With its luxury villas, relaxed lifestyle and ‘booty-ful’ beaches, Bali has long been a popular tourist destination for Australians. But as you scoot between Kuta’s throbbing nightclubs and Uluwatu’s peaceful cliffs, you would do well to keep the statistics in mind.
In 2017, four Australians died in scooter accidents in Bali, while thousands more acquired critical injuries. And that’s not to mention Kuta’s BIMC Hospital waiting room, which is in a permanent state of disarray as tourists drenched in blood, with broken bones and fractured skulls, are trundled in and out on stretchers.
Some get away with a story and a scar; others never make it home. Suffice to say, when you’re riding around Bali, you need to be switched on. This includes understanding insurance (and how certain actions can void it), learning the road rules, and listening to the local “do’s and don’ts”. We’ll get into that at the end of this piece.
Insurance
As childcare worker, Amethyst Chrystal knows only too well that not sorting out your travel insurance before you go to Bali could leave you in upwards of $60,000 debt. Last year the Australian woman set off from Broome, hoping for a relaxing holiday in the sun, before suffering horrendous injuries from an “impulsive” scooter ride that went wrong.
Even though she was scooting round the relatively quiet area of Canggu, she ended up with, “Five facial fractures, a shattered kneecap, exposed femur, and tendons and ligaments ripped from the bone” (News.com) after colliding with a taxi.
Fortunately, her insurance company covered her massive medical costs, which—if left untreated—could have resulted in losing her limbs. Unfortunately for other travellers, like Christian Bosco, this is not always the case.
“That nosebleed led to finding out he had acute lymphoblastic leukemia, a cancer of the blood and bone marrow. His condition is nearly impossible to properly treat in Bali, but his insurance will not cover adequate transportation back to Spain. So he remains in Indonesia, receiving regular blood transfusions while fighting for his life.”
While he did eventually get help from the surf community, who organised a go-fund-me, it’s stories like these that prove how important it is to know your rights and responsibilities when it comes to insurance. And while we highly recommend you hit up a professional company with the details of your specific journey, here are some general ‘scooter insurance’ guidelines.
- Always get personal travel insurance.
- Although most local rental shops won’t have it, if you want extra peace of mind, places like Bali Bike Rental, offer premium insurance options upon booking. These premium insurance options mean that in the event of an accident, where you would normally be required to pay a full damage deposit until repair estimates are received, this term is waived.
- Declare your pre-existing medical conditions.
- Don’t drink and drive.
- Check you’re covered for sports activities (or that your chosen insurance provider doesn’t consider driving a ‘sport’).
- Inform the rental company or police immediately if your scooter is damaged or stolen, or if you are involved in an accident.
- Buy a comprehensive (read: not the cheapest) insurance policy.
Getting A License
Although the dude in a Bintang singlet and thongs will tell you the worst that can happen is a $30 slap on the wrist, if you want to be on the right side of the law you need one. As Driving In Bali explains: “You need an international driving license, which you have to apply for in your home country. They are usually only valid together with your ‘real’ driving license, so you need to bring both along.”
“You can get a temporary Balinese driving license (tourist driver’s license) from the police station in Denpasar within a day. Check with your hotel or homestay, they will know how you can get there. The cost is about US$30. That’s one way the local police (generate) some extra income. You will have to fill in a multiple choice form (with the answers right next to you!), bring a passport picture and the money… Anybody can get it between the age of 18 and 70!”
Helmet
Did you not read the story at the start? Always wear one, and if the one your rental shop gives you is dodgy or so difficult you don’t trust yourself to strap it on properly, go and buy a new one.
Bali Burn / Bali Kiss
This classic bogan souvenir, as long as it doesn’t become third degree, is actually the least of your concerns when riding a scooter around Bali. If you want to avoid red raw legs/thighs, wear jeans.
Do’s
- Check the scooter before you pay for it.
- Be guided by the locals—but don’t copy their riskier manoeuvres. While many expats claim this is the only way to learn to drive, keep in mind it could put you in more danger, not less.
- Use the horn. Think about it: would you rather mildly irritate someone, or not be run over?
- Use your signals, or get the passenger on the back to shake their hand in the direction you want to go.
- Stay calm and friendly when you get stopped by police.
Don’ts
- Carry a bag on your shoulder—could get grabbed, or could put you off balance.
- Drive too fast – in Bali, your motto should always be to expect the unexpected.
- Drink and drive.
- Drive too close to the edge of the road where there is often debris.
If you’re after comprehensive travel insurance, here are a few good places to start.
