BMW Insurance Cover Abroad For My GSA?

[Dainese Brave]

Hi all,

I recently bought a 2010 GSA for a trip to the Ukraine at the end of July.

Now I've not had too much dealings with BMW Insurance, I've always insured independently, normally through Norwich Union (Aviva)...mainly cos they are good with Green card dealings..and also I have a 'Two Bike' policy to also cover my Pan European.

But this year I have taken up the free 5 day insurance offer available when buying a new bike, and the yearly premium seems competitive....so I'm thinking of splitting the bikes into seperate policies.

My only worry is will they cover me in the furthest flung places that I tend to travel in?...they will cover me in the EU for 90 days....but Ukraine isn't for a start.

They have said that they (Devitt/BMW) will refer it to the under-writers when I give them details of dates and places...but couldn't tell me unless I had a policy.

So my question is....has anyone obtained insurance cover in the Ukraine through BMW Insurance (Devitt)?...or is it not available?

And are any other countries outside the EU that people have got cover on their BMW policy?

All info gratefully received.

Steve.

 

[Wapping]

According to my covernote, issued September 2009.

BuMW's Motorrad policy covers:

A. EU countries.

B. Croatia, Norway, Switzerland.

They (NIG) used to be quite good at extending cover into the 'exotics' (Turkey, Morocco etc) but then they got the snots, refusing to grant cover unless it was on an 'organised BuMW jaunt'.

You say Devitts are asking for you. See what they say, is the only answer.

If they say, Yes. Problem solved.

If No, then you will have to appeal directly to NIG or make alternative insurance arrangements.

 

[Dainese Brave]

According to my covernote, issued September 2009.

BuMW's Motorrad policy covers:

A. EU countries.

B. Croatia, Norway, Switzerland.

They (NIG) used to be quite good at extending cover into the 'exotics' (Turkey, Morocco etc) but then they got the snots, refusing to grant cover unless it was on an 'organised BuMW jaunt'.

You say Devitts are asking for you. See what they say, is the only answer.

If they say, Yes. Problem solved.

If No, then you will have to appeal directly to NIG or make alternative insurance arrangements.

Thanks Wapping,

I think I'll be forced into getting cover elsewhere, although most are struggling to cover the Ukraine.

The problem with the BMW policy is that they are keeping it vague...saying exactly as you state, that they cover EU countries and the exceptions you mention....but saying if I have a policy they will approach the under-writers for cosideration of other countries...

...trouble is, why take the policy out to be told no.

I just wondered if any Gs'ers, who had a policy, had already already asked?

....and what the reply was.

 

[Wapping]

For the two Moroccan dashes I asked BuMW Motorrad to extend the policy, which they did for nothing or a few quid.

They then refused to extend Ting Tong Tom's when he asked. So I called them on his behalf and Bingo! Job done.

They also extended the policy to include Turkey when I went on the Turkey Trot; again, no great problem.

It was shortly after the Trot that NIG / BuMW started being dull, refusing to agree all / many extensions unless it was on a BuMW organised trip.

I then switched to Groupama whose 'exotics' cover seemed to be most flexible, but moved back to BuMW Motorrad when I bought my HP2Sports. Keep pestering NIG / BuMW Motorrad to see if they will give you the Ukraine. Who knows, they might.

If they do not, try Groupama if only because they were helpful before.

http://www.groupama.co.uk/

Failing those two, try Footman James. who seem quite helpful.

http://www.footmanjames.co.uk/

If you draw a blank there you will have little choice but to keep ringing round or buy it at the border.

 

[Dainese Brave]

For the two Moroccan dashes I asked BuMW Motorrad to extend the policy, which they did for nothing or a few quid.

They then refused to extend Ting Tong Tom's when he asked. So I called them on his behalf and Bingo! Job done.

They also extended the policy to include Turkey when I went on the Turkey Trot; again, no great problem.

It was shortly after the Trot that NIG / BuMW started being dull, refusing to agree all / many extensions unless it was on a BuMW organised trip.

I then switched to Groupama whose 'exotics' cover seemed to be most flexible, but moved back to BuMW Motorrad when I bought my HP2Sports. Keep pestering NIG / BuMW Motorrad to see if they will give you the Ukraine. Who knows, they might.

If they do not, try Groupama if only because they were helpful before.

http://www.groupama.co.uk/

Failing those two, try Footman James. who seem quite helpful.

http://www.footmanjames.co.uk/

If you draw a blank there you will have little choice but to keep ringing round or buy it at the border.

Thanks for the leads...I may need to follow them up....

.....just called BMW Insurance and pushed them on the subject of covering the Ukraine, and any other country outside the EU...

....and the answer is now a DEFINATE no!....even when offering to pay an additional premium, the answer is still no!

A bit poor considering how many BMW's are supposed to be taken on trips and tours..even around the world.

My search will continue.

 

[Berin]

According to my covernote, issued September 2009.

BuMW's Motorrad policy covers:

A. EU countries.

B. Croatia, Norway, Switzerland.

But no cover for Serbia, Montenegro, Kosovo, even at extra premium, also declined Ukraine, Moldova. Oddly Albania was no problem.

Went to Grouperama in the end.

 

[Wapping]

Thanks for the leads...I may need to follow them up....

.....just called BMW Insurance and pushed them on the subject of covering the Ukraine, and any other country outside the EU...

A bit poor considering how many BMW's are supposed to be taken on trips and tours..even around the world.

My search will continue.

I had some protracted correspondence with the monkeys at Devitt on this very topic. Giving up when only when I hit a wall of stupid intransigence and narrow, selfish thinking on behalf of NIG / Devitt.

Devitt are owned by RBS, as are NIG, which means they have a strong conflict of interest. Both are up for sale as RBS attempts to plug whatever holes in its balance sheet taht have not been filled by Gordon Brown's merry men. A change of owner may bring some better joined up thinking.....

Now that I know that their attitude has not changed, I will take the matter up with BuMW head office and NIG once again.

 

[Dainese Brave]

Now that I know that their attitude has not changed, I will take the matter up with BuMW head office and NIG once again.

Thanks for that Wapping, and on behalf of us all...let's hope you make them see sense.

 

[Wapping]

Off to war we go.....

6th May 2010


JOINT LETTER TO:

Jonathon Greenwood Esq
Managing Director
NIG
Crown House
145 City Road
London
EC1V 1LP

Tim Abott Esq
Managing Director
BMW (UK) Limited
Ellesfield Avenue
Bracknell
Berkshire
RG12 8TA


Dear Sirs,

RE: BMW Motorrad Insurance – NIG - Devitt

I ride a BMW GSA ‘Adventure’ motorcycle. On the whole it is an excellent vehicle, fully capable of travelling the world.

But, my (and many other loyal customers’) enjoyment of the motorbike’s full potential is being spoilt by silly intransigence inside BMW, NIG or their appointed broker, Devitt.

The NIG Motorrad policy is very good in many aspects, certainly competitively priced and with an efficient claims service. But it has one bad flaw: NIG’s complete refusal to extend even basic ‘green card’ cover outside of the EU and two specific additional countries, Norway and Switzerland. Of course the EU / Norway / Switzerland scope is reasonably standard in the market, which I understand. I can also understand that many of your customers ride non-adventure motorbikes that will not go much beyond Italy or Sweden. But there is a significant proportion of BMW’s loyal customer base that buys the ‘Adventure’ bikes to do just that; Go adventuring!

Up until a couple of years ago Devitt were able to extend cover into many of Europe’s near neighbours without too much difficulty. I paid three modest additional premiums to include two weeks cover in Morocco (twice) and Turkey (once) without too much drama. Then, all of a sudden the shutters came down. In short, no cover would be available unless the rider was on an official BMW jaunt. At a stroke you disenfranchised a significant proportion of your actual and potential customer base ie. all those that want to do their own thing. In other words, you exclude anyone who wants to enjoy their ‘adventuring’ on their ‘adventure’ motorcycle without mummy’s help.

Other insurers (Aviva, Groupama etc) and brokers do not have this problem, seemingly willing to grant reasonable temporary cover into Morocco, Turkey, the Ukraine, western Russia, significant portions of the former Yugoslavia and Albania. Why then does NIG / BMW Motorrad / Devitt struggle? Is it that BMW – having persuaded a customer to buy an expensive adventuring motorcycle – want to use the lack of insurance cover to sell places on their organised trips? If so, shame on you. Is it that Devitt / NIG as parts of RBS (a tidy relationship one might suspect) are in cahoots over the arrangement? If so, shame on you again.

Is there nothing that can be done to address this silly situation? Is it impossible for NIG / Deviit to match their major competitors’ flexibility? Do BMW / NIG / Devitt want to see customers walk away to the more friendly alternatives.... Some may even buy a KTM!

I look forward to hearing from you.

Yours sincerely,


Wapping of Wapping

 

[Dainese Brave]

6th May 2010


JOINT LETTER TO:

Jonathon Greenwood Esq
Managing Director
NIG
Crown House
145 City Road
London
EC1V 1LP

Tim Abott Esq
Managing Director
BMW (UK) Limited
Ellesfield Avenue
Bracknell
Berkshire
RG12 8TA


Dear Sirs,

RE: BMW Motorrad Insurance – NIG - Devitt

I ride a BMW GSA ‘Adventure’ motorcycle. On the whole it is an excellent vehicle, fully capable of travelling the world.

But, my (and many other loyal customers’) enjoyment of the motorbike’s full potential is being spoilt by silly intransigence inside BMW, NIG or their appointed broker, Devitt.

The NIG Motorrad policy is very good in many aspects, certainly competitively priced and with an efficient claims service. But it has one bad flaw: NIG’s complete refusal to extend even basic ‘green card’ cover outside of the EU and two specific additional countries, Norway and Switzerland. Of course the EU / Norway / Switzerland scope is reasonably standard in the market, which I understand. I can also understand that many of your customers ride non-adventure motorbikes that will not go much beyond Italy or Sweden. But there is a significant proportion of BMW’s loyal customer base that buys the ‘Adventure’ bikes to do just that; Go adventuring!

Up until a couple of years ago Devitt were able to extend cover into many of Europe’s near neighbours without too much difficulty. I paid three modest additional premiums to include two weeks cover in Morocco (twice) and Turkey (once) without too much drama. Then, all of a sudden the shutters came down. In short, no cover would be available unless the rider was on an official BMW jaunt. At a stroke you disenfranchised a significant proportion of your actual and potential customer base ie. all those that want to do their own thing. In other words, you exclude anyone who wants to enjoy their ‘adventuring’ on their ‘adventure’ motorcycle without mummy’s help.

Other insurers (Aviva, Groupama etc) and brokers do not have this problem, seemingly willing to grant reasonable temporary cover into Morocco, Turkey, the Ukraine, western Russia, significant portions of the former Yugoslavia and Albania. Why then does NIG / BMW Motorrad / Devitt struggle? Is it that BMW – having persuaded a customer to buy an expensive adventuring motorcycle – want to use the lack of insurance cover to sell places on their organised trips? If so, shame on you. Is it that Devitt / NIG as parts of RBS (a tidy relationship one might suspect) are in cahoots over the arrangement? If so, shame on you again.

Is there nothing that can be done to address this silly situation? Is it impossible for NIG / Deviit to match their major competitors’ flexibility? Do BMW / NIG / Devitt want to see customers walk away to the more friendly alternatives.... Some may even buy a KTM!

I look forward to hearing from you.

Yours sincerely,


Wapping of Wapping

Well done that man!

 

[Dainese Brave]

I have contacted Carole Nash today....

....and through Paramount Aviva they can offer me extended cover (as per policy conditions i.e fully comp etc) in the Ukraine....and also stated Albania, Bulgaria, Romania in passing, as covered on the same basis.

 

[Wapping]

I have contacted Carole Nash today....

....and through Paramount Aviva they can offer me extended cover (as per policy conditions i.e fully comp etc) in the Ukraine....and also stated Albania, Bulgaria, Romania in passing, as covered on the same basis.

Here is a reasonably good example of where Devitt / NIG have lost out on a potential customer (all insurers and their brokers like customers, as they spend premium) and, by association, BuMW are seen as uncooperative.

Mark one up to Dainese Brave for shopping around.

Mark another one up to Aviva for rising to the challenge.

I make that two marks down to Devitt / NIG / BMW.

I will use the example in any further correspondence with Messrs Grrenwwod and Abott.

They should be able to see that Brave's first port of call was to BMW Motorrad for cover. That is a good thing as they had the first opportunity to win the business and it shows a linking between BuMW's sale of a vehicle and brand identification with a financial package (insurance).

Only the complete inflexibility on BuMW Motorrad's part forced a BuMW customer out to seek alternatives, probably not because he wanted to but because he had to or his adventure holiday would be spoilt. Brand identification works both ways; no doubt DB will point others in the direction of Aviva......

One question if I may: Did Devitt fix you up with Aviva? If not, how did you do it? Yourself (on-line or by phone, for instance) or via a broker? If via a broker, which one?

PS I can see that is more than one question.

 

[Dainese Brave]

You are completely correct Wapping....I got a quote from Bmw Insurance first, as I had heard that they were competitive with their prices...

....and to be honest they were with me too...but unfortunately, as discussed, the actually package didn't suit my needs for what I actually wanted to use the bike for.

A shame really..and as you rightly say, something BMW/Devitts need to look into.

I did try Groupama...but they wouldn't deal with me directly.

My current insurance company wouldn't cover me...or cover the extras (panniers/top-box, satnav etc)...so they were a no go.

I contacted Carole Nash as I had heard that they were very bike focused, especially with foreign travel policies....they searched for all their companies that covered Ukraine...and Aviva were the most competitive of the (I think) three that did.

Indeed....BMW have lost a customer.

 

[Wapping]

You are completely correct Wapping....I got a quote from Bmw Insurance first, as I had heard that they were competitive with their prices...

Indeed....BMW have lost a customer.

Thanks, I will let the bods know, for sure.

 

[Decster]

i suppose you have carefully read the small print......

 

[Dainese Brave]

I haven't read the small print yet as I haven't actually got the policy through the door yet.....

.....but Carole Nash did a good job of running me through all the terms on the phone....

....and I have dealt with Norwich Union, now Aviva, several times before, and always found them very good.

To be honest my impressions of my dealings with Carole Nash have been very favourable too.

I'm reasonably happy at the moment, as I have a policy that will cover me fully com in the Ukraine, and it's with a reputable, and respected company.

....just counting down the days to leaving now!

 

[Andrei Ukrainian]

Hi,

You can purchase the required state insurance at the border but the maximum payout for a claim is only 4,000 quid, I know hardly enough to cover a div drive.

Be prepared to wait at the border when exiting, I was kept for 9 hours once entering Hungary and 6 hours to Poland. Make sure you take with you your original log book.

Health wise, there is some sort of agreement between UK and Ukraine, I had my appendix removed about 10 years ago here, if I were from the US I would have had to pay, I am not suggesting that you will need to take advantage of the health system, but it’s good to know.

Ternopil has the worst roads I have come across, in fact all of the roads here are pretty crap. 60kph is the speed limit when you see the sign for a town and the police do have speed guns, if you are stopped you may negotiate a fine up to 200 giriven.

 

[Dainese Brave]

Hi,

You can purchase the required state insurance at the border but the maximum payout for a claim is only 4,000 quid, I know hardly enough to cover a div drive.

Be prepared to wait at the border when exiting, I was kept for 9 hours once entering Hungary and 6 hours to Poland. Make sure you take with you your original log book.

Health wise, there is some sort of agreement between UK and Ukraine, I had my appendix removed about 10 years ago here, if I were from the US I would have had to pay, I am not suggesting that you will need to take advantage of the health system, but it’s good to know.

Ternopil has the worst roads I have come across, in fact all of the roads here are pretty crap. 60kph is the speed limit when you see the sign for a town and the police do have speed guns, if you are stopped you may negotiate a fine up to 200 giriven.

Thanks for the information. ......you don't work for the Ukrainian Tourist Board do you??

I travelled in Romania about 5 years ago and it sounds very similar to there for road conditions...but I loved it there...and so I'm sure I'll love it in the Ukraine too.

Thanks,

Steve.

 

[Wapping]

I timely bump that reminds me I have heard nothing from BuMW / NIG.... The wheels of industry grind very slowly it seems.

 

[Wapping]

Reply received from NIG, with an offer to call them, which I will..... I will scan it in later.

They seem to be treating it as a complaint, so it registers on their FSA trail....

This is good as it means they have to resolve it.

.....But the resolution does not have to be in the complainant's favour.....