Motorcycle Insurance: For a Canadian bike in Europe
 

Hello All:

I plan to ship my ST1100 to Europe this summer (summer of 2002) for 8 to 12 weeks of travel through Central and Western Europe.

I did this last year, and purchased 'temporary' full coverage insurance (liability, theft, comprehensive) for the trip from Motorcycle Express (Michael Mandell) in New York, USA. This insurance coverage met all of my needs and covered every country from the UK to Israel, but it was very expensive - about US$ 600 for two months coverage.

This price was actually more than I pay for a full year of the same coverage of insurance in Canada, where I live. I have since spoken to friends in different European countries who have the same motorcycle and risk profile as I do (e.g. the same age, riding experience, etc.) and they also pay, annually, less than US$ 600 for full coverage.

Does anyone know of an insurance company in Europe that would be willing to provide full coverage insurance for a motorcycle that is registered in Canada, but operated in Europe? By full coverage, I mean not only liability, but theft and collision coverage.

I'm not unhappy with Motorcycle Express - for short term coverage, I'm sure it is more economical to purchase their 'temporary' coverage than it is to look around on one's own. But, if I could find a company in Europe that would be willing to write a policy for me for 3 months, I would be very happy. In fact, if I could find a company that would sell me a whole year's coverage at the same price as they charge a local rider, it would probably be less expensive than buying this temporary coverage here in North America.

All responses and suggestions would be appreciated.

Check this recent post on a company offering vehicle insurance to non-UK residents, maybe of help.
http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/ubb...ML/000078.html

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Good luck and safe travels!

Susan Johnson
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If you send me your "spec's" I'll check out some local company's and let you know the prices.

Maarten

Hi Maartin:

That would be very kind of you to check for me. Here is the basic information:

Bike: 2001 Honda ST1100 ABS (PanEuropean). Clear title, no liens. Plated in Ontario, Canada.

Rider: 47 year old male, 30 years motorcycle experience, no accidents or tickets in last 10 years. Canadian Driver's licence and IDP. Currently fully insured in Canada.

Insurance Needs: Full coverage (liability, fire, theft, collision, the whole works) for about 3 months, valid in all of Western & Central Europe, also Morocco, Tunisia and Libya. Coverage not needed for Bosnia & Herzegovnia or Jugoslavia (Serbia).

Best quote I have found so far for 'temporary' insurance is about US$ 800.- for three months, and this is with a deductable of 20% of the value of the bike. I am hoping I can do better.

Bad news...

I tried several insurance company's, but not one can make an offer.
You need to have a dutch adress to be accepted.
I am sorry to dissapoint you.

Maarten

Maartin:

Thanks very much for checking into that for me, that was very kind of you. Do you know if the insurance companies would be willing to insure the bike, with Canadian plates on it, if I did have a legitimate second address in Holland?

Michael

[This message has been edited by PanEuropean (edited 22 February 2002).]

"http://www.downunderinsurance.co.uk will do a policy for tourists in the UK. They definitely fill a gap in the market because trying to get insurance without being resident for years and having a UK address is a nightmare here. Hope this helps. Mike"

I have checked out their site, but don't know what the cost would be. I sent them an e-mail with your details, I'll let you know what they come back with.

Susan




[This message has been edited by Susan (edited 22 February 2002).]

Michael, I'll check for that first thing monday... but I have a bad feeling about it becourse a dutch residant is not alowed to drive a foreign registered vehicle... but.. as we say in holland: you never know how a cow catches a rabit.

Maarten

Micheal and Maarten
I had a freind from NZ ship his bike here to Holland 7 years ago for a trip round Europe. The shipping/clearence agents put him in touch with a company in Doordrecht for insurance which came to 200us for 3 months. Bit pricey, but worth it. However I havnt got a clue which company it was, but I can have a go to find out.
Andy

Hi Andy:

I would be very grateful if you could check and see if this coverage is still available. I paid $600 US for 2 months coverage last summer (2001) so the price your friend paid is not very high by comparison.

Michael

Michael, forget DownUnderInsurance, notwithstanding my earlier post. Here's the response to my e-mail:

[This message has been edited by Susan (edited 26 February 2002).]

Wasn't there a list of companies in Europe by Motorcycle? I don't have my copy with me, but if no one finds any other info I can post it. I do remember that he said it was the cheapest way to go and if you can avoid the American companies.

Hi Edward:

Thanks for the suggestion - I will try to get the book and have a look. If anyone has the book, and can post the ISBN so I can order one more easily at my bookseller, I would appreciate that.

Europe by Motorcycle is one of Greg Frazier's books. It's available from him directly through this link: http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/gregfrazier/europe.htm

BUT, I am sitting with my copy in front of me, and the only European agency Greg mentions is ADAC. He also lists three US agencies:

Sunrise Financial Concepts
800-478-7648
407-865-7995
Fax 407-865-7011

Berglund Insurance
800-537-2555
602-949-1034
Fax 602-994-0321

and Mike Mandell, who you've already been dealing with.

"I have purchased my insurance from two different companies and was paying approximately $220 for one month's liability insurance on a 1986 motorcycle from one company and $280 from another. Then I discovered I could walk into any ADAC office in Germany and buy the same coverage for $40.00. Needless to say I quit using the US agencies."

Has anyone checked whether ADAC will offer more than just liability insurance coverage?

Susan

Susan:

Thanks for the book info. I think I will go to ADAC in Konstanz, Germany this afternoon and check with them about additional insurance coverage. They are only about a half an hour drive from where I am now.