Motorcycle Travel Insurance Policies

Travel insurance policies come in all shapes and sizes and need to cover a huge variation in requirements. If you plan on partaking in a particularly niche activity whilst on your travels such as motorcycling then you need to be sure you have a suitable travel insurance policy for that activity, as many general policies will either not include it, restrict the cc of the bike or will charge an extremely high premium.

Motorbike touring has become an extremely popular activity for travellers in recent years and has become a favoured method of transport for many following successful programmes like Ewan McGregor’s ‘Long Way Down’. Whether it is the mode of transport you choose for your entire trip or just for a small period, it’s crucial you get a motorcycle travel insurance policy which will cover medical costs arising from accidents on the road (see note below for off-road motorcycling cover). The number of accidents abroad on motorcycles has increased significantly over the last few years, illustrating the importance of having a suitable travel insurance policy. Whether this increase in accidents is down to inexperienced tourists or careless locals doesn’t matter when you come away with a broken leg or worse and a huge hospital bill without the correct insurance policy to cover it.

At Navigator we recognise the importance of suitable cover when planning a motorcycle trip abroad and can offer two policies, Silver and Gold, which both cover use of motorcycles with no restriction on cc subject to the conditions below, so all you have to concentrate on when you’re away is the open road! The key elements to consider when taking out one of our motorcycle travel insurance policies are:

• You Must hold a FULL UK licence for riding a motorcycle
• You must always wear a crash helmet, even if the local law doesn’t insist on it
• These policies don’t restrict you on the cc of the bike as long as you meet these conditions
• The motorcycle itself is not covered (it should be covered on the bike insurance)
• Personal Liability claims arising from driving/riding motor vehicles are excluded and must be covered on the bike insurance
• Additional compensation (Personal Accident) for death, loss of sight or limbs and disablement are excluded in the event of a motorcycling-related claim

One important thing to bear in mind, is that your helmet, leathers and boots are NOT adequately covered on travel insurance. These are classed as “sports equipment and clothing” and are excluded from cover whilst they are in use. If they are damaged or stolen whilst not in use, for instance if they are stolen from your hotel room, you can put in a claim, but only up to the single item limit, which restricts the amount that you can claim for one item or set. Also attachments to the motorcycle, such as panniers, would be regarded as accessories to the vehicle which are not covered by travel insurance. It is recommended that you insure these items on your motorcycle cover, as vehicle insurers often offer the option to add equipment and clothing.

Off road motorcycling is NOT covered at the standard Leisure rates, but we can cover this activity at the higher Action Plus rate. Select this option when getting a quote, if you require cover for going off-road, Enduro etc, though no cover is available for competitions, jumping or stunting.

We totally understand that choosing a policy for something this important and with this level of detail can be daunting. That’s why we’re always available for you to contact us if you have any questions about the specifics of a motorcycling travel insurance policy or regarding more general questions about pricing etc. If you do have questions, don’t hesitate to call us on 0161 973 6435 or, alternatively, if you’ve seen everything you need to then why not get a quote online right now!