travel insurance for biking in france

chris_bass

Hi

does anyone know of any good travel insurance that would cover me for cycling in France?

andymiller

Have a look here:

http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtop ... 2312736e02

remember to check the small print - a lot of insurance companies cover casual cycling but not cycle touring.

chris_bass

excellent thanks!

yeah - seems like grade 2 cover is what i'll need.

dilemna

I have never bothered with cycle insurance when cycling in France or any of the major European countries. Just rely on using the reciprocal health services. I cut my right hand quite badly in France in 2004 when I pulled up by the side of the road in a town and lent against a road side lamp post which had a sign newly attached with a razor sharp metal strap. Pressing my hand together to stem the blood flow I legged it into the local Pharmacie 20m down the street who called the local doc and arranged an appointment, gave me directions, 5 minutes later I was sitting in his surgery getting the side of my hand sewn up and bandaged. Cost? Gratuite. The doc was a sweetie. My bike was still there when I went back being looked over by a kindly old gent. It helps speaking a bit of the language though. It was a little tricky effectively cycling with one hand but I only had two nights left and easy cycling.

geoff_ss

dilemna wrote:

I have never bothered with cycle insurance when cycling in France or any of the major European countries. Just rely on using the reciprocal health services. I cut my right hand quite badly in France in 2004 when I pulled up by the side of the road in a town and lent against a road side lamp post which had a sign newly attached with a razor sharp metal strap. Pressing my hand together to stem the blood flow I legged it into the local Pharmacie 20m down the street who called the local doc and arranged an appointment, gave me directions, 5 minutes later I was sitting in his surgery getting the side of my hand sewn up and bandaged. Cost? Gratuite. The doc was a sweetie. My bike was still there when I went back being looked over by a kindly old gent. It helps speaking a bit of the language though. It was a little tricky effectively cycling with one hand but I only had two nights left and easy cycling.

Me too. We just rely on the reciprocal arrangements with the NHS. Definitely needed for the USA, though!

When on a dinghy sailing holiday in Menorca I broke a rib when I slipped off the edge of a diving board. I went to a medical centre for a check-up just in case (there's not normally any treatment for broken/cracked ribs if there's no other damage). Got excellent service, free.

On another occasion I had an infection on the root of a tooth in France. I was directed to a doctor's surgery from the pharmacy where I tried to buy anti-biotics over the counter. The doctor checked me over and gave me a prescription which I took back to the pharmacy. It cost a total of 20 euros; 10 for the doctor and 10 for the tablets. I didn't bother claiming on the NHS when I got home - it just wasn't worth it.

andymiller

Don't forget though that while the EHIC card is excellent it doesn't cover you things like the the costs of getting you and the bike home, and I don't know whether the reciprocal arrangements cover costs of medical repatriation, or shipping your body home (sorry to be Mr Gloomy). Insurers already assume you carry an EHIC card so the cover is for all of the other ghings that could go wrong. It's probably worth having - although if you want theft cover that's best done through a good-quality household contents insurance.