Travel Insurance Cover Options When Riding Motorbikes Overseas

Whether you’re zipping through cobbled laneways in Europe, cruising on a chopper across the United States, taking a motorcycle tour through the spectacular Himalayas, or getting lost in the bustling streets of Southeast Asia, riding a motorbike or scooter while you’re travelling overseas can be a thrilling way to see the sights!

Some of the other benefits of hiring a motorbike, moped or scooter on an overseas holiday include:

• Convenience – You can easily avoid gridlocked traffic and main highways, and take your time exploring the roads less travelled instead.
• Flexibility – It frees up your schedule when you don't have to worry about fitting your travel plans around bus or train timetables.
• Independence – You can come and go as you please with full control over your own travel itinerary.

However, overseas motorcycle riding does also come with some added risks.

Heavy traffic conditions, poor road quality, unfamiliar road rules and lack of experience operating a two-wheeled vehicle are just a few of the many risk factors travellers should take into consideration before hopping on a bike overseas.

Many travellers also don't realise that their travel insurance company may not provide financial cover for emergency medical expenses if you're injured while riding a motorcycle, moped or scooter overseas.

Considering a hospital stay in the USA can set you back over $5,000 USD per night, and DFAT reports repatriation costs from Bali can be in excess of $60,000 AUD, we think this is pretty important.

If you're considering riding overseas, read our motorcycle travel insurance guide below to help you make a more informed decision about the type of cover that you can take out for your trip.

Does travel insurance cover riding motorcycles, mopeds and scooters overseas?

Just like ski insurance for snow sports or health insurance for specific pre-existing medical conditions, motorcycle insurance for riding a motorbike, moped or scooter overseas may not be automatically included in your travel insurance.

It may not be covered at all, or you may be able to customise your policy to add cover for riding a motorcycle, moped or scooter for an additional premium.

If you look at a travel insurer’s Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) you’ll likely find cover for motorbike riding falls into one of these five categories:

• Motorcycling is not mentioned

In this case you may not have cover for any unexpected costs related to riding motorcycles, mopeds or scooters overseas.

Check your insurer’s policy wording to see if your travel insurance only provides cover for specific listed activities and whether cover is provided for motorcycle or scooter riding.

• Motorcycling is excluded

Travel insurance policies have different exclusions that apply to their policies.

Riding a motorcycle, moped or scooter overseas may be listed as a General Exclusion, meaning you would not be covered for any emergency medical expenses or hospital expenses if you have an accident while riding.

• A restriction on maximum engine size for the vehicle

This is likely to indicate that cover is provided, but only so long as your chosen motorbike, moped or scooter doesn’t exceed the power limits defined in the travel insurance policy.

The most common engine capacity limit is 50cc for mopeds and scooters, but every insurer is different so you'll need to double check your PDS.

• Licence requirements

You may have cover for riding overseas if you hold a valid Australian motorcycle licence or licence for the country you’re travelling in.

For example, to legally drive or ride in Thailand you'll need to hold an international driver's permit, as well as a valid Australian motorcycle licence. The licence issuer is also an important consideration, as some travel insurance providers may only cover you if you have a valid motorcycle licence issued by a government authority.

On the other hand, to ride legally in Bali you'll need to hold a local licence which is only available to certain visa-holders by completing  a practical test at the Denpasar police station.

• Other requirements

There may be other conditions or requirements you will need to meet such as requiring you to ride and act in a responsible way, obey the local traffic laws, and wear a helmet.

These are in place to help you avoid an accident, or to at least lessen the extent of your injuries if you do get involved in an accident.

Will my motorbike be covered by travel insurance?

Most travel insurers do not automatically provide rental vehicle insurance or cover for equipment including bicycles, motorbikes, mopeds and scooters. This may be an optional extra you can add to your policy when you purchase travel insurance.

For example: Fast Cover allows you to customise your policy to suit you. If you're planning on riding a motorbike, moped or scooter, you can add the Motorcycle Pack to your policy to cover you in case of injuries or accidents, and you can also purchase a Bicycle Pack add-on to cover bicycles.

What about cover for rented motorbikes?

Rental vehicles including motorbikes are generally not covered by travel insurance. The same goes for the rental insurance excess, which refers to the amount you’ll have to pay the rental company if the bike gets damaged.

Whether you’re renting a motorbike in Bali, the United Kingdom, Southeast Asia or anywhere else, ensure you read the rental agreement and see how much you would have to pay if it becomes damaged. Your travel insurance will generally provide cover for injuries you sustain while riding, but most likely not for damage to the bike itself.

Would I be covered for injuring someone else in a motorbike accident?

Generally this is not covered by travel insurance.

You would be covered if you are injured (provided you weren’t driving illegally in any way, and subject to the terms of your policy) but you may not have cover for Personal Liability if you injure someone else or damage their property while riding a motorbike, scooter or moped. Check your travel insurer’s policy wording in the Product Disclosure Statement to be sure.

What do you need before you buy travel insurance with motorcycle cover?

People tend to throw caution to the wind when they’re on holiday, which can be exciting in some instances, but downright dangerous in others!

This applies to riding motorcycles overseas. Many people who have no training or experience riding a two-wheeled vehicle at home decide to try it for the first time when they’re overseas, despite the obvious risks this poses.

If you’re travelling to a foreign country it’s best to thoroughly research the riding laws that will apply to you. Your travel insurance will generally only provide you with cover if you’re obeying the law, and that means having the correct licences or permits.

In most cases, the licence also needs to be issued by a recognised government agency.

The two things you'll most likely require to ride overseas are:

10 travel insurance tips for riding a motorbike, scooter or moped safely overseas

We want you to have fun and be safe when you travel.

If you’ve got your licences and permits all sorted and are ready to travel, keep these tips in mind to stay safe on the roads:

1. Ensure you have the correct licence for your destination