Trip Planning

Medical Information

USA: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Traveller's Health info and more

Team Orthopedics Racing Research Activities

"A comparison of mechanical properties of off-road motorcycle boots."

Travel Health Online

"Shoreland, the trusted resource of travel medicine practitioners around the globe, created Travel Health Online to help you on your way to a safe, healthy adventure"

Canada Travel Medicine Program

Canada Travel Medicine Program, excellent current information on international disease outbreaks, immunization recommendations for international travel, general health advice for international travellers, disease-specific treatment and prevention guidelines. Recommended.

CIWEC Clinic

"The CIWEC Clinic Travel Medicine Center is the best source of Western medical care in Nepal and one of the most famous destination travel medicine clinics in the world." It is in Nepal.

"A4 maps of malaria in Windows Bitmap (bmp) format"

Heat Index Table

"The heat index (see chart...) is the "feels like", or apparent, temperature. As relative humidity increases, the air seems warmer than it actually is because the body is less able to cool itself via evaporation of perspiration. As the heat index rises, so do health risks..."

Read all about it, copy the chart and take it with you.

Travel Medicine

"... a leading provider of information and products dedicated to the health and safety of the traveler."

Medical Insurance

Insurance Agencies

From Ed Messenger, on the HUBB, re Medical Evacuation Insurance:

"Luckily I never had to use it but I got Medjet Assistance last year. Your first year is $175, they have their own hospital planes or will book you on a commercial flight if you're mobile. They fly you home- not just to the hospital closest to your location. They'll even work with you inside the US if you have an accident 500 miles from home, or need to be flown to Mayo clinic for special treatments.

Their rules are easier to meet than most other companies in terms of getting qualified for evacuation. In a nutshell if you are admitted to any bush hospital and can get a local official to say you need prolonged care, or advanced treatment they'll come get you. I found them through a friend who was very concerned about the best policy and did lots of research before getting it himself. Ed"

Michael Paull adds his endorsement of MedJet (and he DID use their services - twice!):

"... After an additional three days in Beijing, I was deemed stable enough for air evacuation back to the University of Washington Medical Center in Seattle, WA, in the company of my wife Aillene (who had flown in from Japan), and an air transport trauma nurse provided by the company that I had procured medical evacuation insurance from, MEDJET Assistance - without doubt, the best insurance coverage I have ever purchased in my life.

A small plug here - these people were remarkable... If there was ever a better case for '...don't leave home without it.', MEDJET Assistance is at the top of my checklist, no matter where I travel (and I hope to do a LOT more)."

Note: Per the Medjet Assistance site: "... a medical transport between Europe and America can run more than $35,000. Middle East and South American flights range from $60,000 to $80,000. Transport from Asia often exceeds $100,000." Sounds like $175.00 is pretty cheap insurance!

We are VERY pleased to annnounce that we have arranged with MedjetAssist a program especially for Horizons Unlimited people. Click the logo below for USA and Canada citizens to find out more. (NOTE: It's still in progress for the final HU version, but you can get MedjetAssist now!)

For OTHER nationalities it is currently a little more complicated. There IS a Foreign National Plan, but you can't enroll online. It's a faxable enrollment and subject to underwriting approval. The rates are the same, but transport is restricted to "back to home country - hospital of choice" rather than "anywhere in the world - hospital of choice". We are working on improving that, but at least it IS available! Go here to contact MedjetAssist and inquire about the Foreign National Plan.

Not sure you need insurance? Read this article in Forbes

This US site has coverage for US and non-US citizens - The International Citizen Series, which is annually renewable. For coverage which includes US and Canada, or if you want emergency medical evacuation, you must purchase 'Platinum' coverage, otherwise lower cost policies are available. There is no mention of exclusion for motorycles.

"Campbell Irvine are Registered Insurance Brokers who have been established for more than 30 years. We are an entirely independent company, who pride ourselves on quality, professional and above all, a personal service."

"cover motorcycling as activity for an extra 50% of the quoted price. No restrictions on bikes."

Coverage is restricted to US citizens or legal residents who are traveling in the US or internationally. A policy specially designed for student and budget travelers, but there is no age limit mentioned. Premium for 12 months (max.) is US$550. Motorcycling is not specifically excluded, but it does exclude losses resulting from: contests of speed, motor sports and motor racing, and while the insured is driving under the influence of alcohol.

"Club Direct's Discovery travel insurance covers you for long trips abroad, anywhere in the world. Trips of 31 days to a year or more, choice of two levels of cover, worldwide, Europe or Australia/New Zealand, flexible cover tailored precisely to your needs, includes work abroad and sports & activities, ability to extend period of cover whilst abroad, premium refunded for early return, multi-lingual medical assistance provided 24 hours a day, variable policy excess and section limits, 14 day no-quibble premium refund guarantee.

Please note that Club Direct travel insurance is only available to UK nationals, or people who have lived in the UK for 2 months or more and have a permanent UK address."

Andy Miller (UK) has used their services and recommends them for reasonable rates (£236 for one year except USA/Canada, with £50 excess, additional premium £91 for 3 months in USA/Canada), prompt reimbursement of medical expenses and general helpfulness.

"bikes restricted to 125cc"

"Comprehensive Travel Insurance for the Adventurous Traveller Downunder & World Wide". Offer a range of medical insurance policies for residents of Australia, NZ or UK

Also claim to offer vehicle insurance for non-UK residents, but upon inquiry, they don't include motorcycles in their definition of vehicles. Boo! Hiss! We will be continuing to have discussions with them about this! Website is a work in progress, not all working, but they do have phone numbers listed for their call centres.

"Hickok & Boardman Insurance is the oldest and one of the largest retail insurance agencies in Vermont." Offers commercial insurance and personal insurance.

"Quote: Nearly £500 for 6 months worldwide excl. US/CAD (max cover seems to be 6 months. Not sure it can be extended)"

They have no motorcycle restrictions for ordinary travellers. Evacuation is included in their coverage. Recommended by David McMillan from San Francisco, CA, USA.

Coverage restricted to EEC residents, and geared for under-35 (though us ancients can get coverage). Premium for 12 months with no geographical limits is £296.00. Add 20% for ages 36-55. Add 40% for ages 56-64. "Motorcycling is covered under all sections except for Personal Accident and Personal Liability, medical expenses will be covered under the Medical Expenses section".

From Cynthia Milton: Navigator insurance only covers to age 50 for travellers.

Maria Robinson from London, Surrey, Britain said:

"Gold and diamonds policies include motorcycling. Add 25% to the quoted price for >35yr old. Riders must wear helmet at any time and must hold licence- I was quoted £280 (I'm >35!) for 10months worldwide excl. US/CAD and excluding luggage/passport/cash insurance (that gives you a 15% discount)."

"With STA Travel's Premier insurance you have the most extensive cover available."

From Cynthia Milton: STA "cover up to 64 and include motorcycle touring in the Premier policy. Not a bad price either."

"Their 'Premier' Policy includes motorcycle touring. They confirmed on the phone that there is no restriction regarding engine size etc...
Again quote was £309pp for 10 months for South America 2007"

Bruce, UK, said: "when I queried the STA recently they stated that 'yes motorcycle touring was covered' but up to 125cc!"

"Trailfinders Tailormade Travel Insurance, developed over some 35 years and effected by AXA Insurance UK Plc, has been specifically designed to cater for all types of traveller on all types of holidays."

Maria Robinson from London, Surrey, Britain said:

"cover motorcycling with no restriction, only add 50% to the quoted premium from their website to include motorcycling- Example £509pp for 10months worldwide exc. CAD/US"

The Travel Insurance Agency

"specialise solely in travel insurance...budget traveller...already travelling" etc. UK based (NO USA citizens) but all others ok. Explorer policy - "Specially for the budget traveller covering yourself for the necessities", maximum age 40, is £181.50 for 12 months worldwide coverage. Motorcycling coverage restricted to under 500cc.

"World Nomads cover is specially designed for adventurous independent travellers.... We cover overseas medical expenses and evacuation in the event of emergencies, and offer luggage cover that can include laptops, digital cameras and iPods."

"restrictions as following. None if you are a US/NZ/Oz/US citizen/resident. If not, they will cover trip including motorcycling, but only if your trip will go via Oz or NZ! They just confirmed this by phone. And yes they will ask prove (like plane ticket) that your trip will cover these countries. Basically I was told they make sure you go to Oz /Nz….."

Bruce, UK, said: "when I queried the STA recently they stated that 'yes motorcycle touring was covered' but up to 125cc! Same goes for World Wide Nomads"

This is a British site, but it provides insurance for all nationals and coverage up to 24 months. Motorcycling is covered (for an additional premium), but the premium table is confusing as to how much additional per month it would cost.

Maria Robinson from London, Surrey, Britain said:

"Cover motorcycling. Restriction: no compensation payment in case of disability as a result of a bike accident but will cover medical costs resulting from an accident on the bike.
Quote: £400 pp for 10months worldwide excl. US/CAD"

Link Sites

Medical Insurance

Links to Travel Medical insurers in USA, Australia and UK. Be sure to check the fine print!

"Here is a good link of the better known UK travel insurance offerings. Make sure you read the small print to make sure you're covered as a biker. It might also be a good idea to e-mail them if you have any questions on what is/what's not covered before you buy, to beef up you legal position if you do claim. Some of the people on the helpdesks told me bikes weren't covered, although it said so in the small print." Post by GS George on the HUBB, 19 April 2002