I've bought a bike in the UK ( I'm still in Oz) for a trip to the Middle East and need to get insurance for it in the UK. The insurance companies that have got back to me have said that as a non-permanent resident, they won't insure my bike.

The V5 form will be in my name with a UK address.

Can someone give me advice or a company that will do the job.

I have a Aussie bike licence and an international licence ( for all they're worth!).

You say on the V5 form you use a UK-address (friend's address?). Can you not just use this address for your insurance paper?

The licence may be a problem. Many insurance companies just insure for EU licences.

I've had the same problem, however I managed to get a quote from Maria Alessie in Holland for the seven weeks Im there. Not cheap by any means. The total cost is getting quite high, Im considering hiring a bike instead.

Im taking my australian registered bike across to europe on Australian licence. I have UK licence as well but doesnt make any difference as they normally want you to be permanent resident. If the worst comes to the worst you can get green card insurance for about 50 euros a month.
Do a search for green card in this forum.

What you could do is apply for UK licence. Get someone in UK to get you the forms from the post office. All you do is complete the thing with UK address £44 I think it costs and 2-3 weeks later your sorted with UK bike UK licence!

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Steven
Perth to Perth 2012

Managed to get it online from one of the major bike insurance companies. I had a UK address and they accepted a 'international licence'.

thanks for you comments

OK, I'll ask the obvious question: which company?

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Dave

Hi all

Could some one out there please help me with information about obtaining bike insurance in the UK ?

I am planning to buy a bike in the UK for touring the Uk over 6 or 8 weeks in late April.

I have been making enquiries with a number of insurers and brokers in the UK but have been getting conflicting information about insurance being available to non-Uk residents.

I have an Australian licence (and will also obtain an international one). I will be able to provide a local residential/contact address for the duration of my stay.

Can some one PLEASE help me as the time for my trip is approaching fast and I started making enquiries about this issue some 4 months ago with so far no success.

Many thanks guys

I'm in the same situation. US resident bought UK bike,have UK address,non-resident.Has anyone got a solution?xpag didn't say which company he used.Anyone else resolve this?
Thanks,
Michael

G'day mznyc,
I bought a bike (1992 XJ900) on eBay in the UK which was sent to a freind's place who stored it. I was in Australia. I then contacted many insurance companies and tried to buy online. Bennets was the only one that allowed an 'international licence'. I gave the UK address where the bike located. They assumed that I was residing in the UK. It was really cheap; full comprehensive for 1200GBP for 87GBP. I think it was cheaper for me as I was 58yo. I used the address where I was staying and I had an international licence. The only problem was that I was not a resident.

We didn't get green cards, just bought insurance at the borders, easy and pretty cheap. The ferry ticket from UK to France worked as proof of insurance when entering Greece.

Once I had the insurance I could get the bike taxed. If I had have had an accident, I'm not sure what would have happened. Did 17,500km from UK to Damascus and back, not even a flat tyre! the trip's on (http://www.newbold-thebigride.blogspot.com) if you're interested.

The insurance was a means to have registration papers in a name which matched the passport to make border crossings easier. The bikes were disposable, we weren't trying to protect our investments. It was a risk we were prepared to take. Fortunately, nothing went wrong.
Irresponsible, perhaps.

I had a similar situation, although I was actually a resident.. The main problem is that they all want a UK licence.
Try "express insurance" Cheap Car Insurance UK, Van Insurance, Motorcycle Insurance,*Cheap Bike Insurance (might have to ring to get the quote with a non uk licence, but I ended up getting one that bypassed the need for UK..) Bonus is they cover 90 days of EU travel and breakdown cover. Just have to tell 'em when you're going.. Although they did screw me in that they didn't recognise my previous no claims bonus because "we're not allowed to recognise no claims outside the UK". Which is English speak for "we could, but we won't or can't be bothered".

Hope that helps someone. It's a major pain in the arse the UK's obsession with sticking the "must have a UK licence" casually throughout everything.

If you're staying in the UK: you can just swap over your licence.

Hello,

I have a friend who how brought a motorbike but he is a non uk resident. Does anyone know of any UK insurance companies that will insure him while he is here?

Many thanks