Advice on Travel Insurance

[Craigster]

Hi

I'm off to Holland for seven days this week for my first cycling holiday. I've never got round to insuring my bike but think it may be worthwhile for this holiday along with my baggage.

Can anyone advise me on any good companies to look at, how much I would expect to pay and do I actually have to state that I'm taking my bike and therefore have to pay a premium?

Any advice would be appreciated.

Cheers

 

[Cathryn]

When we did our trip last year, we went with the house insurance - paid extra to get our bikes insured 'anywhere on the planet' which made it sound excellent value. It's worth starting there.

Our luggage was covered on our standard travel insurance.

The CTC do touring specific insurance but, me being a tight-arse, I thought it was a bit much.

 

[andym]

Specialist bike insurance is about 10 per cent of the value of the bike per year.

You could try looking at M&S contents insurance, which will cover items away from home up to a limit of £4,000 (IIRC).

I'd recommend Snowcard for general travel insurance.

 

[Craigster]

Thanks to both of you for your replies!

 

[Crankarm]

Just to add to Cathryn's post, I do the same but I have had to actually name each bike on my house insurance to have cover away from home and when away they must be locked if left unattended. I have 5 bikes added to the house insurance and it has only added another £60 a year to the premium. There is no excess on my policy . Given the value and sentimental attachment I figure this is money well spent given they paid up without question for my Brompton that was stolen in 2004 whilst I was in London for the day. No I wasn't riding it at the time and it was locked up with a supposedly fortress like Kryptonite lock which wasn't. Don't buy Kryptonite. Abus is better.
I have found in the past when looking at specific cycling insurance that they appear to be poor VFM and have too many exclusions and restricitions.

For travel insurance for you try Columbus who specialise in backpacker adventure travel insurance. You can get worldwide annual policies for £70-80 pounds if that's what you need if you have other hols planned further afield. Obviously 2 weeks in Europe would be alot less. The insurance used to have very generous limits for medical expenses, repatriation, payments in event of loss of life or limb, cancellation and theft of baggage, etc. I think cycling would be covered it's not a dangerous sport like snowboarding or down bobsleigh. I used them a few times for long haul travel. Very efficient but never had to claim.