1Likes
![Reply](https://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hubb/images/buttons/reply.gif) |
|
![Old](https://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hubb/images/statusicon/post_old.gif)
24 Apr 2015
|
Registered Users
HUBB regular
|
|
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 38
|
|
Insuring a bike in Ireland for a non resident
I've purchased a Transalp in Ireland, registered in Ireland. Now I'm finding that purchasing liability insurance is extremely difficult if not impossible.
There were companies as recently as the beginning of April that provided coverage, but no more.
US citizen needs help!
|
![Old](https://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hubb/images/statusicon/post_old.gif)
24 Apr 2015
|
Registered Users
HUBB regular
|
|
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 38
|
|
Problem solved : )
|
![Old](https://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hubb/images/statusicon/post_old.gif)
24 Apr 2015
|
![mollydog's Avatar](https://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hubb/images/avatars/Animal036.jpg) |
R.I.P.
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: california
Posts: 3,822
|
|
Great! Good for you ... but what about everyone else?
Could you take 30 seconds to respond and let the rest of us know how you solved your problem?
I bought full cover insurance in UK using a friends address, did it all over the phone using Bennett's. No questions asked about my country of origin (US), no DL # asked for, just bike info, which was a UK bike. But that was a decade ago ... probably all changed by now?
I even got "Green Card" cover as my trip included a lot of EU. Next year, I got a no claims discount. You get discounts if your bike is alarmed or has those little data tags on it. (mine did)
|
![Old](https://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hubb/images/statusicon/post_old.gif)
24 Apr 2015
|
Registered Users
HUBB regular
|
|
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 38
|
|
I've learned waaaay more than I ever wanted to about insurance in the EU.
I think I have this right:
EU countries found that some countries were issuing insurance policies for much less than the country where the vehicle was registered. Apparently, some people were working the system and acquiring inexpensive insurance elsewhere plus the green card. So, now you can get green card insurance in some eu countries, but it won't be valid for the country where the vehicle is registered.
My only option: I'm buying green card insurance from a company in Germany, they'll mail me the card, I pick up my bike in Ireland and run for the UK border. I was going to tour Ireland, but the plan has changed to England, Scotland and possibly Northern Ireland, possibly part of the continent.
I'll return the bike to the storage in Ireland (again, getting to the storage place as quickly as possible)
|
![Old](https://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hubb/images/statusicon/post_old.gif)
24 Apr 2015
|
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Bristol, UK
Posts: 380
|
|
.my understanding is that the green card extends your local insurance to cover the rest of the EU. So if you buy the policy in Ireland your basic policy should cover you in ireland only (by which i assume you mean the republic of ireland rather than northern ireland - which is part of the uk so a green card for the rest of the uk would not be needed) and your green card covers the rest of europe.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
|
![Old](https://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hubb/images/statusicon/post_old.gif)
24 Apr 2015
|
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Oxford UK
Posts: 2,114
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by little bike
I think I have this right:
EU countries found that some countries were issuing insurance policies for much less than the country where the vehicle was registered. Apparently, some people were working the system and acquiring inexpensive insurance elsewhere plus the green card. So, now you can get green card insurance in some eu countries, but it won't be valid for the country where the vehicle is registered.
|
Are you saying that you've found a German insurance company that'll insure an Irish bike in every EU country apart from Ireland?
I'm no expert on EU insurance law (to say the least) but that doesn't sound right to me. As I understood it if you buy a policy in one EU country it has to cover the legal minimum in every other one. That may not be much in the way of cover and you may end up mired in paperwork for years if there's a claim but at least there's a legal policy in force.
This from the European Commission site -
"Under the Directive, subscribers to compulsory motor insurance policies in all EU countries are covered for motoring throughout the EU"
"Vehicles should be registered in the country of residence of the policy holder and/or vehicle owner. Provided their registration is in order, they may be insured by an insurer established in the country of registration or in any other EU country."
|
![Old](https://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hubb/images/statusicon/post_old.gif)
24 Apr 2015
|
Registered Users
HUBB regular
|
|
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 38
|
|
The bike is registered in Ireland and I "have" an Irish address (where the bike is stored). I'm going to have to risk that if there is an accident in which I'm at fault there won't be an issue.
I'll be riding very carefully.
This has been beyond frustrating. You can ship a bike over and insurance is not an issue. But buying a vehicle isn't feasible (you can purchase, but you can't drive it due to not having insurance). Go figure. You would think that the governments would want travelers to be covered (even if the premiums were high, it would probably still be cheaper than shipping a bike)
|
![Old](https://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hubb/images/statusicon/post_old.gif)
24 Apr 2015
|
Registered Users
HUBB regular
|
|
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 38
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Temporaryescapee
.my understanding is that the green card extends your local insurance to cover the rest of the EU. So if you buy the policy in Ireland your basic policy should cover you in ireland only (by which i assume you mean the republic of ireland rather than northern ireland - which is part of the uk so a green card for the rest of the uk would not be needed) and your green card covers the rest of europe.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
|
Since I'm a non-resident I can't purchase any insurance in Ireland
|
![Old](https://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hubb/images/statusicon/post_old.gif)
24 Apr 2015
|
Registered Users
HUBB regular
|
|
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 38
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by mollydog
Great! Good for you ... but what about everyone else?
Could you take 30 seconds to respond and let the rest of us know how you solved your problem?
I bought full cover insurance in UK using a friends address, did it all over the phone using Bennett's. No questions asked about my country of origin (US), no DL # asked for, just bike info, which was a UK bike. But that was a decade ago ... probably all changed by now?
I even got "Green Card" cover as my trip included a lot of EU. Next year, I got a no claims discount. You get discounts if your bike is alarmed or has those little data tags on it. (mine did)
|
It's all changed. For the worse. The days of gallavanting around are over.
|
![Old](https://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hubb/images/statusicon/post_old.gif)
24 Apr 2015
|
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Bristol, UK
Posts: 380
|
|
Little bike - i will ask around in the uk and see what i can find - it sounds frustrating!
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
|
![Old](https://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hubb/images/statusicon/post_old.gif)
24 Apr 2015
|
Registered Users
HUBB regular
|
|
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 38
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Temporaryescapee
Little bike - i will ask around in the uk and see what i can find - it sounds frustrating!
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
|
That'd be great!
|
![Old](https://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hubb/images/statusicon/post_old.gif)
25 Apr 2015
|
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: NSW Australia - but never there
Posts: 1,235
|
|
Quote:
The days of gallavanting around are over.
|
That extends to pushing the limits of the Schengen agreement as well. Used to be there was no communication between countries to pin down the length of stay, but now they have it pinned down to the second. Last time I was two weeks over because I didn't realise that Switzerland was now in Schengen and I got a severe talking to about what would happen the next time I miscalculated.
|
![Old](https://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hubb/images/statusicon/post_old.gif)
25 Apr 2015
|
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Bristol, UK
Posts: 380
|
|
Done a bit of digging into the UK position.
As you would expect the position is simple if you are deemed a UK resident. Basically this means being in the country for 183 days.
You will be fine to take out insurance if you have an EU Licence or one which is 'exchangeable'. This does not include the USA. For other countries you can drive for 12 months on your local licence after which you need to do a UK driving test. It seems if you are in this latter category getting insurance is very problematic.
Info here: http://www.moneymaxim.co.uk/short-te...seas-residents
http://www.uswitch.com/car-insurance...on-uk-licence/
As per the start of this thread, you can get a green card providing insurance in the EU outside of the country the vehicle is registered in. See here: http://www.tourinsure.de/internation...cle/europe?L=6
I've not spoken to these people but they claim to be able to get UK car insurance for USA licence holders. Whilst this is for car insurance the licence appears to be an issue so I'd find out who the insurance company is and if they are ok for cars you would hope motorcycle insurance is ok too.
http://www.duinsure.com/motor_insurance/car_insurance
Hope this is of some use.
|
![Old](https://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hubb/images/statusicon/post_old.gif)
25 Apr 2015
|
![mollydog's Avatar](https://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hubb/images/avatars/Animal036.jpg) |
R.I.P.
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: california
Posts: 3,822
|
|
Thanks so much for that clear, concise explanation ... and thanks for the links as well. I've copied the post, put in my Euro Folder.
Cheers for doing the work!
|
![Old](https://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hubb/images/statusicon/post_old.gif)
26 Apr 2015
|
Registered Users
HUBB regular
|
|
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 38
|
|
The two possibles I have are :
Knopf Tours in Germany
Tourinsure
If you're a non-resident you cannot insure a bike in the country of registration, but you should be able to get green card insurance for the rest of the eu.
|
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
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
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.
"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.](/stuff/ripcord/ripcord-logo-250.jpg)
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!](/stuff/grahamfield/graham-field-2021-280.jpg)
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!
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.
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.
|
|
|