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Motorcycle travel insurance

Richard Laycock

Are you looking for travel Insurance that covers you for riding a motorbike overseas? Find out who will cover you.

You wouldn’t hit the road in Australia without insurance. However, when people go overseas they throw caution to the wind and do things they normally wouldn't. One such activity is riding a scooter or motorcycle uninsured. If you’re involved in an accident overseas and you're uninsured, you could be facing a massive medical, hospital and possible evacuation bill, plus a bill for the damage to the motorcycle as well. This article looks at why motorcycle travel insurance is needed overseas, what levels of cover are available and what is and is not covered in a normal travel insurance policy.

What you need to know

According to Smarttraveller, "Australian travellers should ensure they wear helmets, preferably full-face helmets, and other protective clothing when riding motorcycles, scooters and mopeds overseas in order to minimise the risk of serious injury." But in order to actually be covered by your policy, most travel insurers will also require:

  • That you have a valid Australian motorcycle license
  • The motorcycle or moped must be less than the max engine size stated in the policy
  • You must be wearing a helmet
  • If you are a passenger, the driver has a valid licence in the country you are in

Which travel insurance brands cover overseas motorcycle use?

BrandMax engine size of motorbikeApply
1cover50ccGet quote
American Express200ccGet quote
Budget Direct125ccGet quote
columbus direct travel insurance logoColumbus Direct125cc. Cover is available for unlimited engine size with the Sports/Adventure Pack add onGet quote
Cover More200ccGet quote

fastcover

50ccGet quote
InsureandGo125ccGet quote
itrek50ccGet quote

Tick

125ccGet quote

Picture not described

Travel Insurance Saver

250ccGet quote
Travel InsuranzLimit not specified in the product disclosure statement (PDS)Get quote
virgin money logoVirgin250ccGet quote
World Care250ccGet quote

youGo

200ccGet quote
zoom logo

Zoom

Under 50cc: you must hold a current Australian drivers
license or drivers license valid for the country you are riding in.Over 50cc: you must hold a current Australian motorcycle license or
motorcycle license valid for the country you are riding in.		Get quote
BrandMax engine size of Motorbike
1300 travel insurance250cc
1Cover50cc
AAMI200cc
AHM Travel Insurance200cc
AIG126cc
Allianz250cc
American Express200cc
ANZ100cc
AussieLimit not specified in the product disclosure statement (PDS)
Australia Post200cc
Australian Seniors200cc
Australian Unity250cc
Bank of Melbourne250cc
Big SkyLimit not specified in the product disclosure statement (PDS)
Budget Direct125cc
BupaLimit not specified in the product disclosure statement (PDS)
CGULimit not specified in the product disclosure statement (PDS)
ChiLimit not specified in the product disclosure statement (PDS)
Chubb200cc
Columbus DirectOver 250cc with the Sports/Adventure Pack A
Commonwealth Bank250cc
CotaLimit not specified in the product disclosure statement (PDS)
Cover-More200cc
Cua Travel Insurance250cc
DownunderLimit not specified in the product disclosure statement (PDS)
Fast Cover50cc
GIO200cc
Go insurance125cc
Good2Go126cc
HBFLimit not specified in the product disclosure statement (PDS)
HIF Travel Insurance200cc
HSBC Travel Insurance50 cc
Insure4LessLimit not specified in the product disclosure statement (PDS)
InsureandGo125cc
itrek50cc
Medibank200cc
Multitrip125cc
MyCover250cc
NAB50cc
National SeniorsLimit not specified in the product disclosure statement (PDS)
NIBLimit not specified in the product disclosure statement (PDS)
NoWorries Travel Insurance125cc
NRMA Travel Insurance200cc
Online Travel Insurance250cc
Ouch100cc
OverSixty Travel Insurance250cc
Professionals Travel Cover50cc
QBE250cc
RAC50cc
RACV50cc
SGIO200cc
Skiinsurance.com.au50cc
Southern Cross200cc
St George Travel Insurance250cc
SuncorpLimit not specified in the product disclosure statement (PDS)
SureSaveLimit not specified in the product disclosure statement (PDS)
Teachers Health250cc
Tick Travel125cc
Travel Insurance DirectLimit not specified in the product disclosure statement (PDS)
Travel Insurance Saver250cc
Travel with Jane50cc
Virgin Money250cc
Webjet250cc
Westpac250cc
Woolworths50cc
WorldCare250cc
YouGo200cc
Zoom50cc

How can this page help me compare motorcycle travel insurance?

Who needs travel insurance for motorcycles?

Basically, anyone who rides on a motorcycle or moped overseas needs motorcycle travel insurance. That includes the person in charge of the motorcycle and any passengers they carry as well. They need cover for medical expenses above all else, as the greatest danger with riding overseas is having an accident and not having health insurance.

Countries like the USA charge thousands of dollars a day for hospital and medical treatment, so if you’re planning to ride a down Route 66, make sure you’ve got motorcycle travel insurance before you head off.

What does motorcycle travel insurance cover?

Most travel insurance policies that cover you when riding a motorcycle abroad will only provide medical and hospital cover in the event of an accident and only if the motorcycle is under a certain horsepower (usually no more than 125cc). They will also only cover you for just a few days, so if you are planning an extended motorcycle tour, you will need to take out more comprehensive cover.

What are the different levels of cover?

There are several different levels of cover provided by motorcycle travel insurance. These include:

  • No cover – some travel insurance policies refuse to cover you under any circumstances
  • Limited cover – as mentioned previously, many policies cover you if the motorcycle is low powered, but only for medical and hospital cover and only for a few days
  • Dedicated cover – provides cover for motorcycles over 125cc and for longer periods, but still only for hospital and medical cover in the event of an accident
  • Comprehensive cover – for a higher premium, you can purchase comprehensive cover, which includes bikes of any size, whether they belong to you or to someone else, for both on and off-road use and including loss or damage of belongings, panniers or riding gear and cover for pillion passengers as well

Like any insurance, the level of cover you opt for will depend on the amount of riding you intend to do and how much you are prepared to pay.

When am I not covered?

Common exclusions pertaining to motorcycle travel insurance include:

  • No cover if you were racing, riding whilst intoxicated, under the influence of drugs or behaving recklessly in any way
  • No cover if you were not wearing a helmet. Even though not all countries require a helmet to be worn, it is a prerequisite in most motorcycle travel insurance policies
  • No cover if you were not licensed. That means licensed to ride the same sized motorcycle in Australia and in the country you are visiting
  • No cover if the accident occurs due to your negligence, inattention or lack of knowledge of the road rules that apply in the country you are visiting.
  • No liability cover for injuring someone or causing property damage while in charge of the motorcycle
  • No cover for theft or criminal damage of the motorcycle
  • No cover for the insurance excess if you are hiring the motorcycle

Can I get cover if I have my L plates?

We contacted the travel insurance brands in our panel to find out whether or not you can get travel insurance for motorcycle use if you're on your L's.

insureandgo insure and go
Brand Conditions Apply
1cover 1Cover will cover L platers who are riding 50cc motorcycles Get quote
Budget Direct BudgetDirect will cover you but you must hold a driving licence appropriate for the country you are in, and if using a motor cycle rated 125cc or higher, you must hold a current and valid licence required for driving the equivalent rated motorcycle in Australia. Get quote
columbus direct travel insurance logoColumbus Direct Columbus Direct covers you if you are a duly qualified driver, in possession of a current full drivers licence valid in the country where the vehicle is being operated. Get quote
Cover More Cover-More will cover you if:
  • The engine capacity is 200cc or less
  • You are wearing a helmet
  • You are not participating in a Professional capacity
  • You are not racing
  • Whilst in control of a motorcycle, you hold a licence valid in the relevant country
 Get quote

fastcover
  • Do not cover L-platers for driving or riding overseas.
 Get quote
InsureandGo You're covered if hold a driving licence appropriate for the country you are in, and if using a motorcycle rated 125cc or higher, you hold a current and valid license required for driving an equivalent rated motorcycle in Australia. Get quote
Skiinsurance.com.au With a learner's license, you will be covered as long as you follow the restrictions currently on the learner's license. Your learner's license must also be valid for the country you are travelling to. Get quote
Travel Insuranz
  • Does not provide cover for L platers
 Get quote
World Care You have provisions to claim under the policy if you hold a valid Australian motorcycle licence or a valid motorcycle licence to ride in the country you are traveling, means if the country you are traveling allows you to ride a motorcycle on your L-plate you will have provisions to claim. Get quote

Am I covered for motor scooters?

Whether it’s a motorcycle, motor scooter or moped, if it has two wheels and you plan to ride it while you are on holiday overseas, you will need to make sure you have travel insurance to cover you in the event of an accident. Insurers regard motor scooters in the same light as motorcycles and will only cover you for injuries sustained in an accident under the following conditions:

  • The motorcycle or motor scooter must be under a certain horsepower (usually 125 cc), unless you have arranged cover for a larger bike
  • You must hold a valid licence to ride it (either a licence to ride an equivalent machine in Australia or a local licence in the case of countries such as Cambodia and Vietnam)
  • The accident must not be the result of your racing, reckless or inattentive behaviour, lack of knowledge of local road rules or riding under the influence of alcohol or drugs

Am I covered for quad biking?

A quad bike is another form of motorbike that is popular to ride while holidaying overseas. It too is subject to the rules of motorcycle riding when it comes to travel insurance in that:

  • You must be licensed to ride it (which will depend on the laws of the country)
  • You must be wearing a helmet
  • You must not be racing or driving recklessly
  • You must not be using it in a professional capacity (i.e. participating in a professional sport or paid activity).

As with motorcycle insurance, you will only be covered for injuries sustained in an accident, not for damage to the quad bike, injury to other persons or damage to third party property.

Tips for popular motorcycle destinations

It’s important to take your holiday destination and planned activities into account when considering motorcycle travel insurance. If you are just going to Bali and only planning to hire a scooter for a day, then your normal travel insurance policy may be all you need (as long as you are licensed and riding legally). But if you are taking a road trip across the USA, some additional motorcycle insurance will obviously be required.

Rules that typically apply to motorcycles in SE Asia include:

  • If you have a valid Australian motorcycle licence, an International Driver’s Permit is acceptable in Bali, Indonesia, Laos, Thailand and Cambodia, but not in Vietnam.
  • In Vietnam you need a temporary Vietnamese driver’s licence (requiring you to have a three-month residency visa) in order to ride any motorcycle over 50cc capacity.
  • While it is not compulsory for some locals to wear helmets in Cambodia, Thailand, Indonesia and Bali, the police will enforce this rule for visitors.

Find Out More About Travel Insurance for Asia

Whichever country you visit, you should observe the following safety tips when riding abroad:

  • Always wear a helmet, whether it is the law or not
  • Always wear leathers, long pants, gloves and boots to protect exposed skin, even in hot climates
  • Stay alert to what is going on around you at all times and make allowances for other drivers, particularly when the road rules are different from what you are used to
  • Know where you are going. Planning your route will reduce the likelihood of unforeseen circumstances.

Travel insurance for backpackers

Motorcycle travel insurance is particularly useful for backpackers because the motorcycle is often an integral part of their travel arrangements. If not riding one, a backpacker is often a pillion passenger on a motorcycle or scooter, in both of which cases, motorcycle travel insurance is required. The whole notion of backpacking revolves around cheap travel and seeing the country from a local’s point of view, so motorcycles and scooters are naturally going to feature heavily with backpackers who visit most SE Asian countries, as well as European countries like Italy and France.

Backpacker travel insurance that focuses less on trip cancellation and loss of luggage and more on medical and hospital expenses, including those incurred due to a motorcycle accident, would therefore be a much better investment.

How do I make sure I can claim if am in a motorcycle accident?

Most travel insurance policies that cover motorcycle use almost the exact same wording in their product disclosure statements (PDS):

No cover is provided without a current Australian motorcycle licence or a current motorcycle licence that is valid for the country you are travelling in.

If you remember this above all else, you are half way to being fully covered, as insurers including Allianz, AIG, American Express, Budget Direct, Citibank, Cover-More and Virgin Money all say the same thing in no uncertain terms.

Follow these guidelines to ensure cover

  • Wear a helmet and protective clothing
  • Know and obey the road rules of the country you are in
  • Make sure you are fully licensed to ride in the country you are in
  • If drunk, drugged or in doubt, take the bus

Compare motorcycle travel insurance policies now

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8 Responses

  1. Default Gravatar
    TimMarch 3, 2017

    Hello,
    I am travelling overseas with a tour company by motorcycle and am looking for specific excess removal insurance,from USD4000 down to USD1000 for a 14 day period. The motorcycle size is 600cc.I already have excellent travel insurance for all the other requirements and am an extremely competent motorcyclist.

    Reply
    • Avatarfinder Customer Care
      ZubairMarch 3, 2017Staff

      Hi Tim,

      Thank you for your question.

      Generally, travel insurance does not provide cover for the insurance excess if you are hiring the motorcycle. However, travel insurance can cover you for car hire excess. If you are hiring the motorcycle from a rental company then it’s a good idea to check directly with rental company as they might have the option of some basic cover.

      Cheers,
      Zubair

      Reply
  2. Default Gravatar
    BradJanuary 21, 2016

    Hello,

    I am looking for travel insurance which will have motorbike cover for a 250cc offroad bike to ride for 8 days in Cambodia. I only have a learners permit for a motorbike here in Australia, is that enough to get cover or must I be full licence with no restrictions?
    Thank You
    Brad

    Reply
    • Avatarfinder Customer Care
      RichardJanuary 21, 2016Staff

      Hi Brad,

      Thanks for your question. It’ll depend on the insurer but generally you won’t be able to get cover for riding a 250cc bike overseas if you only hold a learners permit. You may find cover for a bike with a lower engine capacity. For example, 1Cover will cover L platers who are riding 50cc motorcycles.

      I hope this was helpful,
      Richard

      Reply
  3. Default Gravatar
    GarryJanuary 14, 2016

    Hello
    “Compare Travel Insurance Policies For Motorcycles”
    the PDS of some of these policies do not seem to clearly mention motorcycle cover and specifically over 250CC. have these all been checked by finder for verification as such
    Thanks

    Reply
    • Avatarfinder Customer Care
      RichardJanuary 15, 2016Staff

      Hi Garry,

      Thanks for your question. Yes, all of these conditions have been checked. Some of the policies do not make specific mention of the maximum engine capacity. However, none of the insurers in our panel (which outline a maximum) cover engines above 250cc.

      I hope this was helpful,
      Richard

      Reply
  4. Default Gravatar
    RosalindAugust 10, 2015

    Good Morning,
    I was just wondering what choices i have regarding travel insurance policies that include Motorcycle under 120cc with me holding an Indonesian Motorcycle license?
    Also, the policy pay out the hospital direct if anything were to happen rather than me paying & then having to submit a claim to get my money back.
    Thank you

    Reply
    • Avatarfinder Customer Care
      RichardAugust 10, 2015Staff

      Hi Rosalind,

      Thanks for your question. finder.com.au is a comparison service and we are not permitted to make product recommendations. The table above displays the limits and some of the conditions surrounding the use of motorcycles overseas. As for the payments to hospitals, this is policy dependant and varies from insurer to insurer.

      All the best,
      Richard

      Reply
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