly and are concerned re: compulsory insurance coverage if you enter through a remote area. All I can suggest in this case would be to speak with the Queensland Department of Transport & Main Roads (Ph: 132 380) to discuss what options are available. They should be able to give you the correct advice for their state.
I am sorry that AAA cannot be of more assistance to you in this regard, however do feel free to contact us if you have other questions."


has someone had the same problems lately and solved them?

thanks
jürg
a.k.a. sushi2831

Hello.
As I asked some info abouth insurance last year,now I can help some people.
I shipped my bike to Melbourne with Getrouted. When Dave give me my Carnet back(bottom of page was teared off by Customs)I went to Vic Roads at 459 Lygon Street Carlton.and payed 233.20Au $for a persons assurance(only for the person,not the bike) They gave me a TAC paper,and with this TAC paper,I went to the RACV(Royal Automobil Club Victoria) and get a full cover assurance(You have to pay for 12 months,but they send the rest back by bank check)I payed 466.33 Au$ ,but get 286 Au$ back,after the 5 months of my trip.
So hopefully,I did help you out,and enjoy your trip.
I did 4,5 months and 25.000km and enjoyed every second of the trip,and I am going back in 2014.
See you.
Chris.

Hello
I finally left Australia not knowing if I actually was legally insured or not.
It is really difficult to find information.
Most of the other bikers I met did what they had to do according to the rules of the state where they arrived, some didn't bother at all.
But if their insurance was valid in the other states, no one did know for sure.
I met a couple who arrived like me in NSW and they checked in every state again, when they arrived there. Sometimes they bought a new insurance and sometimes the previous insurance was o.k.
I guess all depends on the incompetence of the australien officer on duty.
Well, I had a deadly accident but luckily none of the relatives of the roo, that committed suicid on my bike, called the police.
So, retrospective I sugguest to others, buy or rent a bike in Australia rather than bringing your own.
It's less hassle nor more expensive.
sushi

__________________
My RTW:
http://www.youtube.com/user/MrXt660ztenere

Hello.
Like I told you before,I will come back in 2014.
Now I know how to do it,with the paperwork,it,s easy.
The RACV told me that the insurance should be renewed
in every other state(normaly)but,when get stopped,by the police,you tell them,that you didn,t know it,as an overseas visitor, it will be OK.
I,ll be back in 18 months.
See you all.
Chris.

Hello
The problem is that the insurance is needed in an accident and not just for the police.
I don't think the judge and the other party will go by ; oh you didn't know,that's o.k.
So either you buy the insurance online in advance or you will drive uninsured in every state until you find an office where you can buy it.
I try to get insurance in every country I visit.
I only go without it in places where it is not possible and that's mostly in 3.world countrys.
Please Australiens adjust your rules to a practical solution.
sushi

__________________
My RTW:
http://www.youtube.com/user/MrXt660ztenere

Did your insurance policy not tell, where it is valid??

I don't know how this is now, but in March -08 you could buy compulsory insurance from a government office after your vehicle passed roadworthiness test (in Perth). I double-checked, when buying it, that it was valid in other states as well. So at least back then it wasn't too hard to find out.

I heartily second this opinion. Australia is almost as litigious as the USA.
CTP wasn't too much for a Unimog, it should be cheap for a motorcycle.
Get Suncorp's phone # online and buy it. It carries over between states.

Charlie

__________________
Unimog U500 w/Unicat

Hello.
I had an insurance for the whole country,but it was not the insurance that should be renewed in every state,but it was the TAC paper that schould be renewed,because the TAC paper in Melbourne is only vallid in Victoria,but the RACV people told me,that, if I get stopped by the police,and tell them,that I didn,t know it,it schould be okay,but the TAC is only vallid in Victoria,and every time,I come to another state I schould go to the transport office for an local TAC paper vallid for that state,so it,s not the insurance,but the TAC paper that schould be renewed in every state(my mistake,sorry),because tha TAC covers the person in that state,not the motorcycle,and for the motorcycle I get an insurance from the RACV.You need an adress for an insurance,but the YHA in Howard street is a vallid adress for the RACV.
Chris.