Insurance warning to travelling bikers

The UK’s one million bikers are being warned to check the small print of their travel insurance before heading abroad as many could find they are not covered for accidents overseas.

The warning comes from Carole Nash, the UK’s biggest motorcycle insurance specialist, which reports that many standard policies sold by travel agents routinely exclude motorcycling with some even listing it as a dangerous sport.

“Bikers cannot rely on most travel policies sold on the High Street because they are simply not biker friendly,” commented Carole Nash’s Head of Product Development, Chris Evitt. “If they have an accident they may find themselves without cover, marooned in a foreign land and nursing hefty medical bills.”

To plug the gap, Carole Nash has re-launched its range of specialist travel policies for bikers, cutting premiums by up to 32% and introducing new cover for couples. All premiums have been reduced with policies, which open at £29.99 for a five day single trip, providing up to £750 theft, accidental loss and damage cover for helmets and leathers, £250 for panniers and luggage and £100 for tents. Each policy also provides cover for up to £10m in medical expenses, £2m personal liability, £25,000 personal accident and £25,000 legal expenses.

A family taking a 31 day worldwide single trip policy can benefit from an £80 premium reduction, with the cost of cover slashed from £249.99 to £169.99. Newly introduced policies for couples also offer significant savings on individual rates. A joint premium for 5 days European cover now costs £39.99 whereas previously two separate policies would have totalled £69.98.

Editor's note: Carole Nash is the UK’s biggest motorcycle insurance specialist with over 220,000 policyholders. Policies are available to riders aged under 75. Standard restrictions (such as single item limits) can apply. Policy wordings are available on request.