What is motorcycle travel insurance?
Hitting the road on a motorbike, scooter or moped on your next holiday? You’ll need motorcycle travel insurance. At JustCover, we can cover you for road riding a motorcycle up to 125cc as standard. While we offer additional hazardous activities cover for bikes over 125cc.
Get protection, even if you plan to spend your whole holiday on your bike. You’ll be covered for emergency medical costs and repatriation after an accident. While our personal belongings cover will protect your leathers, helmet, boots and panniers against loss, damage and theft. Plus, you can get up to €10,000 cancellation cover³.
It’s important to know you’ll need separate vehicle insurance to cover your motorcycle. See the main conditions of our motorcycle travel insurance further down the page.
What are the benefits of travel insurance for motorcycling?
Exploring the mountain passes of the Alps, the Pacific Coast Highway, or New Zealand’s South Island? Motorcycle travel insurance is essential. You’re at a higher risk of a traffic accident on a motorbike. It’s important to know you’re covered for emergency medical expenses and repatriation if you need them:
- The RSA advises: “Motorcyclists have less protection than a car driver if involved in a collision. So, if something goes wrong, regardless of who is at fault, the consequences can be catastrophic.”
- The FEMA found that Greece, Austria and Italy have the highest number of motorcycle accidents.
- The World Health Organisation warns: “Nearly 30% of all road crash deaths involve powered two- and three-wheeled vehicles”. While in Thailand and Cambodia, that rises to 73% and 74%.
We don’t like to think about the worst happening. However, it’s important to know you’re covered on holiday if it does. As well as cover for emergency medical expenses, you’ll also get access to our 24/7 helpline. The English-speaking team are there when you need them, which is helpful if you’re visiting a country where there may be a language barrier. Get bikers’ travel insurance today.
Which types of motorcycle are covered?
If you’re looking for motorcycle travel insurance, it’s important to know which types of motorcycles are covered:
- Travel insurance for motorcycles under 125cc: We’re proud to include over 100 sports and activities as standard. This includes riding a motorcycle, moped or scooter under 125cc. Whether that’s a naked, off-road or sport bike, a vintage classic, or a 50 cc Vespa.
- Travel insurance for motorcycles over 125cc: For anything more adventurous, you’ll need our hazardous activities and extreme sports add-on. This includes riding a motorbike over 125cc. Whether that’s a cruiser, scrambler or supermoto, or a touring or adventure bike. Simply declare any activities like this when getting your quote. We have a range of add-on cover available.
For motorbikes both under and over 125cc, you must wear your crash helmet. As well as any other necessary safety equipment. Racing, off-road riding and unlicensed riding are not covered. Read full details and any exclusions in our motorbike travel insurance Policy Wording.
What does motorcycle travel insurance protect for?
Whether you’re getting cover for a motorbike under 125cc as standard or buying additional cover for one over 125cc. With motorcycle travel insurance, you’ll get cover for:
- Emergency medical costs: If you’re injured while riding your bike. This includes the costs of tests, medications and procedures necessary to treat an illness or injury while abroad. Plus, you’ll get access to our 24/7 emergency medical helpline. We can even consider you if you have a pre-existing medical condition, just make sure you declare it.
- Emergency evacuation and repatriation: If you need to be flown somewhere else for treatment or back to Ireland following a medical emergency.
- Protection for your personal belongings: Including your leathers, helmet and gear. Whether they’re lost, stolen or damaged. Plus, we have extra cover available for expensive items.
- Cover for your whole holiday: Get protection even if you plan to ride for your whole holiday. For motorbikes over 125cc, there is a limit of 15 days.
- Taking your own motorcycle and hiring one: Either way, you’ll be covered for emergency medical expenses and more.
- Unexpected cancellation: We know a motorcycle holiday can be pricey. Get cover for flight and accommodation costs if an unexpected event means you have to cancel.
What else does JustCover’s motorcycle travel insurance cover?
From Germany’s Black Forest to the Tizi-n-Tichka Pass in Morocco. It’s important to know what else is covered with motorbike travel insurance. For full details of all terms and conditions and any exclusions, read our Policy Wording.
What's covered
Emergency medical expenses and repatriation costs – This includes the costs of tests, medications and procedures necessary to treat an illness or injury while abroad. You’ll also be covered for repatriation, making sure you return safely to Ireland.
Cancellation – Cover for flight and accommodation costs if an unexpected event means you have to cancel your trip before you go.
Curtailment – Cover if you need to return home early following an emergency.
Travel delays – If your flight is delayed, we’ll compensate you for the time.
Personal belongings – You’ll be covered if your baggage or its contents are lost or stolen.
Personal liability – Cover for your legal expenses and any liability due if you accidentally injure someone or damage their property while you’re away on holiday. This cover is not applicable to claims relating to your motorcycle.
Legal protection cover – Provides cover for your legal expenses if you have to claim compensation or damages due to something that happened while you were away on holiday.
What's not covered
Claims below the value of the excess – This is dependent on your policy level.
Trips outside the region of cover – If you go somewhere not covered in your policy documents.
Known events or circumstances – Claims related to problems that you knew about before booking the trip or buying the travel insurance are not covered.
Medical conditions you don’t declare – You need to declare all of your pre-existing medical conditions.
Choosing not to travel – We know that sometimes plans change, but you’re only covered for cancellation where the reason falls within the policy terms and conditions.
Travelling against medical or government advice – We can’t cover you if you’ve been told not to go by a doctor or your medical team, or if you’re going away for treatment. We also can’t offer you a policy if the Department of Foreign Affairs has advised against all or all but essential travel to a destination.
Other exclusions linked to motorcycling – Your motorcycle or a hired vehicle is not covered against loss, damage or theft. You won’t be covered if you aren’t wearing a crash helmet or appropriate safety equipment. Or if you’re racing, off-roading or riding unlicensed. See our Policy Wording for further details.
What are the main conditions of motorcycle travel insurance?
Motorcycle trip insurance means you can go away knowing you’re covered. However, it’s important to understand any conditions you must follow. Otherwise, you may invalidate your policy. These include:
- You must wear your crash helmet and any other appropriate safety equipment and clothing. You must wear your helmet, whether it’s a legal requirement in your destination or not.
- You must take necessary safety precautions.
- We cannot cover you for racing, competitive events or off-road riding. Or if you’re riding for professional or commercial purposes.
- You must hold an appropriate and valid Irish motorcycle licence equivalent to the vehicle you’re using. You must follow local laws and licensing rules.
- You won’t be covered for personal accident & personal liability cover for claims relating to your motorcycle.
- You must not be under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time of any incidents you claim for.
- If you’re riding a motorcycle over 125cc, you must buy additional hazardous activity cover. There is a medical excess of €100 if buying this add-on cover. You’ll be covered for up to 15 days.
Always read our motorbike holiday insurance Policy Wording for full details of what is and isn’t included.
Will your motorbike be covered by travel insurance?
Motorbike travel insurance does not include cover for your motorcycle or a hired one. Whether it’s lost, stolen or damaged, you must check if your regular vehicle insurance covers you for your holiday. You may need to buy additional vehicle cover for certain countries. If you hire a motorcycle, the rental company may have strict requirements for vehicle cover.
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Find the best travel insurance for motorbiking
With motorcycle holiday insurance, we’ll keep things easy. No jargon, no waffle. We have both single and annual policies available, so you can get the right cover for you.
Annual multi-trip travel insurance
Always heading off on your next adventure? You could save yourself time and money with an annual policy. Get cover for every trip of the year⁴.
Single trip travel insurance
One big motorcycle trip in the calendar? Tell us where and when you’re going and who you want covered on the policy. We’ll tailor your cover to you.
Why choose JustCover for your motorcycle holiday travel insurance?
From the Route des Crêtes in France to Spain’s Andalusia. Get motorcycle travel insurance, and you’ll be protected for medical emergencies, unexpected cancellation and more:
- 98% of our customers would recommend JustCover to family and friends⁵
- 100% of our customers would consider buying from JustCover again⁶.
- Get up to unlimited cover for emergency medical expenses and repatriation.
- Plus up to €10,000 cancellation cover⁷.
- Our 24/7 emergency medical helpline is there when you need it.
When to buy motorcycle holiday insurance
Planning a motorcycle holiday months ahead or last-minute? We can help. You can get motorcycle trip insurance from JustCover as long as you haven’t left Ireland yet. Buy a policy:
- Earliest: Get motorcycle holiday insurance as early as 12 months before your trip. You’ll be covered for unexpected cancellation for as long as possible.
- Latest: Buy your motorbike holiday insurance on your day of departure. As long as you haven’t gone through customs in Ireland yet. Once you’re on your trip, we’re afraid you cannot buy a policy.
Specialist travel insurance for motorbiking
Seniors travel insurance
Enjoying your retirement on your bike? If you’re an adventurous senior traveller, we can help. We have no upper age limit, whether you’re over 60 or over 90.
Pre-existing Medical Conditions
As a medical specialist, we consider more than 1,300 pre-existing medical conditions, including arthritis, heart conditions and high cholesterol.
Family travel insurance
Whether you’re taking your biker parent or grandparent with you, get everyone on the same policy. That way, you’ll all be covered if something goes wrong.
Cruise travel insurance
Get cover if you miss excursions, get sick onboard or are confined to your cabin. Our special protection for cruises will mean you’re covered as you set sail.
Destinations covered by motorcycle holiday insurance
Looking for motorcycle travel insurance for Europe? Or perhaps you’re off on a big trip across the globe? We offer both European and worldwide policies:
Do you need motorcycle travel insurance for domestic trips within Ireland?
Road trip around your home country? You might think you don’t need motorcycle travel insurance. Of course, emergency medical care will be covered by the HSE or your normal arrangements. However, buying a policy is still an important safety net:
- Cover your personal belongings against loss, theft and damage.
- Get up to €10,000 cancellation cover⁸.
- Protect the lost portion of your holiday if you have to go home early due to illness or injury.
- Plus, get cover for other activities you have planned. We’re proud to include more than 100 activities as standard. From fell walking to fishing. See a full list in our Policy Wording.
Will you be covered if you hire a motorbike or scooter abroad?
You’ll be covered for emergency medical costs after an accident on a hired motorbike or scooter. This is included as standard up to 125cc. If you’re riding a motorbike over 125cc, you’ll need to buy hazardous activity cover.
You won’t be covered for damage, loss or theft of the hired motorcycle or scooter. You must check what cover you need for this and any requirements the rental company has. We cannot reimburse repair or replacement costs for hired vehicles.
Motorcycle travel insurance for pre-existing medical conditions
Heading off on a motorcycle holiday with a pre-existing medical condition? You might find it hard to get motorcycle travel health insurance. As a specialist medical provider, we can help. We’ll consider more than 1,300 conditions, including diabetes, high cholesterol and COPD.
We can even help if you have more than one condition at once. All you need to do is declare them and answer our medical questionnaire accurately. If you don’t, you may invalidate your policy, and any claims could be rejected.
Conditions include:
A simple 3-step process to book your cycling travel insurance
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You will only need to tell us some information about yourself and your holiday plans
Select and tailor your cover
Now all you need to do is to choose the level of cover that best suits your needs
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Purchase your cover and you’re ready to go – we’ll take care of the rest!
Expert travel insurance advice from our team
"Riding a motorbike or scooter on holiday can be a real adventure. The freedom to see a country and explore all it has to offer. However, motorcyclists are at a higher risk of having an accident on the road. It’s vital you go away knowing you’re covered for emergency medical expenses. Otherwise, you could face bills of thousands of Euros from your own pocket."
Peter Clark - JustCover Director
What our customers say
“Had a concern as to riding a motorcycle on holiday and was advised as to the correct cover I needed by Danielle. I was able to purchase the right cover for my European trip.
Whole process was very efficient.”
Tips for safely motorbiking abroad
From getting motorbike travel insurance to checking your motorcycle over. There are lots of ways you can prepare for your next holiday, hitting the road:
- Check you have the right licences and documents: Gov.ie says you’ll need to “bring your full Irish and/or international driving licence”. Different countries may have additional requirements, so check this in advance. You may need an International Driving Permit or IDP.
- Make sure you wear your crash helmet: You must do this, even if it’s not the law in the place you’re visiting. You should also wear any appropriate safety gear.
- Research the rules of the road before you go: Gov.ie warns: “Driving on the other side of the road, dealing with unfamiliar traffic laws, and driving an unfamiliar vehicle can make for a stressful situation.” Read up on the speed limits and road rules in any destinations you’re visiting. These will vary from country to country.
- As well as local driving styles: Understanding what to expect will help. Some countries may have more reckless drivers than others. Wherever you’re visiting, you should be cautious and ride carefully. The RSA recommends: “Match your speed to the conditions and never let others dictate your pace.”
- Don’t ride under the influence of alcohol or drugs: The RSA says you should: “Never ride your motorcycle after consuming alcohol or drugs.” You won’t be covered by motorcycle travel insurance for incidents that happen while drinking or taking drugs. No matter what the local laws are on this.
- Get the right cover: Motorcycle travel insurance will mean you’re covered for emergency medical expenses. This is included in our policies as standard for bikes up to 125cc. You’ll need additional hazardous activity cover if you’re riding a bike over 125cc. Remember, motorcycle holiday insurance does not cover your bike itself against loss, damage or theft. You’ll need separate vehicle insurance for this.
- Check your bike before you go: Make sure your bike is in good condition and get it serviced and checked before you leave. The RSA recommends you: “Regularly check petrol, oil, water, damage, electrics and tyres.”
- Go for a practice ride with your luggage: It can take a while to get used to riding with extra weight on your bike.
Frequently asked questions about motorcycle travel insurance
Will the EHIC cover injuries from motorcycles?
If you’re injured in a country covered by the scheme, your EHIC will give you access to some state healthcare. However, this will only be at the same price as locals. It also won’t cover all costs, such as if you need repatriation.
The HSE says: “An EHIC does not replace travel insurance.” You should take both away with you. You could easily face bills of thousands of Euros without motorcycle travel insurance.
Is there an age limit for motorcycle travel insurance?
At JustCover, we have no upper age limit. This is unlike many providers. We can offer travel insurance with motorcycle cover for:
This applies even if you have a pre-existing medical condition. We can consider over 1,300 conditions, as long as you declare them.
Will your motorcycle kit and equipment be covered?
You can protect your leathers, helmet, panniers and boots under our personal belongings cover. This includes loss, damage and theft. We cannot protect your motorcycle, scooter or moped. You must have separate vehicle insurance for this.
Can you get motorcycle travel insurance for a whole group?
Going away with friends or family? We offer motorcycle travel insurance for groups. These include:
Remember, you’ll be covered as standard for motorcycles, scooters and mopeds up to 125cc. If you need cover for a bike over 125cc, you’ll need hazardous activities add-on cover.
Am I covered for third-party/personal liability?
Our motorcycle travel insurance does not include third-party or personal liability cover. This applies to any claims relating to your motorcycle, whether it’s over or under 125cc. You’ll need to find appropriate vehicle insurance that includes these benefits.
You’ll be covered for personal liability for claims unrelated to your motorcycle.
Does motorbike travel insurance cover wheel damage or punctures?
No, travel insurance with motorcycle cover does not include any claims for damage, loss or theft of your motorbike. This includes wheel damage and punctures.
You’ll need suitable vehicle insurance that covers this, as well as roadside assistance cover if you need it. It’s also important to check your tyres and wheels properly before you head off on your trip.
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2. Based on 2,000+ Trustpilot responses, as of 12/05/2025.
3. Covers cancellation for certain reasons outside of your control and detailed in our Policy Wording. Amount of cover depends on the policy level you have purchased.
4. Unlimited trips to your chosen region over a 12-month period from the start date of an annual policy, up to a maximum of 183 days' travel per year. Individual trip duration limits apply.
5. Based on 128 responses, correct as of 27/08/2025.
6. Based on 128 responses, correct as of 27/08/2025.
7. Covers cancellation for certain reasons outside of your control and detailed in our Policy Wording. Amount of cover depends on the policy level you have purchased.
8. Covers cancellation for certain reasons outside of your control and detailed in our Policy Wording. Amount of cover depends on the policy level you have purchased.