Insurance for riding Scooters/Motorcycles in Thailand and Vietnam

[deft]

Many foreigners have traveled to Thailand and Vietnam to ride scooters/motorcycles. Yet no one discloses what insurance cover they took.

I have failed to find Travel Insurance that will cover me comprehensively for:

Riding/controlling a motorcycle/scooter without a local rider's licencee in a foreign country. Note: I have a full Australian Rider's licence.

Can someone have a look at the PDS:

https://insurance.americanexpress.com.au/travel-insurance/policy-details/

Page 37 says "they" will not pay for my personal liability arising out of the "custody or use of any .........mechanically propelled vehicle;"

Page 44 seems to imply that I will be covered since I do have an Australian Rider's licence.

So am I covered, at least medically for my person (medical expenses), for riding/controlling a motorcycle/scooter in a foreign country?

Is anyone aware of TI that covers what I want? (I couldn't care less about loss of expensive Macbooks Pro Retinas, delayed flights, etc)

 

[LadyC]

Hi deft

I've used ihi bupa for my travel insurance - both motorcycle riding in Vietnam and rickshaw driving in India. Their exclusions are minimal. I haven't had to claim anything with them but have used their medical hotline which was fine.

 

[hummel]

I used 1cover for 2 weeks motorcycling in NW Vietnam last year (will do a trip report one day). From memory they were the best for motorcycle coverage with the best conditions etc.

However the best kind of insurance is using your brain.

 

[ColinP]

I'm in Thailand, riding a motorbike right now.
Using Worldcare travel insurance, which if I understand the PDS correctly, covers me.
I have an Aus motorcycle licence and an International Driving Permit.
As mentioned above, 1cover provides insurance for m/c riding too.

Re: your page 37 and 44.

All travel insurance I'm aware of excludes personal liability when in charge of a powered vehicle, including those mentioned above.

This is different to medical/ repatriation cover for yourself which is, I guess, your primary concern.

I agree that as per page #44 of the PDS you linked to, you are covered for all but 3rd party liability,
On a registered motorcycle in Thailand there is limited insurance cover for third party bodily injury. I have no idea about Vietnam.

 

[deft]

Thanks, LadyC.

I just checked out the PDS at https://www.ihi.com/DocumentStore/ContentStore/289/BRO/2/2013/Brochure.pdf

The PDS does appear to cover medical expenses although it makes no mention of riding motorcycles whatsoever. The insurer is from Denmark?
It does state there is no personal liability cover for using motor vehicles.

 

[deft]

Hi Hummel

http://www.1cover.com.au/assets/pdf/1Cover-Standard-PDS.pdf
The wording in the PDS appears to be exactly the same as the PDS from AMEX.
Looks like I can control a motorbike and will be covered medically but no personal liability is excluded.

 

[LadyC]

It doesn't mention motorcycles because they aren't excluded (last I looked). I emailed them at the time, which was back in 2010, and as long as it wasn't a competition/race, it was covered. It wouldn't hurt to reconfirm with them.

They are a multi- national insurer and I think are owners of the local BUPA arm here in Australia.

I guess it depends on what you want it for. For me, it was just the medical insurance coverage. I never looked at personal liability cover - you might struggle to get that riding a motorcycle.

There seems to be a few options from the responses up here. Enjoy your motorcycle adventures! Definitely a great way to see Asia


Sent from AFF Mobile Edition

 

[deft]

Thanks ColinP

http://www.worldcare.com.au/content/pdf/productdisclosurestatement.pdf

The PDS for WorldCare appears to be identical to 1Cover and AMEX.
It appears to cover medical expenses for motorbike riders as long as one has an Australian Riders licence.
I think you're right about the personal liability. Worldcare doesn't cover it either.

A year ago I remember reading the PDS for Westpac Krisflyer Platinum CC and AMEX Blue Sky CC insurance and easily eliminated both as being unsuitable.

 

[deft]

It wouldn't hurt to reconfirm with them.

That's a great idea. I will email and get it in writing before purchasing.

 

[dajop]

However the best kind of insurance is using your brain.

Or at the very least protecting your brain. I've noticed many westerners riding motorcycles/scooters in (the less regulated parts of) Asia choose not to wear helmets.

 

[hummel]

Or at the very least protecting your brain. I've noticed many westerners riding motorcycles/scooters in (the less regulated parts of) Asia choose not to wear helmets.

Well that to. I took my helmet/googles/gloves and boots from Australia to Vietnam. No way I was using the locals gear.

 

[LadyC]

Well that to. I took my helmet/googles/gloves and boots from Australia to Vietnam. No way I was using the locals gear.

Second to that. I also took my helmet, gloves, boots, kevlar jeans and wet weather pants. I was in Vietnam in late January and there was still a lot of rain. My husband didn't bring his boots - he thought I was mad until his feet got so wet that he needed to wear plastic bags on his feet to protect them from getting soaking wet!


Sent from AFF Mobile Edition

 

[hummel]

Second to that. I also took my helmet, gloves, boots, kevlar jeans and wet weather pants. I was in Vietnam in late January and there was still a lot of rain. My husband didn't bring his boots - he thought I was mad until his feet got so wet that he needed to wear plastic bags on his feet to protect them from getting soaking wet!


Sent from AFF Mobile Edition

I didn't take any wet weather gear over when I went in September last year but I did buy a waterproof jacket/pants for around $7 from a local shop somewhere in the middle of nowhere. Kept me try for the rest of the trip and the quality is top notch... enough to wear it here.