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.

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

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

__________________
Keep On Ridin' In The Free World

- Mike