Insurance in the UK

[vincenttwin]

Does any one know how to get insurance for a Vincent that is being shipping to the UK and ridden by its owner from America using a US drivers permit/License and the bike will have a US Reg and US plate on it.

 

[bmetcalf]

There was an earlier thread that was pretty pessimistic about that. If you can't find it I can look.

 

[vincenttwin]

Bruce
I saw some of that a lot of mis information not much good , I hope maybe some one in the club in the UK would step up and take it on as a club project
maybe one of the officers might fine out how the club could maybe get insurance for us.
hope one of them reads this and digs a little for us.

thanks
Peter

 

[Graham Smith]

Hi Peter

The best person to ask would be the Club's Insurance advisor (AF).

Whilst he's not a regular on this forum (although he does visit from time to time), you can always get hold of him via e-mail and telephone.

However, whilst he advises the Club on insurance matters, I'm not sure if this extends to individual Members' queries, as he only has so much time to offer!

His e-mail address/telephone number is published in the front of MPH as Drawings Manager.

 

[Arthur Farrow]

Insurance UK visitors

Ah this is a complex subject.

Essentially what was never a problem has become so because of the action of US lawyers. A motorcyclist visiting Uk 2 years ago had an accident and hurt somebody who is suing. In UK the settlement would have been £80k ish. BUT the action is being brought in a Florida court...and is estimated at $5m settlement + legal costs.

Im not sure the american motorcyclist is being very helpfull so making life difficault for the Insurer to defend.

Premium was about £100 and of course they dont do that many a year so the value of buiness is neglible.

Needless to say this is not a cool business model for a UK based Insurer pretty much all of which have assetts in USA.

Recently there has been an extension of the absolute ban on short term Bike policies for Americans and Canadians to Australians probably just got swept up in the overall mess. Insurers are not making money and are scarred.

Recently there has been an Indian rally here in UK/Ireland (dire organisation I hear) campsites in Ireland flooded..no B & Bs..no loos etc and some of the boys brought there bikes here. Latest I have is that cover was done by Motorcycle Express (NY?) although I'm surprised as not sure their policies are compliant here and therefore maybe illegal. Dunno for you to check and feed back to me please.

So dont blame the Insurance industy..blame the lawyers!!


ARTHUR FARROW

Insurance Broker to VOC, VOCSC and Insurance/liabilities advisor to VOC secretary

 

[vincenttwin]

Arthur
I had heard that , I know you can get a policy using the German auto club ,but its 3th party only .
I was just wondering if the club had looked into taking out a general policy
to cover overseas riders.
and will a overseas member be covered to ride the club single??? maybe a question we should not ask.
thanks
Peter

 

[vincenttwin]

I found the motorcycle express web site .

http://www.motorcycleexpress.com/pages/ForeignInsurance/

thanks
peter

 

[Arthur Farrow]

There is also ARISTA in Holland which i arranged for Robin Reynolds last year. Poor stuff though.

The club cannot take out an overseas riders policy and NO you should not ride the club A and expect insurance.

dont shoot the messenger..just the US lawyers.

 

[Tnecniv Edipar]

In the UK a rider or driver can get a green card extension to their insurance policy to ride in Europe , have you checked with your insurer for a similar scheme ? There must be an answer , I see a few US reg'd cars on UK roads during the tourist season.

 

[Albervin]

In the UK a rider or driver can get a green card extension to their insurance policy to ride in Europe , have you checked with your insurer for a similar scheme ? There must be an answer , I see a few US reg'd cars on UK roads during the tourist season.

Big difference when you come from somewhere where we use $ for money! As an Australian/English rider I had to use ALL favours to get insurance last year & I will keep renewing it even if I don't go for 10 years because if I let it lapse they won't want to know me! All because of one stoopid selfish bastard.

 

[John Cone]

As some of you are aware my inlaws Bernard and Barbara Knope have been over from Oz for the last 2 months. They encountered problems in trying to hire a car because of thier ages. Alas I spoke to my insures and had them put on my policy as named drivers for £38 for the year full comp.

 

[Arthur Farrow]

Green cards were (are?) required and accepted in EUROPE as a means of authenticating cross border Insurance within Europe where various countries had differing legal requirements. All a green card does is confirm you have cover for the basic minimum legal requirement in another state.

However generally an Insurer Isuing a Green card will up the cover to the level you normally enjoy in UK (ie comprehensive, unlimited legal liability etc)

Its a complex issue still and hard to give generic advice, but always ask your Insurer if you will be FULLY Insured in a territory other than your own if you do not have a green card. Frequently the answer is YES but with the constant pressure on price it is far from universal.

Alyn??? Did you call in favours to get UK Insurance? I thought I fixed it , by adding you to my policy to ride my BMW you so hated. (MPH last issue)

God save the queen (and my pistons)

ARTHUR FARROW

 

[alan wright]

UK Breakdown recovery

Hi gentlemen, I'm bringing my B Rapide over from France to the UK for the Manx Grand Prix and cannot get Green Flag, the RAC, Direct Line etc to sell me 2 weeks breakdown/recovery assistance in the UK because I have a French address. My French Insurance company do not give breakdown cover on a machine over 20 years old under ANY circumstances. Can any one help please. There's a couple of pints of Okells in it for the person who comes up with a solution. Safe riding, shiny side up. Best regards Alan Wright.

 

[clevtrev]

Hi gentlemen, I'm bringing my B Rapide over from France to the UK for the Manx Grand Prix and cannot get Green Flag, the RAC, Direct Line etc to sell me 2 weeks breakdown/recovery assistance in the UK because I have a French address. My French Insurance company do not give breakdown cover on a machine over 20 years old under ANY circumstances. Can any one help please. There's a couple of pints of Okells in it for the person who comes up with a solution. Safe riding, shiny side up. Best regards Alan Wright.

Make sure you take your membership list with you.

 

[Bill Thomas]

Breakdown

Hello Alan,
What about taking a chance, Like we did in the old days.
I hope you won't have any trouble but if you carry The Riders List I am sure there will be an owner near to help you,
Stay off the motorways and don't travel at night might be good.
You can't drive far without being near to a Vin Owner !.

All the best Bill

 

[BlackLightning998]

I'll enquire of the AA for you if you wish?

Hi gentlemen, I'm bringing my B Rapide over from France to the UK for the Manx Grand Prix and cannot get Green Flag, the RAC, Direct Line etc to sell me 2 weeks breakdown/recovery assistance in the UK because I have a French address. My French Insurance company do not give breakdown cover on a machine over 20 years old under ANY circumstances. Can any one help please. There's a couple of pints of Okells in it for the person who comes up with a solution. Safe riding, shiny side up. Best regards Alan Wright.

Hi Alan,

I'll ask the AA if they can suggest anything - I'm a UK member - if
you like, I'm going to the Manx GP again this year but wouldn't suggest sticking my number plate on your bike if you break down - that'd look odd when they had two bikes on the trailer with the same reg. number??

However, I'm taking a van this year - so send me a PM and you can have my email address for help/recovery whilst you are over here if you get stuck.

Hope to see you on the Island - I'm luckily staying with Tony East out at the Motorcycle Museum.

Stuart

 

[Tnecniv Edipar]

If you have breakdown cover with a French service would they not extend cover for your trip ? I know the UK breakdown services do.

 

[alan wright]

UK Breakdown recovery

Thank you gentlemen for your concern. The problem is now resolved due to a good old British compromise which I would rather not disclose on this site but will be happy to reveal at the Waterfall in Glen Maye on Tues lunchtime if Big Pete Halls is arranging it again this year?? Once again, many thanks and there should be several Vins chained to the railings outside the Hydro on Douglas seafront if you fancy popping in for a pint !!! Best regards Alan

 

[Tnecniv Edipar]

good to hear it's sorted.

 

[plasticbeer]

Thank you gentlemen for your concern. The problem is now resolved due to a good old British compromise which I would rather not disclose on this site but will be happy to reveal at the Waterfall in Glen Maye on Tues lunchtime if Big Pete Halls is arranging it again this year?? Once again, many thanks and there should be several Vins chained to the railings outside the Hydro on Douglas seafront if you fancy popping in for a pint !!! Best regards Alan

Peter Hall isn’t going to the Manx GP this year, But I’m sure a few of us with Vincents on the Island will be turning up at the Watefall as usual on Tuesday lunchtime.