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COMESA / Yellow Card Insurance COMESA / Yellow Card Insurance
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  #1  
Old 10 Jan 2008
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Question COMESA / Yellow Card Insurance
Howdy folks

Has anyone managed to purchase COMESA / Yellow Card Insurance before they hit Africa or can it only be purchased when you get there?

Lots of talk on the HUBB about the usefullness of it but none on where it can be purchased....

Thanks

Niallo
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  #2  
Old 5 Feb 2008
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Any news?
Hey Niallo

I've been looking into this too, haven't found anything out, have you since this post?

I've asked the AA in South Africa, who referred me to a crowd in the UK called 'Locktin' but it turned out to be a dead end as they don't offer it anymore.
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  #3  
Old 7 Feb 2008
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Not yet
Howdy Mark - just saw that post now...

Have just started looking into it.

I think you might need an address in SA for those boyz to sort you out. Will let you know how I get on

Niall
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  #4  
Old 7 Feb 2008
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Valid in: ANG; BOT; BUR; DRC; DJI; EGT; ERI; ETH; KEN; LES; MAL; MOZ; NAM; RSA; RWA; SOM; SUD; SWA; TAN; UGA; ZAM; ZIM.

You can't buy it in SA and so if you start there either buy in Zim or Zam.

The COMESA is not valid in the country in which you buy it. Therefore you have to buy LOCAL 3rd party insurance first - the COMESA is then an extension of this policy.

the only contact I have is in Kenya: Ring Mary Githinji at the AA in Nairobi - give her all your car details - tell her how long you want it to last and when you want it to start. She'll then sort out your local insurance and COMESA. Organise collection/payment with her...she is an honest broker, please pay her my regards.

MARY M. GITHINJI
BRANCH MANAGER-AA OF KENYA
SARIT CENTRE 2ND FLR-WESTLANDS
TELEFAX:+254 020 4449676
TEL: 3753481/3743196,0726 829851,0733 745692
EMAIL:mary.githinji@aakenya.co.ke
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Old 4 Feb 2009
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Has anyone since been able to arrange this before they get to Africa? we will be entering from Syria/Jordan/Egypt. Does anyone know if you can buy it in any of these countries?

Thanks
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  #6  
Old 4 Feb 2009
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I wasn't able to arrange any in advance, but had no problems at all without it

(that was about 10 months ago)
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  #7  
Old 4 Feb 2009
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The COMESA yellow card is only a replacement for buying 3rd party insurance everytime you enter a country at approx. 50 bucks a pop. Basicly it is alot cheaper than buying it individually on a long multi-country road trip. It also saves time at borders changing forex and getting squeezed. I have been specifically asked for it by police in TZ and Zambia and i always buy it as it just makes life easier.
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  #8  
Old 13 Feb 2009
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Two days ago I was told the Comesa YC insurance is not valid in Egypt - even though the card says it is. I was told this in Wadi Halfa, Sudan - I'm in Aswan today and will know in another couple days when the bike gets here and I can get it through customs.

I entered South Africa in June - spent 4 months riding around SA, Namibia and Botswana and nobody asked about insurance (even got stopped a few times by the police for "infractions" and no one asked).

I was required to get insurance crossing into Mozambique - and the insurance agents at the border crossing all claimed ignorance about Comesa. Same at Malawi border. Finally in Tanzania they were able to provide Comesa YC - but then crossing into Kenya, Ethiopia and Sudan, no one mentioned anything about insurance, cared if I had any.

I think its all a scam - all the insurance. Anyone ever see details of the "policy". What's covered? What's the limits? Or, what's excluded? (Ans: everything, especially if your a foreigner! but I'm such a cinyc ).
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  #9  
Old 13 Feb 2009
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That may be because you're on a bike. A fully loaded 4x4 full of well fed whitey, in their air conditioned cocoon, will look a darn sight more "shakedownable" than a slightly soiled, solitary, biker.

I have travelled between Kenya and SA many times and I have oftened been asked for insurance (and often COMESA by name in TZ, ZW and ZM) by police road blocks. When you#re driving a vehicle you will often be asked for insurance during the border clearing process and sometimes you won't get your gate pass without it - think this happened to me in Botswana.
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  #10  
Old 14 Feb 2009
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bundubasher View Post
...a slightly soiled, solitary, biker.
I resemble that remark, except I'm not "slightly soiled" - I'm way soiled. But at least I've washed my riding gear in the past year - unlike a cerain Irish guy riding this way (I won't mention any names) in a Black BMW Ralley suit.
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  #11  
Old 14 Feb 2009
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In SA, Nam and Bots 3rd party insurance is covered by road tax and as a levie on petrol so you are paying it without knowing it.

Coming from the North the first place you can buy Comesa is in Addis. They won't ask for it in Metema or Shehedi but just don't ask them either. Once in Addis go to "Africa Insurance"(one of the big insurance companies in town) or something like that and they will direct you on where to go.

I actually got through Ethiopia and all the way down to Nairobi without it. At Mojale I asked the customs guy and he said I can't get it at the border but can ride through and buy it in Nairobi. Bought it from an insurance company 200m from Jungle Junction. (Ask Chris for directions). This will though cost you more in the end because insurance for Kenya is much more expensive than Ethiopia I am led to believe.

Again I think the Comesa does indicate Egyp but their agreement with the "Development Zone" was not agreed or withdrawn or something like that so it might not count. Anyway I'm sure the Egyptians will find a way of sucking that money out of you one way or another.
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  #12  
Old 23 Apr 2009
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where to buy comesa in southern africa
Hey folks,

we travelled down the african westcoast by 4x4.
For the east-coast-part of our trip we're now trying to buy the "comesa Yellow Card" .

Does anybody know where it's possible to get?

The South African AA just sells Insurance for Mocambique and Sambia, but not the whole thing. Is it possible to buy the Yellow Card in MOZ or in Sambia - and, where?

Cheers,
robin
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  #13  
Old 23 Apr 2009
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Not sure about Moz although they are a signaturary.

Jupiter Insurance Bulawayo
Zimsure Bulawayo or Harare

Any major insurer in Francistown or Gabs in Bots.

Ditto in Livingstone.

Just ask any local.
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  #14  
Old 24 Apr 2009
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Comesa
I have been asked for insurance and for Comesa in particular on many occassions, defo take it out as Bundubasher says, saves time and hassle.

Beware Moz border, they will deny knowledge and say they are no longer a signatory but stick to your guns and they wi give in - worked for me

ChrisC
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  #15  
Old 24 Apr 2009
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Comesa
I have been asked for insurance and for Comesa in particular on many occassions, defo take it out as Bundubasher says, saves time and hassle.

Beware Moz border, they will deny knowledge and say they are no longer a signatory but stick to your guns and they wi give in - worked for me

ChrisC
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