Hey guys,

We are to New Zealanders who are about to fly to Alaska in a few days for a pan-am scooter ride (150cc). We have suddenly encountered problems with our local insurance company (1cover) who have said that they won't insure us for accidents on our bikes because we don't hold "full" motorcycle licenses. In New Zealand there are 3 levels of license, Learner, Restricted and Full. Each license has a few limitations such as max engine displacement allowed etc. My companion and I hold a restricted and a learners license. We can not get an IDP in our country without a full license and we will be unable to get our full licenses before we leave. Our insurance company initially said they would cover us so long as we were riding within the restrictions of our licenses, now they say they won't and others have also said they won't.
It is my understanding that when we arrive in the US, their local driving insurance will cover us for accidents (through a company like Progressive) but we are concerned that they may also bail on us if we don't have IDPs or full licenses.
We are hoping for any information that might be useful. Can we sit a license test in the US if we absolutely have to? Has anyone been insured with a different company under similar circumstances?
We are freaking out a bit with this news so close to our departure. Any help much appreciated.

I would go on the Progressive web site and go through the procedure and see what happens. Sorry I can't help with US licensing laws although I get the impression that Alaska is a bit more accommodating than some of the lower 48. Perhaps someone in the Anchorage community could help. Ride safe.

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Mike
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Mike is riding the twisty road in the sky

What insurance are you talking about, travel as in medical etc. or motor as in for damage to other people and property?

It is not unusualy for you to need a full licence to get either type of insurance for foreign travel, others have found out after an accident that their insurance both medical and motor is invalid due to not holding a full licenced even when they thought they made this clear when taking it out, beware.

Thanks for the info. We are mostly concerned about injury to ourselves and others. I will give Progressive and Fernet a call today.

you need a social security number to get a driving license in the states, but if you can get insurance from Motorcycle Express - Ship Your Bike with the license you have then no need to worry as they cover the states for foriegn riders