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  #16  
Old 28 Oct 2011
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Originally Posted by Seversky View Post
so how badly do i need insurance if i am going to just ride the bike for a month through europe then sell it afterwards? i mean if i dump the bike im just going to say oh well, pick it up and keep riding, or try to find something else to ride. so how often will we get stopped/ do we need it at border crossings?
as always any advice would be appreciated!

To go without insurance is madness because if you get stopped even once there is every likelihood that not only will you lose the bike, you will also get a huge fine or worse. The chances of you being stopped in Europe is high.

I dare not even consider the consequences if you hit something or god forbid, someone. Someone hit in me 1991 and fortunately for them they were insured. Part of the settlement was that I was awarded 18 years loss of earnings, that was less than half the final amount. I was a police officer at the time and was on a good salary. Imagine how the rest of his financial life would have been if he was not insured.

Under no circumstances ride a bike in Europe without insurance.

Steve
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  #17  
Old 28 Oct 2011
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Quote:
Originally Posted by *Touring Ted* View Post
You don't have to be stopped these days..

There are cameras that read your plates automatically and a cop car can run your registration just by sitting behind you in traffic que.

Have insurance in Europe.. It's a world of pain if you get caught without it. You can't fake/bribe your way out of anything in Western Europe.
Number plate recognition doesn't work for non EU registered vehicles. I don't know if it's been changed since I lived there but the congestion charge cameras in London didn't even work for non UK registered vehicles.

Also for things like speeding you can't get penalty points on non EU licences.

Personally though I would have insurance in Europe, it's not worth the risk of being caught without.
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  #18  
Old 29 Oct 2011
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Originally Posted by misterpaul View Post
I agree that having insurance is a good thing, but I would disagree with your point about being stopped by the police. I had insurance when I drove a Land Cruiser on Australian plates from Italy to the UK and around the UK a bit but I was never once stopped. I didn't even have to show any documents other than my passport when I entered the UK which surprised me.
In the UK they actually need a reason to stop you, from experience I have been stopped at road side checks in France, Spain and Germany. They always asked to see vehicle and insurance docs.

I've ridden around the states twice, but only stopped once. And all docs were needed.

It only takes 1 stop.
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  #19  
Old 29 Oct 2011
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Originally Posted by BruceP View Post
In the UK they actually need a reason to stop you, from experience I have been stopped at road side checks in France, Spain and Germany. They always asked to see vehicle and insurance docs.

I've ridden around the states twice, but only stopped once. And all docs were needed.

It only takes 1 stop.
But that reason could be anything from checking your tax disc, a popped tail light or a "Vehicle matching this description was reported in a crime"..

I've been stopped LOADS of times in the U.K. No reason given. Coming up to Christmas, there is usually plenty of drink driving checks etc.

The U.K especially is a total 'Big Brother' state. The only people with rights in the U.k are Albanian goat herders in Caravans with a boot full of cemtex.
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  #20  
Old 30 Oct 2011
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Originally Posted by *Touring Ted* View Post
But that reason could be anything from checking your tax disc, a popped tail light or a "Vehicle matching this description was reported in a crime"..

I've been stopped LOADS of times in the U.K. No reason given. Coming up to Christmas, there is usually plenty of drink driving checks etc.

The U.K especially is a total 'Big Brother' state. The only people with rights in the U.k are Albanian goat herders in Caravans with a boot full of cemtex.
You missed the "just riding a motorbike" :-)
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  #21  
Old 1 Nov 2011
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bike insurance UK & Europe

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Originally Posted by vstrom10 View Post
Thanks Guys,

I am from Australia (NSW) and my bike is registered in NSW and I have a NSW license, and no address in the UK or Europe. My australian insurance does not cover me outside of Australia. Your replies will give me something to do over the next few days. Any suggestions will be gratefully received. Insurance seems to be the only hitch in my plans, so far.

Thanks,
Mike.
I can help you with the insurance. +61 3 9351 0612
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  #22  
Old 7 Nov 2011
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insurance needs

Ok, i completely understand that not having insurance is a terrible idea. but i promised my friend thats going with me that i would actually pose the question to the forum.

So now that that is settled, how do i go about getting insurance for a bike that i plan to buy in Ireland, ride for a month then sell at the end?

as usualy any help would be greatly appreciated!!!!
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  #23  
Old 8 Nov 2011
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Originally Posted by Seversky View Post
Ok, i completely understand that not having insurance is a terrible idea. but i promised my friend thats going with me that i would actually pose the question to the forum.

So now that that is settled, how do i go about getting insurance for a bike that i plan to buy in Ireland, ride for a month then sell at the end?

as usualy any help would be greatly appreciated!!!!
Do you intend buying in Northern or Southern Ireland (it may make a difference).

Do you have a bike dealer in mind ? They could help you.
Do you have a bike in mind ? You can get quotes in advance.

Have you factored in the time to buy and sell a bike at each side of the trip ? or will you buy it/them before you arrive.

Do you know anyone there who can help? I am sure someone will pop up in here eventually.

Have you tried any of the online insurance companies already suggested ?

In the mean time I will ask some people I know.
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  #24  
Old 8 Nov 2011
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Seversky View Post
Ok, i completely understand that not having insurance is a terrible idea. but i promised my friend thats going with me that i would actually pose the question to the forum.

So now that that is settled, how do i go about getting insurance for a bike that i plan to buy in Ireland, ride for a month then sell at the end?

as usualy any help would be greatly appreciated!!!!

Ok, feed back from friends in Ireland (southern).

The majority say DO NOT BUY there.

Because

1) Bikes are more expensive than elsewhere. (But coming down with the recent financial trouble).

2) The insurance is silly price.

They say that you can use Carole Nash, as previously mentioned.

Maybe you should consider buying in the UK ?
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  #25  
Old 24 Mar 2012
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Originally Posted by vstrom10 View Post
Hi Guys, I am planning to take my V Strom to the U.K.and Europe for the northern summer in 2012. I am at a loss to find a Company to sell me Third Party and Comprehensive Insurance for my bike. Any information will be greatly appreciated.
Regards and Thanks, Mike.
The grand-daddy of all threads for this subject:-
http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...et-cheap-34822
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  #26  
Old 25 Mar 2012
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Originally Posted by Seversky View Post
Ok, i completely understand that not having insurance is a terrible idea. but i promised my friend thats going with me that i would actually pose the question to the forum.

So now that that is settled, how do i go about getting insurance for a bike that i plan to buy in Ireland, ride for a month then sell at the end?

as usualy any help would be greatly appreciated!!!!
One "big" problem with your plans, you said that you were planning on buying the bikes in Ireland then finishing your trip in London and selling the bikes?
Selling an Irish registered bike in England will be a PITA. It's not like the states where you can sell say a Florida registered vehicle in Texas with no major hassle AFAIK.
The buyer would have to import the bike to the UK!! Re register it and possibly pay import duty. It's the same for any country in the EC when it comes to vehicles. You really need to buy and sell in the same country. With the financial crisis bike prices in Ireland have actually gone through the floor and the quality of bike for sale has actually improved recently, a lot of status symbol, weekend warrior stuff for sale!! Have a look on DoneDeal.ie - Ireland's biggest classifieds site or the sale section on Fáilte chun Biker.ie, Ireland's Premier Motorbike Forum just bear in mind that it's a relatively small market and it might take time you don't have at the end of your trip to sell them on.
For all these reasons I would actually advise to buy and sell in the UK, you'll also have a lot more choice in the insurance market, only four players in the Irish market, three of the four are subsidiaries of UK based insurance firms who charge more in Ireland than they do in the UK and the other is a bankrupt
BUT and this is a biggie, please don't let me put you off bringing your bikes to Ireland, the North Antrim coast is superb, if your schedule allows get over here for some of the road racing ( think 190mph on "roads" that wouldn't pass for a southern moonshiners driveway) and then continue another 50/60 mile to the north western coast of Donegal/Sligo/Mayo and I'll meet up with you and show you some roads that will blow your mind
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  #27  
Old 25 Mar 2012
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Zigeuner53 View Post
w/o insurance - you can't unload/claim/customs your bike from air or ship

Zig
Sorry Zig that's wrong, customs don't care about insurance but the copper who pulls you out side will.

I've imported cars and bikes into the UK, never been asked for insurance.

Paul
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  #28  
Old 25 Mar 2012
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Just talked to a Kiwi mate who insured a bike in the UK - he did it on line with esure.com
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  #29  
Old 3 Apr 2012
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Hi I did the UK and Europe (some of) in 2010. I bought a bike in UK, cheaper than freighting from home. The insurance was a nightmare. I finally got a policy from Footman James. They accepted an international licence, the only company I could find that would. Everyone else required UK licence.
The policy I got was the minimum. At the time if I recall it was about 95GBP, this included cover for Europe and breakdown recovery for 12 months. You can cancell and get a refund for balance of time.
The recovery was fantastic. I got stuck at Duart Castle on Mull with a stripped out spline on the clutch. They picked me up the next morn in Tobermory, went and got the bike, and then did a 12 hr freight to Leeds where I had a friend to fix the bike.
Anyway, an address is something you will need. If you don't have friends, one possibility is a postal drop company that will provide an address for a small fee and forward your mail to where ever you want.

If you have questions feel free to ask.
Ed
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