Looking for an insurance company and break down cover.

[Gazz]

Starting to think ahead to sorting out my insurance and break down cover for this year on the off chance that I go away to Europe again.

My insurance will be up for renewal pretty soon and I was wondering if anyone knew any decent companies that insured you for all of Europe?

The last time I went to Europe (2010) on my bike I was only insured for EU countries and my breakdown cover (despite being with my insurer) only covered us for certain countries - less countries than I was insured for.

Such was the case that I had to wait at the border of Czech Republic before phoning the break down company as I wasnt able to get the bike uplifted had I crossed the border into Poland (although I would still have been insured to ride in Poland).

The bike that I will most likely be using this year has in excess of 100,000 miles on it and therefore I want to make sure I have good insurance and/or break down cover.

The last company that I was with put me up in hotels; paid for numerous taxis and 3 flights to get me back home again as well as sending my bike back home as the Czechs couldnt repair it quickly enough.

I was very happy with their service, however, this year I am planning a different route and some of the countries that I will be visiting wont be covered by them again - so not ideal.

Although just a thought at this stage, but I was considering some of the Balkan countries this year - most of which are not in the EU which poses the dilemma.

Thanks

Gazz

[Enduro Numpty]

I had same problem in 2012. Luckily bike was fairly new and low mileage so didn't really envisage any problems but you never know. Carole Nash supposedly covered all of Europe as did AA policy but I don't really know if they would have responded to say a break down in Montenegro or Bosnia. Never had reason to test it but had the worst happened the plan was one way or another get bike to EEC border and take it from there. Not much help I know.

We spent a fair bit of our trip in the Balkans and it is well worth going but beware if you're using a Sat Nav! They are at the very limit, particularly in Southern Bosnia and Montenegro. Sat Nav was great for most of our 2 month trip but I really should have bought maps of Bosnia & Montenegro. Very few direction road signs when off the beaten track in much of the Balkans so beware.
Can highly recommend the Rhodope mountains in southern Bulgaria (and Black Sea coast for that matter), Bosnia is stunning, with Sarajevo being the icing on the cake. Montenegro has some spectacular scenery but beware of the coast road, it's nose to tail, slow traffic for the length of the country. The Dalmation coast and Dubrovnik in particular are great if you venture into Croatia. Don't be put off by Balkan motorways, they are new, fast and many pass through some stunning scenery.

Enjoy

PS. If you venture as far as Turkey, you will need a green card! Have heard that it's not strictly required these days but nobody seems to have told the border guards! You won't get in without it!

[Happy Tramper]

I've just gone through this issue. Most companies offer full EU cover but only for limited periods. I finally found a company called JMI (Just Motorcycle Insurance) a subsidiary of Carol Nash Insurance. They offered full European wide cover (27 countries) and multiple trips up to 90 days each including breakdown cover. They were very happy to discuss my needs and would add other countries, I was asking about Croatia, for an additional fee of £15 plus £18 per week. Note, this is to extend your full cover to these countries. Most insurance companies cover you for minimum legal cover. Not a wise move if you do have a problem abroad. Whatever you choose, always read the small print so you know what you are getting for your money.

[c-m]

Most insurance companies will cover you for 90 days in Europe, but that is 3rd party only. Regardless of what they say they are legally bound to cover you for longer than that in Europe due to the 3rd directive. That also means that they must cover you in countries in outside the EU and EEC that are part of the directive e.g Croatia, Norway etc..

Carole Nash give you like for like cover, which is nice, but not really needed.

In terms of breakdown, most UK firms are rubbish when it comes to travelling abroad.

I'd suggest ADAC. I've used them on two of my European trips and they've been great. In fact the second time I used them my membership was a year out of date, yet they still picked up my bike, offered me a hotel, or a flight home whilst the bike gets fixed.
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