Best Travel Insurance for Bicycle Touring Trips
Written by Antonio Cala
Table of Contents
If you’re an avid cyclist, nature enthusiast, or an adventurer embarking on a bicycle touring journey, getting the right travel insurance is essential. In this article, we will investigate the optimal choices for bicycle touring trip insurance available today.
Together with my wife Amanda, I biked from California to Patagonia during 3 years and learnt a lot about what insurance to carry, among other things. In this guide we will analyze what are the key aspects of travel insurance tailored for bicycle touring that you need to pay attention to, and show you our recommendations for 2024.
For a thorough overview of insurance choices crafted specifically for adventure enthusiasts, make sure to check out the Ultimate Guide to Adventure Travel Insurance.
Quick Recommendation
If you want some quick recommendations, here is our infographic to help you choose the best insurance for your next bicycle touring trip.
Bicycle Touring Travel Insurance Overview
Bicycle Touring Insurance Explained
Many insurance providers offer coverage for bicycle touring within their standard policies, provided that you adhere to safety regulations such as wearing a helmet and not cycling under the influence of alcohol; these conditions should ensure that you are protected.
However, if your bicycle tour involves more specialized activities, such as cycling at high altitudes (popular if you’re traveling to the Andes or the Himalayas), you may need to opt for adventure sports coverage. It’s important to note that some renowned cycling routes, like Bolivia’s Death Road, may not be covered by all insurance companies.
In the next section, we will dive into the details of what typical bicycle touring trip insurance policies cover and what they exclude.
What Does It Cover?
The majority of insurance policies for bike touring typically provide coverage for the following four categories:
Medical Expenses
Should an unexpected injury or illness occur during your bicycle touring adventure, comprehensive bicycle touring insurance provides coverage for international emergency medical expenses incurred at a hospital or medical facility.
This coverage encompasses a variety of potential medical requirements, from basic treatments to intricate medical interventions. Whether you need prompt first aid or extensive healthcare, maintaining a solid insurance policy ensures financial backing for your health and safety while you explore captivating landscapes on your touring bicycle.
Equipment Coverage
In the regrettable event of damage, theft, or loss of your gear, including bike accessories or electronics, comprehensive bicycle touring insurance typically offers coverage, which can vary from a modest sum to several thousand dollars.
The bike itself is normally not covered, so you would need a separate policy for it if you want to insure it.
Trip Cancellation or Interruption
Should you be compelled to cancel or curtail your bicycle touring trip due to injury, bicycle touring insurance affords you the ability to seek reimbursement for the parts of your trip that you’re unable to enjoy.
Emergency Evacuation
This coverage is arguably the most vital for a bicycle touring trip. It ensures emergency medical evacuation to the nearest appropriate medical facility for treatment or repatriation to your home country.
What Doesn't Cover?
Every insurance provider has specific restrictions on their coverage. Here are the most common exclusions for bicycle touring trip insurance:
High Altitude: Cycling at elevations above 19,500 feet (6,000 meters) is typically not included in standard insurance policies, unless you opt for additional coverage. Although it’s rear you will be cycling that high, even in the Andes or the Himalayas where the highest mountain passes are at around 5,000 meters.
Unattended Gear: Many policies may not provide coverage if your personal items, including your bicycle and related equipment, are left unattended in public areas, which could lead to theft.
Ignoring Government Travel Advice: If you decide to travel in opposition to the guidance of the U.S. Department of State or similar authorities, it is probable that your insurance will not cover you.
Isolated Areas: Insurance coverage for touring in extremely remote regions such as the Arctic Circle, or Greenland may not be offered by some insurers.
Best Insurance for Bicycle Touring Trips in 2024
Our Pick For
Remote Locations + Independent Trips + Any Nationality
Nationalities: all nationalities are covered.
Pre-existing conditions: Yes.
Seniors Over 65: People aged 65-75 are included in the Individual Plan. Extended Plan memberships are available to those age 75-84 and include all services but are contingent upon completion of a medical form and a physician’s medical verification.
Trip Duration: Short term policies (7, 14 or 30-days) and long term policies (1 to 5 years) available.
Groups: Individual, family and student plans available.
Situations covered: It covers civil unrest, natural disasters, government evacuation orders and other security emergencies (when purchasing the Security package).
Reasons To Buy
Remote locations coverage. Coverage available for 65-84. Pre-existing conditions accepted. All nationalities accepted.
Reasons To Avoid
The price is a bit higher than other insurance policies. However, no other company provides the same coverage as Global Rescue. It doesn’t cover trip cancellations or delays. It doesn’t cover equipment.
Worldwide field rescue (up to $500,000) in remote or dangerous environments. Global Rescue’s deployable teams are standing by to rescue their members from the point of illness or injury for any serious medical emergency.
Medical Evacuation. Global Rescue’s fully deployable medical teams have unparalleled capabilities to transport our members back to their home hospital of choice from anywhere in the world. This includes global COVID-19 transport.
Medical & Security Advisory Services. Global Rescue’s operations centers are staffed by experienced nurses, paramedics and military special operations veterans. Global Rescue also has partnerships with the Johns Hopkins Emergency Medicine Division of Special Operations, Elite Medical Group and Partners HealthCare, the Harvard Medical School affiliate.
Security Membership. Global Rescue’s teams of military special operations veterans are available to provide advisory, consultation and evacuation services for events like natural disasters, terror attacks and civil unrest when you are in danger.
Destination Reports & Event Alerts. Destination reports for 215 countries and principalities worldwide include entry requirements, COVID-19 travel status and restrictions, detailed health and security assessments and required immunizations. Keep up to date on health and security events worldwide.
My Global Rescue Mobile App. Access Global Rescue services in one location. Browse destination reports and alerts, activate emergency assistance, real-time virtual health visits and keep track of the people you care about with GPS tracking and messaging.
Security Package. Physical extraction when you are in danger of bodily harm. It includes civil unrest, natural disasters, government evacuation orders and other security emergencies.
High Altitude Evacuation.. This is for individuals traveling above 15,000 ft (4,600 m) during any part of their trip (excluding airplane travel). It also includes emergency physical transport due to injury or illness.
Global Rescue is the most comprehensive travel protection available worldwide. It has the least restrictions and biggest coverage than any other medical insurance.
It’s a medical-only protection designed for adventure travelers planning to go remote in an independent or organized bike touring trip. All nationalities are covered and options for people over 75 are available.
Global Rescue is our preferred option for bicycle touring holidays.
Our Pick For
Americans + High Medical Coverage + Trip Protection
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 with the Adventure & Extreme Sports Protection, you can get coverage for bicycle touring trips.
We recommend Faye for Americans who want a complete travel protection for their bike touring trip, including high medical coverage, trip protection cancellation & interruption, and some 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 looking for an affordable travel insurance with good medical coverage and some equipment coverage (up to $3,000) under the same policy.
We recommend World Nomads Explorers plan if you’re seeking affordable travel insurance that covers bike touring trips in areas that are not too remote, if you are not American or 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Travel |
$100,000 |
$500,000 |
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 selecting insurance for your bicycle touring trip, a primary factor to consider is the remoteness of your planned route.
For those heading into off-the-beaten-path bicycle touring locations, the premier choice is Global Rescue. Its superior medical evacuation services distinguish it from other insurance options.
If your bicycle touring itinerary doesn’t include extremely isolated destinations and you reside in the US, the best insurance choice is Faye. It provides comprehensive medical coverage, accommodates pre-existing conditions, imposes no age restrictions, and includes adventure sports protection for altitudes above 9,000 feet.
For non-US residents embarking on less secluded bicycle touring adventures, the Explorer Plan from World Nomads is a robust choice. It offers significant medical coverage and is recognized for its competitive pricing in the insurance 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
Bike Touring Insurance Reviews Online
During your research, you might want to consider checking out articles from various publications that provide insights into the best bicycle touring insurance options available.
In my experience, the most honest and valuable reviews are found by real bikers in forums.
Here are some of the most popular threads I found interesting.
Cycle Touring & Bikepacking Insurance: All You Need To Know (& Popular Insurers) – tomsbiketrip.com
Cycle Touring Insurance: What You Need To Know And The 6 Best Insurance Providers – The Planet Edit
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