Worldwide Motorcycle Travel Insurance
 

Hi all!

I'm digging into travel insurance for our RTW trip at the moment so would like to share some of the info. I've checked with Cheap worldwide Travel Insurance. Holiday Travel Insurance and received a qoute.

They cover any motorcycle regardless of the CC (we're taking a wee strom 650cc). This is for overland motorcycle touring with the intention of staying on the road not going through sahara etc. - basicaly it means that you will not go where any motorised vehicles shouldn't go - we're not planning to. In addition to this the policy covers you for sporting activities and working. It also includes med evac so if it is required for you to be flown out of the country for medical assistance it is covered - overall you're covered for £5,000,000.

The policy will only cover you not what/who you damage - so if you crash into somebody only you will be covered and anything you've done to the person you crashed into you'll have to cover on your own. The policy is £37.50 per month per person. They do up to 18 months policy with an option of renewal. We'll be taking a 12months policy for £450 per person.

If there is a similar policy outthere giving the same thing for less please let us know! We're UK residents if it makes any difference.

Stay safe!
Andy

This part I think I may be totally misunderstanding... can you please clarify, in what ways will your motorcycle be covered ( - will it be covered, if you crash it, or it gets stolen, or burns or sinks into the water)? Or this is in fact a travel insurance for yourself & your companion, which does not cover the bike (the bike´s value) in any way?

Having the med-evac option in your travel insurance is something you wish you´ll never ever need, but could save your life, if you do! (and it might also be a good idea to make a few copies of the proof of insurance, and keep them somewhere where they can easily be found in case things go bad and you´re unable to hand that information to anyone.)

I have the "backpacker / long-stay" insurance policy from Worldwide, which is underwritten by AXA. You are correct that there is no cc limit on bike travel, but it does not cover damage to the bike.

I had a crash in Angola a few weeks ago, which required medical repatriation to the UK for treatment. AXA arranged for the repatriation with a minimum of fuss and agreed to cover all my medical expenses incurred in Angola. It does not cover treatment in your home country however, so you will be reliant on the NHS or other private medical insurance when you return.

I can thoroughly recommend this policy, based on AXA's responsiveness to my claim.

Yes you're right it is a little misleading. I meant that they will cover you travelling on any cc bike. I remember that it was an issue with a lot of insuring companies - they usualy say "Yes we cover motorcycles" without adding that it's for up to 50cc only :)

To answer your question the policy is only for me and the missus not for the bike. I'm sure that a moto insurance would be extensively expensive. I think you just have to risk when it comes to the bike - what you shouldn't be risking is with your life so this policy sounds really good.

Matt thanks a lot for the info! It's always good to know that they do what they should when it comes to it!

thanks guys!
Andy

Have a look at 1 stop travel insurance. Ride safe.

Do they cover bikes more than 125cc? Have u used them?

Andy

Phoned up 1 Stop Travel Insurance - they only offer 12 months policy. You have to use public roads (whatever that means), wear a helmet and no racing :) After the policy expires you need to get back to uk to get it renewed - you need to be in uk - this would mean that at that point we'd have to get a different policy issued in the country we are in or something. Not interested.

Thanks for the info though!
Andy

I went with 1stoptravelinsurance for £160 GBP / year worldwide coverage. It recently finished and as earlier said they only extend when you get back to the UK.
So I went with Navigatortravel.co.uk

It was possible to take out the insurance from overseas.

Cheers,
Frank

This sounds like a good deal. £160 is really not bad. The cover is quite substantial. I will give them a call later on today and see exactly what they offer.

Thanks!

Andy

I've just got insurance with Navigator Travel. They have two policies BOTH cover motorbike trips. YOU are covered but NOT the bike. I got 6 months including USA for £180.

Navigator Travel
 

Hi Folks,

I have lurked on this site for a couple of years now but I have finally got my sh1t together and am off to Asia in November.
I really enjoyed the Donnington get together this year.
What an inspiring bunch you are.

I have just spoken to Richard at Navigator and he pointed me towards their "silver" policy for up to 18 months at a premium of £511

Is this a good deal? I'm a 54 year old male in good health.

I've just read through their policy and it seems to exclude motorcycling, unless I've mis-read it.
Geoff

The definitely cover motorcycling as we have just bought insurance for 18 months from them a few hours ago very reasonably priced too :thumbup1: the only downside is that to renew you need to go back to UK, but we will cross that bridge nearer the time during our travels.

Navigator insurance very much includes motorcycles.
You can opt for on-road or an off-road policy - with the definition of a road being a road that a normal car can drive along - not just 4WD.

I've had some great correspondence from Richard at Navigator who was very responsive to my questions. This includes being able to change one month to off-road if required.

Steve
Just leaving for Africa...

Flying out of the UK on Tuesday Woohoo! Next stop Bankok for a week of R&R and beautiful warm weather. Then find a bike to jolly around Asia.
See you in Chiang Mai :mchappy:
Glad that I haven't made a mistake with Navigator insurance :thumbup1:

I hope that you enjoy your trip, I'm in SE Asia at the moment and it is quite good fun, but a word of advice, don't get old or you can wave bye bye to these insurance companies. Presumably because when you are old you take less risks, or something. Ride safe regardless.

Ha. On that cheery note, for age 63, Cheap Worldwide Travel were quoting almost double the price of Navigator. I think I'll go with Navigator.

Update
 

Hi all

I've discovered the following, so I thought an update might be useful.

The biggest payout for emergency medical expenses in insurance history was £1.8 million. So don't get seduced into paying more for a policy offering cover up to £5,000,000 which is common these days.

Navigator had a massive payout last year as a result of a motorcycle accident and so their underwriter has changed their Silver and Gold policies to limit the use of motorcycles on a trip to no more than 14 days! Not so useful then! If you check out their complete wording for these policies you will find it noted in the small print on page 9 under 'Leisure.' So be careful.

The good news is that Navigator has introduced two new policies which they have called Navigator Standard and Navigator Plus, which have a different underwriter. These do accept long-distance motorcycle travel and have only the standard restrictions - you must have a full licence, wear a lid and stay on road (You can get off road insurance for an extra premium but only on bikes up to 250cc). Pillion riders must also hold a full UK licence. These policies don't appear to come up on their website if you ask for an online quote. You can check them out, though, by going to the bottom of their home page, clicking on the 'policy wordings' link and then again on the 'Navigator Standard' and 'Navigator Plus' links.

1Stop Travel Insurance now only cover motorcycles up to 125cc.

For an 'older' motorcyclist like me, I couldn't find anything much under £500 for nine months (that was Navigator again) - most were a lot dearer. We seem to scare them off for some reason. Too damned irresponsible.

Happy travels.

Choice is exceptionally limited, especially for longer trips.

I'm finding that for a month in morocco, then 3-6 months in South America that it's much cheaper buying to separate single trip policies.

For a someone who's fit and healthy and in their late/twenties early thirties, some of the quotes are rediculous. A few were in the region of £500+ Navigators most basic one was cheapest at around £170, but if a pillion can't claim then it's useless.

The search continues.

Global Rescue ?
 

Got excited - checked Navigator... I'm 55, just want 11 months single trip to Asia, and it quoted £547 for a basic policy.

As its really only the medical evacuation that's important to me, Global Rescue look tempting at just over £400 for a year.

They advertise on HUBB - anyone had good/bad experience with them ?

Have you tried Trailfinders?

They seem pretty straight to me, and I'm in the process of making a claim, so maybe I'm speaking too soon.

Motorcycling is excluded on their standard policy, but they will add large capacity bikes for an extra premium. We took originally took out a 5-month policy to cover worldwide travel excluding the USA, and it cost us £770 for the two of us (ages 52 and 62).

I am reading this with interest. I too am sorting insurance for next year and have a thread to update on the general section.

I approached Worldwide but was instructed to place my search in the international residents section even though I am a UK resident. I have been out of the country travelling for most of a year and this may be why. I then got a huge premium, so disregarded them. If I use the Uk resident section I get the same price as the OP for a year. However looking at the policy wording for single trip the Policy feature table shows; Maximum period per trip if aged under 69, 94 days. This seems strange when cover is requested for a year.

So I think I will phone them again on Monday and ask some more questions. This whole insurance issue is a minefield.

Tried InsureandGo? Different underwriter and have policy that covers existing conditions if that is necessary. The more conditions covered the higher the premium.


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Worldwide Motorcycle Travel Insurance
 

A very helpful thread - thanks to all.

Having trawled the options i have basically come down to Navigator and/or Global Rescue.

Has anyone explored the differences in any detail?

From what i can see Navigator provide 'normal' travel insurance. They will pay repatriation expenses but i am not clear on how this works in practice if i am in a bad way in the middle of Africa. I have a Delorme Inreach so perhaps they can notify the insurer who takes it from there (or is it down to me to get sorted which i may not be in a position to do).

Global Rescue give me confidence they will come and get me and take me back to a UK hospital which is fine, but don't cover medical costs which could be an issue if i just need in country treatment. I also have concerns about the legal indemnity you give them when you sign up (appears you could end up paying their US legal fees - unlikely to be a good thing).

All insights greatly appreciated.

Cheers
Andy (Uk citizen, riding through Africa)

Hi,

As I just bought my insurance yesterday…..

Someone mentioned InsureAndGO. I have used them 2 years ago for our trip to Mongolia… HOWEVER, they cover bikes up to 125cc only. If you crash and get injured, riding a bigger bike, the insurance may say this invalidate the policy. You must be VERY careful regarding the wording and what is or not covered as permitted activities. I go with the principle that if the insurance can find a way of not covering you and fobbing you off, they will! So I read the little letters on contracts!

This time as we have two 250 enduro bikes, I bought a SILVER MOTORBIKE policy with Navigator, after a quick email exchange with Richard (for our 3 months trip round Russia and central Asia). The standard SILVER policy does cover only 15 days biking. Another policy (I forgot which one) covers only roads where a normal car can get through… the MOTORCYCLE dedicated one covers off-road as permitted activity, any CC etc… however, it is more pricey (475 pounds for the 2 of us for about 3 months!)…

I did not do too much research this time round, there may be other brokers offering coverage, as adventure motorcycling is becoming more popular…

Cheers,

Just bought
 

I've gone with Navigator Standard policy. They cover all activities on any size bike, except off road and 4x4 tracks. So any road the locals use in their cars is OK. I didn't bother with the specific m/cycle policy because you pay an extra £400 to cover riding gear, panniers etc. I decided no to worry about that. £2 million of medical cover would be all you ever need, especially outside of the USA. So at £628 I was happy enough. I'm 64 and have a medical condition (asthma) which cost me another £10.
I'm happy now.

Geoff

I have just found P J Hayman Insurance in Hampshire
02392 419 070
They were fine about age, duration and even the motorcycling.
We have lots of trouble elsewhere (Nomads want younger people for instance) and so we are using PJ Hayman

Still getting my head around the insurnaces
 

Can others assist please

We will be 2 up travelling for 2 plus years (Australian) 51/45 starting in SA and trying to sort through all the insurance side of things. Am I correct in

Insurance for the bike itself - no one will cover or provide coverage on the bike for damage/ stolen etc while overseas and if they did the price would be ridiculous

Travel Insurance - Now I'm classing travel insurance as that insurance offered in case I miss a flight, or my luggage ends up in some strange land or my camera gets stolen

Medical Insurance - insurance that will cover my medical expenses while in another country where repatriation is not required, i.e. tooth filling etc

Rescue / Repatriation Insurance Typically where we've had an accident and need to be collected/ transported to a hospital and where if deemed necessary to then be flown back to your home country for medical treatment.
I think im correct in saying that this insurance almost always includes medical insurance as mentioned above. I know it also includes rescue if you've been abducted but my Risk Assessment of that occurring is low.

Local Insurances - these I understand to be totally separate and on a country by country basis. Still not 100% what each one will cover us for but I know we need to pay them

Primary things to be aware of in the policies That the use of a Motorbike is covered over (typically) 200cc.

That you are covered for the roads you are travelling on, again I get the impression that the majority of policies discussed are for On Road (that being one which a car travels on. Could be a pot holed dirt track but if a local drives along it then its On Road..... still need to confirm this though)

That my passenger is covered for all the same things I'll be covered for


Please can anyone let me know if my breakdown is correct. I think I get confused reading these posts, where people talking Travel Insurance mean Rescue etc etc. I understand different countries name things differently.

Now to work through all the different policies. For us one thing I did mention on another post was that we currently pay $2500 per year health insurance so when travelling this will cease, so we should complain to much with paying whats asked and coming back to Aust the health system is of good quality (in most cases) and free

I'll keep updating my post of my experiences with companies.

I can answer a couple of these for you.

Insurance for the bike itself -You are correct in thinking you cannot get world wide cover for your bike, it has to be bought country by country or in some cases a group of countries or entire continents such as a green card in Europe or a comessa in parts of Africa. These policies which are generally third party only are looked upon as keeping you legal and for avoiding problems with the police, their value as actual insurance is often questionable.

Travel Insurance -You might get a travel insurance policy for the things you list but the cost for the length of your trip might be more than any loss incured, most people don't have it.

Medical Insurance -Rescue / Repatriation Insurance The most important of all and for Brits is usually combined, other nationalities this might be different. As you seem to be aware make sure it covers you for motorcycling and with a capacity limit which covers your for the bike you are on. The other things to ask are do they require you to have a fixed return date and return ticket and can it be renewed on the road, these last two can reduce your options even further and are a pain in the ass, your passenger will require their own policy probably from the same company, I have not heard of this type of policy that covers couples.

Local Insurances - Not quite sure what you are refering to here but you might be confusing with the first question local vehicle insurance, apart from that I know of no other local insurance.

Something to bear in mind is that in some countries such as India there are excellent medical and dental services availalble for less than the excess on your own policy, if the treatment you need is not for something major it can be easier and cheaper just to pay for it out of your pocket.

Further Info
 

Mark, thanks for the reply and you are correct, when I was talking about insurance for the bike I was talking about coverage for damage to the bike or if it was written off, which Ive gathered is not practical..... as opposed to Bike Insurance, which I was calling local insurances (Third Party etc ) and as you mention I gather in allot of cases the cover is questionable and more likely simply a contribution to their xmas fund.

Having to work all weekend but being with no one around my floor is covered in PDS documents and I have a little spread sheet going. Couple of points Ive learned that are relevant to us

Most Policies need a return date and wont let you renew while out of Aust

Most of the policies Ive reviewed so far (National Bank, WN, QBET, Fast Cover, Aust Post, DU Insure, Go Insurance (underwritten mainly by Lloyds, Allianz and QBE)) dont have restrictions on motorcycle use as long as i'm licensed in my country of residence

For us, we dont need all the extras, i.e. mugging, loss of passport, disruption to travel plans, car hire, flight cancelations, loss of luggage etc and will take these as they come. We are mainly after, Overseas Medical expenses including repat etc which in most cases even for Basic cover is Unlimited. One exception is WN where if we choose their Standard policy (the one without all the extras mentioned above) they only offer 10,000,000 (still allot though).

A point to note is that in the majority of PDS's Pre Exisiting medical can be anything you have been treated for from 60 to 90 days prior to leaving .... so stay healthy for a couple of months before and you wont get caught out

Best Ive come across so far for us out of Aust is Go Insurance (underwritten by Lloyds) their Go Basic for 365 days 2 people Sth America is $777 Aust (15.01.2017) .... just need to confirm renewing.

Anyway i will bore you all some more as I continue to read and review.... and always read the PDS for yourselfbier

Life Insurance
 

One other point to note is that in my case I have Income protection, Death and TPD (Total Permanent Disability) insurances through my Super fund (not sure what you call them in the UK/ USA/ Others).

Anyway I'll be cancelling my income protection, due to enjoying myself and not working :thumbup1: but keeping the Death and TPD as I'm also covered while OS and my wife will get 1,000,000 if I die or suffer a permanent injury.... which may be why I have caught her trying to put a pillow over me..... she said it was to stop me snoring..... maybe permanently :rolleyes2:

Motorcycle licence for the country im travelling in
 

Can anyone tell me if I'm allowed to enter a country does this mean I'm then automatically licenced to to ride my motorbike in their country.

In the PDS it states, "Your claim arises from being in control of a motorcycle without a current Aust licence (all good there) .... or you are a passenger on a motorcycle that is in the control of a person who does not hold a current licence for the country you are travelling in

All you can do is get an internation driving permit from the ARAC, there are two which cover different countries, if you plan to go everywhere get both but I doubt anyone on the road will know the difference.

Usually your home-country motorcycle license will allow you to ride in whatever country you enter. A car license will often not, and although sometimes they don't notice or care, it's also true that sometimes they do. This can cost time, effort and money in real or fake fines, and it might render any insurance invalid.

For example, coming to my country, the USA, and riding around without a motorcycle license is a real risk, notwithstanding the fact that people do it all the time. A single stop by a single cop might end your trip rather rudely.

Then there are the countries which won't allow riding unless you've got a local driving license. The ones that come to mind from my recent experience are Guyana and Cuba, but there are certainly others. Most places where this is true will provide some sort of way you can buy a local license without jumping through too many hoops in tropical heat and humidity.

Hope that's helpful.

Mark

Thanks
 

Thanks Mark & Mark

As I suspected if there is a licence required when we cross boarders I'm sure we will be charged the cost

I will follow up our international licence options from here.

Thanks Again.

International driving permit (IDP) is available from the RACV. Cost about $38, took twenty minutes.
But it is NOT an international licence - it is merely a translation of your own licence into about a dozen languages.

Hello
I am going to Singapore and I'm looking for the best travel insurance there.
Has anybody here used AXA Singapore before ? https://www.axa.com.sg/travel-insurance
Thanks !

I am looking for bike insurance which will cover me through Bosnia, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Albania. Any thoughts?

When I went through, 2 years ago (autumn 2019) I was able to get motor insurance at the border. That includes Bosnia, Albania and Montenegro. I did not go to North Macedonia so cannot comment on that one, but would expect the same.
Cheers.