Travel Insurance Q.

[Jambi]

So im coming to America from Britain in May for 90 days. The travel agent at STA said that because I'm cycling there is a certain type of insurance requirement. For example the guy said if i was to have an accident whilst cycling the insurance company might not cover it due to it being a sports related injury. Is this true? or is he just trying to get me to buy insurance from them. I have looked at various price comparison websites that will give cover for much less than STA however none of them seem to specify anything regarding cyclists. Thoughts appreciated.

Jake

[whittierider]

See what the policy you already have covers.  After riding 75,000 miles in the U.S., I've never heard of any special insurance.  I think he's trying to take advantage of you.

[Galloper]

Have you checked out the CTC insurance site, they were the best I found and, unlike a lot of other providers, give full coverage for non-competitive cycling?

As to "the certain type of insurance" - there's no legal requirement, I suspect they may just be commenting on the fact that a lot of standard travel insurance policies don't cover cycling.

[rvklassen]

The main thing you need insurance for is medical emergencies.  Or even semi-emergencies.   The US has the highest health care costs in the world.  Last I checked Canada was #2 at approximately half the cost of the US.  So your British government-run/supplied insurance will cover significantly less than half the cost of any procedure that you might need.  As an example, simply checking into an emergency room is several hundred dollars.

I don't know what's available there for out-of-country coverage, but I highly recommend getting something.

[Pat Lamb]

As to "the certain type of insurance" - there's no legal requirement, I suspect they may just be commenting on the fact that a lot of standard travel insurance policies don't cover cycling.

Really??  I don't know about buying travel insurance coming to America, but both my standard (most expensive country) medical insurance and the travel policies I've looked into for European travel Just Cover medical expenses -- plane, train, bike, falling down, you name it.  They'll try to get reimbursed from the airline or train companies, or the restaurant with the slippery stairs, if there were an accident, I'm sure.

As an example, my medical insurance covered costs for me in the ER when I was hit by a car; Blue Cross then sent the bills to the driver's insurance company (who paid promptly for a car insurance company!).

[johnno]

Some travel insurance policies won't cover cycle touring because it is considered a 'high risk' activity - up there with base jumping and high altitude mountaineering.  It varies from company to company.

My problem - and hopefully someone can help me out - is that i need coverage for my bike!  I'm an Australian currently in Canada and about to head to Sth America for some touring.  My insurer from Australia will cover me medically but won't cover my bike.  Can anyone suggest a comapny I can try?

[Galloper]

Try these guys

http://www.eta.co.uk/

[Tourista829]

I work for Humana Insurance. I thought travel insurance was incase you had to cancel your trip and you needed a refund. Health insurance is something 90% of people never think about, when traveling outside their country. I would check your insurance and see if it covers emergencies outside the UK. I suspect not. Most Americans that travel oversees have either reduced coverage or no coverage at all. I will do some research. Many Canadians, who live in Florida, during the winter months have a separate policy, that covers them incase of emergencies.