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Insurance for Brits in Europe after March 29th !! WARNING !! Insurance for Brits in Europe after March 29th !! WARNING !!
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  #1  
Old 11 Feb 2019
*Touring Ted*'s Avatar
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Insurance for Brits in Europe after March 29th !! WARNING !!
I've just got off the phone to my insurance company (Van) and I was informed that after the 29th March, I will not be covered to drive in the E.U on my policy.

The lady said I would need to apply and pay for separate insurance. In essence, a Green Card.

I'm not sure if that's their policy or law but It's worth looking into.

Now I know that things are very up and down and no one really knows what will happen yet; but it's worth checking your insurance before you cross the channel with your vehicle.

As we know. If insurance companies CAN exploit you. They WILL !!
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  #2  
Old 11 Feb 2019
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That's interesting Ted. I just renewed my bike insurance last Friday and spent some time talking with the broker rep about not only post Brexit legal cover but also Euro breakdown. On both counts I was told that nothing would change; I'd get the usual 35 days per trip and be just as covered as I am now. Neither of our car insurance companies (one policy taken out a month ago) have said anything either.
Whether it's head in the sand on their part or whether your company is assuming it'll be no deal and you won't be able to get to the ports anyway because of all the backed up trucks I've no idea but, as the old Chinese curse goes, 'may you live in interesting times'.
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  #3  
Old 11 Feb 2019
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It's obvious each insurance company has its own quirks. In general they tend to "insure" themselves far better than their clients. Better check in advance for peace of mind.

Like Ted said, if they can exploit you they will.
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  #4  
Old 11 Feb 2019
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Here is what my bike insurance paperwork says. So UK is still UK and EU is still EU (whether with UK or without).
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  #5  
Old 12 Feb 2019
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Does your paperwork say that they reserve the right change their policy at any time ?

Small print !!
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  #6  
Old 12 Feb 2019
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Quote:
Originally Posted by *Touring Ted* View Post
Does your paperwork say that they reserve the right change their policy at any time ?

Small print !!
Hi Ted,

It says something like that:

Quote:
This document is evidence of a legally binding
contract of insurance between you (the insured)
and us (the Insurer named in your Policy Schedule).
The contract does not give, nor does it intend to
give, rights to anyone else. No-one else has the right
to enforce any part of this contract. We may cancel
or change any part of this contract without getting
anyone else’s permission.
But my assumption would be that if they change the contract I have the right to withdraw as I may not agree with their new T&Cs. Doesn't help much if you want to ride abroad...
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Old 12 Feb 2019
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Quote:
Originally Posted by *Touring Ted* View Post

As we know. If insurance companies CAN exploit you. They WILL !!
As of the moment I would consider this fear mongering from the insurers as they've sensed blood. We have to see how it will evolve but for sure they will jump in and exploit if the no deal happens.

cheers
dooby
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  #8  
Old 13 Feb 2019
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There's some reports that phone roaming charges may go the same way with deal / no deal only changing the amount by which they'll rise. Fearmongering? - maybe but if the phone companies can see any chink of price rise light they're likely to try it on.
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Old 13 Feb 2019
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Be interesting to see what happens in the other direction, EU riders/drivers travelling to UK. Most likely nothing!
As a side note: I have met bikers on trips who live in EU countries and have said they have cover for countries like Albania included, which as far as I know UK policy holders can't get very easy. Bit annoying when you're at the Albania border and hear that!
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Old 13 Feb 2019
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Originally Posted by g6snl View Post
...I have met bikers on trips who live in EU countries and have said they have cover for countries like Albania included, which as far as I know UK policy holders can't get very easy.
My guess is that is just a matter of supply and demand. An insurer in Slovenia will likely see considerably more demand from their clients for coverage that extends to neighboring non-EU countries (such as Albania & the former Yugoslavian countries) than an insurer based in the UK.

Here's a similar example from Canada: I can get a 10% discount on my Ontario insurance for my car if I put snow tires on it in the winter. That same discount is not offered on Vancouver Island, where it hardly ever snows.

I don't think it is a conspiracy, it's just a matter of the vendor responding to demand (or lack thereof) for a service.

Michael
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Old 13 Feb 2019
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Originally Posted by g6snl View Post
As a side note: I have met bikers on trips who live in EU countries and have said they have cover for countries like Albania included, which as far as I know UK policy holders can't get very easy. Bit annoying when you're at the Albania border and hear that!
Albania and most of the Balkans are absolutely covered under the Green Card system: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intern...graphic_limits

Domestic traffic insurance in an EU country should come with free Green Card coverage. If your insurer charges extra for Albania, well, like I said before, UK insurers are absolutely ridiculous, and also, this is what you guys voted for in the referendum. :P
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Old 17 Feb 2019
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Quote:
Originally Posted by *Touring Ted* View Post
...I was informed that after the 29th March, I will not be covered to drive in the E.U on my policy... I would need to apply and pay for separate insurance. In essence, a Green Card...
The link below confirms that a green card *may* be necessary if the European Commission doesn't confirm the May 2018 agreement to waive green cards, but that your insurance company should issue it free-of-charge.

https://inews.co.uk/essentials/lifes...ce-green-card/

Bear in mind that whatever rules are implemented in Europe for British drivers will likely be reciprocated for European drivers in the UK, so let's hope sense prevails.

I'm exiting the UK on my current insurance documents on 26 March for several weeks. The date was deliberately chosen so my dog wouldn't need a titer test to enter the foreign realm.
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