Insurance cover for mainland Europe

[JohnD1963]

Even though i'm a UK resident, i do a lot of work in mainland Europe. I usually work in 2-3 different countries a year. I would like to bring my motorbike over with me and use it most of the year while i'm away.
If i had third party coverage in the UK, would that also mean that i automatically have third party coverage in mainland Europe?
Thanks for any advice.

[Ste]

Within the European Union most likely yes you are covered, outside of the EU is less likely. However you'll need to check the t&c's as with most policies there will be limits to the number of consecutive days in one trip you're covered for abroad and the total number of days per year you're covered for abroad.

You'll also need to check the regulations for the countries you'll be staying in as there are limits for how long you can use a vehicle without it being insured / MOT'ed / taxed / etc etc in that country.

[JohnD1963]

Okay, thanks for that

[Confusion]

[suburban myth]

Be mindful that you may need a certificate from your insurer too. Mine used to be free but now there is a £25 (I think) charge, and I have to inform them roughly when i'll be abroad.

[Waltsy]

Check your policy, mine extends the same cover I have here to the EU for 90 days or something like that.

Worth keeping a copy of your insurance policy and proof of ownership with you at all times, you may have some trouble if stoped, police in Switzerland stopped me twice, first time just to check papers which they didn't understand, 3 minutes later they were gone but the second time they wasted almost an hour trying to make a case I couldn't ride with the aftermarket air filter, the copper just pointed at the shinny thing and said, 'this is illegal in Switzerland', without knowing it was an air filter, he didn't even know what part it was, but whatever it was, was illegal.

That was after the same copper didn't believe I had got that far avoiding their crazy expensive motorway toil, and apparently my gps history, planned routes and maps weren't enough proof I had only taken b roads, when I refused to pay the fine plus the toil he moved on to the air filter.

I've ridden through many other EU countries without any issues, but always as a tourist, I'd call the insurer to see if you moving there for work could change things though.

[Ste]

Switzerland is not part of the EU so that's one to be careful of.