Off Road Biking in SE Asia

LSilverpiranha on 05/06/2017 - 13:54

hi guys,

my two mates are going to Laos and Cambodia next month and looking to do a motorbike tour, neither of them have any license either here or there. I'm telling them their inurance wont cover anything that happens since they will be riding illegally though they insist it isn't illegal because they are only riding off road. can anyone please advise? ive done some googling and know its illegal to ride on road without license but cant find much on the rules for riding off road

thanks for your help

Travel

Comments

  • QW3RTY on 05/06/2017 - 14:09

    If they get in trouble with the law, I think it's reasonable to assume that they could just bribe their way out of trouble — similar to what happens in Indonesia from my experience.

    The health insurer would be the trickier situation, and I would imagine that the health insurer's PDS would have very clear terms that would need to be satisfied in order for a claim to be approved. Riding unlicensed through unsealed roads on unregistered bikes you rented from a British expat called "Calvo" probably isn't covered. But that would depend on their insurer.

    • Silverpiranha on 05/06/2017 - 16:05
      +1

      thanks for your comment mate, yeah im not worried about the legality in terms of getting in trouble, just insurance wise. i feel like the insurance company would 100% know how to avoid paying them out in case of trouble

      • kywst on 05/06/2017 - 17:42

        They could always claim they were a pillion passenger to a licensed driver … not sure if it would hold though.

  • seefu on 05/06/2017 - 15:13

    I think in Laos and Cambodia you're legally allowed to ride any motorcycle below 150cc without a license. Definitely in Cambodia anyway.

    But on the 'just in case' scenario, yeah travel insurance would probably not want to help them if they don't have licenses or training of any kind.
    Kind of like jumping out of a plane with your own parachute without any prior training; how do you know when to release?

    I've ridden around Cambodia, just in October last year, did 2500km. And from that, I can tell you there's no such thing as 'off road' over there. Dirt roads or sealed roads are still roads and the police can still book you wherever they want. I assume Laos would be similar if not the same.

    Source: Am Australian-born Cambodian. Have ridden around the country myself along with visiting many, many times. When I went over, I was a pseudo-tour guide as I'd taken 2 friends who have never ridden a motorcycle as well, and they rode around for most of the trip with me. They didn't have license but legally not required as we had 110cc bikes.

  • CGradeCyclist on 05/06/2017 - 15:14

    If your mates can't be bothered about chasing up the legalities of off-road motorbiking in Laso & Cambodia, and the subsequent effect on their travel/health insurance, then why are you worrying about it? Seriously, some people need to learn lessons the hard way… :-)

    • Silverpiranha on 05/06/2017 - 16:04
      +1

      thats what i think too, when we were in america my sister needed only 4 staples on her head and it would have cost us 2k usd without insurance. Can't imagine the costs in SE Asia for a proper medical centre

      • enzioFirenze on 05/06/2017 - 17:36

        it might cost less than what it costs for insurance though being SE Asia.

        • KitchenSink on 05/06/2017 - 18:10
          +1

          There's actual cost and there's the tourist cost. I think I know what the hospitals would be charging over there.

  • Peck on 05/06/2017 - 18:32
    +1

    Insurance will not cover you for pain & suffering, loss of body parts, etc. but they might pay for the body bag. Motorbike riders are temporary able bodied people.

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