Travel Insurance

[daddig]

In 2013 my partner and I (56 & 65)respectively are planning to fly to India then cycle throughout India and Asia. We are struggling to find travel insurance which covers cycling and our respective ages.
Anyone have any ideas , or similar experiences and how they overcame the problem?

[hufty]

How long are you planning being away, do you want specific cycle cover? Usually cycling isn't considered a dangerous activity so surely whatever travel insurance you get would be okay? Not taking the mick but surely Saga would do insurance for older people who dare to go on an active holiday?

[daddig]

Thanks Hufty,
We are looking 12mnth,as you say cycling for some obscure reason is considered risky,Saga seem reluctant because of the cycling. Though we have EMailed them for a quote!

[T other Dave]

Try some off the ski insurance companys or adventure sports. I used adrenalin travels ins, others like dog tag ins, Adrenalin covered me for white water kayaking upto gd5 and cycling/ mtb abroad.
Dave.

[simonhill]

This is often asked - search this forum. Also often discussed here http://www.lonelyplanet.com/thorntree/f ... forumID=32 use the "advanced search' facility for old posts.

One point to be careful of is that many insurance companies exclude anything you are doing as main/exclusive activity (eg sailing, scuba, etc), so even though they may include cycling, they would exclude cycle touring.

Having said that InsurandGo do include cycle touring. I have an annual policy, but max is for 90 days. They do single period policies, but not sure how long.

Some people mention British Mountaineering Council (?).

[tatanab]

Try http://www.cyclosure.co.uk/get-a-quote/ at least to them cycling is normal. I intend to shift my travel insurance to them this year because their cover includes cycling activities that are normally excluded, like riding the odd race.

[SatNavSaysStraightOn]

We have come across a number of others which may be useful

interesting article on cycle insurance... http://www.shanecycles.com/cycling-info/info/bicycle-travel-insurance

We are now down to a choice between http://www.thebmc.co.uk/modules/insurance/policies.aspx(under the Trek policy - cycling touring is covered) or http://www.travelnation.co.uk/. I'm not sure which one we will end up with, but both meet your requirements and the last one can be taken out whilst you are already touring...

[matt2matt2002]

Good subject
But as my ol gran was fond of saying..
the proof is in the pudding

Anyone here actually made use of travel insurance with any success?

I recall hearing many tales of woe, from folk trying to make claims and being bounced around by their insurers

[AlisonH]

Have you tried Snowcard http://www.snowcard.co.uk/
We have annual insurance with them to cover various ski trips and also our cycle touring trip to France this summer, bikes can be covered as sports equipment. Friend claimed in 2011 after a skiing accident and service was very good.

[chrishurley]

That shouldn't be a problem really. Try World Nomads (http://www.worldnomads.com) or True Traveller Insurance (http://www.adventuretravelinsurance.co.uk) as they both do adventure type stuff.

[takeonafrica]

Could check out American Express and also www.worldwideinsure.com

[TonyR]

Good subject
But as my ol gran was fond of saying..
the proof is in the pudding

Anyone here actually made use of travel insurance with any success?

I recall hearing many tales of woe, from folk trying to make claims and being bounced around by their insurers

I have an Amex annual family policy which I've had to use twice and both times the service was exemplary. Accepted reverse charge calls, took control of the situation by organising everything and called back to tell us what to do and what would happen and with no quibbles at all - they just arranged whatever was needed. I have total peace of mind now when travelling as a result.

[pedalpower]

My wife and I used BMC travel insurance in 2008/9 when we cycled from the UK to Malaysia. When we had to fly back from India, because a close family member was critically ill, we had no problems claiming. We would certainly use them again.