Motorcycle travel insurance a word of caution

[raesewell]

A word of caution regarding travel - medical insurance.
After my recent accident on my way to the French Duffers trip there were a couple of hotels and the tunnel that I couldn't cancel so I made a claim on my travel insurance. To cut a very long story short they refused my claim because I was travelling on a motorcycle above 125cc. I wasn't claiming for any injury just travel expenses, so any excuse to refuse the claim. Personally I don't see that your mode of transport should come into the equation but it did.

After much searching (well a Google search) I found a company that includes travelling on any cc motorcycle.
You might want to read the small print on your current travel insurance and if it excludes motorcycle over 125 take a look here
Voyager Click Here

[Phmode]

Name and shame time Rae. Who were the weasley wonders who refused the claim?

Oh, and who on god's little green earth would 'travel' on a 125 or under?

[GlynH]

Absolutely outrageous IMHO.

I mean who in their right mind would want to go touring abroad on a 125cc in any case? They must know this.

This typifies Insurance Companies who are happy to sit back and take your money year after year and when it comes time for a legitimate claim - you know the thing you have been paying years to cover they point to a well-hidden paragraph and/or come up with some lame excuse to wriggle out of paying.

My motorcycle insurance actually went down £32 to £200 this year compared to last where my car insurance has gone up from £655 to £852.76 - let's not forget the 76p Axa. I'm sure it makes all the difference.

Both low-risk vehicles kept at the same low-risk address, no accidents or claims etc. 64 years old with full No-Claims and yet BOOM! 30% car premium increase for what exactly?

I am with NatWest for my Travel Insurance as part of my Banking package and I remember some months following a heart stent I was due to travel to the Nordics. I queried my Medical Team for their expert opinion on flying/travelling and they said no problem at all and yet NatWest refused to cover me to travel saying it was too soon after the procedure. Since when have Banks had jurisdiction over a Cardiologist when it comes to medical matters?

They have so many Get-out-of-Jail cards available to play I can't keep up.

But please don't get me started on Insurance, Banks, Religion, Politics etc. etc.

The older I get the longer the list seems to get!

-=Glyn=-

[richtea]

Bikes bigger than 125cc can carry tents, that's why. None of this cushty hotel stuff. Man up, lower class citizen!

But thanks for reminding us to check, Rae. I have insurance with Puffin and they have no exclusion that I can see.
Please could you paste your excluson ter in so we can see the sort of thing we're looking for?

Ta muchly.

[Belco100]

I have World Wide Travel Insurance with my bank account. Downloaded the document and then double checked with them ....

Covered for Motorcycle Travel provided it is my personal form of transport for the holiday. If I hire any bike once I am on holiday they will only cover up to 125cc.

(I know this doesn't help, but does help justify the monthly fee)

[raesewell]

I was with Admiral but now I am obviously with Voyager. In the Admiral document you have to scroll to page 84 yes page 84 which is their get out clause, under sporting activity. I did try to tell them that it was not a sporting activity it is my mode of transport for getting from a to b, they were having none of it. So I voted with my wallet.

[black-k1]

Cover wise covers bikes of any cc.

[Phmode]

Just called Admiral to enquire about taking out a travel insurance policy for Europe, travelling by motorcycle.

'Certainly sir, may I ask what cc the motorcycle is?'

'Take your pick from...'

'OK, you will be covered but you will need to pay a small additional premium which will be advised at the quotation stage. You will need to add to the quotation that you are taking part in a hazardous activity.'

It seems to me that they are conflating an activity with the act of travelling. I guess as we bikers as a group have more 'medical and repatriation needs' than your average car traveller, the extra premium is not unreasonable. However, I bet they don't specifically ask if you are travelling by bike during the quotation process, which is probably where you fell into their trap Rae.

Ho hum!

Blue Bear were always my preferred insurer for foreign travel but I think they disappeared long ago, which shows how long it is since I was abroad.

[raesewell]

You are right Brian, however from now on I will be asking the question. I did ask Admiral to quote me for hazardous activities after the accident and they told me I was too old.

[black-k1]

Travel insurance and cover while riding a motorcycle is one of the regularly asked questions on the Old Gits. It is worth reading the policy document as changes happen to policies on a regular basis and policies that covered any bike last year may be reduced to 125cc on renewal this year. As the insurers don't see that as a significant change, it may not be highlighted to you.

As has been said, there is confusion between a mode of transport and an activity (but then, no insurance underwriter appears to understand motorcycling in any way) but, but including motorcycling, or limiting the cc, means they have a clear get-out should a claim be made - as Rae discovered.

[alaskier]

Before buying travel insurance you should always check the General Exclusions on the specimen wording that they always include with the quote. It might take a little time and effort but is worthwhile in the long run. You will also see that the policy excludes many other activities as well as riding or passengering a motorcycle so it is not just motorcyclists that they are picking on. Drunks and self-harmers are excluded as well

To let you all know my annual travel insurance is with LV who exclude using a scooter, moped or motorcycle unless you wear a crash helmet and appropriate protective clothing and the rider is fully licensed to use such a vehicle in the UK. My LV policy also provides full cruise cover.

When buying insurance you should always bear in mind that Insurers do not know you from Adam. They fondly imagine that you will be spending your annual fortnight on a beach smothered in sun block so you should always tell them if you will be doing anything out of the ordinary such as scuba diving, mountaineering, playing competitive sport or, as most people fly abroad, riding your motorcycle.

Rae, when turning down your claim did your travel insurers offer to return your premium? If they are refusing to pay out your hotel  cancellation claims on the grounds that they would not have covered you at all had they known that you were travelling by motorcycle they are effectively cancelling your policy ab initio (from inception) so should refund your premium because the contract was never in force.

[raesewell]

A refund of the premium was not offered or expected really, the policy only had a few weeks to run.

[alaskier]

Might be worth your while to give them a call stating that you were mis-sold your policy and asking for your money back. If that doesn’t work send them a letter stating that if they do not agree to refund your premium in full within the next ten working days you will refer the matter to the Insurance Ombudsman. You will find his details in their policy wording.

Good luck!!

[raesewell]

Nah, I can't be bothered my time is worth more than the refund. I've got the insurance I need now, so onwards and upwards.

[alaskier]

Understood.

I suppose you were lucky they hadn’t turned down an enormous medical bill instead of just a couple of fiddly hotel bills.

As you say, onwards and upwards!!