Travel Insurance Exclusions Discriminatory Against Motorcyclists Going Abroad (EU)

stevep10

I've recently taken a multi-trip policy out with Admiral Travel Insurance. I went platinum cover because it has all the bells and whistles, so I thought.
No it doesn't.........It excludes motorcycle travel on anything over 125cc. Who travels the EU from the UK on a 125cc motorbike??? You'd never get your luggage for a 2 week trip on it for a start.
Admiral class anything over 125cc as a hazardous activity and requires a premium to be paid if you want that cover. But then it removes the Personal Injury and Legal Cover from it so you lose it.
I'm actually wondering whether to make a complaint about the motorcycling section of my policy with Admiral being included as a hazardous activity. Anything involving a powered vehicle travelling at speed could be classed as hazardous, even if it is within the specified speed limits. A 125cc motorbike can reach speeds in excess of 50mph so what makes them exempt from being hazardous? In most villages through a lot of the EU, speed limits are as low as 19mph. So what's the difference between a 125cc and a 1000cc doing the speed limits that makes one bike hazardous and the other not?
Today's electric push bikes can exceed 50mph if modified, and I've seen a few of them round here. They'd do as much damage as anything else and riders are not required to wear protective equipment.
I feel discriminated against just for being a biker

elsien

They are allowed to discriminate as long as it’s not on the basis of a protected characteristic. Fairly sure being a biker  doesn’t fall into this.

 All insurance is basically discriminating as to what they will cover and the type of customer that they are looking for.
The onus is on you to read the cover  properly and make sure it is suitable for your needs before you pay your money over. 

Ayr_Rage

Should've checked what you were covered for before buying the policy, cannot see any kind of discrimination here at all.

A simple case of not buying the correct cover.

DullGreyGuy

stevep10 said:

I've recently taken a multi-trip policy out with Admiral Travel Insurance. I went platinum cover because it has all the bells and whistles, so I thought.
No it doesn't.........It excludes motorcycle travel on anything over 125cc. Who travels the EU from the UK on a 125cc motorbike??? You'd never get your luggage for a 2 week trip on it for a start.
Admiral class anything over 125cc as a hazardous activity and requires a premium to be paid if you want that cover. But then it removes the Personal Injury and Legal Cover from it so you lose it.
I'm actually wondering whether to make a complaint about the motorcycling section of my policy with Admiral being included as a hazardous activity. Anything involving a powered vehicle travelling at speed could be classed as hazardous, even if it is within the specified speed limits. A 125cc motorbike can reach speeds in excess of 50mph so what makes them exempt from being hazardous? In most villages through a lot of the EU, speed limits are as low as 19mph. So what's the difference between a 125cc and a 1000cc doing the speed limits that makes one bike hazardous and the other not?
Today's electric push bikes can exceed 50mph if modified, and I've seen a few of them round here. They'd do as much damage as anything else and riders are not required to wear protective equipment.
I feel discriminated against just for being a biker

Not a good comparison with something thats illegal to do, insurers often limit their liability on their policyholders doing illegal things where possible. 

There is no "personal injury" section on the Admiral policy, do you possibly mean Personal Accident? If so have you actually read what it covers? Its only loss of an eye, limb, total permanent disablement or death that it pays out on and its relatively token

QrizB

General purpose travel insurance includes small-capacity bikes because people rent them on holiday and then fall off. It's not intended for motorcycle touring.

You'll need to find a more specialist insurer.

bagand96

Plenty of activities are excluded from Travel Insurance policies, it doesn't make it discriminatory as policies are based on risk profile.  The bulk of general policies won't insure the added risks in order to keep the price down as most customers don't require it.  Diving below certain depths, hiking above certain altitudes, climbing, waterports etc.... plenty more.

You may be able to upgrade your cover as an add on or find an insurer who will insure biking.  If you've recently purchased (within 14 days) you should be able to cancel.

stevep10 said:

Today's electric push bikes can exceed 50mph if modified, and I've seen a few of them round here. They'd do as much damage as anything else and riders are not required to wear protective equipment.

And they are illegal so the rider wouldn't be insured for anything in the event of an accident and may be in a spot of legal bother.

DullGreyGuy

bagand96 said:

stevep10 said:

Today's electric push bikes can exceed 50mph if modified, and I've seen a few of them round here. They'd do as much damage as anything else and riders are not required to wear protective equipment.

And they are illegal so the rider wouldn't be insured for anything in the event of an accident and may be in a spot of legal bother.

They are illegal, in principle, to use on a highway if not registered as a motor vehicle, insured, displaying a registration plate etc. They are potentially legal if not being used on a public highway

Given we are talking about travel insurance in most cases we are talking outside the UK in which case what is legal or illegal is down to local legislation which may differ from the UK.

Hoenir

stevep10 said:

I feel discriminated against just for being a biker

You've not the correct type of policy cover for your needs. Here's a comprehensive guide for you to read. 

https://www.gocompare.com/travel-insurance/guide/motorcycle-holiday-insurance/

bagand96

DullGreyGuy said:

bagand96 said:

stevep10 said:

Today's electric push bikes can exceed 50mph if modified, and I've seen a few of them round here. They'd do as much damage as anything else and riders are not required to wear protective equipment.

And they are illegal so the rider wouldn't be insured for anything in the event of an accident and may be in a spot of legal bother.

They are illegal, in principle, to use on a highway if not registered as a motor vehicle, insured, displaying a registration plate etc. They are potentially legal if not being used on a public highway

Given we are talking about travel insurance in most cases we are talking outside the UK in which case what is legal or illegal is down to local legislation which may differ from the UK.

Point taken, although the OP was referring to the fact that they'd seen them "round here" and weren't required to wear safety equipment. I obviously made the assumption they meant in the UK but was pointing out it wasn't a comparable situation - which it isn't to the OP's gripe about their Travel Insurance. 

daveyjp

No discrimination, if you are doing a motorcycling trip you need specific insurance for that activity,  however still check details.

About 15 years ago a colleague went on a motorbike trip and sorted insurance which had 'full' EU cover.  On looking at the small print it excluded cover for some countries within the EU!

heatherw_01

You need motorcycle travel insurance.
No discrimination here. Discrimination is related to things such as race or disability.
You should have read the terms before purchasing for exclusions such as this.

If you search for motorcycle travel insurance, there are many insurers.

There are some comparison sites too such as:

https://www.gocompare.com/travel-insurance/guide/motorcycle-holiday-insurance/
https://www.comparethemarket.com/motorbike-insurance/european-cover/