I just crossed into Peru from Bolivia and was asked for insurance for the first time. Careless as I am, I haven´t got one. They told me I'd have to buy insurance in Puno (2 hours from the border), the bike would have to stay at the border. I could not buy an insurance at the border. So I paid a 20 Soles (7 Dollar) bribe to be able to pass with the bike. On the way to Puno I was stopped by the police and asked for insurance again. Another 50 Soles bribe to get through (I didn't want them to keep my bike either). Now I am in Puno and the insurance costs 200 Dollars!!
Does anyone know how I can get a cheaper insurance? Or any ideas what I can do?
Would be nice to get some advice soon as I have to leave tomorrow.
Thanks
Peer

Ok, I found a solution which may or may not work, the next police control will show. In case somebody else finds himself in a similar situation, this is what I did:
I needed a SOAT (solicitud de seguro obligatorio de accidentes de transito) document, in Puno there are two offices selling these (for 200 Dollars or 600 Soles, valid for a year, shorter periods are not possible).
In the second office I went to I did not say that I need the insurance, but a paper I can show the police when they molest me. The insurance salesman said he could give me a stamped and signed contract and a copy of the insurance document, but not the original. This wouldn't cover me in case of an accident, but it should satisfy the police. Of course I'd have to show my gratitude (i.e. pay him some money for it).
The contract states that I have paid the 600 Soles and the copy of the insurance document contains all my (and the bike) details. In case the police asks for the original I should say that I went to the office very late, too late to put the insurance into the system. Therefore the insurance company will send me the original document to my next hotel (where I will stay for a bit longer). The location of this hotel is of course flexible, i.e. if I am on the way to Cuzco, they will send it to Cuzco; if I am on the way to Lima, they will send it to Lima etc.
Next to the date on the contract is the time, 6.45 pm, the office closes at 6.30 pm (I was actually there at 3 pm) which makes the story more plausible.
In the end I didn't even have to pay anything for this favour, because I am a poor student (actually I was, but the student ID is still valid) and my name is the same as the salesman's son, he seemed to like that.

Hope this will help someone else.
Peer

Hi PeerG, it is too bad no one was able to respond sooner to your question. This is a common scam that police officers in Peru pull on traveling motorcyclists. Whether you need insurance or not in Peru, the police are just looking to get a bribe out of you. The trick is to carry insurance documents in a different language (99% will not be able to understand English, 100% will not understand German) and no matter what do not concede to the police that you are in the wrong.

When they question your insurance make your point that you have researched the insurance requirements in every country and purchased a foreign insurance plan that covers you in every S.A. country. After that, if they keep asking you scam questions start changing the subject and asking them about soccer. Act confident with them and they will be less likely to pull something. If they keep going for the bribe ask to drive to the nearest police station and talk to their captain. Ask to see their identification and then write their names and badge numbers down. When they tell you not to write them down tell them that it is a requirement by Peruvian law for police officers to give their names and id's when ticketing someone.

This sounds like a lot of work to go through instead of paying a bribe but trust me that if you give in and pay the bribe the cop will be radioing all his buddies in the following towns to pull you over. If you pay the bribe you are also making it that much harder for the next motorcyclist to get through there.

BTW: Speaking Spanish will definitely help you, but do not be afraid to just argue in Spanglish. The cops will make fun of you and say you can not understand but as long as you are confident and polite you will get through there without paying

Another trick for those not wanting to be bothered. Cover your bike in blue painters tape and then duct tape. Your bike will look like it was made in China but you will hardly ever get pulled over by the questionable police.

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http://www.journeyrider.net Latin America blog (07-8)

I agree. I've lived many years in Peru and just in the past3 years have they begun enforcing the SOAT insurance thing. Even in the provinces. The officials will want to see BOTH the triangle sticker AND the documentation backing it up.

But being jovial as you arrive at each police control (as if you have reached your dream destination and these police are the greatest folks in the world) with excitement, questions, and appreciation, my experience is that they want to know about YOU and not your paperwork!

If you begrudginly stop, as if you have been bothered, showing superiority and stubborness, you are going to get it both barrels!

You decide. You get from life WHAT YOU PUT INTO IT! It also helps to speak Spanish, showing that you care about their language and culture.

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http://www.aroundtheblockmotoadventures.com/
'We build the bike (in Peru) for your Epic Ride of South America.'