Travel Insurance For Motorbike Holidays

Scooter, motorbike, moped, vespa – the choices are endless when choosing a two-wheeled ride for your overseas holiday.

Riding any sized motorcycle can be a thrilling way to travel. These chariots of the people offer the ultimate feeling of freedom, independence and affordability.  The compact nature makes parking a breeze, allows flexibility in how long you stay and you can zoom off with very little fuss. You're not tied to a schedule of rushing from A to B, squeezing onto uncomfortable public transport or stressing about the holes in your pocket from paying for expensive cabs. You can make your own path and go at your own pace...with the added bonus of looking pretty cool.

But Will My Travel Insurance Cover Me While Riding A Motorbike Overseas?

In short, it depends upon your licence and the engine capacity of your ride.  

Lucky for you, it's a road well travelled and one that we know well. We've done the miles to ensure that you're in the know when it comes to cover while exploring the world on two wheels. Whether you're planning to leisurely hire a scooter for a day here and there, or you're planning to saddle up on a fully kitted BMW GS for a ride on the wild side, there’s cover out there for you.

• Some insurers do not require you to have a motorcycle license if riding a low capacity engine and will cover you for a bike 50cc - 125cc.
   
• Others have maximum engine size limits which you’re only insured to ride - irrespective of what your license says (keep reading to find out who-covers-what when it comes to muscle power)
   
• And some cover you for whatever engine size you ride as long as you're licenced to do so in Australia.
   

**Click on the plus icon to see more detail**

Insurer	Underwriter	Maximum engine size	Buy Now
1300 Insurance	Allianz Australia Insurance Limited	250cc For riding a moped/scooter under 50cc, you must hold a current Australian drivers license and a license valid for the country you are riding in. For motorcycles greater than 50cc, you must hold a current Australian motorcycle license valid for the same class of motorcycle and a license valid for the country you are riding in. You must be wearing a helmet.
1Cover BUY	Certain underwriters at LLoyd's	No limit For riding a moped/scooter under 50cc, you must hold a current Australian drivers license and a license valid for the country you are riding in. For motorcycles greater than 50cc, you must hold a current Australian motorcycle license valid for the same class of motorcycle and a license valid for the country you are riding in. You must be wearing a helmet.	GO TO INSURER
AAMI	AAI Limited	200cc You must be wearing a helmet.
AIG	Allianz Australia Insurance Limited	No limit You must have a current Australian motorcycle license or motorcycle license valid for the country you are riding in. You must be wearing a helmet.
Allianz	Allianz Australia Insurance	No limit (with premium added) You must have a current Australian motorcycle license or motorcycle license valid for the country you are riding in. You must be wearing a helmet.
Amex BUY	Chubb Insurance Australia Limited	200cc You must hold a current Australian motorcycle license.	GO TO INSURER
Australia Post	Zurich Australian Insurance Limited	200cc If you wish to be covered for motorcycling or moped riding as the driver or pillion passenger, you must pay an extra premium. You must hold a valid Australian motorcycle license or Australian motor vehicle driver license, and you hold a license valid in the relevant country. You must be wearing a helmet.
Australian Seniors	Hollard Insurance Company Pty Ltd	No limit (with premium added) For riding a moped/scooter under 50cc, you must hold a current Australian drivers license and a license valid for the country you are riding in. For motorcycles greater than 50cc, you must hold a current Australian motorcycle license valid for the same class of motorcycle and a license valid for the country you are riding in. You must be wearing a helmet. All motorcycle riders and passengers must purchase the Motorcycle Pack add-on to be covered.
Boomers BUY	Allianz Australia Insurance Limited	No limit (with premium added) You must hold a current Australian drivers license or drivers license valid for the country you are riding in. And you must hold a current Australian motorcycle license or motorcycle license valid for the country you are riding in. You must be wearing a helmet.	GO TO INSURER
Budget Direct BUY	Auto & General Services Pty Ltd	No limit You must hold a driving license appropriate for the country you are in and if using a motorcycle rated 125cc or higher, you hold a current and valid license required for driving an equivalent rated motorcycle in Australia. You must be wearing a helmet.	GO TO INSURER
Bupa Australia	IAG (Insurance Australia Limited)	No limit The driver must have a current Australian motorcycle license. You must be wearing a helmet and be following the local safety laws.
Columbus Direct BUY	Certain underwriters at LLoyd's	No limit (with Sports & Adventure Pack) The driver must have a valid license for operating that class of vehicle in the driver’s country of residence, and you must be wearing a safety crash helmet.	GO TO INSURER
Cover-More	Zurich Australian Insurance Limited	200cc If you wish to be covered for motorcycling or moped riding as the driver or pillion passenger, you must pay an extra premium. Whilst in control of a motorcycle or moped, you hold a valid Australian motorcycle license or Australian motor vehicle driver license, and you hold a license valid in the relevant country. You must be wearing a helmet.
Downunder BUY	Certain underwriters at LLoyd's	No Limit For riding a moped/scooter under 50cc, you must hold a current Australian drivers license or Australian motorcycle license. For motorcycles greater than 50cc, you must hold a current Australian motorcycle license. You must be wearing a helmet.
Fast Cover BUY	Hollard Insurance Company Pty Ltd	No limit (with premium added) For riding a moped/scooter under 50cc, you must hold a current Australian drivers license and a license valid for the country you are riding in. For motorcycles greater than 50cc, you must hold a current Australian motorcycle license valid for the same class of motorcycle and a license valid for the country you are riding in. You must be wearing a helmet. All motorcycle riders and passengers must purchase the Motorcycle Pack add-on to be covered.	GO TO INSURER
Go insurance	Certain underwriters at LLoyd's	200cc You must hold a driving license appropriate for the country you are in and if using a motorcycle with an engine capacity of 125cc or higher, you must hold a current and valid unrestricted license required for driving an equivalent rated motorcycle in Australia up to a maximum 1200cc. You must be wearing a helmet.
Insure4Less	Chase Underwriting	No limit You must hold a current Australian motorcycle or drivers license for riding a moped or scooter. You must hold a current Australian motorcycle license if riding a motorcycle.
InsureandGo BUY	Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance Company Limited	No limit You must hold a driving license appropriate for the country you are in and if using a motorcycle rated 125cc or higher, you must hold a current and valid license required for driving an equivalent rated motorcycle in Australia. You must be wearing a helmet.	GO TO INSURER
Jetstar	AIG Australia Limited	No Limit You must hold a valid license for the country/region/territory the motorcycle is being operated in.
Medibank Private	Zurich Australian Insurance Limited	200cc (with premium added) You must hold a valid Australian motorcycle license or Australian motor vehicle driver license, and you hold a license valid in the relevant country. You must be wearing helmet.
SCTI	Southern Cross	200cc You must have a valid driver’s license as required in the country you are in and must be wearing a helmet.
Simply Travel Insurance BUY	Certain underwriters at LLoyd's	No limit If riding a motorcycle over 50cc, you must have a current Australian motorcycle license. If you are riding a moped/scooter under 50cc, you must have a current Australian motorcycle or drivers license. You must be wearing a helmet.	GO TO INSURER
Tick Insurance BUY	Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance Company Limited	No limit You must hold a driving license appropriate for the country you are in and if using a motorcycle 125cc or higher, you must hold a current and valid license required for riding an equivalent rated motorcycle in Australia. You must be wearing a helmet.	GO TO INSURER
Travel Insurance Direct	Pacific International Insurance	No limit You must have a valid license as required in Australia and in the country of travel for the same class of motorcycle you are operating. You must be wearing a helmet.
Travel Insurance Saver BUY	Pacific International Insurance	250cc You must wear a helmet and have a full motorcycle licence that is valid both in the country of travel and in their country of residence. Consider the PDS and TMD from TIS and if the policy is right for you. See licensing requirements in PDS	GO TO INSURER
Travel Insuranz BUY	Chase Underwriting	No limit You must have a current Australian motorcycle license	GO TO INSURER
Virgin Money BUY	Allianz Australia Insurance Limited	No limit (with Adventure Pack) For riding a motorcycle, you must have a current Australian motorcycle license or motorcycle license valid for the country you are riding in. For riding a moped/scooter, you must have a current Australian drivers license or drivers license valid for the country you are riding in. You must be wearing a helmet.	GO TO INSURER
Webjet BUY	Allianz Australia Insurance Limited	No limit (with Adventure Pack) For riding a motorcycle, you must have a current Australian motorcycle license or motorcycle license valid for the country you are riding in. For riding a moped/scooter, you must have a current Australian drivers license or drivers license valid for the country you are riding in. You must be wearing a helmet.	GO TO INSURER
Woolworths	Hollard Insurance Company Pty Ltd	No limit For riding a motorcycle, you must have a current Australian motorcycle license and a motorcycle license valid for the country you are riding in. For riding a moped/scooter, you must have a current Australian drivers license and a drivers license valid for the country you are riding in. You must be wearing a helmet.
World Nomads	Pacific International Insurance	No limit (with sports adventure pack) For riding a motorcycle, you must have a current Australian motorcycle license or motorcycle license valid for the country you are riding in. For riding a moped/scooter, you must have a current Australian drivers license or drivers license valid for the country you are riding in. You must be wearing a helmet.
Worldcare BUY	Allianz Australia Insurance Limited	250cc For riding a motorcycle, you must have a current Australian motorcycle license or motorcycle license valid for the country you are riding in. For riding a moped/scooter, you must have a current Australian drivers license or drivers license valid for the country you are riding in. You must be wearing a helmet.
Zoom Travel Insurance BUY	Certain underwriters at LLoyd's	No limit For engines under 50 cc you are covered with a valid drivers license. There is no restriction on engine displacement if you hold a current Australian motorcycle licence or motorcycle licence valid for the country you are riding in.	GO TO INSURER

General Advice Warning: The contents of this article were accurate at the time of writing. Insurers change their policies from time to time, so some information may have changed. You should always read the Product Disclosure Statement of your chosen insurer to understand what is covered and what isn't. The information provided is of a general nature only and does not take into account any personal objectives, financial situation or needs. Before making a decision you should consider the appropriateness of the information having regard to your personal circumstances.

Licensed To Thrill

If you're travelling to a foreign country make sure you get your International Drivers Permit (IDP) - preferably before you leave! This allows you to drive or ride the same class of vehicle you are permitted to ride in your home country. So, if you are NOT covered to ride a motorcycle or scooter in Australia, you are not permitted overseas. It's strange how we tend to throw caution to the wind when on holiday. With absolutely no training or experience riding a motorbike or scooter at home, many of us seem to think we'll master the skills on the spot in a foreign country.

You can apply for an IDP overseas, but make sure you're ticking the right boxes. You may be able to fool the traffic cop in Thailand that you have a motorcycle licence, by 'ticking-the-box' when you got your IDP, but it won't cut the mustard with your travel insurance company. If you DO have a valid motorcycle license, be thrilled! Your licence will be accepted in over 150 countries including Bali, Indonesia, Laos, and Thailand.

Venturing To Vietnam?

If you will be riding a motorcycle in Vietnam over 50cc, then you must obtain a temporary Vietnamese drivers license.

To convert an Australian driving license into a temporary Vietnamese driver's license, you must hold a valid Vietnamese residence permit of at least three month's validity. Visit the website of the Australian Embassy for full details on how to apply for a Vietnamese drivers license. 

Be aware that only IDPs under the 1968 Convention are accepted in Vietnam. The Australian Government signed the 1949 UN Convention so if you hold an Australian issued IDP, you must obtain a temporary Vietnamese drivers license. Learn more about Vietnam motorbike licenses here. 

What's Not Covered?

Even with the cover offered, exclusions still apply. You are not covered:

• If you are racing and intentionally putting yourself at risk
  Any time you intentionally put yourself in danger such as using your bike for jumps, stunts and tricks and injure yourself (especially if you are not wearing a helmet at the time) you are unlikely to be covered.
   
• For motorbike theft or damage
  Whether owned, borrowed or rented, most insurers do not cover the bike.  If it's your own bike, it should be covered under your own motorcycle insurance.  If it's a hire bike, the rental company is likely to have insurance built into your daily hire cost or charge you an additional premium to cover it. 
   
• For competitive or professional riding
  Competitive riding of any sort is generally not covered under standard travel insurance policies.
   
• For motorbike rental excess cover
  Whether you're renting a Vespa in Italy, a motorbike in Vietnam, or a scooter in Bali, you are unlikely to be covered for the rental vehicle excess.  Although travel insurance often covers rental vehicle excess, this generally does not extend to two-wheeled modes of transport. If you hire an expensive bike and it gets damaged, unfortunately, your travel insurance will not cover the excess.
   
• If you do not follow the rules of the road
  Always follow road signs including traffic lights, stop signs and give ways.
   
• If you are under the influence
  You would not be covered if you were drunk driving and had an accident while you were under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
   
• If you do not wear a helmet
  No travel insurance company is likely to cover you if you incur injuries when you were not wearing a helmet.  This will usually form part of the terms & conditions outlined in their policy wording. Also, despite many locals not taking notice, it is the law for motorcyclists to wear a helmet while riding in certain countries such as Bali, Cambodia, Thailand, and Vietnam.

What Else?

Finally, contact your travel insurance provider before you purchase travel insurance for your motorbike holiday if you're uncertain about the policy details.  Some insurers will automatically provide cover for riding a motorbike, whereas others will require you to add it to your policy and pay an additional premium to be covered.  When riding motorbikes or scooters overseas you are taking risks with both your health and your money so it pays to take a few minutes to make that short phone call to clarify any concerns.  Don't just settle for the first or the cheapest policy you find, do your research and compare quotes and cover levels for your next holiday.

Perhaps all that muscle power is too much for you. Taking out cycling travel insurance for your pushbike shouldn't give you whiplash either. Ride easy with our cycling travel insurance essential guide.

Quad biking & recreational all-terrain vehicles (ATV) are popular activities or modes of transport for certain holiday destinations.  For example, quad biking over sand dunes in Australia, touring rice fields in Bali, getting around a large resort or even as road transport on an island in Greece. If you're planning on getting in the saddle of an all-terrain vehicle, be sure to check your policy before purchasing as many insurers exclude quad bikes.  A few insurers will provide cover if you pay an additional premium for an adventure pack add-on.