Travel Insurance for Cycling and E-Biking
Take life by the handlebars and check out World Nomads travel insurance plans when cycling on your next adventure.
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For lovers of cycling, travelling through a city or a whole region on two wheels can be an eye-opening experience. It can help you get in shape, it’s environmentally friendly, and you get to make as many pit stops to rest and explore as you want. E-biking has added an extra level of awesomeness to the cycling scene, opening it up to travellers of all abilities.
But with all the positives of cycling, there’s also the chance that you could suffer an accident and end up with a sprained ankle, a broken arm, or even worse, end up in the hospital due to a major accident. That’s why you should consider travel insurance if you need to cover your tracks.
Travel insurance for cycling and e-biking
If you are not using your bike as your main mode of transportation during your trip but are just riding for pleasure as you take in the beauty of new surroundings, World Nomads travel insurance plans could cover you for cycling up to 6,000 meters in elevation.
Are you hoping to enjoy some “me time” and do some independent touring on your bike? Or are you wanting to make new friends and join an organized cycling tour? World Nomads travel insurance could cover either situation.
There are two different levels of cycling coverage for Canadian residents – cycling up to 3,000 meters in elevation and cycling up to 6,000 meters in elevation.
- Cycling up to 3,000 meters in elevation is considered a Level 1 activity.
- Cycling up to 6,000 meters in elevation is considered a Level 3 activity.
Depending on what new heights you’ll be reaching during your trip, you may need to pay an additional premium when you purchase your policy. Level 1 activities are automatically covered, but you will still need to list this when you purchase your policy. If you are participating in level 2 and 3 activities, you will need to pay an extra premium. Put some thought into what you plan to do or may decide to do on your trip so that you can pick the best travel insurance for your needs.
Does travel insurance cover other adventure activities I might participate in during my trip?
Will your travels include even more sports and adventures? World Nomads covers more than 250 activities for Canadian residents and has two different plans – Standard and Explorer. The Explorer plan has higher benefit limits and/or sub-limits than the Standard. When you get a quote, you can compare the coverage of both plans side by side.
You’ll need to list all of the activities that you plan to participate in while on your trip at the time that you purchase your policy. Cycling may be the main reason for your trip but think about all the other fun things that you might be doing so that you are covered for all your adventures.
You won’t be able to add or remove activities after you make your purchase, so make sure you add them all at that time. If you are participating in an activity that isn’t listed in your policy wording, you will need to contact us to make sure you’re covered.
What is covered with travel insurance?
For Canadian residents, World Nomads may offer coverage for:
- Baggage and Gear: If you checked your bike in with a common carrier, and it is delayed by more than 12 hours on the way to your destination, you may be eligible for reimbursement of a rental bike to continue your journey. If your bike is permanently lost or damaged by the airline or ground carrier, baggage and gear coverage could help you get reimbursement to replace it. Review your policy to get information on maximum limits and depreciation.
- Emergency Medical Coverage: Cycling through the Alps and taking in the fresh air can be great for the body and the mind, but not if it ends up in a bad injury. Emergency medical coverage could help reimburse you for expenses like an ambulance transfer, medication, or a hospital stay. You will still need to have GHIP coverage in your home province while you are on your trip though. If you don’t, your total limit for all emergency medical expenses during your trip is limited to CAD $40,000.
- Evacuation: Your cycling route may be far away from medical facilities. If you take the road less travelled and get hurt, our 24/7 Emergency Assistance Team could help get you transported to a place that offers the level of care you need.
- Trip Cancellation and Interruption Insurance: If something unexpected happens like an illness or injury, and you need to cancel or interrupt your trip, you may be able to recover your unused, prepaid, non-refundable travel expenses.
What's not covered with travel insurance?
Travel insurance can assist with a lot, but there are some things it doesn’t cover. Cycling on Yungas Road in Bolivia is one of those things. It has earned the title of “Death Road” for a reason, so we don’t advise you to take on that adventure, and we won’t offer coverage if you do. Some other things that are not covered include:
- Cycling over 6,000 meters in elevation
- Bicycles or e-bikes damaged while in use
- Any pre-existing medical condition(s) as explained in the policy wording
- Cycling at a professional level
- Injuries that happen if you are cycling under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- Participation in other activities not listed as covered in your policy
- Cycling within your home province
Tips for preparing for your cycling trip
As cyclists ourselves, we have learned that it helps to be prepared. Before you hit the road with your bike, helmet and gear, check out a few of our tips for having the best cycling trip ever.
- Check you have all your paperwork. Make sure you have all of your appropriate documents before you leave for your trip. This can include things like proof of any required vaccinations, visitor permits if you plan to visit any national parks, and special tourist visas for the countries you’ll be visiting.
- Be responsible when choosing a cycling destination or activity. Does the cycling tour suit your experience level? Are there any travel or weather alerts for your destination? Have you got a ‘fit for travel’ thumbs-up from your doctor to take on the mountains and specific altitudes?
- Wear a helmet and visible clothing. This should be a no-brainer, but it’s still worth mentioning because in many countries around the world, the locals don’t wear helmets when cycling. Another no-brainer is if you’re planning to ride at night, you should wear high visibility clothing to make sure other riders and vehicles see you.
- Make sure your bike is set up correctly before you ride. Check the saddle, pedals, handlebars and tire pressure before you set forth on your journey.
- Save your receipts. Hopefully you will have a perfect trip and won’t need to make a claim. But if you do have a mishap, make sure to save all supporting documentation such as receipts of your purchases.
This is only a summary of coverage and does not include the full terms and conditions of the policy. It is important you read and understand your policy as it contains benefits, conditions, exclusions and pre-existing condition exclusions. If you do not understand your coverage, or if you have questions, just ask us.
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24/7 emergency assistance
Whether you need medical or dental assistance or advice, emergency evacuation or travel assistance, our team are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year before and during your trip.
Are you in need of emergency assistance right now?
Telephone +1 866 878 0192 (toll-free from Canada and the Continental U.S.) or +1 416 646 3723 (collect from anywhere else in the world)
Contact the teamTravel Insurance Benefits: how we can take care of you
Trip Cancellation
Protect your hard earned vacation from unexpected cancellation.
- Explorer Plan: $5,000
- Standard Plan: $2,500
Trip Protection
- Unexpectedly hospitalised?
- Travel buddy unfit to travel?
- Been made redundant?
We’ve got your back.
Emergency Medical Insurance
Take the pain out of medical or dental costs.
- Explorer Plan: $10 million
- Standard Plan: $5 million
Emergency Medical Insurance
- Need meds quick?
- Accidentally injured?
- Suddenly sick?
We’ve got your back.
Emergency Evacuation & Repatriation
We’ll get you to hospital or home quickly.
- Explorer Plan: $500,000
- Standard Plan: $500,000
Emergency Evacuation & Repatriation
- Banged up abroad?
- Need a hospital urgently?
- Medivac home?
Help starts here.
Protect your gear
Covers the theft, damage or delay of your bags, tech and sports gear.
- Explorer Plan: $3,000
- Standard Plan: $1,000
Protect your gear
- Luggage lost?
- Airline lost your gear?
- Tech trashed?
Help starts here.
- Emergency Medical Expenses
- Emergency Dental for Injury or Sickness
- Bedside Companion Travel and Subsistence
- Emergency Professional Services
- Emergency Evacuation and Repatriation
- Return of Travel Companion/Dependent Children
- Return to Your Trip Destination
- Return of Remains
- Travel Accident
- Flight Accident
- Trip Cancellation
- Trip Interruption
- Trip Delay
- Baggage and Personal Effects Theft or Damage
- Baggage and Sporting Equipment Delay
- Travel Documents Theft or Damage
- Sporting Equipment Theft or Loss by a Common Carrier
- Covered Adventure Sports listed in Policy
Assistance Services Included
- LiveTravelTM Emergency Assistance
- Worldwide Travel Assistance
- Adventure Travel Hotline
- 24/7 Security
- Travel Medical Assistance
- Bag Trak
Before your trip, check the latest government advice for any travel alerts for your destination.