For information relating to policies purchased prior to October 23 2024, please check the Policy Wording provided with your purchase. You can contact us if you need this sent to you again. For plans purchased after October 23 2024, please see below.
Motorbiking is a popular way to get around in many countries—and let’s be honest, it’s a fun way to cruise around Bali or explore the winding coast of Vietnam. In some instances, it could be covered by your travel insurance* plan - but it’s not guaranteed. Just because it’s easy to rent a motorbike at your destination, doesn’t mean you should, and it doesn’t mean you’ll be covered.
We get a lot of accident claims from nomads who hop on a motorized bike for the first time on their travels, from Thailand to Goa, because it’s cheap and easy to rent. However, safety is not always top priority for other drivers – speed and convenience are. The rules of the road and the road quality itself can be very different from back home in the United States. Motorbike accidents are quite common (it’s one of our most common claims) and it’s very important to know that if you don’t have the proper license for motorbiking, your travel insurance won’t cover you. You must abide by all laws of the local country, and this almost always includes having the proper licensing.
If motorbiking is something you insist on doing, you’ll need to look at getting the proper license for motorbiking for the country (or countries) you plan on visiting before you leave the USA. You can get specific license requirements for your intended destination(s) on the US government’s website. You’ll also want to review your plan wording carefully when you get a quote for World Nomads travel insurance.
Which travel insurance plan should I choose for motorbikes and scooters?
We offer four plans – Standard, Explorer, Epic and Annual – each with different levels of coverage. All four plans cover motorcycling (although not the motorcycle itself) but only the Epic Plan covers moto racing.
When you get a quote, you can compare the plans, which offer coverage up to 180 days per trip (45 days for the Annual plan). Choose the one that best meets your travel needs and matches your specific plans. And if you plan to take numerous trips during the year, then the Annual Travel Insurance Plan could be best for you.
Terms, conditions, limits, and exclusions apply. Read the wording carefully to choose the right plan for your trip. If you have any questions about your policy, just ask us.
What does travel insurance cover for motorbikes and scooters?
For covered reasons (as listed in your plan), World Nomads may offer protection for:
- Emergency medical: if you fall off the bike and need medical attention, we offer emergency medical coverage so you can get the treatment you need.
- Emergency evacuation: Your motorcycle adventure may be far away from medical facilities. With our coverage, you may get transported to the medical facility best suited for your care, subject to approval from the 24/7 Emergency Assistance Team. If your injuries are worse than first thought and local facilities aren’t adequate, as assessed by the Emergency Assistance team, you may be repatriated back home. In the event of a life-threatening emergency, call the local emergency authorities first to receive immediate assistance, and then contact the Emergency Assistance Team.
- Baggage protection: What happens if you drop your camera while cruising at full speed on your motorcycle and damage it? Our gear coverage may help with reimbursement of the cost to repair or replace damaged, lost or stolen items if you took reasonable precautions to protect it. Our plans also include non-insurance services like Blue Ribbon Baggage, which will track and expedite the return of your airline baggage.
- Trip cancellation: If you need to cancel your trip due to an unforeseen event such as illness, we may be able to reimburse your pre-paid, unused, nonrefundable expenses like flights, tours and accommodations.
- Natural disaster: If a severe weather event or natural disaster puts a stop to your biking adventure, or your destination is affected by severe damage, we may offer coverage if you can’t use your booked accommodation or need to move to a safer location.
Top tips for your motorbiking adventure
To make the most of your time on the road, keep the following tips in mind:
- Talk to locals and do some advance reading to know the rules of the road for where you’re driving.
- Wear a helmet—safety really is first.
- Where protective gear and/or clothing on a long-distance trip to help protect you in case of any falls.
- Travel with a small first aid kit in your motorbike in case anything happens to you or someone else while riding.
- Keep your travel insurance number saved in your cell phone. That way in case anything happens, you won’t have to search for it.
Get a quote 24/7
With World Nomads, you can buy travel insurance before you go or when you're already traveling, anytime, anywhere, 24-hours a day. When you’re ready, head to our website to get a quote, and reach out if you have any questions.
When you buy a World Nomads travel insurance plan, rest assured your coverage has been crafted by passionate travelers who have navigated crowded cities and cruised along winding mountain roads by motorbike.
*All information we provided here is a brief summary. It does not include all terms, conditions, limitations, exclusions, and termination provisions of the plans described. Please carefully read your state specific plan documents for a full description of coverage. Travel insurance is included as part of your travel protection plan which contains both insurance benefits and non-insurance assistance services. Material included on this page does not represent, nor is it specific to, United States Fire Insurance Company or travel insurance benefits provided on United States Fire Insurance Company’s travel protection plans.
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Before your trip, check the latest government advice for any travel alerts for your destination.