COMESA, Travelling from south to north
 

This was explained really nicely to me by an insurance agent in Zambia. COMESA is an extension of the 3rd party insurance you have to buy for countries outside of SADC and that are part of the COMESA agreement. These countries include: BUR, DRC, DJI, EGT, ERI, ETH, KEN, LBY, MAL, RWA, SUD, SWA, TAN, UGA, ZAM, and ZIM. Your COMESA is only valid for as long as the principal policy is valid for.

Now, the AA of South Africa ad well as insurance agencies in Zimbabwe does not actually understand how this works and they have been quoting and charging people an insane amount of money for their COMESA.

COMESA, valid for one year and all countries costs $65. That’s it! The only other cost is the 3rd party policy for the country you o9btain the COMESA in.

In May 2010 we obtained ours from the Chirundu border between Zambia and Zimbabwe from the normal insurance agent and the total cost, including Zambia was $150 for all countries for ne year. It is cheaper for shorter periods.

Hi Dawie, thanks for the info, now on behalf of the the mentally challenged among us a question. Does this mean that I can use the fuel tarrif (3rd party insurance loading) as my first insurance when I arrive in Durban and then when leaving the South Africa, Botswana, Namibia trade zone at say the Namibia/Zambia border and getting my carnet stamped out, I can buy my COMESA at the that border thereby having cover for all of the other places mentioned. Or, do I have to get separate insurance (not the fuel tarrif) in ZA as my country of entry into Africa and keep that valid all the time I am riding around Africa to keep the COMESA valid? Sorry for being thick but the last time, I think it was the Kenya/Tanzania border, that I bought a CAMESA I didn't have any insurance to start with as no-one in Kenya seemed to be selling it. Get me straight on this and I will detour if necessary to buy you a beer. beerRide safe

short answer, Get COMESA in Zambia.

ZA's 3rd party in in the fuel, so no need for extra insurance there. Botswana you pay a small fee now and Namibia I think is also included in the fuel. There are some cross border charges there, but again, not much at all. COMESA is not valid in tose countires and if you are bale to get it (AA of South Africa) you'll pay about four times as much as in Zambia becasue they do not understand how it works.

Zambia will be the first country where COMESA will be valid and also the first country where the price will be reasonable. The prices quoted above is for a 4.2l 80 Serries Land Cruiser, so presumably it will be even cheaper on a bike.

Thanks Dawie, that seems clear enough even for me and just about perfect for my basic route north. hope we cross tracks,'cos I owe you one. Ride safe.