An old chesnut...?
 

Hi,
Sorry if this is a bit of an old chestnut but I have done a search through the HUBB and found quite a few threads on travel insurance. The problem is picking a good company at a reasonable price.
World Nomads are by far the cheapest but unless you are from Australasia or N. America your trip has to include Aus or NZ (which mine doesn't, and I only noticed this after reading their policy document for 15 minutes!).
Next best seems to be STA travel but they want £260 for 8 months worldwide not incl. USA etc.
Having just coffed up £1600 for a carnet and £100 in bike insurance excesses and visas, IDPs, etc. etc. I'm getting really hacked off spending all my travelling money on *!%$ing pieces of paper!
Somebody please save me a few quid and tell me a decent, cheap insurance company that will actually cover me for bike touring over 125cc!
Matt

No, I won't! no clue... keep looking, and do report here when you make your decision - in fact send me an email if you find someone new, so I can add it to the listing.

BUT I will tell you to spend more money on Med-Jet Assist - medevac insurance - best money you can spend if you need it. And it's not expensive.

Grant

Right, this is the result of my research!

Firstly, you have to be VERY careful to read the insurance policy in full.
I contacted World Nomads and they said I had to intend to visit Australia and New Zealand. I think the implication was that i could 'intend' to go but 'run out of money' or something. However, can't be bothered arseing around with that type of nonsense, aware as I am of the reluctance of most insurance companies to make a payment. So canned that idea.
I checked out most of the other insurance companies suggested ny folks on here and they tended to fall into two categories.
1: You can ride a motorcycle as long as it isn't over 125cc.
2: You are covered for all motorcycles BUT (and this latter bit is usually hidden behind an asterisk and secreted at the foot of the page!) it cannot be the main reason for your trip. Some going as far as to say you cannot do the 'hazardous activity' for more than e.g. six days(!) in any one trip.

The ONLY company I could find that specifically covers 'motorcycle touring' as the main reason for your trip is STA TRAVEL. And then only on their Premier policy. To give you an idea of costs, my non USA 8 month worldwide premier policy cost £260. (Am currently sobbing into my beer).

CAREFUL folks, the buggers'll get you in the small print!

Matt

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www.scotlandnepal.blogspot.com

Campbell Irvine in London do good cover for motorcycle trips though I've never tried to claim but you are full covered for riding a motorcycle in strange places. Less than £300 for 3 months in west Africa

Not sure if i missed something here but looking into medevac insurance, it appears that it only for US residents, not quite for RTW travellers. PLease correct me or point out the blindingly obvious that I cant see at 3.30am.

Kind regards

Paul

Matt! Haven't you left yet???
http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/ubb/smile.gif

If I am right, and it is just travel insurance that you are looking for (can't remember how long you are going for), take a look at Insure and Go (tel: 0870 333 1794 / www.insureandgo.com). I'm with them and have had no problems. Haven't had to claim though, but am happy with amount of cover and low excess.

Anything under 50cc you are automatically covered (but you may need to extend your trip a few years LOL).
Anything over, you buy add-on cover and pay per day, as many as you need (just called them up and there is no limit on the amount of time covered).
(the medical cover on the anuual worldwide policy is pretty decent too)

Hope this helps!

------------------
If you don't have bugs in your teeth, you haven't been grinning enough!

Thanks for the tips folks. It's done and dusted now! Gone with STA.
Shells, Leaving Sunday! This has been the longest week of my life!
Matt

For anyone that is interested I normally do my travel insurance throught Direct Travel.

Quote from the policy document:-

1. We will not cover you for any loss, injury, damage, illness, death or legal liability arising directly or indirectly from, or consisting of the following:

.............

2. Anything caused by:
f) You travelling on a motorcycle over 125cc, unless the rider holds a valid licence which lets them ride a motorcycle of more than 125cc

I assume that by that I would be covered for my travels RTW.

Paul

Glad you're sorted Matt.

At least if you can afford a beer to cry into, things can't be all bad http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/ubb/smile.gif

Get some sleep the night before you leave!!
Happy trails

yes, sorry, medevac is US and Canada residents only. BUT there is another one that does international/UK - just can't remember the name. Do a google search on "medevac" and you'll get lots.

Post here when you find it, or send to me, and I'll post it on the links page for posterity. http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/ubb/smile.gif

Grant

For UK Carol Nash will do it, it´s expensive, and you have to pay extra for some things you get covered for under other policies (but those policies don´t include motorcycling)
Can´t remember if it was easy to take out cover or not, but we have it.
Got it : Can´t ride roads higher than 3000m. Can take out extra cover for those periods

[This message has been edited by Fritz (edited 10 February 2006).]

Matt

Best wishes with your trip, I used Harrison Beaumont, but have not claimed - thank God.

Yours Alec - MZ in pieces in B.A.