Published by Lyn on 16 September 2013
Reader Q&A: Jo emailed about insurance for an open-ended cycling holiday in France. Here's our email exchange.
Unfortunately we can't always travel with one of these... Photo: Neil Berrett
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Question:
Hi,
I'm trying to get cycle insurance for a one-way ticket to France.
This is proving harder than I thought because I have no return ticket. I can get backpacking insurance for myself but covering the bicycles is a nightmare.
I've just found the following on your website :
WorldNomads has travel insurance cover for residents worldwide and is recommended by Lonely Planet and Rough Guides, among others. Its travel insurance policies last from one week to 18 months and, for a premium, you can add ‘specified items’ of exceptional value (eg a bicycle). The medical aspect of the policy covers cycle touring and mountain biking.
I just phoned the company and I think they may have changed the wording on there policies since the above was written as they no longer include pedal bikes as an exceptional item. They classify electrical items etc as exceptional items.
Thought I'd share this info as it maybe helpful in the future.
Kind regards,
Jo.
Lyn replies:
Hi Jo
Thanks for the update. I've emailed the World Nomads press office to confirm, but it looks like their insurance may differ depending on your country of residence as bicycles are definitely still on the exceptional items list here in France. I've updated the passage you've highlighted from our cycle insurance page to reflect this.
Did you try JS Insurance? They are usually pretty cycle-friendly.
How long you you need to policy to cover? I'll see what I can find.
Bon courage!
Lyn.
Jo writes:
Hi Lyn.
Thanks for the speedy reply.
I phoned JS Insurance and they are the best company I've found but they need proof of return journey in order to cover us.
As I admitted the first time I spoke to them that I had no return ticket they have said they are unable to provide cover. However my chap had a thought of getting a return ferry ticket in 6 months and re-apply for insurance.
I've just phoned JS Insurance spoke to the original lady who's not to happy with the fact I'm changing my story from a non-return to a return trip and she has to phone the underwriting company to see if they would be able to cover us.
Not sure what the difference is if I get on the ferry or not as the cover stops within 6 months whether I'm in the UK or France.
Our plan is to get a ferry from Plymouth to Roscoff and start pedalling towards St Malo. There is no plan other than keep pedalling around and see what happens.
Personal insurance is not a problem – it's the bike cover that's the main problem.
Regards,
Jo.
Lyn writes:
Hi Jo,
I've had a bit of positive feedback about JS Insurance.
I also enquired for you also at ETA Insurance, which has 'green' policies. That looks promising. I spoke to a lady called Lucy on the instant messenger and she says you don't need a return ticket - just a UK address. There was a time restriction on being back etc and an expiry date, but may be worth asking more questions of them. I wasn't sure of your personal circumstance so didn't get much further!
You could try CycleSure.
Any feedback on various policies would be most useful in helping to update my website.
Cheers
Lyn.
Jo writes:
Hi Lyn
Thanks for your help regarding the insurance nightmare we've had.
Basically we're two loons over 40 with two bikes, four panniers, a cycle trailer and a one-way ticket to France. We're just going to cycle round, pitch our tent and see what life brings.
JS Insurance did have the best all round insurance but you have to prove you have a return ticket.
So we've gone for CycleSure and covered the bikes and trailer for a year. We used Trailfinders to cover ourselves and the most they do is 6 months.
As to covering the tent and contents, that turned into a farce. If we bought everything from Argos, it wouldn't be a problem as the insurance companies will only cover you for £50 on a single item or £100/£150 for the lot.
The tent cost over £400 and my chap Bob has worked hard on the internet to ensure all our equipment is light a possible with titanium pots etc.
So I've given up on trying to find insurance for the tent and contents as life is too short and the insurance companies make it way to difficult.
I thought I'd give you an insurance update.
Thanks again for your help.
Kind regards
Jo and Bob