Hi
I would just compare this situation to any other EU country.Why not?
Imagine to enter from a non EU into it with no valid insurance,they would put your vehicle on a truck and secure it into parking lot untill you pay the fine and show a valid insurance.
I know its tempting to travel as cheap as posible.....but reality show up once you have some problem.I don´t even risk to go to any mercosur country without the "green" extention.If someone does i would say he is just stupid.And dirty cops know that.That is why the stupid guy must pay and feed the vultures!Untill he learns his lessons.
My experience shows that having at least a minimum on legality pays out.
As said its tempting to ride as cheap as posible.....just calculate insurance into the budget.
Karl

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http://vientoderipio.blogspot.com/
America is a nice continent,not a country.All people who lives in this continent are americans.Discover it in peace!

For the most part, I agree. I'll buy a week's worth or a month's worth of insurance for the countries in which I travel voluntarily, because it seems like a good idea just in case. However....

At the moment I'm in Peru, where insurance is available from just one agency nationwide (SOAT), which apparently will insure only for a yearlong period, at a cost of 600 soles, which is over US$200. That's too much money, so I'm taking my chances. In transiting Serbia I was forced to buy minimal coverage for, AFAIR, 90 euros; in that case, too, I would've gone without had I any choice.

In other countries I've been unable to even find insurance for sale: Ukraine comes to mind, where no one I asked would insure and American rider on an American bike. In Albania I didn't find insurance until I was on the verge of leaving the country....and it cost an unacceptable amount of money anyway. It's not always as simple as "buy insurance just in case."

The age when I routinely drove uninsured (and sometimes unregistered, unlicensed and unsafely) is long past me, thank god. This is part of what "older and wiser" is supposed to signify.

Mark

(departing Huaraz, Peru)

Mark
I know,some times by crossing borders there is no chance to get any insurance at all! We are still to far away to say just buy cheap reliable insurance at the border!!!!!!
It would make things a bit safer and easier what?
Take care and avoid corrupt cops in Peru.......
Karl

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http://vientoderipio.blogspot.com/
America is a nice continent,not a country.All people who lives in this continent are americans.Discover it in peace!

Hi there

I just entered Peru this arvo from Ecuador and used the Huaqillas entry port. It was a confusing entry but that apart, I asled specifically about insurance and was told that is was not needed?

I had read this thread before I entered and was prepared with dollars to do the deed, but it seems it is not needed?

I was also pulled up at the customs control point prior to Mancora and although they checked my VIP and vehicle sticker, that is all they wanted to see.

I have no idea whether I am in a bad situation, but we shall see, only another 2000km to go

Cheers
TS

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www.travellingstrom.com

TS, Thanks for your report that border officials have stated proof of insurance is not required to enter Peru. If you have read this thread, you may have realized that what some South American "authorities" say might or might not be true. And, an official not asking to see proof of insurance, cannot be interpreted as insurance is not required. How good is your spanish, something may have been "lost in translation" here.

Officially, insurance may or may not be required, but it is needed/required if you are involved in an accident with substantial property damage, or personal injury, otherwise you will go to jail and remain there until the courts sort out if will be charged with the accident or not. This could take months. If you are charged, you may well be held in jail until the civil courts render a judgement, this could take years.

If you have insurance, your insurance agent might be able to bail you out, or you might not have to go to jail at all. And, most importantly, your insurance company will provide you with a qualified attorney. Fees to hire your own attorney in the event of a serious accident might be many thousand dollars.

My points are:
1. without insurance foreign tourists are held in jail until fault is determined by a judge, and you will be responsible for finding and paying a Peruvian attorney to represent you!

2. A valid insurance policy issued by a reputable insurance company is your "get out of jail card." Proof of insurance might not be mandatory in Peru, but it is required to insure your freedom in the event of a serious accident.

Check with other experienced foreign tourist over landers, get their opinion too. I have no dog in this fight, just too many years and too many tears remembering the plight of foreign tourists without insurance, involved in accidents in Mexico, Central and South America.

My advice is to buy motorcycle insurance even if it is not required by law.

Eat, Drink, and Be Careful xfiltrate

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Motorcycle Parking Buenos Aires, Argentina
www.xfiltrate.com
Discover how to legally Buy, Tour and Sell a motorcycle in Argentina

Hey Travelling Storm - we did the same entry as you.. was a bit confusing thru Huaquilles but otherwise Peru side was a breeze... We are now in central Argentina after travelling thru Peru and Chile and no problem with cops at all even though we were told not to stop for cops along the coast road from Sullana all the way through to Lima.. told its dangerous.. All we saw were cops waving at us and the odd one now and then stopped to say hallo and where are you heading and showed no papers at all. Never been asked for insurance anywhere.. Not to say it wont be required but so far we have had a total breeze all the way through central and Southern america. Maybe travelling 2 up has something to do with it.

Take care and hope you are having fun.

Julie Bunny

Having fun, should be at Lake Tiitcaca for Xmas on the beach(a bit like home except 4000m in the air)

Cheers
TS

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www.travellingstrom.com