You can see it already. You’re cycling along the Seine, ready for your next Parisian café pit stop. Or perhaps you’re riding through the lush green rice paddies of Vietnam without a care in the world. Now picture yourself wounded after a clumsy fall off your bike. You’ve got a badly bunged up knee, a serious dent in your wallet and a rather unpleasant detour to a foreign hospital. Oh, and you forgot to get travel insurance and you’re not covered. Not so dreamy right?
Let’s put your sensible helmet on for a moment and ask yourself… Do you know if your travel insurance policy covers you for cycling overseas, or for the bike itself?
As with most insurance questions, there isn’t always a clear yes or no answer as it will all depend on the type of trip you are taking. Keep reading to find out more…
What’s covered?
Sure you’re an experienced cyclist. However, by not taking out the right insurance policy, your trip can quickly skid out of control. If you break a bone, fall ill or find yourself at the mercy of a cancelled bike tour (due to unforeseen circumstances), your cycling travel insurance can get you back on track by covering any costs incurred. Yippee!
Your travel insurance policy will also cover you if:
- You fall off your bike and break an arm and need to go to hospital. Travel insurance will ease the pain by covering your medical fees , doctor’s appointment, x-ray and medicine.
- You crash your bike and cause damage to another person whilst on your cycling holiday. Travel insurance provides protection for you being legally liable for causing damage. So be careful now!
- Your wallet is pickpocketed. Theft can put a dent in your trip but travel insurance will cover you for any lost or stolen items and in many cases, reimburse you for any cash stolen too.
- You’ve finished your bike tour, about to head to the airport when your passport is nowhere to be found. Hold on to your helmet as your travel insurer will cover the cost of organising an emergency passport.
- And way more…
Where can I buy travel insurance to cover my bike?
Did you know, standard travel insurance policies often exclude cover for your sparkly carbon-fibre bicycle.
Saddle up as we've researched some options for your cycling holiday...
- Cyclecover’s Gold policy covers your bicycles anywhere in Australia and New Zealand 365 days a year, and up to 100 days worldwide. Bicycles are automatically covered with no cover limits or number of bicycle restrictions. Cover includes theft, accidental damage and crash damage, even whilst racing.
- Columbus Direct's Sports Adventure Pack A provides cover for cycling touring up to 2000m and mountain biking off road/cross country to 2000m in elevation. Or their Sports Adventure Pack B covers you for cycling touring up to 6000m and mountain biking off road/cross country to 6000m elevation. However, there is no cover for the actual bike itself, or if you are participating professsionally.
- Velosure’s bicycle insurance covers commuters to racing cyclists and includes cover for theft of your bicycle, crashing your bicycle and accidental damage. Their Premium Bicycle Insurance policy covers bikes between $1,000 and $30,000 in value and can also be extended to cover you and your bike if you are travelling overseas.
- Fast Cover's bicycle add on cover includes loss, theft or damage for any one bicycle up to $5,000 in value that is less than 3 years old. If your bike is unattended it must be secured to a fixed object with a D lock or armour plated cable. Further T&C's apply.
- Austrailian Senior's bicycle add on cover includes loss, theft or damage for any one bicycle up to $5,000 in value that is less than 3 years old. If your bike is unattended it must be secured to a fixed object with a D lock or armour plated cable. Further T&C's apply.
- iTrek’s – Bicycle pack add on can we added on for an additional fee it covers up to $5,000 for any one bicycle in the event of loss, theft or damage, and $15,000 for all claims combined as long as your bike is less than three years old; and valued at $1,500 or more; and free of defects.
- Real Insurance’s Bike Leisure product is perfect for those who commute and/or enjoy weekend rides. It offers basic cover for bicycles of up to $2,000 in value. Real’s Sport product is for bicycles valued from $1,000 up to $30,000 offering more comprehensive cover including damage sustained whilst racing.
- NoWorries bike cover provides protection for Aussie cyclists both at home and away. Their standard policy includes cover up to $10,000 for your bike, theft & accidental damage cover (including whilst in use, Worldwide, Bike & Cycle Touring, (Racing Risk) and In Transit. They also cover your custom parts and accessories. If your bicycle is under 12 months old then it's New for Old Replacement too.
-
Online Travel Insurance allows you to purchase a 'bicycle pack' which covers up to $5,000 for any one bicycle and $15,000 for all claims combined. You bike must be less than three years old, valued at $1,500 or more and be free of defects.
- Zoom Travel Insurance for an additional fee covers up to $5,000 for any one bicycle in the event of loss, theft or damage, and $15,000 for all claims combined as long as your bike is less than three years old; and valued at $1,500 or more; and free of defects. They cover up to 5 bikes at a time.
- Travel with Kit bicycle pack add on covers any one bicycle up to the value of $5,000, if at the time the Certificate of Insurance is issued, your bike(s) are less than three years old and valued at $1,500 or more; and free of defects.
What’s often not covered?
Lucky for you, we've highlighted some wheely good options above. However, if you're talking standard travel insurance then conditions may apply. The following points should be taken into consideration when researching cover for you and your bike.- Your bike and its equipment
You may want to backpedal on your plans to take your new, carbon fibre bike on holidays as it most likely won’t be covered by your travel insurance in case of theft or damage. See if you can insure your bike through your home insurance instead – just make sure your stuff is covered when you are overseas or away from home. Keep in mind, your swish new set of wheels may exceed the maximum item limit so be sure to cruise the fine print before signing your bike away.
- Competitive cycling
Many travel policies regard competitive cycling or racing as (gasp) adventure sports and won’t cover such events. Though you’d hardly consider yourself an adrenalin junkie, your timed group cycle through the French Alps may be a no-go according to your insurance policy. Take the time to compare various travel policies before spinning out the door.
- Reckless Riding
If your definition of RPM equals “reckless pedaling madness,” you may want to slow it down a notch. Intentionally putting yourself in danger on your bike will nix your chances of being covered by your insurer. Remember that without a helmet most insurance policies won’t pay up. So protect your noggin and you’ll be covered in more ways than one!
- Bike hire excess
Are you renting a push bike on holiday? Although travel insurance often covers rental vehicle excess, this often does not extend to two wheeled modes of transport. If you hire an expensive bike and it gets damaged, be prepared to take the fall and cough up the excess.
Frequent Cyclist?
If you find yourself racking up frequent ‘cycling air miles’ then you may want to look into a long-term policy that can cover you for extended periods of time. Buying an annual multi-trip policy will save you the hassle of buying cycling travel insurance multiple times a year- giving you more time on the road! Keep in mind that each insurer has individual trip duration limits to pay attention to.
Travel insurance for motorbike holidays
Cycling not thrill seeking enough for you? Perhaps riding a motorcycle or scooter on holiday is more up your street. The tricky thing about overseas motorbike holidays is finding a good policy that will cover you.
Ride worry-free!
Whilst we’d all prefer to bring home memories as opposed to broken bones, the cost of a hospital trip overseas can send your budget skyrocketing (not to mention your stress levels). Making the time to find the right travel insurance policy for your cycling holiday can give you peace of mind not to mention a smooth, hassle free ride.
BACK
