Do you need bicycle insurance when travelling abroad?
There’s nothing better than exploring the world by bike – whether it’s tackling a steep mountain pass or free-wheeling on the open road. You'll need the right insurance cover though, so you don't end up stranded without your wheels.
Taking your bike out of the country (or anywhere away from home) means it may no longer be covered by your home contents insurance.
Just as you would take out travel insurance to cover a stolen suitcase, it's worth getting cover for your bike in case it's stolen or damaged while you're cycling abroad.
Depending on how often you travel with your bike, you can add Travel Cover to your existing policy for up to 90 days for a single trip, and up to 365 days per policy period, or include it as part of your bicycle insurance.
Direct Line Travel cover for bikes – what’s included?
- Your bike, cycling accessories, clothing and kit for up to 365 days per policy period if you travel overseas, limited to 90 days per trip.
- Theft or accidental damage to your bike and bike box while in transit by air, rail, sea or road. You must include your bike in your checked luggage for each stage of your journey.
If you’re taking part in a cycling race, event or sportive overseas, you’ll need to take out our Race and Events cover, too.
Please note, if you have Cyclist Cover, you’ll be covered for public liability when you travel abroad with your bike. This excludes the USA and Canada, where public liability isn’t available.
Get a quoteGet the right cover for you and your bike
Bicycle Cover
Cover your bike against theft or damage, whether you're riding it or not.
- Accidental damage
- Loss or theft
- Cycling accessories
Cyclist Cover
Specialist cover for you, the cyclist, while you're out riding your bike.
- Public liability cover
- Personal injury
- Emergency medical cover
Bicycle & Cyclist Cover
Cover for you, your bike and your cycling gear.
- Personal injury
- Emergency medical cover
- Public liability cover
- Theft or accidental damage
- Cycling accessories
Why choose Direct Line Cycling Insurance?
The cycling insurance team love to get out on their bikes. So, when you call them up with a query, you can be sure you're talking to someone who knows just how important your wheels are to you.
They’ll also aim to resolve your claim within one working day. Nobody likes waiting, so once they’ve got all the information they need, they’ll get you back on your bike as soon as possible.
With bicycle insurance from Direct Line, you'll get the following cover as standard:
- Accidental or malicious damage
If something happens while you're out cycling, your bike will either be repaired, or the damaged parts will be replaced. - Theft (from your home or away)
As long as you've secured your bike with an approved lock and followed the required security measures, your bike will be covered against theft. - Theft from a roof rack or trailer
Provided it hasn't been left unsecured or unattended (see approved locks for more information). - Reimbursement for cycle hire and transport costs
If your bike's out of action, you'll need some wheels to get around on - especially if you're training for an event. That's why you'll get up to £500 to hire a suitable replacement, or to cover your transport costs while your bike is being repaired or replaced. - Onward travel
If your bike's stolen or you've had an accident and can't cycle, you'll be reimbursed the cost of your taxi fare to get yourself and your bike home, to the nearest station or bike repair shop – whichever is closest. - Roof rack and transit cover
Your bike is covered for any damage caused while you're transporting it securely. - Multi-Bike Discount
If you've got another bike worth over £250 to insure, save money by adding it to the same policy. The more bikes you insure, the more you'll save, with 10% off your second bike and 15% off three or more bikes. The most valuable bike will be counted as the first bike on your policy, so discounts will apply to each bike thereafter. Excludes optional extras. - New for old replacement
If you need to claim for a total loss of your bike due to theft or irreparable damage, we'll replace your bicycle with a comparable make/model up to your benefit limit, if you bought it new. If your bicycle is second-hand or discontinued, we'll reimburse you for it's current market value, subject to depreciation. - Your cycling kit
You'll get up to £250 cover for your cycling kit, which includes accessories, clothing, helmets, GPS, additional wheelsets and your bike box. Please note, this cover is only valid as part of a larger claim for damage or theft of your bicycle. So, if your helmet is stolen from your bag, it's not covered. If it's damaged in an accident which also damaged your bike, it will be covered. - Cycling gear worth over £250
If your kit is worth more than £250, just let us know how much it's worth when you get a quote, and we'll include the extra cover in your premium. We can insure your cycling accessories up to the value of £5,000.
Cycling insurance tips, FAQs and policy documents
Take a look at the Cycling Insurance policy documents:
Need more help?
You can search our site or ask a question to our virtual assistant.
Contact Us ClaimsIf you’d rather talk to us, just give us a call. We can help you choose the right kind of cover.
Call usFrequently asked questions
Latest articles
Why is cycling good for your mental health?
It's more important than ever to look after our mental health. Luckily, there are lots of ways to help keep yourself in a good headspace, and cycling is right up there among the best.
E-bikes: why they're taking over the UK cycling scene
Electric bikes, have seen a huge increase in sales over the past couple of years.But what exactly is an e-bike and why are they so popular?
7 reasons why cycling is the best post-lockdown exercise
After a year without the usual distractions of a daily commute and busy social lives, the pandemic gave many of us the chance to look inward, re-evaluate our lives, prioritise our health and set new goals.