bike insurance mandatory for Panama? + details for Belize, Nicaragua and Costa Rica
 

Hi guys,

currently we are in Costa Rica, heading south.
For Belize, Nicaragua and Costa Rica we had to buy motorcycle insurance (details below).
Those three I had expected, but now a buddy told me, he had to buy one for Panama, too.
Can anybody confirm, that it is really mandatory to get one for Panama?

Details for Belize, Nicaragua and Costa Rica:
For these countries in Central America we had to buy an insurance:

Belize:
1 day = 18 USD
1 week = 29 USD
2 weeks = 46 USD
Not necessary at the border, but police checked the insurance several times.

Nicaragua:
30 days: 12 USD
Neither at the border nor police bothered (two cop-stops: one lazy one very tough)

Costa Rica:
3 month: 6.736 CRC (appr. 14 USD)
Required for vehicle permit at the border = no chance to get around it.

cheers

Panny

no idea what the law is, but with the exception of mexico, (and i don't know about belize) I just bought at the border where it was required- if it is mandatory you will have to pay up before getting the import permit.

Mileage varies.....

Edit: We entered Panama by air from Colombia and insurance was not mandatory to import the bike. I think it is actually a requirement for overland border entry.

In the spring of 2010 I crossed into Panama via Rio Sereno and was made to buy liability insurance before they would issue the import permit. I can't remember exactly how much but $20US for 60 days sticks in my mind for some reason.

In Central America insurance was mandatory in Panama, Costa Rica, Nicaragua and Belize. The first three made me purchase the insurance before issuing the import permit. Belize did not ask for it during the import stage. I just rode into Belize afterwards and bought the horrendously expensive policy at the little insurance hut.


...Michelle
www.scrabblebiker.com

Thanx!
Seems I will have to purchase one.

greetings from Costa Rica

Panny