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24 Nov 2009
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Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Colorado
Posts: 55
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Colombia 3rd Party Insurance
Colombia 3rd Party Insurance. I realize what I am about to report has not been the experience of others. Which probably is not unusual. Like others, after arriving in Bogota via COPA, I anticipated stopping at a local gas station and purchasing my mandatory SOAT insurance. It seem so simple and since I wasn't using the bike, I would make the purchase on the way out of town to Cali. On the way out of Bogota, a city of 10 million people and 670 square miles of bumper to bumper traffic, I stopped at 5 different stations advertising SOAT Mandatory Insurance. Each time I got the same answer. The minimum purchase was for 1 year for $165.00 USD. Shorter periods would have to be purchased at SOAT's principal office. Furthermore, they were unable to sell me a 1 year policy as the data fields on the computer would not accept foreign plates and registration information. One attendant, noting my frustration, even called the principal office, in Bogota, to get me insurance. They told him I would have to come to their office. The police were having a Monday field day stopping bikes and checking insurance so I didn't want to take any chances. I thought I was lucky not be stopped at any of their road blocks. I contacted our taxi driver who had guided us around the city. He contact the police to determine if a bike in transit was required to have the mandatory policy. They confirmed that a policy was necessary. Therefore, he took me to the principal office in Bogota to purchase the policy. I was able to buy 1 month, the minimum amount, for about $15.00 USD, in less than 10 minutes. Moral of the Story: Don't delay. Check the stations early and avoid last minute unnecessary frustration. My experience may be the exception. Stayed an extra night in Bogota and had a nice dinner with my wife. Side Note: If in Bogota check out motorcycle alley (Carrera 2 and Calle 17 app.). There is 5 blocks of motorcycle shops and accessories. They do all kinds of maintenance on the street. It was very interesting watching a mechaninc rebuilt an engine on the curb of the street. Got 2 vests, with plates, for $20.00. Tomorrow, Cali bound with insurance and new vests.
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![Old](https://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hubb/images/statusicon/post_old.gif)
24 Nov 2009
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Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Canada
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I had the same luck a couple years ago. There was someone in Cartegena selling paperwork that said it was soat, but was either a forgery or real insurance but not SOAT - maybe earthquake insurance for the bike or something. I never bought it but heard a few people did. It worked for the police but I doubt it would help in a real problem. I am glad the problem is now figured out. It was not possible at all when I was there. Do you still have the address of the principle office in Bogota and a contact name?
On a side note, when I was in Ecuador last year, they said the same thing. SOAT is mandatory, but you need registration (matriculacion) and you can not get this with a foreign vehicle. Maybe this has been dealt with as well?
J
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24 Nov 2009
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Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Medellin, Colombia
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SOAT is mandatory in Colombia, also for tourists. Bikes has been confiscated for not having the SOAT.
They just changed the law here, so all Colombians most buy minimum one year at a time, this is why most gas station agents and garage office agents can't sell less.
There's an exception to the law for tourists, so its only the real/bigger agents who can sell the limited version and usually you have to buy minimum 3 month though. Guess you where lucky about only having to buy one month.
Do drop by for some travel tales in Cali!
Chao
Mike
Quote:
Originally Posted by judgejoe
Colombia 3rd Party Insurance. I realize what I am about to report has not been the experience of others. Which probably is not unusual. Like others, after arriving in Bogota via COPA, I anticipated stopping at a local gas station and purchasing my mandatory SOAT insurance. It seem so simple and since I wasn't using the bike, I would make the purchase on the way out of town to Cali. On the way out of Bogota, a city of 10 million people and 670 square miles of bumper to bumper traffic, I stopped at 5 different stations advertising SOAT Mandatory Insurance. Each time I got the same answer. The minimum purchase was for 1 year for $165.00 USD. Shorter periods would have to be purchased at SOAT's principal office. Furthermore, they were unable to sell me a 1 year policy as the data fields on the computer would not accept foreign plates and registration information. One attendant, noting my frustration, even called the principal office, in Bogota, to get me insurance. They told him I would have to come to their office. The police were having a Monday field day stopping bikes and checking insurance so I didn't want to take any chances. I thought I was lucky not be stopped at any of their road blocks. I contacted our taxi driver who had guided us around the city. He contact the police to determine if a bike in transit was required to have the mandatory policy. They confirmed that a policy was necessary. Therefore, he took me to the principal office in Bogota to purchase the policy. I was able to buy 1 month, the minimum amount, for about $15.00 USD, in less than 10 minutes. Moral of the Story: Don't delay. Check the stations early and avoid last minute unnecessary frustration. My experience may be the exception. Stayed an extra night in Bogota and had a nice dinner with my wife. Side Note: If in Bogota check out motorcycle alley (Carrera 2 and Calle 17 app.). There is 5 blocks of motorcycle shops and accessories. They do all kinds of maintenance on the street. It was very interesting watching a mechaninc rebuilt an engine on the curb of the street. Got 2 vests, with plates, for $20.00. Tomorrow, Cali bound with insurance and new vests.
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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...
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What others say about HU...
"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia
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Lots more comments here!
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Diaries of a compulsive traveller
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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.
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