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One summer my brothers and I cycled for six weeks across Spain and France. We started in San Sebastián, slept in convents, abandoned buildings and open fields, and finished near Antibes. I wrote about it in 7 crazy adventures I would never have had without being a digital nomad.
We rode through tough mountains without a scratch. Then, in Barcelona, I fell off my bike while it was not even moving. I was trying not to fall down a flight of stairs and cut my leg badly on the crankset. I needed stitches. A few months earlier a sea urchin had cost me a hospital bill I paid myself, so this time I was insured. One phone call told me the stitches were covered, and I went to a hospital with a good reputation instead of the nearest one. I recovered quickly, and we rode on from Barcelona through the south of France to Antibes.
If you are planning a cycling tour, here is what your travel insurance needs to cover.
Cycling travel insurance at a glance
Check these six things before a cycle tour or bike holiday. The last column shows what I have with Genki Traveler.
| What to check | Genki Traveler |
|---|---|
| Cycling cover Touring and bikepacking should count as recreational riding. | Covered, including mountain biking, except extreme downhill riding and highly risky jumps. |
| Helmet rules Some policies only pay if you wore a helmet. | Covered without one. Wear one anyway. |
| Medical evacuation Quiet roads can be far from a big hospital. | Ambulance to the nearest suitable hospital by road, air or water, and a flight home when medically necessary. |
| Your bike and liability Theft, damage and hitting someone are not health costs. | Not covered. Get separate bike and liability cover. |
| Trip length A 30 day policy is no good for a three month tour. | Up to 12 months, paid monthly. |
| Excess A small fall can cost less than the excess. | €50 per case. Nothing for hospital stays. |
Does travel insurance cover cycling?
Most travel health policies cover recreational cycling, but the details vary. Racing, timed events, downhill mountain biking and riding without a helmet are where policies often draw the line. Always check the sports and activities section before you go.
What to check before a cycling tour
- Recreational cycling is covered. Touring and bikepacking should fall under normal recreational riding.
- The exclusions. Look for racing, events, extreme downhill riding and jumps.
- Helmet rules. Some policies only pay if you wore a helmet. Wear one either way.
- Emergency transport and repatriation. Tours take you far from big hospitals. Make sure ambulance transport and getting you home, if medically necessary, are included.
- The length of your trip. A policy that ends after 30 days is no good for a three month tour.
- Every country on your route. If your route crosses into the USA or Canada, check the limits there.
- Your bike and liability. Health insurance covers you, not your bike. Theft, damage and liability if you hit someone usually need separate cover.
How Genki Traveler covers cycling
I use Genki for my own health cover. Under the current Genki Traveler insurance conditions:
- Recreational cycling and mountain biking are covered, except for extreme downhill riding and highly risky jumps.
- You are covered even without a helmet, although Genki strongly recommends wearing one.
- Ambulance transport to the nearest suitable hospital is covered in a medical emergency, and medically necessary repatriation home is included.
- Up to 6 prescribed physiotherapy sessions are covered per case, which helps after a crash.
- Emergency dental care after an accident is covered up to €1,000 per case.
- Cover runs for up to 12 months, and you can cancel after the first month.
It does not cover your bike or your belongings. For your health on the road, you can check the price for your age on Genki.
Practical tips for a safer tour
- Plan your route on known cycle routes. EuroVelo lists long distance cycle routes across Europe.
- Learn from other tourers. Cycling UK has useful advice on touring and bike maintenance.
- Carry a small first aid kit. Include antiseptic, dressings and tape for cuts and road rash.
- UK citizens in Europe: apply for a free UK Global Health Insurance Card. It gives access to state healthcare, but it does not replace travel insurance.
- Save your insurance details offline and share your route with someone at home.
Enjoy the ride
A cycling tour is one of the best ways to see a country. Make sure a crash, or a silly fall at the top of some stairs, does not end it with a bill you cannot pay. If something does happen, follow my guide on what to do if you get sick or injured abroad. For more on why I never travel uninsured now, read the sea urchin story. For the bigger picture, read my guide to insurance for digital nomads. Surfing on the way, like we did in Mundaka? Read my guide to travel insurance for surfing.
Photo by David Bole on Unsplash.
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P.S. I use Genki myself. This is an affiliate link, so I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
