Cycling travel insurance: check before your next cycling holiday

Travel insurance that protects you

Why standard travel insurance may not be enough

It’s easy to assume that a standard travel insurance policy automatically covers a cycling holiday. Sometimes it does, but that’s not always the case.

Many policies cover casual leisure cycling, such as hiring a bike for an afternoon while you’re away. However, a lot of policies have exclusions or different rules if your trip involves more than this.

Before doing something like travelling specifically for a cycling holiday, going on a multi-day ride as part of a wider trip, taking part in a sportive or organised event, or joining a training camp, check that these activities are included. Some policies may exclude them altogether, while others may offer reduced cover or require additional premiums to be paid.

The key message is simple: don’t assume you’re covered just because your policy mentions cycling. Take a few minutes to check exactly what activities are included before you travel.

Medical cover

If you’re injured while riding abroad, medical costs can quickly become expensive, depending on where you’re travelling.

It’s worth checking that your policy includes emergency medical treatment, hospital care and, if necessary, repatriation to bring you home. If you’re travelling within Europe, and have a UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC), it can help you access some state healthcare, but it isn’t a replacement for travel insurance and doesn’t cover everything.

Taking a little time to check your cover before you leave means you can focus on enjoying your holiday rather than worrying about what might happen if plans change.

Personal liability

Another area that’s easy to overlook is personal liability.

If you’re involved in an accident and accidentally injure someone else or damage their property while riding, you could be held responsible for the costs. Some travel insurance policies include personal liability cover, while others may have exclusions or limits.

It’s another good reason to read the policy wording carefully before you travel.

Is your bike covered?

For many of us, our bike is one of (if not the most) valuable things we take on holiday. Whether it’s travelling in a bike box, stored in a hotel or leaning outside a café during a coffee stop, it’s worth knowing exactly what (if any!) protection you have.

As for cover that protects the individual, your bike may well not be covered under a standard travel insurance policy: some policies include cover for theft and accidental damage, while others may have limits on the value they’ll pay out and some won’t cover bikes at all. If you want to take your bike with you on a trip, carefully check the maximum cover and that it reflects what the bike is worth.

You may also want to check whether your policy covers damage caused during flights, loss in transit and any accessories you’re travelling with, such as a cycling computer or spare wheels.

Other points to look at:

• Will the insurer cover “new for old”?
• Will the provide relacement bike hire if your bike is stolen?
• If your trip includes a sportive, gran fondo or other organised cycling event or race, is your bike covered?

Take a look at any security requirements. Some insurers specify how and where a bike must be stored for theft cover to apply.

Finally, if you have a policy that covers your bike against theft at home, don’t assume it will cover the bike when it’s abroad. It’s time to dig out the policy and check!

Bike on Mangart’s Saddle Slovenia

Questions to ask

Here are a few of the important cycling specific questions to ask when considering cycling insurance for a holiday:

• Is cycling covered if it’s the main purpose of my trip?
• Are organised rides, sportives or races included?
• Does the policy include emergency medical treatment and repatriation?
• Is personal liability included?
• Is my bike covered for theft and accidental damage?
• Does the policy cover airline damage or loss in transit?
• Does the maximum bike value match the value of my bike?
• Does the cover apply in the country I’m visiting?

Spending a few minutes checking these details before you travel could save a lot of stress (and expenditure) if something unexpected happens.

Rest stop by scenic Lake Chuzenji on the Nikko loop in Japan

Final thoughts

A cycling holiday should be about enjoying memorable rides, whether that’s climbing mountain roads, exploring quiet countryside or discovering somewhere new from the saddle.

Taking a little time to check your cycling travel insurance before you set off can help you travel with confidence, whether you’re taking an expensive bike overseas, riding an organised event or heading away for a few days with friends.

Finally, remember that every insurance policy is different. Epic Road Rides isn’t an insurance adviser, so this article is intended as general information only. Always read the full policy wording carefully and contact your insurer if you have any questions about the cover you’re considering.

What’s next?

Once you have checked your cycling travel insurance, these guides can help with the rest of your trip planning:

• How to plan a cycling holiday, for tips on choosing a destination, planning your route, booking accommodation and organising the practical details.
• Ultimate cycling holiday packing list, with practical suggestions for what to take on a cycling holiday.
• Shipping a bike: step by step guide to how to ship your bike, with three options you can choose from depending on your trip.
• Rental cars, bike racks + other options: how to transfer your bike by car on holiday, for tips on choosing a suitable vehicle, fitting your bike and considering the alternatives.
• How to choose cycling coaching, including online cycle coaching + cycling camps.
• How to plan a bike tour or cycling holiday on a budget, for practical ways to manage costs before and during your trip.

Clare Dewey is a cyclist with a passion for travel. She set up epicroadrides.com in 2018 to help make it easy for cyclists to explore the world by bike. Today her mission is still inspiring cyclists to discover new places on two wheels - and doing what she can to make sure they have the best possible time while they're there. Clare has visited 50+ destinations around the world, many of them by bike.

Want to connect with Clare? Find her over on LinkedIn.