Best Adventure Motorcycle Travel Insurance in 2024
Written by Antonio Cala.
Table of Contents
Whether you’re an avid adventure motorcyclist, a nature enthusiast, or a thrill-seeker exploring on two wheels, ensuring you have the right insurance coverage is essential. In this article, we will explore the best options for adventure motorcycle travel insurance currently available.
We’ll delve into the unique aspects of adventure motorcycling insurance, highlight crucial features to consider, and present our top recommendations for 2024.
For a comprehensive overview of insurance options tailored specifically for adventure enthusiasts, be sure to peruse the Ultimate Guide to Adventure Travel Insurance.
Quick Recommendations
If you want some quick recommendations, here is our infographic to help you choose the best insurance for your next adventure motorcycle trip.
Adventure Motorcycle Travel Insurance Overview
What is Adventure Motorcycle Travel Insurance
Before we proceed, let’s differentiate between motorcycle insurance and motorcycle travel insurance, as they are two distinct entities.
Adventure motorcycle travel insurance is a form of personal coverage designed to handle medical expenses in the event of an accident during your travels. When referring to ‘motorcycle travel insurance,’ we mean personal insurance that remains effective even if the accident occurs while you’re riding a motorcycle. This is a significant point, as many insurance companies may not provide coverage for motorcycle-related incidents. While not obligatory or legally mandated, motorcycle travel insurance is highly recommended.
On the other hand, motorcycle insurance exclusively safeguards your motorcycle against theft or damage, providing compensation and protection for third parties. Importantly, this type of insurance does not extend coverage to your health while abroad. You will need to purchase this insurance in the country or area where you plan to ride, and it’s not typically possible to obtain it back home.
This article will focus on adventure motorcycle travel insurance. Although as we will see later, there is an insurance company, Medjet, that offers insurance to ship your motorbike back home in case of emergency.
What Does It Cover?
The majority of motorcycle travel insurance policies typically provide coverage for the following two categories:
Medical Expenses
In the event of an unexpected injury or illness during your adventure motorcycle travel, comprehensive adventure motorcycle travel insurance ensures coverage for overseas emergency medical expenses incurred at a hospital or medical center.
This coverage extends to a range of potential medical needs, encompassing everything from essential treatments to more complex procedures. Whether it’s immediate first aid or extensive medical care, having a robust insurance plan in place guarantees financial support for your well-being while navigating the thrilling terrains on your adventure motorcycle.
Emergency Evacuation
This is arguably the most crucial coverage for an adventure motorcycle travel. It facilitates emergency medical evacuation to the most suitable medical facility for treatment or repatriation back to your country of residence.
What Doesn't Cover?
Trip Cancellation or Interruption
If you find yourself needing to cancel or shorten your motorbike holiday due to injury, motorcycle insurance provides the flexibility to claim reimbursement for the missed portions of your adventurous journey.
Equipment Coverage
In the unfortunate circumstance of damage, theft, or loss of your bike equipment such as bike accessories, comprehensive motorbike insurance generally provides coverage, ranging from a few hundred dollars to several thousand. This coverage enables you to file a claim to cover the costs associated with repairing or replacing your motorcycling gear.
Common Pitfalls
There are some common pitfalls you should be aware of. Make sure you check the following with your insurance before purchasing from them.
Not Insuring the entire trip
Ensure your entire trip is insured, starting from your departure date. While it might be tempting to delay purchasing your adventure motorcycle travel insurance until you’re overseas and ready for serious riding, it’s crucial to cover the entire journey.
Some policies can be initiated after departure, but they often come with numerous conditions and are typically pricier. Opting for coverage from the outset is advised for a hassle-free and cost-effective choice.
Check the allowed bike capacity
Certain travel insurance policies may completely exclude coverage for motorcycling. While others claim coverage, a closer look at the fine print may reveal restrictions, often limited to 125cc. It’s crucial to select a policy that extends coverage to the cc of the motorcycle you’re using. A quality motorcycling policy will ensure coverage for any cc bike, provided you are licensed to ride a similar-sized bike back home.
Condition restrictions
It’s essential to verify any restrictions on off-road use if that’s part of your plan. The majority of policies exclude coverage for off-roading, specifying on-road use only. However, the definition of on-road may extend beyond tarmac roads; it often includes official highways marked on maps and accessible to “normal” traffic like cars, buses, and trucks. Additionally, even if local laws don’t mandate it, there might be a requirement to wear a helmet in most cases.
Are you covered to ride full-time?
Also, be sure to examine clauses that state motorcycling is covered “on an incidental basis.” This implies that if motorcycling constitutes a substantial portion of your trip or serves as your primary mode of transport, it may not be covered.
Best Adventure Motorcycle Travel Insurance in 2024
Our Pick For
Evacuation Only + Ship Your Bike Back
Nationalities: Only residents of the United States, Canada and Mexico
Pre-existing conditions: Yes.
Seniors Over 65: Travelers aged 65-75 are covered. For people aged 75-84, see the Diamond plan available.
Trip Duration: Short term and long term plans available.
Groups: Individual, family, student and expatriate plans available.
Reasons To Buy
Coverage up to 84 years old.
Pre-Existing Medical Condition Exclusion Waiver Available.
Option to ship your motorcycle back home in case of emergency.
Reasons To Avoid
Only available to residents of the US, Canada & Mexico.
It doesn’t cover trip cancellations or delays.
It doesn’t cover equipment.
Medical & Transport Benefits
- Hospital to Hospital Medical Transfer for member regardless of Medical Necessity.
- Members determine to which Medical Facility to be moved
- All-Expenses-Paid Air Medical Transport in the United States as well as Internationally
- Covers both business and personal travel
- Travel Medical Emergency Referrals, Monitoring, Telephone Interpretation and Message Relay
- Transfer of Mortal Remains
- Emergency Medical Cash Advance
- Ground Ambulance and Specialty Hospital Transfer (under 150 miles)
Travel Security & Crisis Response Benefits
- 24/7 Travel Security Response and Evacuation Services due to Political Threat, Terrorism, Natural Disaster, Pandemic and Violent Crime
- 24/7 Crisis Response to Kidnap for Ransom, Disappearance, Wrongful Detention, Blackmail & Extortion
- Trip Intelligence and e-Alerts
- Legal Referrals
Medjet distinguishes itself as a premium global medical transport and travel security provider, offering exceptional coverage with minimal restrictions.
Designed specifically for adventure travelers on independent or organized trips to remote areas, this evacuation-only protection covers individuals residing in the US, Canada, or Mexico, including those with pre-existing conditions, and offers options for individuals aged 75-84.
The game changer for bikers is that Medjet offers the option to ship your motorbike back home in case of emergency, something no other insurance provider currently offers.
Our Pick For
Americans + High Medical Coverage
Nationalities: Only US citizens and residents are eligible.
Pre-existing conditions: Pre-existing conditions can be covered for Trip Cancellations and Interruptions, as long as you purchase your plan within 14 days of your initial trip deposit, and are medically able to travel when you purchase your plan.
Seniors Over 65: There is no maximum age limit.
Trip Duration: All plans cover trips up to 180 days.
Groups: Insurance policies for solo travelers, couples and families are available.
Reasons To Buy
The prices are very competitive.
Plans are very customizable with plenty of extras available and the option of removing items you don’t need.
Pre-existing medical conditions accepted.
24/7 chat available with the Faye Mobile App
Reasons To Avoid
Only available to American residents.
Emergency Medical Expenses: Up to $250,000. If you experience sudden illness or injury in-trip, including COVID-19. We can cover prescription drugs, hospitalization and physician costs.
Emergency Evacuation: Up to $500,000. Coverage of transportation in the case of illness or injury that is acute, severe or life threatening when adequate medical treatment is not available in the immediate area.
Trip Cancellation: Up to 100%. If you need to cancel your trip for covered reasons, including if you get sick, contract COVID-19, or a travel provider goes bankrupt. We can cover flights, hotel bookings, tickets & activities, and quarantine accommodation.
Trip Interruption: Up to 150%. When you must unexpectedly cut your trip short or extend it for covered reasons, including if you contract COVID-19.
Trip Delay: Up to $4,500. Up to $300/day, for delays of more than 6 hours. When you’re stranded in transit due to reasons outside of your control such as flight delay or theft of passport.
Lost or damaged Belongings: Up to $2,000. Reimbursement for lost, stolen, or damaged luggage, including clothing, personal items and professional equipment like a phone or laptop.
Cancel for Any Reason: Up to 75% of Trip Cost. The ability to nix your trip for reasons other than those covered in your plan’s trip cancellation coverage, including fear of contracting COVID-19, as long as you purchase this coverage within 14 days of your initial trip deposit and cancel at least 48 hours in advance of your scheduled departure date.
Pet Care: Up to $2,500 in veterinary expenses & $250 for kenneling. Coverage of veterinary expenses if you take your furry friend along (including pet sickness or injury), or kenneling costs if you arrive back home later than expected.
Adventure & Extreme Sports: Up to $250K (international trips) or $50K (domestic trips) for accidental & sickness expenses. Medical and transportation coverage if you become injured while participating in an adventure or extreme sport, like skydiving, bungee jumping, motocross or free diving.
Faye insurance provides American residents one of the biggest medical coverages on the market at a very competitive price.
There’s no age limit, and the standard plan covers adventure motorcycling.
We recommend Faye for Americans who want a complete travel protection for their motorcycle trip organized with a company, including high medical coverage, trip protection cancellation & interruption, and baggage coverage.
Our Pick For
Non Americans + Budget
Nationalities: Most nationalities can purchase insurance from World Nomads, including residents of the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, India, Australia, or New Zealand. However, as of the current writing, most European residents are unable to buy a World Nomads policy.
Pre-existing conditions: Not covered.
Seniors Over 65: Travelers aged 70 and over are not covered.
Trip Duration: All plans cover trips up to 365 days.
Groups: Insurance policies for solo travelers, couples and families are available.
Reasons To Buy
The price is competitive.
Reasons To Avoid
Prices and coverage vary greatly by the country of residence.
Some European nationalities are not covered.
Pre-existing medical conditions not covered
Max age is 70 years old.
Emergency Accident & Sickness Medical Expense: Up to $100,000. Coverage is for medical expenses for emergency treatment of an accidental injury that occurs during the trip. Emergency treatment must be medically necessary and performed during the trip. Refer to the certificate / policy for complete details.
Emergency dental treatment: Up to $750. Coverage is for emergency dental treatment for accidental injury to sound, natural teeth. The injury and treatment must occur during the trip.
Emergency Evacuation: Up to $500,000. Coverage is for an accidental injury or sickness occurring during the trip that results in your necessary emergency evacuation. An emergency evacuation must be ordered by a physician who certifies that the severity of your accidental injury or sickness warrants your emergency evacuation. Refer to the certificate / policy for complete details.
Trip Cancellation: Up to $10,000. Reimburses for prepaid, non-refundable cancellation charges if you must cancel your trip (after the effective date) due to covered sickness, accidental injury, or death of you, a family member or traveling companion; inclement weather, unforeseen natural disaster at home or at your destination, strike or other covered reasons. Refer to the certificate / policy for complete details.
Trip Interruption: Up to $10,000. Reimburses for prepaid, non-refundable, unused expenses if you must interrupt your trip (after departure) due to a covered sickness, accidental injury, or death of you, a family member or traveling companion; inclement weather, unforeseen natural disaster at home or at your destination, strike, or other covered reasons. Refer to the certificate / policy for complete details.
Trip Delay: Up to $3,000. Coverage is for unused portion of pre-paid accommodation or additional expenses, on a one-time basis, if you are delayed en route to or from the trip for 6 or more hours due to a defined hazard as explained in the certificate / policy.
Baggage & Personal Effects: Up to $3,000. Reimbursement is for loss, theft or damage during the trip to baggage and personal effects (including sporting equipment) owned by you, provided you have taken all reasonable measures to protect, save and recover the property. Per article limit of $500.
Activities covered based on 4 groups. You pay more for higher group. The Explorer plan includes more activities than the Standard Plan. Extreme activities not covered (cave diving, free soloing, etc)
The World Nomads Explorer Plan is a great option if you’re seeking affordable travel insurance that covers adventure motorcycling in areas that are not too remote.
There are some restrictions, so make sure you check the small print.
We recommend World Nomads Explorers plan for organized adventure motorcycling trips if you are not American and want the trip & baggage protection that Global Rescue doesn’t provide.
Comparison Table
Company |
Plan |
Medical Expenses |
Emmergency Evacuation |
Trip Cancellation |
Trip Delays |
Equipment Coverage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
Assist |
None |
100% |
None |
None |
None |
|
|
Adv Sports |
$250,000 |
$500,000 |
100% |
150% |
$2,000 |
|
|
Explorer |
$100,000 |
$500,000 |
$10,000 |
$3,000 |
$3,000 |
Conclusion
When it comes to choosing insurance for your motorcycle trip, the key consideration is what countries and how remote you plan to go.
For those venturing into unstable countries and remote lands, the best choice is Medjet. Its unparalleled medical evacuation system, including shipping your motorcycle back home in case of emergency, sets it apart from all other providers.
If your motorcycle plans don’t involve extremely remote areas and you’re a US resident, a great option to consider is Faye. It offers extensive medical coverage, accepts pre-existing conditions and has no age limit.
For non-US residents planning less remote motorcycling trips, the Explorer Plan from World Nomads is a solid option. It provides a substantial amount of medical coverage, and its policies are some of the most affordable in the market.
Other Travel Insurance Reviews
If you would like to read more about insurance options for other type of adventure trips, you can check out our other reviews below:
- Skiing & Snowboarding
- Hiking Trips
- Mountaineering & High Altitude Trekking
- Mountain Biking, Bike-touring & Bike-packing
- Rock Climbing, Ice Climbing & Bouldering
- Kayaking, White Water Rafting & Paddle Boarding
- Fishing & Spearfishing
- Diving Liveaboards & Freediving
- Sailing, Kite Surfing & Surfing
- Adventure Cruises
- Adventure Motorcycling
Adventure Motorcycle Travel Insurance Reviews Online
During your research, you might want to consider checking out articles from various publications that provide insights into the best adventure motorcycle travel insurance options available.
Here are some of the articles I found interesting.
The Ultimate Motorcycle Travel Insurance Guide – Mad or Nomad
Medical Travel Insurance for Adventure Motorcycling – advrider.com
About the Author
Antonio was born and raised in Southern Spain, and quit his job in 2013 to travel the world full-time with his wife Amanda for 10 years straight. Their passion for adventure took them to visit 150+ countries.
They cycled 25,000km + from California to Patagonia, sailed over 10,000NM around the Caribbean & Sea of Cortez, rode their motorbikes 30,000 kms+ across West Africa (Spain to South Africa) and visited Antarctica, among many other adventure expeditions. Today, they’re still traveling, currently around the USA with an RV.
Traveling to so many places, remote destinations and by different means taught them a lot about travel insurance, which policies to hold depending on the area and the type of adventure they were doing. Antonio now publishes regular content to help other travelers choose the best travel insurance for adventure trips.
Together, they also run the travel community Summit, the RV site Hitched Up, the boutique accommodation blog Unique Places and the popular newsletter Adventure Fix, where they share their knowledge about the places they’ve visited and the ones still remaining on their list.
Antonio Cala
Co-Founder of Adventure Fix