Travel Insurance For Motorbike Holidays

General Advice Warning: The contents of this article were accurate at the time of writing. Insurers change their policies from time to time, so some information may have changed. You should always read the Product Disclosure Statement of your chosen insurer to understand what is covered and what isn't. The information provided is of a general nature only and does not take into account any personal objectives, financial situation or needs. Before making a decision you should consider the appropriateness of the information having regard to your personal circumstances.

Licensed To Thrill

If you're travelling to a foreign country make sure you get your International Drivers Permit (IDP) - preferably before you leave! This allows you to drive or ride the same class of vehicle you are permitted to ride in your home country. So, if you are NOT covered to ride a motorcycle or scooter in New Zealand, you are not permitted overseas. It's strange how we tend to throw caution to the wind when on holiday. With absolutely no training or experience riding a motorbike or scooter at home, many of us seem to think we'll master the skills on the spot in a foreign country.

You can apply for an IDP overseas, but make sure you're ticking the right boxes. You may be able to fool the traffic cop in Thailand that you have a motorcycle licence, by 'ticking the box' when you got your IDP, but it won't cut the mustard with your travel insurance company. If you DO have a valid motorcycle license, be thrilled! Your licence will be accepted in over 150 countries including Bali, Indonesia, Laos, and Thailand.

Venturing To Vietnam?

If you will be riding a motorcycle in Vietnam over 50cc, then you must obtain a temporary Vietnamese drivers license.

To convert an driving license into a temporary Vietnamese driver's license, you must hold a valid Vietnamese residence permit of at least three month's validity. Visit the website of the New Zealand Embassy for full details on how to apply for a Vietnamese drivers license.

What's Not Covered?

Even with cover offered, exclusions still apply. You are not covered:

• If you are racing and intentionally putting yourself at risk Any time you intentionally put yourself in danger such as using your bike for jumps, stunts and tricks and injure yourself (especially if you are not wearing a helmet at the time) you are unlikely to be covered.
• For motorbike theft or damage Whether owned, borrowed or rented, most insurers do not cover the bike. If it's your own bike, it should be covered under your own motorcycle insurance. If it's a hire bike, the rental company is likely to have insurance built in to your daily hire cost or charge you an additional premium to cover it.
• For competitive or professional riding Competitive riding of any sorts is generally not a covered event under standard travel insurance policies.
• For bike hire excess cover Are you renting a Vespa in Italy, motorbike on holiday? Maybe in Bali? Although travel insurance often covers rental vehicle excess, this generally does not extend to two wheeled modes of transport. If you hire an expensive bike and it gets damaged, unfortunately your travel insurance will not cover the excess.
• If you do not follow the rules of road Always follow road signs including traffic lights, stop signs and give ways.
• If you are under the influence You would not be covered if you were drink driving and had an accident while you were under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
• If you do not wear a helmet Cut and bruises are not ideal travelling companions, make sure you wear a helmet at all times when riding overseas. No travel insurance company is obliged to cover you if you incurred injuries when you were not wearing one.

What's Next?

Finally, contact your travel insurance provider before you purchase travel insurance for your motorbike holiday to double check the policy details. It often pays to make to take a few minutes to make that short phone call to clarify. When riding motorbikes or scooters overseas you are taking risks with both your health and your money. So do your research and compare travel insurance quotes and cover levels. Don't just settle for first or the cheapest policy you find.

Perhaps all that muscle power is too much for you. Taking out cycling travel insurance for your push bike shouldn't give you whiplash either. Ride easy with our cycling travel insurance essential guide.