At a glance
Cycling travel insurance is designed to cover mishaps that can happen on your cycling holiday
You’ll likely need cycling travel insurance if riding a bike is the focus of your holiday
Policies can include emergency medical cover, holiday cancellation and cover for your bike and equipment
Make sure the single item limit – the money you could claim if your bike is lost or stolen – is high enough to cover your bike.
What is cycling travel insurance?
Cycling travel insurance is specifically designed to cover mishaps that can happen on cycling trips and holidays.
As well as insurance for emergency medical expenses, baggage and cancellation, it can cover you taking part in cycling activities, as well as for theft and damage to your bike and equipment.
If you’re going on a cycling holiday, or competing in a race, mountain biking, BMX biking or touring you’ll likely need one of these specialist policies. Alternatively, an adventure sports policy could cover some types of cycling.
You’ll need to be clear about the type of cycling you’ll be doing when you apply for your policy to make sure you have the right cover for your trip.
Do I need specialist cycling travel insurance?
If the main purpose of your trip is cycling, then likely yes.
This is because standard travel insurance typically only covers recreational cycling, such as hiring a bike for the day.
Standard travel insurance policies often excludes bicycles themselves. Or if a policy does offer cover, the cover limits may be too low for your bike and any expensive equipment.
Always check the terms of the policy to confirm what exactly it covers.
Will my UK bicycle insurance cover me abroad?
It depends on your policy. If you already have bicycle insurance, check to see if it will cover your bike abroad or on holiday in the UK, or whether you can add on cover.
But be aware that cover might only extend to protecting your bike without offering the broader protection of travel insurance. For example, it may not include medical, repatriation and cancellation cover.
Customers with pre-existing medical conditions
If you have a serious health condition, your travel insurance is likely to be more expensive. Whatever happens, tell your insurance provider the truth. If you give false information or miss something out, your claim could be rejected.
When you declare any medical conditions on our website, we’ll only show you quotes from insurance providers that will cover them with no exclusions.
If your condition is more serious, MoneyHelper has a directory of insurance providers who may be able to provide quotes over the phone. You can call them on 0800 138 7777.
What does cycling travel insurance cover?
A comprehensive cycling travel insurance policy should include the same cover as a standard travel insurance policy, as well as cover tailored to the needs of a cyclist:
Medical treatment – if you become ill or have an accident while you’re riding, and you need emergency medical care. Policies may also include emergency dental treatment
Repatriation – to help you get home quickly and safely in a medical emergency
Cover for your bike and accessories – this could include breakdown and accidental damage cover as well as cover for your bike in transit. It could also include alternative cycle hire so you can continue your trip if your bike is damaged or stolen while you’re away. If you have an expensive bike, make sure the cover limit for a single item is high enough enough
Missed flights and connections – if it was out of your control
Travel delays – to reimburse you for any bookings you’ve made in advance that you can’t make as a direct result of a delayed flight
Trip cancellations or curtailment – in case, for example, you break your leg in the run-up to your cycling trip and you need to cancel
Search and rescue in an emergency
Personal liability, in case you injure someone and they make a claim against you
Personal injury insurance to cover longer-term medical treatment, such as dental care or physiotherapy, if you’re injured while cycling.
What isn’t covered by cycling travel insurance?
As with any travel insurance policy, there are some common exclusions for claims on cycling travel insurance. You most likely won’t be covered for the following:
Travelling to a country against FCDO advice.
Accidents and injuries if you’re under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
If you break local laws or the rules of the road.
If you leave your bike unattended and unlocked, even briefly.
For any existing medical conditions that you fail to disclose.
For acts of terrorism and natural disasters, if they’re not covered in the terms of your policy
Many policies will exclude cycling in competitions or any professional activity and even touring. Some polices might also exclude as standard off-road, BMX or mountain biking.
Typically, you might not be covered if you don’t use recommended safety equipment like a helmet. Check what your policy says.
What else should I look for with specialist cycling travel insurance?
When choosing a policy, be sure you take a close look at which sports and activities are included in the cover.
Policies will have rules about what type of cycling is included or excluded. There may also be exclusions for cycling above a specified altitude.
Some policies cover cycling activities, but not the bicycle itself. This may be offered separately.
You might need to add extra cover if you’re competing in an event or race. This could help cover any entry fees you’ve paid if you need to withdraw because of injury or the event is cancelled due to bad weather.
If you’re on a cycle tour, check that the cover extends to every country you plan to visit.
What else do I need to consider when buying cycling travel insurance?
To get the right travel insurance, think about:
The length of your trip: A specialist bicycle insurance policy usually offers cover for around 30, 60 or 90 days
How many trips you’re going on: You might choose single-trip insurance that lasts for the length of one tour or an annual policy that can cover multiple trips
Where you’re going: If you’re cycling on the continent, you’ll need European travel insurance. If you’re going further overseas, you’ll need a policy with worldwide cover. Be sure to check it includes all countries that you’re going to or travelling through.
Looking for a quote?
You can’t currently compare specialist cycling travel insurance with us. But if you’re only planning some recreational cycling on your holiday, get a new travel insurance quote in minutes to see if you can save.
FAQs
Does cycling travel insurance cover e-bikes and scooters?
Most plans do not include cover for riding an e-bike or scooter while you’re away. Check your policy, and if you think you’ll need this cover you may be able to add it on for an extra cost.
Will cycling travel insurance cover my gadgets?
It depends on the policy. If you’re taking expensive tech with you on your trip, such as a Garmin, GoPro or your smartphone, you’ll need to make sure you have an adequate level of baggage cover.
The total cover limit should be enough to replace all the equipment and belongings you’re taking with you.
Watch out for the single-item limit, though – that’s the maximum you’ll be able to claim for any one item. You can normally add on extra cover for gadgets and high-value items if need be.
Are there age restrictions for cycling travel insurance?
There may be. For example, it might be harder to find a specialist cycling trip policy if you’re over 75. You may have to pay extra if you fall into a higher age bracket, as insurance providers will see you as a greater risk.
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With more than eight years’ experience in writing and sub-editing content, Karen started her career in fashion before making the move to insurance. She now specialises in producing clear, engaging content that helps people make better financial decisions.
Karen’s areas of expertise include insurance products, such as car insurance, travel insurance and life insurance, as well as utilities such as energy comparison.
Stephen Maunder is an experienced personal finance editor, having spent more than a decade working for consumer print and online titles. He won several industry awards for his personal finance features at Which?, before becoming Deputy Editor at Compare the Market.
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