Insurance in non EU countries

[jason]

Just on the off chance that someone might have some useful info on this and I know at least a couple of you have experience riding around europe...

this August myself and a couple of friends who did a jaunt around Europe last year are planning another trip but want to do something different so the plan is to ride down to the balkans cutting across from lake Garda in Italy.

So we have a slight problem. Obviously your insurance covers you to ride in EU countries as your insurers have a legal obligation to do this and then most half decent policys will cover you for a few non EU countries (switzerland and Norway being the obvious examples)

So my insurance doesnt cover me for Croatia and they refuse to extend my policy to incorporate it, I have managed to find a day by day policy with the RAC that I can take out on top of my normal insurance that will cover riding in croatia so thats sorted (although its an expensive pain in the backside).


...but can I hell find any one willing to give me temporary cover for Bosnia, Serbia and Montenegro, these countries still require a green card (croatia does not). Most insurance companies just seem to laugh the moment you tell them that you want to ride through Bosnia.

there must be some way around this or some place that insures for bike tours to less obvious places? anyone had this problem and know where to look?

[Maver-Nick]

Most insurance companies just seem to laugh the moment you tell them that you want to ride through Bosnia.

Don't understand that at all...

I mean, to be blunt, if I were an insurer I would cover anyone to ride in war torn countries... if you hit a landmine etc on a bike, there ain't gonna be a rider left to claim anyway...

[jason]

its a good point nick but that was over ten years ago...

people are starting to ride through it. the below is just an example of a tour operator running organised bike tours through it

http://www.smtours.com/guided-Balkans2007.html

[Mervin]

contact the tour operator they maybe able give you some pointers
merv

[baskie]

Most insurance companies just seem to laugh the moment you tell them that you want to ride through Bosnia.

Don't understand that at all...

I mean, to be blunt, if I were an insurer I would cover anyone to ride in war torn countries... if you hit a landmine etc on a bike, there ain't gonna be a rider left to claim anyway...

[TLS-Moose]

Not much help but try the legal/travel sections of the AA/RAC, or even perhaps folks like the road hauliers association or ABTA (commercial concerns will make sure they're covered).

Failing that can the Foreign office offer advice?

or most likely, bung the border guard a few groats when you get there and take your chances (sleep with the bike) ...

[jason]

cheers for the suggestions. I tried most of them.

we have found the answer (kindly supplied by a british bike tour operator)

apparently you can buy insurance at the Bosnian border (30 euros for 7 days - bargain) It surpirises me that organisations like the AA and RAC didnt have the knowledge to supply the answer.

So we are good to go and there isnt a conspiracy to keep GSXR riders out of the balkans as I was beginning to think

[Blimey]

cheers for the suggestions. I tried most of them.

we have found the answer (kindly supplied by a british bike tour operator)

apparently you can buy insurance at the Bosnian border (30 euros for 7 days - bargain)

Was going to suggest this as i just called up my 2 old pals who are out on the road again as we speak and they suggested this.

CHARLEY and EWAN They know thier stuff