Insurance Corruption In Morocco

[Palough]

I recently spent 6 months travelling around Morocco.

During that time the MH insurance expired.

I contacted my insurer and renewed, receiving an electronic copy by email.

Stopped at a police road block and was asked for the insurance.

I showed the email and the electronic copy to the policeman.

The policeman's said, "Only accept printed insurance papers, pay me €100"

Straight into the pocket, no receipt

Paid the equivalent of €100 in Diagrams and went on my way.

I then drove to Dakar, Senegal and on my return to Morocco, I was again stopped a a police road block, (not the same one), and asked for the insurance papers.

I produced a printed out copy of the insurance policy

The policeman looked at it for a short while and said, "Not original copy, it has no official stamp, no hologram, pay me €100"

After that I visited the first AXA insurance office I could find and purchased genuine Morocco AXA insurance with an official stamp and a hologram

Might be worth considering one has insurance cover for the whole duration of a trip in Africa and not have to renew with an electronic copy

 

[Just smiffy]

If that was me I’d be asking for an official receipt and paperwork of the fine… I wouldn’t care if they haul me off to the police station, I’m afraid I wouldn’t care and make a point of it…

Suppose I’ll find out in January….

 

[jongood]

If that was me I’d be asking for an official receipt and paperwork of the fine… I wouldn’t care if they haul me off to the police station, I’m afraid I wouldn’t care and make a point of it…

Suppose I’ll find out in January….

As long as you watch your speed you will be fine.

 

[billym]

We've always made sure that when on an extended trip our insurance policy doesn't need renewing whilst away.

Who were you insured with as a matter of interest?

 

[Landy Andy]

If that was me I’d be asking for an official receipt and paperwork of the fine… I wouldn’t care if they haul me off to the police station, I’m afraid I wouldn’t care and make a point of it…

Suppose I’ll find out in January….

If they do “haul you off” they will probably ask you to drive to the police station, where you meet the boss police man who is very nice polite man.

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[stewartwebr]

I guess it’s just the way things are and you sometimes just have to accept when in another country. We were pulled in by the Police yesterday whilst on our rented scooter, we had crash helmets on unlike about another 75 scooters waiting for the lights to change, but we were the ones stopped. The Thai Policeman had a clipboard showing pictures explaining he did not want to see my driving license but did want my International Driving Permit, no copies, no photographs, original only. The guy in front was handing over his 1000 baht note and collecting his receipt. Smugly, I pulled out my IDP and was waived on without the Policeman even looking at it. Apparently, no requirement to show license or IDP when actually renting a scooter but of course if stopped you need to be able to produce it. I doubt very many have one, so a great cash cow for local police. Always worth doing your homework and staying on the right side of the law.

 

[jerryz]

When I had that problem in Cambodia I gave the cops Fake $100 notes that i had received from ATM in Phnom Phen !!! that the bars restaurants , hotel would not accept they were very good fakes , they funniest part was the cops would give me $80 change in real currency ,, they were scamming me anyway saying my documents had some error or I had ridden through a red light when it was green and they only stopped me not the Locals etc ,,

in Thailand I always ask for a receipt or stare them out ,, if the road is busy they will fold as they can stop someone else and waiting on me is wasting their opportunities ,, If I do pay ''TEA MONEY'' its has to be for a real offence , My Thai wife often insults them in a funny way by calling the gay or katoey ,, she never pays fines , unless theyare the new computer generated ones from speed cameras ,, But her number plates have become sand blasted and you cant read the reg Number,, seems thats legal ??? Because when she does the local equivalent of MOT they never mention the blank plates ??? Also Thailand had helmet law for all motorcycles and scooters but only 70% of people use them and the cops dont seem to care unless they need some easy ''TEA MONEY''

 

[gus-lopez]

not have to renew with an electronic copy

Here In Spain once I have paid for the first year insurance the renewal is solely by the bank receipt showing what it is for,policy number & registration number. There is no "new certificate".
Not a lot of use explaining that even in the UK.I always insist on a Green card. I wouldn't even think of travelling in the eu with an elctronic copy

 

[Helen Ariel]

I recently spent 6 months travelling around Morocco.

During that time the MH insurance expired.

I contacted my insurer and renewed, receiving an electronic copy by email.

Stopped at a police road block and was asked for the insurance.

I showed the email and the electronic copy to the policeman.

The policeman's said, "Only accept printed insurance papers, pay me €100"

Straight into the pocket, no receipt

Paid the equivalent of €100 in Diagrams and went on my way.

I then drove to Dakar, Senegal and on my return to Morocco, I was again stopped a a police road block, (not the same one), and asked for the insurance papers.

I produced a printed out copy of the insurance policy

The policeman looked at it for a short while and said, "Not original copy, it has no official stamp, no hologram, pay me €100"

After that I visited the first AXA insurance office I could find and purchased genuine Morocco AXA insurance with an official stamp and a hologram

Might be worth considering one has insurance cover for the whole duration of a trip in Africa and not have to renew with an electronic copy

Definitely ask for receipt and then you get the option for a discount with no receipt that was our experience for a minor traffic infraction and point out the cameras on the van recording everything.

 

[Pugsy]

If that was me I’d be asking for an official receipt and paperwork of the fine… I wouldn’t care if they haul me off to the police station, I’m afraid I wouldn’t care and make a point of it…

Suppose I’ll find out in January….

Ye they will give you an official receipt no probs but the fine will be 250 for your cheek

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[Just smiffy]

If I do the crime I’ll pay the fine but I’m not lining anyone’s pockets…

 

[pappajohn]

As long as you watch your speed you will be fine.

This wasn't a speeding fine, it was a roadside check.

 

[Barriesimpson]

Expect these things if you are going to this sort of country.

 

[jongood]

This wasn't a speeding fine, it was a roadside check.

I know but you're much more likely to get a speeding fine than anything else in Morocco.

 

[Wee Bold Davy]

This couple have spent 4 years driving around the world. In this video they got stopped for speeding in Malaysia. They had the choice of going to the police station and paying 300 Ringetts or they could pay 100 (approx £17) on the spot. They weren't certain that they were speeding but chose to pay on the spot. The video went viral, ended up on TV in Malaysia and the corruption was uncovered. Watch the video from @3:30

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[Wee Bold Davy]

This couple have spent 4 years driving around the world. In this video they got stopped for speeding in Malaysia. They had the choice of going to the police station and paying 300 Ringetts or they could pay 100 (approx £17) on the spot. They weren't certain that they were speeding but chose to pay on the spot. The video went viral, ended up on TV in Malaysia and the corruption was uncovered. Watch the video from @3:30

Many of the comments on YouTube were by Malaysians and were deeply embarrassed by it. Having been to Malaysia, I found them to be the warmest, friendliest and most humble people I have ever met

 

[Jimbohorlicks]

We had a " speeding ' ticket in Morocco. 70 in a 60 km limit. We were slowing down from the 70 so could have been over the 60 but doubt it. At first we thought it was just a document check but then it was 150 dirhams please. With a ticket or 100 without paperwork.. paid the 150 to get the "official ticket" ( around £13) .

 

[Palough]

We've always made sure that when on an extended trip our insurance policy doesn't need renewing whilst away.

Who were you insured with as a matter of interest?

Insured with Fidelidade, in Portugal.

Have all my insurance with them, house, car, MH, sporting and travel insurance when out of Portugal, etc.