Hi,
I’ve signed up for the London2Tbilisi motorbike rally (actually London2Bahrain!).
I’d really appreciate any thoughts or advice on international insurance for riding motorbikes etc… whether under travel insurance or dedicated motorbike insurance … and also any servicing/repairs. Much of the trip will be through Europe, but then on through Georgia, Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain.
Any other tips appreciated too 
Cheers!
Alex
OK so you’ll struggle getting health insurance to cover you on anything over 125cc. And also anything officially called a race.
In terms of insurance for the bike, a green card will see you through Europe but you can go EU all the way to Ukraine. Then you just buy it at the borders as you go. It’s a hassle, and the local language helps, but paperwork is king and without it you’re asking to be extorted.
Oh Ukraine not much good if you plan on going under the Black sea, but yes my advice still stands, buy third party at borders as you go.
lol and yes, if you’ve got any high rollers infront of you paying bribes everywhere believe me you’re going to know about it by the time you pass through the same place!
Don’t just get an “ordinary” travel insurance for health cover - some of them say you’re covered for travelling by bike but forget to tell you that it’s only up to a maximim 125 cc (which they seem to think is a big bike!)
Edit - sorry above posts were not showing when typing this:)
Hi all - thanks for your tips
I’ll definitely watch out for 125 limitations as a result.
KTMmartin - interesting tip on buying insurance at the borders! How does one go about that though? Do they have major vendors/agents at most borders? Or do you phone up a known contact? How do you know you’ve got kosher insurance?
Sorry to ask more questions, but very much appreciated!
I met up with the organisers this evening - who are looking into insurance issues too. Very interesting group, and could do with a few more joining the fun
Cheers!
Alex
I can’t speak for your route, but knowing the local for “motorcycle insurance”, “numberplate”, “make”, “model” and “i’m not paying that you robbing bastard” goes a long way. That, and knowing the currency excahnge rate because you’ll probably have to buy money at the border off dodgy types and you’ll want to know what a good rate is. Then wonder if that very new looking money you bought is infact fake.
Ah you’ll have much fun 
Hi all,
Just thought to update this with my investigations.
Yes, a good many travel insurance policies either exclude motorbikes, only allow 125s or have other concerning wording/premiums/disallowances.
On the bright side, travel insurance held with your bank seems to be good quality - e.g. Lloyds bank travel insurance is underwritten by AXA which seems not bike-unfriendly. http://www.axa.co.uk/insurance/travel
http://www.axa.co.uk/assets/documents/axa.co.uk/personal/insurance/travel/travel-policy-booklet.pdf - Policy wording
I then noticed that AXA won silver in the Travel Insurance Awards 2008. The winner in recent years seems to have been, to my surprise, the Post Office.
Reading their insurance policy, they explicitly mention riding motorbikes.
http://www.postoffice.co.uk/portal/po/jump1?catId=62900708&mediaId=63300708
http://www.postoffice.co.uk/portal/po/content1?catId=89500762&mediaId=19500189 - Policy wording
Their policy seems to be underwritten by Fortis.
Hope this helps someone
Alex
Oh, a bit more info … [note to self as much as anything, though might help someone 
]Many motorbike policies cover you for Europe - member countries etc.
Carole Nash seemed to be amongst the best for covering Turkey too and maintaining your level of cover across Europe - e.g. Full Comp. I’m tempted to move my insurance there when it expires.
Not found anyone who will cover outside Europe yet. Even talking to Axa Middle East - so most people’s advice is “buy it on the border crossings”. Seems risky, but also seems to be the done thing.
Also, not too surprisingly, but if your policy allows you to ride any other bikes 3rd party - that only covers you in the UK.
Finally, I talked to “DayInsure” which seemed promising … but something’s not right there as links don’t work on their website to read their policy documents, their feedback form never submits, and they seem to get confused between their car and bike policies - especially as they’re from different underwriters. I’d be wary till they get those things fixed!
