2025 Motorcycle Travel Insurance: What You Need to Know
Motorcycle Travel Insurance vs. Motorcycle Insurance
Motorcycling insurance and travel insurance for motorcycles are different. If something happens to you while riding, especially if you are riding a bike, your medical bills, evacuation, trip disruption, and lost items are covered by motorcycling travel insurance. It leaves out damage to the bike itself. Regular motorcycle insurance addresses liability to others should you cause an accident, damage, or theft of your bike. While riding your motorcycle, you want both kinds of covers for complete protection.
Why You Need Motorcycle Travel Insurance
Imagine breaking your leg far from here. Medical evacuation by itself can run up to almost $50,000. Travel insurance can help with this and your overseas hospital expenses—where your US health insurance might not be accepted. It can also cover misplaced luggage—including pricey riding gear—trip cancellations brought on by unexpected occurrences and repatriation should you have to be transported home for treatment. The US State Department stated 2019 that it helped more than 20,000 Americans with medical problems overseas.
What to Look for in a Motorcycle Travel Insurance Policy
Verify the policy addresses riding a motorcycle. Many broad travel rules may forbid riding altogether or cover tiny bikes (under 125cc). Search for exclusions, including off-road riding, racing, or driving under the influence. Look for sizeable medical coverage limits—at least $500,000, ideally $1 million or more. Check coverage for lost or stolen bags, including your riding gear, which can be costly to replace. Consider covering trip interruption and cancellation, especially if you have reserved tours or lodging.
Companies, including IMG, World Nomads, and Ripcord, provide motorbike travel insurance should you live in the US. Popular among UK citizens is Big Cat Travel Insurance. Examine insurance from numerous firms with an eye toward coverage restrictions, exclusions, and rates. Go closely over the fine print.
Tips for Motorcycle Riders Abroad
Carry an international driving permit (IDP) and your US motorbike license. Investigate local road conditions and traffic rules in your intended destination. Even if it's not legally necessary, wear safety gear, including a helmet. Avoid riding in unknown territory or at night. Exercise is essential in nations with various driving customs.
What to Do After a Motorcycle Accident Abroad
Get right on calling your travel insurance company. If possible, get a police report. Photographs and invoices help you to document all costs and damages. See doctors even for minor injuries. Get in touch with the rental business if you leased the motorcycle.
Special Considerations for Overseas Travel
Some nations mandate third-party liability, or "green card," insurance for motorcycles. If you ride your bike overseas, see your present insurer about extending coverage. If you rent, know the rental firm's insurance policy and deductible.
Real-World Examples
One rider injured her leg in Nepal, which resulted in a $20,000 hospital bill. Her travel insurance covered her journey home and the expenses. Another rider damaged his clothing and bike when he crashed a hired motorcycle in the US. His travel insurance paid the deductible and replaced the gear. Traveling through Cambodia, a visitor acquired sepsis from a mosquito bite and needed extensive medical treatment; his travel insurance covered this.
Common Pitfalls
Not having a specific motorcycle travel policy, not declaring previously diagnosed medical conditions, assuming your motorbike insurance covers travel overseas, not knowing the insurance limits of the renting firm, neglecting a helmet, and ignoring travel advisories are all common mistakes.
Key Terms
Medical expenditures, repatriation, evacuation, personal liability, complete coverage, collision coverage, deductible, exclusions, IDP, green card insurance, and pre-existing conditions.
| Provider | Coverage Type | Engine Size | Trip Length | Special Features/Notes | Cost | Location/Citizenship Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Progressive | Motorcycle (Liability, Comprehensive, Collision, etc.) | Various, including cruisers, sport bikes, touring bikes, custom bikes, mopeds, scooters, ATVs, etc. | Varies | Custom parts/OEM coverage, Roadside assistance, Trip interruption, Total loss coverage (optional), Carried contents | Liability from $75/year | Available in most US states |
| InsureandGo | Travel (Medical, Cancellation, Belongings) | Up to 125cc standard, larger with "Hazardous Activity" add-on | Up to 365 days | Covers pre-existing conditions, 24/7 helpline, additional valuables cover | Varies depending on cover level and trip length | UK residents, trips starting and ending in UK |
| Dairyland (through InsuraMatch/Travelers) | Motorcycle (Liability, Collision, Comprehensive, etc.) | Various, including scooters, ATVs, dirt bikes, snowmobiles | Varies | Multi-vehicle discount, Rental reimbursement, Roadside Assistance, Optional equipment coverage | Varies | Not available in AK, FL, HI, LA |
| Horizons Unlimited | Directory of providers | Varies by provider | Varies by provider | Focus on adventure motorcycle travel | Varies by provider | Varies by provider |
| CSM | Travel Medical | On and off-road riding covered | 5 days to 1 year (extendable to 2 years) | Medical evacuation, riders up to age 80, can purchase after leaving home country | From $3/day | All nationalities |
| Global Rescue / Ripcord Rescue | Medical Evacuation / Travel Insurance | All sizes | Ripcord Travel up to 60 days, Global Rescue Medical up to 90 days. Global Rescue Evac 365 days | Evacuation to hospital of choice, Global Rescue: All nationalities, Ripcord Travel: US Residents Only | Global Rescue: from $119; Ripcord: from $93 | Ripcord Travel: US residents only, Global Rescue Evac: All Nationalities |
| Navigator | Travel | No cc limit (Navigator Silver/Gold/Diamond, Longstay, Adventures), Up to 250cc (Longstay, Travel Plus), No cc limit (High-Risk Voyager) | Up to 31 days (Silver/Gold/Diamond), Up to 18 months (Longstay, AIG Backpacker & Longstay), Up to 14 days (High-Risk Voyager), Up to 6 months (Adventures) | On-road focus, Off-road with restrictions/supplements, UK license required | Varies by policy | UK residents, some EU residents for Short Stay |
| Harley-Davidson® Insurance Services | Motorcycle | Most makes and models, including trikes, electric, and custom bikes | Varies | Bike replacement cost, accessories coverage, comprehensive coverage, optional equipment replacement, various discounts, accident forgiveness | Varies | Available in 48 US states (excludes Alaska, Washington D.C., and Hawaii) |
| GEICO | Motorcycle | Various, including sport bikes, cruisers, mopeds, touring bikes | Varies | Accessory coverage, emergency roadside service, various discounts | From $75/year (liability only) | Most US states |
| GEICO (Overseas) | Auto, Motorcycle, Marine Transit, Personal Property | Varies | 12 months (with renewal options) | For expats, military, government employees | Varies | Belgium, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Mexico, Spain, United Kingdom |
| Big Cat Travel Insurance | Travel (Medical, Repatriation, etc.) | Any size with "Activity Pack" | Up to 24 months | Off-road riding, unlimited home visits (trips 4+ months), covers pre-existing conditions, renewal abroad | Varies depending on trip length, destination, and coverage levels. | UK nationals |
| Bikers Travel Insurance (H-C Travel) | Travel | Over 450cc (with restrictions) | Varies | Covers various other activities (skiing, sailing, etc.) | Varies | UK residents |
| Carole Nash | Travel (through SunWorld, underwritten by AXA) | All sizes (with license requirements) | Single trip: No upper age limit; Annual: up to 85 years old | Covers motorcycle protective clothing and accessories, camping equipment | Varies | UK residents |
| Worldwide Travel Insurance | Travel | Any size | Annual Multi-trip: up to 31 days per trip, max age 65; Single trip: up to 12 months, max age 85 | Covers specialist clothing & accessories, events, loss of use, on and off-road riding. | Varies by policy and trip length. | UK residents |
| 1Cover | Travel | >125cc requires NZ motorcycle license, <125cc requires NZ driver's license | Varies | Covers motorcycle tours, excludes pillion passengers if rider is unlicensed | Varies depending on cover level and trip length | New Zealand residents(?) |
| Insure&Go (Australia) | Travel | Any size (with valid license and helmet) | Up to 90 days (over 65), 100+ days (under 65) | 90+ sports & activities covered, Motorcycle Pack add-on, No Personal Accident/Liability for motorcycling | Varies depending on cover level and trip length | Australian residents(?) |
| World Nomads | Travel | All sizes (with valid license) | Up to 180 days (single trip), 45 days (annual) | Covers motorcycling (not the bike itself), Explorer plan covers rental excess, Epic Plan covers moto racing, requires valid license. | Varies depending on plan, trip length, and destination. | Various, underwriters vary by country of residence |
| Clements Worldwide | Motorcycle | Varies | Varies | Worldwide coverage, Accessory coverage, Accident forgiveness, Towing & Labor, Transit coverage (govt. clients only) Political Violence Coverage Extension, Optional Coverage For Duty Expenses | Varies | Expats |
| TourInsure | Motorcycle, Frontier | Varies | Varies | For non-European travelers in Europe, Third-party and comprehensive coverage available, Green Card information | See premium table | Non-European travelers in Europe |
