Every year thousands of mountain bike riders take out insurance cover to ride in the UK and when they go abroad on mountain bike holidays to places such as France and Canada. The number of mountain bike riders in the UK is on a steady increase, and so is the number of injuries, both minor and serious. It is imperative to get good mountain bike insurance cover for home and away.
As the sport can be highly dangerous no matter what level of rider you are insurance supports you whether the fault for damage or injury be yours or someone else’s.
Individuals and groups travelling abroad on mountain bikes should take a travel insurance policy that understands the sport and risks involved. For example, reputable insurance companies offer benefits such as medical expenses, repatriation, search and rescue, and where required baggage and personal affects.
Many insurance companies offer mountain biking instructors insurance, which covers public liability for instructors and coaches. This type of insurance is imperative when instructing a sport such as mountain biking. The insurance also covers mountain bike clubs.
If you actively ride your mountain bike you should look to buy insurance to insure against accidental damage, theft and loss, as well as offering public liability cover as an option.
If you race, you must check that your mountain bike insurance doesn’t exclude competitive events or racing. According to British Cycling (2002), mountain biking is the third most popular way of participating in a cycle sport, with road racing and time trials being first and second respectively.
One very popular way to enjoy using your mountain bike is to take it abroad - not just within Europe but places like the USA and Canada have extensive mountain biking areas with a number of providers offering dedicated mountain biking holidays. Naturally if you’re going abroad with your bike, you’ll need specialist insurance. Many cycle insurers and most home contents cover will not insure you or your mountain bike outside of the UK, so check or use a specialist insurance company.
Mountain biking is a very physical sport. Mountain bike insurance includes personal accident cover so you will be covered should you or your bike suffer accidental damage. With the right cover mountain biking can be the safest and most enjoyable sport there is!
