Travel insurance run-around

[Lenz2]

With an impending long distance trip of over 6 months in duration (UK to Oz) have been trying to get some meaningful quotes for travel insurance. I've made enquiries to heaps of companies and specifically asked if they'd definitely cover me for motorcycle touring.

Most of the normal travel insurers will only cover up to 125 cc, and even then with a limit of up to two weeks. There's some other odd insurance companies that'll go to 250 cc, presumably with the same time limits. But to date have only got a couple to quote me to indemnify me for several months travelling by bike. Best I've come up with is over £500!!! One of the limiters has been time (many won't provide cover for more than 90 days). And my age being over 50 (so can't qualify for a number of back-packer packages)

Anyway to cut to the chase ... have only come up with a couple of options so far (including those recommended here on Horizons ....).

So if there's anyone out there, who's got any further recommendations I'd appreciate hearing about em.

Regards and thanks Len

Hi Len,
This question come up from time to time, if you run a search on here you should find some other threads with recommendations.

The best I have found for world wide cover including the USA is Direct Travel, I have used them for short trips and annual cover and they got me home from Greece with a broken leg a few years ago.
See if they can give the cover you need.
Direct Travel Insurance - Great Value Holiday Insurance and Annual Cover

They have quoted me £279 for 12 months with out cash or baggage cover.

Shop around.

Steve

[Lenz2]

Hi Steve ... thanks for that matey. But I've a sneaking suspicion this is one of those companies I tried last week and got a knocked back for one reason or another. It won't take long to double check it anyway. Thanks again Len

[Lenz2]

Hi again Steve .....

Nope I was wrong, as it wasn't one of the the companies I tried before.

In fact after speaking to a very nice young lady (they're all young these days) on the phone am now getting a quote sent out in the post. From the general info' I was given am led to believe I should be covered under their normal Premier Plus. This is up to 365 days annual single trip and apparently okay for motorcycle travel, so long as I've got a licence (helmet etc). Premium's modest too at £350'ish, and is no extra for my existing asthma condition.

I will however be going through their policy small print exlusions with a fine toothed comb, to ensure I've got the right cover.

Thanks again for putting me on to this company. Regards Len

[Mojorising]

Hi Len,

Call these people, highly recomend them. I think the guy is called Richard & is ever so helpfull, they are based in Manchester I think. I got my policy with them in November before I left the UK. There are no 125 cc or 2 week restrictions on their policy & I am sure they do a 6 months policy. I have a copy of their policy on file so PM me if you want it mailing out to you.

travel insurance uk, backpacking, student travel, worldwide travel insurance

Cheers & good luck with your planning.

Mojo

[PaulM]

Hi Len - I'm going through the same process with 5th May departure looming fairly quickly.
Endsleigh were recommended (I got this from an earlier thread last year) but I am going to look more closely at a Carole Nash quote of £119 for 119 days. All countries on my planned tour of The Stans covered - it even goes as far as helmet and riding gear. (The underwriter is a company called Primary.)
Hope to bump into you and Bjorn somewhere along the way.
Keep im touch.
All the best
Paul

[pslootmans]

my travelinsurance 'world for 6 months' will cost around 250€, for 2 people/family living at the same adress ; no idea if they give an insurance for people living outside Belgium ; if you want to have a look VAB - Homepage.
anybody knows a company who gives insurance for motorbike South America ? will put a post for it, have been looking on the HUBB but can't find it

[Jeffr726]

I'm pretty sure STA travel has been mentioned before, but here it goes anyways. They do not underwrite their own insurance, but the company they have teamed up with does. There's no cc limit, and no country restrictions, although the maximum duration of coverage is 13 months. I haven't used them yet so I don't know if and when they pay claims, but they are worth talking to.
Student travel insurance providers | STA TRAVEL | Who Provides It
note: I talked to them 2 months ago, so things may have changed.
-Jeff

[DarrenM]

Just looked at STA and they seem to have changed their policy. Motorcycles now only covered up to 125cc and with 3 years No Claims.
Will be buying some insurance in about a month, will keep informed.

[Jeffr726]

I spoke with STA on April 4th and they confirmed that there was no cc limit on motorycles and that there were no country restrictions. I was quoted something around $765 for 13 months of coverage, which included the extra electronics coverage upgrade. 13 months was the maximum length of coverage. I really wish these companies could get their stories straight.
-Jeff

[Matt Roach]

I have taken out a policy with World Wide Travel Insure. This only applies for UK and EU residents. There is no capacity restriction for the bike.

They cover you for medical repatriation costs incurred if you have an accident and general travel insurance but do NOT cover personal accident or personal liability claims. There is an exclusion for hazardous activities but I confirmed with them in writing that this does not include motorcycle travel.

Have never placed a claim, so I cant confirm how efficient they are in this respect.

Policy costs around 150 pounds for 6 months.

Cheap Annual Travel Insurance: Single Trip Travel Insurance: Car Breakdown: Computer

[andypettitt62]

I am in the process of buying travel insurance, and so was interested in this thread.I spoke to the guy at Navigator Travel, and he was very helpful.They insure motorcyclists also.I have just read the fine print of the Worldwide travel insurance and they don't cover accidents resulting from riding motorcycles or quad bikes.I would think they wouldn't pay up if you had an accident and tried to claim.Its one thing being told verbally that you're covered, its another when you try to claim and they point out the small print .

[Matt Roach]

Andy;

That is partly correct re: World Wide Travel Insurance.

In the event of a motorcycle accident they do not pay lump sum compensation, but they do pay for medical treatment and repatriation. Ie the policy only covers the actual expenses arising from your accident, not any lump sum damages payments.

WWTI confirmed this point in writing to me when I applied for the policy.

cheers