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Travel Insurance with Motorcycle, Moped or Scooter Cover
Travel Insurance with Motorcycle, Moped or Scooter Cover
Written by
Rachel Gregg
Edited by
Ellie Garran
Reviewed by
Adrian BennettEasily compare Travel Insurance
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Why do I need special cover for two-wheeled vehicles overseas?
Long story short
Standard travel insurance usually won’t cut it for motorbikes
Most travel insurance policies won’t cover two-wheeled accidents unless you’ve added the right add-on cover, so make sure to check before taking off.
You might be covered by your scooter policy, but your bike won’t
Most motorcycle, moped, and scooter extras will include medical costs if you’re injured, but not damage to the bike itself.
Extra cover for two wheels comes with a few conditions
Things like your motorcycle’s engine size, license types, and wearing a helmet all matter.
Why do I need special cover for two-wheeled vehicles overseas?
Scooters and motorbikes are more than just transport, they’re an experience (especially in places like Bali, Vietnam, and Rome). Whether you’re driving to the markets or cruising down the coast, two wheels can be a fun and faster way to get around. But riding the roads overseas isn’t quite the same as it is back home.
All countries have different traffic conditions and rules. And when you’re weaving through crowds of tuk-tuks, it’s easy to see how things can go sideways.
While you might enjoy zooming around like a local, if something goes wrong, your standard travel insurance policy might not be there to back you up. Most standard policies don’t cover accidents on two wheels, which means, if you were injured in an accident, you could be left to foot the bill.
That’s why you’ll likely want some add-on cover specific to scooters, mopeds, and motorcycles for those worst-case scenarios.
Is motorcycle, scooter, and moped cover automatically included when I buy a travel insurance policy?
Most travel insurance policy don’t automatically cover you behind the handlebars (even some of the comprehensive top-tier ones). That’s where scooter, motorcycle, and moped add-on coverage comes in to fill the blanks.
Travel insurers usually offer an extra coverage option for scooters and motorbikes to help cover medical costs in an accident. But these could come with conditions. So your best bet is to check exactly what your travel insurer offers before you twist the throttle.
Helpful tip
Adding extra cover for your scooter, motorbike, or moped sounds like a solid win, but there could be a catch. Most policies come with conditions that you’ll want to read before hitting the accelerator. Engine size limits, license requirements, or not wearing a helmet can mean the difference between your claim going through and an extra unwanted bill on your trip.
Also, most policies also won’t cover any damage to the bike itself, just you. So, if you scratch, ding, or total it, you’re likely going to be on your own there.
Adrian Bennett
General Manager for General Insurance
How can I get travel insurance cover for motorcycles, mopeds, and scooters?
The easiest way to make sure you get the coverage you need for your two-wheeled trip is to add specific add-on coverage to your policy. Once you’ve chosen a core plan (like a comprehensive or basic one), look for an add-on specifically for motorcycles, scooters, or mopeds. This is what helps cover most claims related to your two-wheeled ride.
Just keep in mind that some insurers also only let you add this extra cover to high-tier policies. If it’s not popping up for you, make sure you’ve met the base level of coverage needed to be able to add it on top. Think of it like making a cheese toastie. Your core policy is the bread, and the extra coverage is the cheese that stops everything from falling apart.
What’s covered in motorcycle, scooter, and moped insurance policies?
Benefits covered in your policy
If you have a basic travel insurance policy or a comprehensive one, then all the standard inclusions will be covered (like lost luggage, cancellation costs, etc.).
Overseas medical expenses
If you’re injured directly because of a scooter or moped accident, your policy will cover relevant medical costs or medical evacuation costs.
If you’re riding a bike that isn’t covered
If you have a bike over a certain engine capacity (like 125cc), you may not be covered for claims.
Reckless behaviour while driving
If you drive or do anything that could become a risk to your safety, then your insurer most likely won’t process the related claim.
Riding with the correct license
If you don’t have all the right licenses sorted out in your destination, your insurer won’t cover you.
Racing professionally or in a competition
If you’re a professional racer, a driving-related sportsperson, or competing, you won’t be covered for related activities.
Travelling to a ‘do not travel’ destination
If Smartraveller recommends not travelling somewhere, your insurer will likely follow suit, so they won’t honour any claims from these destinations.
Riding under the influence
If you’re under the influence of drugs or alcohol and driving your two-wheeled vehicle, you won’t be covered.
Benefits covered in your policy
If you have a basic travel insurance policy or a comprehensive one, then all the standard inclusions will be covered (like lost luggage, cancellation costs, etc.).
Overseas medical expenses
If you’re injured directly because of a scooter or moped accident, your policy will cover relevant medical costs or medical evacuation costs.
If you’re riding a bike that isn’t covered
If you have a bike over a certain engine capacity (like 125cc), you may not be covered for claims.
Reckless behaviour while driving
If you drive or do anything that could become a risk to your safety, then your insurer most likely won’t process the related claim.
Riding with the correct license
If you don’t have all the right licenses sorted out in your destination, your insurer won’t cover you.
Racing professionally or in a competition
If you’re a professional racer, a driving-related sportsperson, or competing, you won’t be covered for related activities.
Travelling to a ‘do not travel’ destination
If Smartraveller recommends not travelling somewhere, your insurer will likely follow suit, so they won’t honour any claims from these destinations.
Riding under the influence
If you’re under the influence of drugs or alcohol and driving your two-wheeled vehicle, you won’t be covered.
How do I choose great travel insurance for my trip?
Your destination
Some countries are made for scooters, while others are scooter chaos. Places with higher rates of two-wheeled accidents can raise your risk, so make sure your travel insurance is suitable for the places you’re going to.
Your age
Age isn’t just a number; it can also affect your premium or your ability to get two-wheeled coverage. Some travel insurers will have age limits for their motorcycle, moped, and scooter coverage, so check your eligibility.
License requirements
You’ll usually need a valid Australian license, an international driver’s license, and maybe even a local license to be able to legally get on the road. Make sure you meet all the requirements for the countries you’ll be going to.
Check conditions
Just adding motorcycle or scooter cover doesn’t mean you’re automatically good to go. Most policies won’t cover two-wheeled related claims without extra cover. Even if they do, there could be more conditions to meet to be able to claim.
Types of riding covered
Riding around in the city or on country highways might be all fine, but some policies won’t cover you for driving off-road or on closed roads. Most policies only cover leisure riding, and anything too extreme (like racing for competitions) likely won’t be covered.
Tip for staying safe while enjoying your two-wheeled adventure abroad
We get it, there’s nothing more exciting than hitting the road in a new place. But before you go full throttle on your holiday, here are a few tips to make sure you stay safe on two wheels.
Obey local road rules
Different countries all have different local laws. Make sure you’re across the local traffic laws where you’ll be driving so you can avoid learning them the hard way. Nothing’s worse than bringing some international fines home as a souvenir.
Don’t be afraid to honk
Back home in Aus, a horn is usually used by those impatient drivers when you don’t hit it as soon as the lights turn green. In some foreign countries with lots of traffic, honking the horn is a good way to let others (and bigger vehicles) know you’re there.
Give way to bigger vehicles
While the locals’ driving confidence might rub off on you, in some countries, the bigger the vehicle, the higher up on the road traffic food chain they’ll fall. So don’t cut it close and zip out in front of a bus. Instead, just sit back and give way.
Always wear a helmet
Even if the locals don’t, wearing a helmet is a smart (and usually compulsory) safety choice that will protect your head and face in case of an accident. Your policy likely won’t cover your claim if you weren’t wearing a helmet at the time of the claim.
Avoid busy streets
Traffic in foreign countries can be daunting, especially in places like Vietnam, known for its chaotic roads. If your riding skills are a bit rusty or you’re feeling a little overwhelmed, try and avoid busier roads until you feel a bit more confident.
Watch the road surface
You might be worried about the number of drivers on one small stretch of road, but sometimes it’s the potholes or uneven pavement that can send you flying. Keep an eye out on unfamiliar roads and slow down at rough patches to save you and your wheels.
Frequently asked questions
Am I covered if I’m a passenger on a motorbike?
Yes, but only if you’ve got the right cover options on your policy. Even if you’re just a passenger, you’ll want to add motorcycle, scooter, and moped coverage to your policy. This means you’ll be covered in case of an accident or unforeseen incident. Even as a passenger, you’ll need to make sure you meet the conditions of your policy (like wearing a helmet) to process a related claim.
Does travel insurance cover rental scooters and motorbikes?
Most motorcycle, scooter, or moped travel policies will cover you for any medical costs relating to scooter accidents. But when it comes to damage to the actual motorcycle, you may not be covered. Even though most comprehensive travel policies include rental car excess, this is usually for four-wheeled vehicles, not two. There are some policies that will cover you for the damage or theft of your bike, but you’ll need to check your policy details beforehand.
Do I need to have a motorbike license to rent a motorbike, scooter, or moped overseas?
That depends on the country you’re visiting and the two-wheeled vehicle you’re driving.
If you’re driving a two-wheeled vehicle with an engine capacity of less than 125cc, you’ll need your Australian driver’s license and an international driver’s permit for the country you’re driving in. If you’re renting something with a bit more power, you might need an Australian license for the same class of two-wheeled vehicle you’re riding, plus a local license.
Just remember, these license requirements could change from one place to another. Most countries only need you to hold an international driver’s permit (alongside your Australian license). But there are some countries, like Vietnam, where you also need a local license on top of these.
If you’re planning on biking through a few countries, make sure to check the requirements for each one.
When should I get motorcycle cover?
Get travel insurance as soon as you know your travel dates so you’re covered from the get-go. If you know that you’ll be travelling by two wheels for part or all of your trip, then it’s important to get this add-on with your original policy.
Ready to compare travel insurance?
If you’re looking forward to taking those first holiday moments from the group chat and putting them on your calendar, it’s likely time to think about finding a great policy for your trip and consider what features you might need. Whether you want something to cover for cancelled flights, excess coverage for four-wheeled rentals, or more, start comparing online to choose from a range of travel insurance policies and providers.
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