Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Regional Forums > Europe
Europe Topics specific to Western and Eastern Europe, from UK to the Russian border, and south-east to Turkey.
Photo by Alessio Corradini, on the Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia, of two locals

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Alessio Corradini,
on the Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia,
of two locals



Like Tree3Likes
  • 1 Post By Tuaregsr
  • 1 Post By Tuaregsr
  • 1 Post By Neavey

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 29 May 2019
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Siracusa
Posts: 39
Macedonia border insurance

Hi, I would visit Macedonia in the next August.
I have not insurance green card valid for Macedonia. At the border near Pogradec (Albania) nobody sells Green Card and it will be very hard for me trespass Macedonia border by other side.
Anyone knows if it's possible buy border insurance on line ?

Thank for your attention and kind answer.
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 30 May 2019
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: Tartu, Estonia
Posts: 1,103
Macedonia is part of the Green Card system, and so are Albania, Serbia and Greece.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intern...en_card_system

Unless you are a Kosovo resident with only Kosovo traffic insurance, I can't imagine how you would get to the Macedonian border without already having the traffic insurance that allows you to get into Macedonia.

If you have insurance that is valid in Albania, it will also be valid in Macedonia. Just make sure you have the actual Green Card from your insurer, printed on green paper.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 30 May 2019
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Siracusa
Posts: 39
Quote:
Originally Posted by AnTyx View Post
Macedonia is part of the Green Card system, and so are Albania, Serbia and Greece.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intern...en_card_system

Unless you are a Kosovo resident with only Kosovo traffic insurance, I can't imagine how you would get to the Macedonian border without already having the traffic insurance that allows you to get into Macedonia.

If you have insurance that is valid in Albania, it will also be valid in Macedonia. Just make sure you have the actual Green Card from your insurer, printed on green paper.
In Italy any insurance companies (especially online ones) they are valid only in European Union countries.
They don't care about the green card system.
These online companies do not even print a green card and simply write on the insurance contract "This insurance is valid only in European Union countries and is not valid for other countries outside the EU".
That is the question.
I don't know is it's legal but it happened.
In my bikers group there are two members in that situation.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 30 May 2019
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: Tartu, Estonia
Posts: 1,103
You should take that paper to the Guardia di Finanza. And https://www.consap.it/.

The EU has an Online Dispute Resolution platform for this as well: https://ec.europa.eu/consumers/odr/m...screeningphase

But if you have bought extra insurance that is valid in Albania, it must also be valid in North Macedonia.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 30 May 2019
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Siracusa
Posts: 39
Quote:
Originally Posted by AnTyx View Post
You should take that paper to the Guardia di Finanza. And https://www.consap.it/.

The EU has an Online Dispute Resolution platform for this as well: https://ec.europa.eu/consumers/odr/m...screeningphase

But if you have bought extra insurance that is valid in Albania, it must also be valid in North Macedonia.
I'm sorry but it's not like you say.
Guardia di Finanza it has nothing to do...
Look at this article.

Carta Verde | UCI S.C.AR.L

Insurance companies have the right to exclude countries extra SEE including Albania, Macedonia, etc ...
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 30 May 2019
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: Tartu, Estonia
Posts: 1,103
Heh. Sounds like you should find a better insurance company then. :P
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 3 Jun 2019
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Mechelen, Belgium
Posts: 34
Travelling from Serbia to Macedonia a couple of years ago I bought insurance at the border, cost €50, cash only, card not accepted.
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 31 Mar 2021
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: May 2017
Posts: 101
Update 31 Mar 2021:

American couple traveling on two motorcycles from Albania to Northern Macedonia. Our Europe “Green Card” insurance does not cover Montenegro, Albania, North Macedonia, Serbia, Kosovo or Bosnia & Herzegovina.

We attempted to enter the border from Albania at Tushemisht-St. Naum crossing and were denied since no insurance is available to purchase for Northern Macedonia at this border crossing.

We had to ride to the Kjafasan border crossing where we could purchase insurance from a company called SAVA which is located on the second floor of the border crossing building. The cost was 50 euros per motorcycle for two weeks. 60 euros per motorcycle for a month. Paid with credit card.

Cheers,
Travis and Chantil
www.viajarMOTO.com
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 1 Apr 2021
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Toronto, Canada
Posts: 2,134
Everyone:

I'm worried that what has been written so far in this discussion is going to cause a lot of confusion, and to avoid that, I would like to clarify a few things:

1) The "Green Card" system - as Antyx pointed out, many, many countries participate in the Green Card' documentation system, but this should not be interpreted to mean that if you have a 'Green Card', your insurance is valid for all the participating countries.

The Green Card system is primarily a document standardization protocol that is intended to ensure that authorities such as police, etc. in one country can easily comprehend that a vehicle from another country has adequate insurance for a different country.

It is entirely up to the insurance company that is issuing the insurance policy to decide how many (or how few) different countries they want to extend their insurance coverage to. For example, an insurance provider in any one of the Green Card participating countries might choose to insure a vehicle in only one specific country - for example, a French vehicle that is insured only within France. In such a case, the insurance company could issue a Green Card, but all the boxes would be crossed out except for the box 'F' (for France).

Perhaps this might be done because the customer wants a lower insurance premium, or perhaps this might be done because the insurance company doesn't want the risk associated with insuring the vehicle in other countries.

At the opposite end of the scale, it is possible to get a Green Card that has just about every possible participating country covered. This is uncommon, and the only example of this I have ever seen was issued by a Russian insurance company.

The 'most common' scenario for a Green Card is that all of the full member EU countries are covered, plus Switzerland. But, even though this is the 'most common' scenario, it is by no means an obligatory scenario.

2) A Single Country Insurance Document - if you purchase insurance that is only valid in one specific country, the insurance provider might elect to provide you with a unique country-specific document, instead of a Green Card format document with only one country box checked. This is a non-standardized document, but it is known, recognized, and accepted by authorities in the one specific country that issued it.

If you want to see examples of this, look at this post that I made several years ago showing a bunch of single-country documents from the Balkan area: Balkans Insurance - Here's the story, with details & sample documents

Then again, the insurance company, if they are so inclined, might also elect to provide you with a 'Green Card' with all the boxes crossed out except for the one country where you bought the insurance. The effect and coverage would be identical.

3) To Sum Up - Having a 'Green Card' insurance document does not guarantee that you have insurance coverage in any particular group of countries. You will only be insured in the countries whose boxes are not crossed out... and it's up to you and your insurer to decide upon how many countries you want to have coverage for.

It is very common for insurers to decide that they are simply not going to insure vehicles for operation in certain countries, which means that even though Lower Slobbovia might be a participant in the Green Card document standardization scheme, no insurance company in the world outside of Lower Slobbovia will sell you insurance to operate your vehicle in Lower Slobbovia.

Michael
Reply With Quote
Reply


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

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Balkans Insurance - Here's the story, with details & sample documents PanEuropean Trip Paperwork 30 8 Jul 2023 07:19
Comprehensive Guide To West Africa - Without Carnet Wanted sub-Saharan Africa 48 17 Jan 2020 22:50
What's the going rate for border insurance? Tim Cullis Morocco 3 11 Sep 2018 13:39
Central America Border Crossing Info nugentch Central America and Mexico 45 28 Feb 2013 21:04
Ecuador to Colombia Border & Insurance Delbert South America 3 10 Aug 2012 22:27

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now
, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

ALL Dates subject to change.

2025 Confirmed Events:

  • Virginia: April 24-27 2025
  • Queensland is back! May 2-4 2025
  • Germany Summer: May 29-June 1 2025
  • CanWest: July 10-13 2025
  • Switzerland: Date TBC
  • Ecuador: Date TBC
  • Romania: Date TBC
  • Austria: Sept. 11-15
  • California: September 18-21
  • France: September 19-21 2025
  • Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2 2025

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
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...

Adventurous Bikers – We've got all your Hygiene & Protection needs SORTED! Powdered Hair & Body Wash, Moisturising Cream Insect Repellent, and Moisturising Cream Sunscreen SPF50. ESSENTIAL | CONVENIENT | FUNCTIONAL.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

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.

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!

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.

Susan and Grant Johnson 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.




All times are GMT +1. The time now is 07:17.