If you are into road cycling, touring or mountain biking, a whole cycling holiday can be the perfect escape. Make sure the experience stays stress free by ensuring you have the right cycling holiday travel insurance to cover medical treatment, cancellation, theft, loss of baggage or other incidents.
That way you can enjoy days and days cycling abroad. Time on the open road or mountainside, stunning vistas in the French Alps, Spanish countryside, or Swiss lakes, with nothing to worry about but spinning your way through the hours. Bliss!
If you are going on bike holiday, then you’ll want to have our look at our Ultimate Road Cycling Holiday Checklist and Ultimate Mountain Biking Holiday Checklist to make sure you’ve packed everything you need!
Cycling Holiday Travel Insurance – EHIC
You must make sure you have a European Health Insurance Card with you when you travel in the EU. This qualifies you for free or reduced cost medical care in 28 EU member countries and some others.
You can order the card through the NHS. It is free to get, and free to renew, and every person in your group including children need their own individual cards.
How to order your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC)
1. Visit the EHIC website or the NHS page all About the EHIC.
2. Fill in the form and click submit. You do not need to pay anything.
3. Your card will take 7 to 10 days to come through.
Important info on the EHIC
– You still need private travel insurance if you have an EHIC card as it won’t cover you for more extensive treatment, repatriation or rescue if you need it.
– You also need an EHIC card even if you have private travel insurance, as many insurers stipulate it as a requirement.
– Check your card is still in date before you go if you already have one.
– You must have the card actually on your person to be able to use it, so make sure you always carry it with you when you are out riding.
– Make sure you order it in good time so you have the card before you leave for your holiday.
There is a great guide to the Free EHIC on the Money Saving Expert website.
Cycling Holiday Travel Insurance – Personal Cover
If you are going abroad for a cycling holiday, you need to make sure you have personal insurance cover as well as an EHIC card. Most insurance companies will cover cycling on roads or leisure cycling. If you want cover for events, racing or mountain biking, you will need a higher level of cover.
As with all insurance, you’ll need to declare any pre-existing medical conditions, so you may need to call the insurance company for a quote.
Although a lot of policies at first glimpse will state they cover mountain biking, it is worth taking a close look at the policy details. Some policies will only cover mountain biking on roads or paths, not off road. If you are going on an MTB holiday check that it states it covers mountain biking off road or mountain biking on trails, and if you are going to a bike park check that it also covers lift-assisted mountain biking. If in doubt, call the insurers directly.
If you are participating in a race or event, this will be deemed riskier so again check because some insurance companies won’t cover it. Others will for an additional premium. You may need to get a quote from a specialist sports insurer like Dog Tag or Sports Cover Direct.
Doing the Megavalanche mountain bike race? Or something similarly extreme? Again, check the policy details as some insurers specifically exclude certain events. Don’t worry, you will be able to get coverage (check the companies mentioned above) but expect to pay more again for it.
Make sure you comply with any stipulations on the insurance policy such as wearing helmets or other protective gear. If you have an accident and you weren’t compliant you may not be covered.
Cycling Holiday Travel Insurance – Equipment and Bicycle Cover
Your bicycle will be one of the most precious items you will be taking with you on your cycling holiday, so you not only need to know what cover you have for it but what you need to do to make sure that cover is valid.
Most insurance companies will only cover the cost of valuables, personal possessions or equipment up to a few thousand pounds, with a lower individual item limit. This may not be enough to cover the cost of your precious bike if it gets lost, stolen or damaged.
One way to make sure your bike is covered is to take out separate bicycle insurance. On many policies you can add EU and Worldwide cover for an additional fee. British Cycling offers this as part of their bicycle insurance package.
As with all insurance, check the details of your policy. It may stipulate that the bike is only covered if it is locked up with a certain standard of lock, and stored in a certain place like a secure room, or inside your house or apartment.
Useful Cycling Holiday Travel Insurance Links
These companies are either cycle focused insurers, or provide specialist sports insurance. They are just a selection of what’s out there, so do search around.
Environmental Transport Association (ETC) Insurance
CTC (The National Cycle Charity) Travel Insurance
The British Mountaineering Council Travel Insurance
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