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Driving insurance Andean countries Peru, Ecuador, Colombia
Hi guys,
We have travelled through the south part of the continent (Argentina, Chile, Bolivia) and are now making our way into Peru, Ecuador and Colombia. Our MERCOSUR driving insurance does not cover countries of the ANDEAN group, above. Can you please advise for an adequate insurance for Peru, Ecuador and Lima? We are currently in London and will be back in Lima next week. Thank you |
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I have been stopped in Lima, N of Lima (fishing for bribes) and between Juliaca & Cusco (soborno fishing as well). Only on the later was I asked for insurance papers. I produced my Intl Drvrs licence, which they read thoroughly and rejected, so I told them my paper was left at the Puno Aduanas. They allowed me to proceed to Cusco where I promised I would get another copy and take it to the tourist police. They then tired of me and let me proceed. Little did I know, I needed to pass the spot again on my way to Arequipa, I told them I could not get a copy of my Ins in Cusco and was going back to Puno to get my original. They told me I needed to leave my passport to continue, so I gave them 20 soles (apologies fellow hubbers) and was allowed to pass. In EC, & CO, I have never been stopped. I am sure your current papers, especially if in english will suffice on the rare occasion you may be asked for insurance papers. I was also told (by a knowlegable moto tourer that lives in Cusco) that as a foreigner, I am not able to buy I insurance in Peru. Hope this helps. |
They'll be happy to sell you insurance in Peru....for a full year only, at a fairly steep price. That's why most do without, and that's why there's such a good business extorting from travelers without insurance. If you want to verify this you need only stop at any insurance office in any reasonable-sized town; they all sell the same product at the same price.
Most will end up not buying insurance in the countries where this is possible. Colombia requires it and it's available but the soldiers who ask for it at roadblocks will be satisfied with any old scrap of paper, including expired insurance slips from your home country. At some Colombian border crossings the aduana checks before issuing your temporary import papers, but at others they don't. The OP sounds like one of those rare motorcycle travelers who makes an effort to always be insured. I, on the other hand, bought no insurance at all in Chile, Argentina, Peru, Ecuador, Brazil, Uruguay, Paraguay, Bolivia, and one one of two trips through Colombia. Elsewhere, I bought whatever I needed to continue onwards. The general rule is that where it's required, someone will be made available who will sell it to you. The question of what will happen in the event that you actually try to use your insurance is another matter entirely. Hope that helps. Mark |
I was stopped by cops in Colombia over a dozen times I reckon, and never once was i asked to show the SOAT (insurance) In Colombia I got the instint impression that if you are a foreigner traveling on a moto, the cops just give you a pass. Never any problems in Colombia.
In Ecuador I was stopped a few times. They asked to see my import permit, but never anything else. Zero problems. Mostly good cops I think. I have been in Peru for a few weeks now. Got stopped by the cops numerous times, never asked to see anything, or asked for a mordida. Without exception, they all asked what country I was from, welcomed me to Peru, told me to drive safely, and sent me on my way. YMMV, but this is just my unique experience and I had no problems at all. In fact, the police in all three countries were very polite and very helpful when I needed directions or advice. I have heard horror stories about the cops, but in my experiences in the last few months, I have not had any problems with the cops in these countries at all and never once was I asked for insurance. They have all been very professional with me. |
Soat
Hi,
I`ve just been in Colombia. Have been stopped to show Insurance. The nice cops even showed me the paragraph: They are allowed to immobilize your bike, even if you have an insurance but not with you at that time. I think Peru is the same. It`s just not a good position in an argument with the police. by the way, the insurrance in Colombia isn`t expensive and can be bought for 3 months. Just have something to show if you want avoid an argument about money. Edit: Almost always have had good exp with cops. Not saying they`re all evil, it`s just better to prepare for the one in hundred. |
Colombia SOAT
One big positive about the SOAT in Colombia is that when you break your leg trying to avoid a Volkwagan Passat all your medical expenses are taken care of.
A big relief as they start to hammer a big ol titanium rod through your shinbone! These Colombian Doctors know their shit,as I was the third broken leg in a motorcycle accident that day! Al |
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You buy the insurance not because you have to show it to cops but in the unfortunate event you have an accident, and that happens a lot down here, what would happen if you hit a drunken guy who jumps in front of your mc on a red light? if you don't have the insurance, you are in deeeep problems, your photocopy of whatever paper won't prevent you to have your bike seized and for you to go to jail (automatically when there are injuries)... |
Principles and practicalities
On principle I think you should have insurance if a country requires this and it can be obtained at reasonable price and with reasonable effort. From my recent trip through the same countries I remember the following:
Colombia - insurance required, can be obtained at 45 USD / 3 months. Never asked for by police Ecuador - not required for tourist vehicle if in country < 1 month Peru - required but only obtainable for 1 year at 500 USD. As earlier post shows a money making scheme for police. Have a tricked paper ready that shows Peru and the required dates. If that does not work, be prepared to negotiate a problem-solving present to police. Have a small amount of cash handy in your wallet - the "this is all I have on me scheme". Bolivia - not required for tourist vehicle if in country < 1 month Argentina, Chile - required, 10 USD / month, minimum 3 months. We never were checked (except at the wellknown-corrupt police highway-to-Iguazu) The insurances that are being sold seem to be pretty effective in situations where you need them (that is, accidenst, not police checks), so first world arrogance with respect to usefulness is misplaced. Good luck |
Well, I'd be very interested in hearing from any non-residents (i.e., tourists) who got any practical benefit from their South American/Central American insurance. The mere fact that I've never met such a person doesn't mean they're not out there....somewhere.
In the meantime, in the absence of such reportage I'll maintain a dubious attitude. This is not "arrogance," but rather my normal constitutional approach to the unknown. Auke, have you had such an experience with your own insurance? Do you personally know of anyone who has? Albert, I believe you're a resident, correct? Mark |
No
No! At the time I was a tourist visa holder.My residency was finally done about two months later.
Al |
Thanks a lot Auke and others. Indeed the price is steep for the insurance in Peru, we'll try to see what we can do around it... Unfortunately, we are constantly asked for it!
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Though now being a resident in Colombia, I'll still answer as I have seen first hand what happens to tourists without insurance.
I was riding around with a couple of guys (tourist bikers) looking for spare parts as one got hit by a car from behind. He did not crash but took a couple of hundred meters to get balance and stop. When the police and transito arrived the owner of the car was all crazy angry and blamed the bike for riding in infront of him. Anyhow after hours of talk and waiting, since they biker didn't have insurance, we all agreed (on suggestion from transito) that its was better for all that he paid the guy for the repairs on the car (200 USD) than actually starting arguing who fault, as this would result in transito having to confiscate the vehicles and he not getting his bike back for not having insurance. Saved by transito - but could have gone much worse! Next day the biker and his two buddies wanted to make it to the borer only to be stopped by a this time corrupt police patrol - having to pay 100 USD each to the police to be able to continue riding. So finally they came back to me and we went and got they that f... 40 USD 3 month insurance! Save your self the hassle - really! |
Hey, I spent a year touring around South America by motorbike, and I got my insurance from the Andean countries from a friend of mine from Colombia. She's an old friend, all good & honest & all the rest of it if you're worried about that, and she insured me for all the Andean countries. Can't remember how much it was, but it was pretty damn cheap. Here's her contact details, if you've any questions drop her a line, tell her Mini from Ireland sent you. Hope it's some help.
Margarita Alvarez margaritalvarezg@hotmail.com luzgallon@asesorsuramericana.com.co |
In Ecuador if you have a crash without SOAT you will go first to jail and I hope you have a good layer, don't risk that for saving 45 Dollars.;;;
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In some of the countries it is possible to get insurance for the short term, and it is worth it! Why worry. In Colombia it took us all morning to find a place that could sell us insurance for only one month... all the others told us that only a one year policy (expensive) was available. They were just being lazy!
In Peru, Chile, Argentina I didn't bother with the insurance because I couldn't find a short term policy. I was only asked for insurance papers two times, at the infamous rip-off points heading north from Buenos Aires. This is where PhotoShop came in handy. I had copied my car insurance from Panama and changed the info to my bike. Then I added an "international coverage" endorsement. Worked like a charm with corrupt cops looking for a bribe, but obviously not much good in case of an accident. |
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