Insurance for un-MOTed UK bike in Europe.
 

A slightly unusual insurance query - I'm a Brit currently in South America on my UK registered Bonneville. Whilst I've been out here the bike's UK annual safety test (MOT) has lapsed, meaning my bike is untaxed and therefore uninsurable in the UK at least until I get the MOT done again.

My original plan was to freight from Bogata to Lisbon and then cross Europe (not going to the UK). Normally my UK insurance policy would cover this, if the bike had a valid MOT pass certificate and therefore insurance policy. BUT as I've said above I don't have one of those right now.

My question is this - is there somewhere I simply by a standard European third-party insurance policy to cover me in EU countries OR as an EU registered vehicle do I have to by insurance from my home country (and therefore return the bike to the UK for it's MOT test) to do this, as it is a member of the EU?

Bit of a technical one, I know, but any help gratefully received - including whether anyone else from the EU/UK has come across this problem and if they managed to resolve it.

Thanks

Ed

Not a direct answer to your question, but I faced a similar situation with my Australian (New South Wales) registered bike located in the UK. In my case my lack of current registration meant I could not buy European "Green Card" insurance from the companies that normally insure foreign bikes.

In that case I found my local registration authorities would accept an overseas inspection from a reputable source - so in my case I got an MoT done and sent it back to Australia where my registration was then processed as normal.

Maybe worth asking the UK DVLA if they would accept a foreign inspection in lieu of the MoT. Good luck

The DVLA will not accept any other than a cert issued by a DVSA authorised
inspection centre , and they are only in UK .

If you are on a aus registered bike in UK , then if it has been in UK more than 6 months it should possibly be registered in UK , you are risking having it siezed by police . There is guidance on the GOVUK website ( https://www.gov.uk/importing-vehicle...porary-imports) They are increasing action on foreign registered vehicles , due mostly to abuses of the system in EU by EU migrants to UK , who are using insurance issued in their home country , which is technically invalid, and results in car being seized, untill they comply .

I dont see why you cant insure your bike in UK there is no requirement to have MOT , other than the condition that you maintain vehicle in a road worthy condition , which could be checked in event of a claim .
You will find it almost impossible to get a insurance that is valid as part of EU laws require that insurance is issued by the country where the vehicle is registered and covers liability thruout the EU .
There has also been uncovered some dodgy MOT centres who were issuing MOT to RVs without them returning to UK from such as Spain .
So looks like your only answer will be return it to UK on route to Europe,there is a consultation underway for unifying acceptance of MOT issued in any EU country but at the moment this is only looking at heavy goods vehicles, so not likely to be able to address your problem in future .
HTSH

Have a word with Direct Line Spain (English speaking)
https://www.lineadirecta.com/Recurso.../Ventajas.html

I have had no trouble insuring a bike with no MOT and no road tax here in UK.
The bike was not being used for a couple of months so there was no point with tax & MOT, I just wanted it covered in the event of theft from garage. But in reality the bike could have been anywhere in the world. Of course in the event of a claim.......being "anywhere" would have implications !

Ed,

Did you resolve this?

Nick.

I've only just seen this thread, so hopefully the OP's issue has long since been resolved.

Tacr2man, migrants may be having their vehicles seized because they are abusing the system in keeping EU registered cars in the UK for more than 6 months, but you are incorrect in your assertion that their EU insurance is technically invalid.

This is a common misconception, perpetuated by UK and Irish insurers. Under the European Insurance Directive, all motor insurance sold within the EU must provide the minimum legal third party cover for cross border travel (EU) for the duration of the policy, normally 12 months. However, most UK and Irish insurers typically place a limit of between 30 and 45 days on trip duration, by offering customers the same cover at abroad (in the EU) as they have at home for those trips, e.g. fully comp plus breakdown cover - providing they adhere to certain terms and conditions.

However, as long as you accept that theft, damage or breakdown of your own vehicle will not be covered by your UK or Irish policy if you exceed the trip duration specified by your insurer, you can legally travel throughout the EU for the duration of your policy: https://www.gov.uk/vehicle-insurance/driving-abroad.