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Travel Insurance for Mountain Biking

Discover how World Nomads travel insurance can protect American’s mountain biking adventures with comprehensive coverage and support.

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For information relating to policies purchased prior to October 23 2024, please check the Policy Wording provided with your purchase. You can contact us if you need this sent to you again. For plans purchased after October 23 2024, please see below.

Nothing beats heading down a mountain with your lunch in your backpack and a sense of adventure in your heart, ready to ride as far as your feet can pedal. We at World Nomads love mountain biking, which is why we have it on our list of 250 covered adventure activities. And, as mountain bikers, we also know that any time there's adventure, there's also a risk of inconvenience and even danger.

If your next vacation includes mountain biking, you could find yourself needing help for medical emergencies, evacuation, repatriation back home, or simply for disappointing travel interruptions. Some of our travel insurance* plans let you add optional cancel for any reason protection and include rental car protection or the possibility of getting $250 for annoying travel inconveniences. All plans also include non-insurance services like pre-trip medical support.

Here's what you need to know about travel insurance for mountain biking.

What types of mountain biking adventures are covered?

As long as you're not doing anything reckless, like riding without a helmet or under the influence of drugs or alcohol, World Nomads offers coverage for mountain biking, including on and off road, cross country, downhill, snow biking, and bikepacking. Bike polo and even unicycling are also covered!

What's covered when you go mountain biking?

If you're injured or have an accident while biking

It's not nice to think about, but if you suffer an injury or accident on your ride, our emergency medical expense coverage may assist you in emergencies that require:

  • Hospitalization
  • Day surgery and out-patient treatment
  • Visits to registered medical practitioners
  • Prescribed medicines
  • Ambulances

If you need medical treatment, it's essential that you get in touch with the Emergency Assistance team as soon as possible so they can support you.

If you need to be evacuated or repatriated

You might be riding in a remote area, far from medical assistance, so our policies include coverage if your condition requires you to be evacuated to a medical facility or repatriated back home. Just remember that an emergency evacuation must be ordered by a physician who certifies that the severity of your accidental injury or sickness warrants your emergency evacuation, and it is approved by the 24/7 Emergency Assistance team.

Emergency Assistance team available 24/7

Having an emergency in a foreign country can be overwhelming but buying a World Nomads plan means you'll have access to the 24/7 Emergency Assistance team. Our Emergency Assistance team can help with a range of services in whatever part of the world you're traveling, can speak multiple languages, and they're available 365 days a year.

Cancellation of your ride

If your ride is cancelled or interrupted due to an unforeseen event like an illness or injury, natural disaster or a serious problem back home, you may be able to recover your non-refundable, prepaid, unused travel expenses.

Rental car coverage

If you've rented a car to take you to go on your rides and the car is damaged due to an accident or theft, or if it simply breaks down and you arrive at your destination 12 hours late, car rental damage protection may offer coverage. Check your Explorer or Epic plan wording for full details.

Delayed, damaged, or lost baggage (including your bike), when checked in with a common carrier

If you checked your bike in with your airline, and it takes a detour for more than 12 hours en route to your destination, or if it's been lost or damaged by your common carrier you could get reimbursed for the current value of your equipment (which factors in depreciation) or the cost of a replacement, up to a per item and total maximum limit.

All our plans also include non-insurance service, Blue Ribbon Bags, which will track and expedite the return of your airline baggage. Note that if your bike is delayed, lost, or damaged, you must report the incident as soon as possible to a responsible officer for the carrier. Make sure you get a Property Irregularity Report, or a similar official report, in writing and make a claim directly with the carrier first before making a claim with us.

Please note we do not offer coverage for damage to sporting equipment while in use.

Bad weather can cause delays, destruction, and cancellations

Maybe a mudslide buried your lodge, or a snowstorm or hurricane delayed your connecting flight. Our plans cover inclement weather under certain circumstances, including trip cancellation, trip interruption, and trip delay coverage due to a variety of reasons, including natural disasters.

What's not covered when mountain biking?

While we can offer coverage for mountain biking, there are some things we just won't cover. These include, but are not limited to:

  • Participating in any activity or sport as a professional athlete.
  • If you travel against medical advice.
  • Bicycles and other sporting equipment that gets damaged while in use.
  • Any activities that aren't on our adventure sports coverage list.
  • Search-and-rescue missions.
  • Any pre-existing medical condition, unless you purchased your plan within the time-sensitive period and have a waiver.
  • Unattended baggage, sporting equipment or personal items.
  • Expenses that can be recovered from another source, such as your carrier or primary health insurer.
  • Biking while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
  • Any damage related to the wear and tear of sports equipment.

Travel tips for mountain biking adventures:

  • Get bike fit: Mountain biking requires a certain amount of strength and stamina, and in some cases, the ability to handle altitude. Be sure you are physically capable of it. Consider using our non-insurance service partner Runway Health for pre-trip medical support to get travel medicines, like altitude sickness pills or malaria medication, delivered to your door before you leave on your trip.
  • Make sure your bike is set up correctly before you ride check the saddle, pedals, handlebars, brakes, and tire pressure.
  • Put your safety first: only go riding with professional, qualified, licensed, and reputable operators. If you don't, your coverage may be void. If something doesn't feel right, then don't go.
  • Keep your body loose and springy and be prepared to stand up on the bike doing this moves you with the bike and can help you avoid injury and accidents.

Choosing the right plan for you

The coverage and the maximum benefit limits of your specific activity depends on which plan you buy. Our article on covered sports and activities should help you decide on whether to buy a Standard, Explorer, Epic or Annual plan, as they have different levels of coverage. You can't upgrade your coverage after you purchase a policy, so it's important to get this right on the first go.

Are you traveling long-term? You, lucky mountain biking dog, you! You can buy always more travel insurance when abroad (waiting periods may apply) even if you don't have a return ticket. World Nomads plans offer coverage for up to 180 days at a time with the Standard, Explorer, and Epic plans.  And if you plan to take numerous trips during the year, then the Annual Multi-Trip plan could be best for you.

Get a quote 24/7

With World Nomads, you can buy travel insurance before you go or when you're already traveling, anytime, anywhere, 24-hours a day. When you get a quote, you can compare our plans side by side and pick the one that best suits your needs. You can't upgrade your plan after the satisfaction guarantee period, so choose carefully.

Need some inspiration for your next mountain biking adventure?

Check out our handy guides and insider travel tips on the best places to go mountain biking:

*All information we provided here is a brief summary. It does not include all terms, conditions, limitations, exclusions, and termination provisions of the plans described. Please carefully read your state specific plan documents for a full description of coverage. Travel insurance is included as part of your travel protection plan which contains both insurance benefits and non-insurance assistance services. Material included on this page does not represent, nor is it specific to, United States Fire Insurance Company or travel insurance benefits provided on United States Fire Insurance Company's travel protection plans.

Travel Insurance Benefits: how we can take care of you

Trip Protection

Protect your hard earned vacation from unexpected cancellation.

  • Standard Plan: $2,500
  • Explorer Plan: $10,000
  • Epic Plan: $15,000
  • Annual Plan: $5,000
Trip Protection
  • Unexpectedly hospitalised?
  • Travel buddy unfit to travel?
  • Close relative suddenly dies?

We’ve got your back.

Emergency Medical Insurance

Take the pain out of medical or dental costs.

  • Standard Plan: $125,500
  • Explorer Plan: $150,000
  • Epic Plan: $250,000
  • Annual Plan: $100,000
Emergency Medical Insurance
  • Need meds quick?
  • Accidentally injured?
  • Suddenly sick?

We’ve got your back.

Emergency Evacuation

We'll provide assistance to get you to the hospital or home quickly.

  • Standard Plan: $400,000
  • Explorer Plan: $500,000
  • Epic Plan: $700,000
  • Annual Plan: $100,000
Emergency Evacuation
  • Banged up abroad?
  • Need a hospital urgently?
  • Medivac home?

Help starts here.

Protect your gear

Covers the loss, theft or damage of your bags, tech and gear.

  • Standard Plan: $1,000
  • Explorer Plan: $2,000
  • Epic Plan: $3,000
  • Annual Plan: $2,000
Protect your gear
  • Passport or tech stolen?
  • Airline lost your gear?
  • Bags delayed?

Help starts here.

The amounts listed represent the maximum benefit amount.

Protect your health

  • 24/7 Emergency Assistance Help Line
  • Emergency Medical & Dental Expenses
  • Emergency Evacuations
  • Bedside Companion Travel
  • Emergency Medications

Protect Your Trip

  • Trip Cancellation
  • Optional Cancel for Any Reason (Explorer or Epic)
  • Trip Delay & Trip Interruption
  • Missed Connection (Explorer or Epic)
  • Rental Car Damage (Explorer, Epic or Annual)

Protect Your Stuff

  • Baggage Delay
  • Passport and Visa Loss
  • Lost or Stolen Bags
  • Personal Tech, Equipment & Gear
  • Baggage Return After Evacuation

Non-Insurance Services

  • Medical & Non-Medical 24/7 Emergency Assistance Line
  • Translators Available
  • Runway Health
  • FootprintID
  • Blue Ribbon Bags
This is a general summary for US residents only. Restrictions, exclusions and limitations will apply. Benefits limits may vary depending on the plan chosen. Check the plan documents for full details.

24/7 emergency assistance

Whether you need medical or dental assistance or advice, emergency evacuation or travel assistance, our team is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year before and during your trip.

Wherever you are, we’re here 24/7 to help you in any emergency.

Are you in need of emergency assistance right now?

Contact Generali Global Assistance:
Telephone: +1 954-334-8143 (Collect outside the US)
+1 877-289-0968 (Toll-free in the US and Canada

Contact the team