UK Non-Resident Bike Insurance.

[Kiwifruit]

Here's the deal, we were expecting we could buy a bike, insure it and ride it around the UK and Europe. Well it appears I cannot. Never thought it would be cheap but not impossible. I am a British citizen with a British passport that I will renew once we get there. I have an International Driver's License with both car and motorcycle permits.
Can anyone enlighten me if there are ways around this. Are there further requirements to ride on the Continent and Ireland ?
At this point I'm feeling a sense of humour failure coming on.

[KiwiCol]

I know it can be done Col, there was a bloke from Aussie that took his (and mates) bikes over to UK, rode there & on the continent for a month or so then shipped them home, there was a thread about it on here.  I'll see if I can track it down.

Barmy & Rynglieder would know, as would Irish Jeff.

[Kiwifruit]

Cheers Col. Amazing there are no insurance requirements here. I've seen first hand (as the repairer) the drama it causes for the innocent party.

[Tony Nitrous]

I have a UK residential address and licence / passport I use for a few UK based things. Not sure it'd help or be great for insurance there as I'd still have a 19 year gap in my UK bike cover though if I tried to insure as a resident. 

Sorry I don't know the answers but I'm sure it's do-able. Foreigners riding / driving in the UK is pretty common and I'm sure there's a way to get cover.

If I can think of anyone to ask I'll find out, but folk overseas are probably better clue'd up than Poms.

[sam61]

Ring your current insurer and ask them to cover you to tour abroad, or have you already tried that?

[Irish in Oz]

I had to start from scratch i.e. no NCB. Had to prove I rode big capacity bikes, even though I am a British Citizen on my return I was not a resident. It's all up to the insurance company.
In the past on my frequent visits for 6 weeks or so I was put on my fathers policy for car that was no hassle only a phone call and about 40 quid payment, bikes are not the same in that regard.
Col if it was easy you would be welcome to one of my bikes, I know you would take the Honda.

[Eric GSX1400K3]

What about a bike touring company or a bike hire place, more expensive I know but insurance wise you'd be covered

[Irish in Oz]

Another insurance complication between Britain and Europe is the Green Card, I actually require this to travel from the North to South i.e. Belfast to Dublin.
https://www.mib.org.uk/making-a-claim/accidents-in-the-uk-involving-a-foreign-registered-vehicle/green-card-system-explained/

[Hooli]

Have a look on the hubb or their fb group https://www.facebook.com/groups/thehubb/?ref=share

It's for people planning overland trips etc. I know I've seen this question before but can't find the posts right now. There's loads of knowledge in the group.

I'd say just use that UK address and it'd be fine though. All UK insurance gives you 90 days in the EU and some other countries too. Normally the biggest issue is needing a UK address and you don't have that problem

[Rynglieder]

If you haven't already I would try insurers who specialise in motorcycles.

Carol Nash:
https://www.carolenash.com/ppc/uk-brand?msclkid=47298846dfe316c9e1e6ec0515ab8862&utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=CN-Brand%20-%20Bing&utm_term=carole%20nash&utm_content=BC%20|%20Carole%20Nash%20Insurance

Bemoto
https://www.bemoto.uk/

I've been insured with both in the past and a UK policy usually includes 90 days EU use.

If you are still struggling PM me and I'll see if I can think of anything else.

Pete.

[gsxbarmy]

@Kiwifruit see this article https://www.carolenash.com/tips-guides/biking-tips/can-i-get-motorbike-insurance-foreign-licence

Looks like Carole Nash may be able to assist - but sounds like it could be $$$$$$$ expensive even if they can - and I'm not overly sure they can help, as from doing a number of searches across various forums and other sites today, the over-riding criteria seems to be that they want UK resident status. SOme forums suggested speaking with your own (NZ) insurance company to see if they could assist.

But have to say from what I've read today, its unlikely as you are not a UK resident Colin

[Irish in Oz]

Have a look on the hubb or their fb group https://www.facebook.com/groups/thehubb/?ref=share
 All UK insurance gives you 90 days in the EU and some other countries too.

As a matter of interest how do you log the 90 days, my policy covers 365 days probably because I could be in and out of Europe everyday if I wanted to.

[Irish in Oz]

@Kiwifruit see this article https://www.carolenash.com/tips-guides/biking-tips/can-i-get-motorbike-insurance-foreign-licence

Looks like Carole Nash may be able to assist - but sounds like it could be $$$$$$$ expensive even if they can - and I'm not overly sure they can help, as from doing a number of searches across various forums and other sites today, the over-riding criteria seems to be that they want UK resident status. SOme forums suggested speaking with your own (NZ) insurance company to see if they could assist.

But have to say from what I've read today, its unlikely as you are not a UK resident Colin

I had a read of this, think it just about covers it.

[grog]

Col, have a look at GetRouted. They mainly move bikes all round the world but might have some answers for you.

[Kiwifruit]

Thanks for all your advice guys, please keep it coming. My brother has a house an hour from London so I do have a UK address. How would they know if I said I was returning to England to live after 5 years under the evil communist dictator Jacinda.