Insurance in non-EU Balkans for UK rider?

[Craig David]

I'm off on a holiday riding to Albania and back from the UK. I hope to visit France, Belgium, Netherlands, germany, Austria, Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia, Serbia, Montenegro and Albania - maybe Kosovo too (is it a seperate country at the moment?)

My bike insurance is due for renewal (Norwich Union through Carole Nash). The girl on the phone said a NU policy won't cover anywhere outside the EU, even if they give me a green card.

Is this correct? If so is there any other way to get insurance? I'm just nervous about the possibility of my bike getting stolen mainly.

Thanks in advance.

 

[D6]

dunno, but of interest as we are doin the same

 

[Craig David]

dunno, but of interest as we are doin the same

I phoned Carole Nash back, got a different person and (surprise) they told me different information.

They'd issue a green card for £10.50 whihc would cover me in all those countries EXCEPT Serbia and Montenegro.

Norwich Union and most other insurers won't extend cover to there.

One company would - but it'd mean starting a new policy with them which would be a bit more expensive plus the guys travelling with me would have to do the same.

I might just go swiftly but carefully through Montenegro and pray nothing bad happens and give Serbia a miss. It's a shame as the roads back going Skopje, Belgrade, Zagreb look some of the fastest in the area - better than coming back the way I will have gone (down the coast).

 

[Twistgrip]

The Green Card is NOT an insurance document. It's just a document (recognised in most,but not all countries) that proves that your insurance provides the minimum(third party liability).

Albania requires proof of insurance,ie Green Card,though you may(probably will)be required to pay for some "insurance" at the border.

Some countries,Russia for instance,does not recognise the Green Card system.

 

[Popeye]

Norwich Union covered me with a green card for Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia, Serbia and Montenegro but not Albania - although I didn't ask for Albania, so they may do. Charged me £30:00 for the GC. Their breakdown policy also covered me for all the non EU countries on the GC. Pretty good really.

All paperwork was received by return post and was correct first time of asking. Not the out and out cheapest quote I had but you get what you pay for.

 

[Scott_Dog]

Did you do it?

Did you do your trip? How was the insurance issue, any problems. I've been advised that insurance is available at the border in Albania (by the embassy) and that's what we're depending on. Done it elsewhere without probs mind.

We're off in early August. See http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?t=152288

 

[Commuter]

Most of

the countries you talk will offer basic insurance at the border, however if you contact the local area dealer they will arrange the appropriate full coverage for you. This is what I did in coming to Turkey.

Nick

 

[spot]

sorry to be a bit thick nick but what do you mean? who is the local area dealer?

 

[Commuter]

sorry to be a bit thick nick but what do you mean? who is the local area dealer?

BMW Antalya / BMW Istanbul or similar dealer I should said....sorry.

 

[Dainese Brave]

Did you do your trip? How was the insurance issue, any problems. I've been advised that insurance is available at the border in Albania (by the embassy) and that's what we're depending on. Done it elsewhere without probs mind.

We're off in early August. See http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?t=152288

Green cards are available at most borders for Serbia, Montengro, and Albania.......they are normally found at kiosks or offices somewhere around the border crossings......they are normally cheap, but some try to rip you off.

20 euro's seems to ring a bell? ...but I was getting the longer duration two week green card, rather than the week one which is only a little cheaper.

I wouldn't avoid Serbia.....it's worth a visit...if only to say you've been

 

[everywherevirtually]

Im currenly in Austria but can give you an update on the insurance situation.

we had to get insurance at each border crossing although Albania or Bosnia didnt require us to do so (this could be luck and or the crossings we used.). The Serbs turned us back because we entered from Kosovo but Ive heard they can ask for €80.

Our Polish friend had the green card as a matter of course from his Polish insurer and of course saved himself €80. I would insist on a green card or change insurer as €80 buys a lot of food and petrol in the east.

Montenegro - €10
Macedonia - €50
Kosovo € - €20