My mate Chris is going to Australia for a month or so in November and has, very generously, been offered the free use of his host's TDM 900 while he's there. The problem is, his host cannot get anyone in Oz to insure him. Chris is insured with BMW Insurance here in the UK (he's got a GS), and they won't touch it because it's not a BMW. I've sent him the links for bike insurance from the E-zine, but can anyone else recommend a source for short term Australian insurance? He's got a clean UK licence etc - this doesn't feel like it ought to be a major problem, but we're coming up against a few brick walls......

Thanks

Mike

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Chasing money's no way to live

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Chasing money\'s no way to live

MikeO, perhaps Chris's generous host would add Chris's name to his insurance policy as a nominated rider ? (could test the friendship, tho' ......)

Phil

As i understand it, any bike with an oz registration plate is already covered, third party only, by the state, and i beleive from a legal point of view thats the only insurance you must have. Not sure how it will be affected if the bikes not registered to you but also, if he gets an oz licence when he arrives, and it takes no more than a couple of hours, on the paperwork for that it says that third party insurance comes with the licence, this is what i did.

I also contacted a company called Aurora insurance in oz and they would insure me, as a uk resident with a uk bike but it was pretty expensive and i didnt bother with it in the end.

Definitely worth checking on the third party bit to be sure its right but hope it helps.

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Will

Some day so soon....

Phil,

the problem seems to be that his host's insurance co won't (they say CAN'T) insure someone with a UK licence. Thanks for the replies - I'll definitely get him to look at the possibility of getting an Oz licence.

Mike

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Chasing money\'s no way to live

Mike,
it also may be worth checking whether an international licence would help things - probably easier and quicker to get than an Oz licence.
Who's Chris's mate insured with ?


p.s. Excellent Gibraltar journal !!!!!!

Phil

Thanks for all the advice! Chris is now the holder of an International Driving Licence & this allows him to ride the bike with minimum (3rd party) insurance - Result!

Mike:cool

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Chasing money\'s no way to live

I realize this is probably too late to help you, but maybe someone else later on may also read this thread. I found that in New South Wales that the registration "rego" and basic liability insurance were available to anyone, they go with the bike. To get comprehensive insurance,(public damage, collision, fire and theft) no one wanted to give me insurance unless I had an Australian motorcycle licence, My motorcycle license from Alberta and my international drivers permit were not acceptable. I found however that the NRMA (New South Wales Regional Motoring Association) had reciprical agreements with the Canadian Motoring Association of which I am a member. I was able to purchase insurance over the phone (phone number 132 132) they asked a few questions then took my Visa card number and I had insurance. A phone call will cancel it when you leave and if you do it on the monthly plan it cost me about $80.00 AUS per month (for a F650 Dakar). I would check to see if your local motoring association has a reciprical agreement with which ever Australian state motoring association you will be going to and if so join if you aren't already a member. Ride safe.

Chuck

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Woodchuck

Chuck:

Thanks VERY much for taking the time to make that post - I am considering touring in Australia with my Canadian registered bike in 2004, and the information you provided is priceless.

Michael

We found we could not insure our non-Australian registered bikes in Australia through local insuarnce companies. In the end, we went through the local motor vehicle department (RACQ). In Brisbane we paid A$55/bike for 6 months, 3rd party -- based on solo rider. No charge for road permit. Would have been A$300 for identical coverage issued in NSW or Victoria. Insurance and road permit are required in all states, and valid in all territories (so purchase in cheaper territories).

Insurance is not manditory in New Zealand. Using the carnet can help when asked to provide vehicle road permit (officer, the customs stamp is right there, of course this is adequet.)

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Ride safe, ride far, ride often!
Chris & Erin Ratay - www.UltimateJourney.com
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50 countries, 6 continents, 4 years, 2 motos, and 1 happy couple.


Work 10, Travel 2 - be inspired...
www.AdventureRealtyExperts.com

Please visit Cameron Simpson's homepage for up-to-date information on Australian motorcycling, including links to assist any person considering a motorcycle trip Down Under.

http://www.cskk.ezoshosting.com/cs/moto/index.html

Beaukatt
Sydney, Australia

Hi.

Does anyone know if a similar rule applies to NZ - even though insurance is not mandatory, does the state still provide 3rd Party insurance to the vehicle? Don't fancy getting sued in the event of an accident.

Also, do all states in oz supply this insurance? Just wondered if it was local legislation ie. the state where the bike's registered or the state where it's being ridden etc?

One other consideration I guess is medical insurance - in the event of a spill does travel insurance cover motorcycling?

The reason I'm asking all this is cause I'm going to NZ/Oz for a couple of years and will be buying a bike while I'm out there. First thing I guess is to get me an International Driving Licence. Only problem is, for Brits at least they're only valid for 12 mnths. Good news is they can be renewed by post (no need to even send original passport/uk licence - copies will do). For more info: http://www.theaa.com/getaway/idp/index.html

Cheers!
Chris

Chris,

the short answer is - I don't know - but if you're going for a couple of years, you're almost certainly going to need to get a local Driving Licence (you would if you were a Kiwi coming to the UK for that length of time - from memory your visitors licence would only cover you for 6 months).
Getting a NZ Licence would make all the difficulties with insurance etc vanish - that's the route I'd look at (I'm guessing you might not even have to take a test, there may be a simple administrative way to get the licence). Got to be worth an enquiry...

Mike

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Chasing money\'s no way to live

Chris,

The system in NZ is very different and very simple: in case of injuries the state-run Accident Compensation Corporation pays all medical expenses. In return, nobody can sue or be sued in case of injury however caused. The "premium" for this insurance is included in every vehicle's registration. Coverage is universal, i.e. not dependant on any contracts or payments.

This leaves liability for material damages you may cause. Insurance for this is not compulsory in NZ (unfortunately!) and so there are a lot of un-insured vehicles on the road. As these are usually the older vehicles driven by people of "moderate means" many Kiwis with valuable vehicles take out full insurance. 'Cause if your Rolls gets written off by an un-insured car whose owner has no money you are left with our own loss...

For the visitor all this means: you don't need any insurance for riding a bike. If your bike is very valuable try getting full insurance, but you may not be able to get cover as a foreign driver. (Which is stupid, as all rental cars are fully insured.)

If you bring in a car or van you may want third party cover, as you can do considerably more damage with four wheels than with two.

As a visitor you don't need to sit a Kiwi drivers' licence. You are only allowed to stay one year anyway. The one or two times I was checked nobody wanted to see my international permit, either. (As I was wearing overalls and obviously going to work the cop just told me to get my Kiwi licence asap. )

Whether your particular travel insurance covers biking or not depends only on your policy. Read the fine print before signing.

Haere Ra!

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Salut from Southern France, the bikers' paradise,

Peter.

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Cheers,
Peter.

Europe to NZ 2006-10

Mike, Peter, thanks very much for your replies.

I am a bit concerned about lack of cover to property, also apparently I wouldn't get cover for loss of earning etc on return to the UK if I get involved in a crash in NZ, according to the FCO website:
<BLOCKQUOTE>Motor insurance is not a legal requirement in New Zealand. Therefore, even though the UK has reciprocal Healthcare Agreement with New Zealand, private accident insurance is strongly recommended. This is because New Zealand law has removed the right of accident victims to sue a third party in the event of an accident. Instead the Accident Compensation Commission (ACC) helps pay for your care if you are injured as the result of an accident. It will not cover costs associated with illness. However, the ACC only covers part of the cost of treatment in New Zealand. Delayed travel or loss of income in a third country is not covered.</BLOCKQUOTE>With that in mind, I am going to inquire about TPF&T or Fully Comp insurance, as long as it's not too expensive. I will also need to check my travel insurance covers bike riding & long term illness/incapacity due to spills. I've written to a few insurance companies but heard nothing back as yet - will post any results up here incase anyone else is doing similar research.

Will hopefully get by on the international permit and avoid the hassle of getting a NZ licence. These (int. permits) need renewing every year but can be done by post to the UK apparently. However, I'm not sure if the insurance companies will require an NZ licence or not. Again, I've inquired about this.

Peter, you mentioned that the injury cover is included in every vehicle's registration - does this mean that I can expect to pay more for registration than in the UK? I am planning on buying a used bike. Do you pay registration on purchase? If so do I have to pay road tax as well or are they the same thing?

Apologies the original topic was for Oz and not NZ which might be a bit misleading to people! I am planning on NZ for a year (Jan 2005) to work and do a bit of riding, then Oz for a year (Jan 2006) to do a lot of riding and not so much work (due to visa restrictions), so my research is a kind of combined effort.

Thanks again!

Chris,

It's my understanding that ACC pays all treatment costs associated with ANY accident, with a few exceptions. NO, they do NOT cover illness, so you need your own insurance for that. They also do NOT cover any material damage, etc.

Vehicle rego is annual, so when you buy the vehicle you can see on the rego label when the rego is due. It costs 275.05NZ$ per year. This includes road tax & ACC levies.

TRAP: You mustn't let the rego simply lapse, it's illegal, even if the vehicle is not used!

The other thing you must get is a recent Warrant of Fitness (no more than one month old).

With all those papers you go to any Post Office or other approved agent and pay a fee to get the ownership changed. you need also the rego papers, ID and an NZ address (this is fairly informal).

More info on the LTSA site: http://www.ltsa.govt.nz/vehicle-ownership/


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Salut from Southern France, the bikers' paradise,

Peter.

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Cheers,
Peter.

Europe to NZ 2006-10