Mountain Biking Insurance: A Buyer's Guide
Whether you are a demon descender and a fearless downhiller, a fitness-focused XCO racer, or a trail centre specialist who loves endless party laps, mountain biking exposes riders to significant risk. It does not matter if you ride for fastest times or as a way to blow off steam after work, mountain biking often involves challenging terrain, considerable speed and making split-second decisions. It is fun, thrilling and a little scary. But overcoming that fear is all part of the excitement.
While many mountain biking injuries are relatively minor, the nature of the sport exposes participants to a greater risk of hospitalisation. Approximately 10% of all mountain biking injuries require hospitalisation (FATC) - a higher percentage than many other sports. Consequently, many riders take out specialist sports insurance to protect themselves.
In this comprehensive buyer’s guide, we explore the risks involved in riding, what specialist mountain biking insurance covers you for, and how to choose the right policy.
Mountain biking - an extreme sport
As mountain bikers, we often push ourselves to the limit. We want to progress - to nail that trail, tackle that daunting drop, clear that gap and rail that corner. It does not matter what level of experience you have - you can be a complete newcomer to the sport or a professional racer - mountain bikers want to develop their skills.
At the same time, changes in the sport are pushing riders towards riskier types of riding. The widespread popularity and accessibility of trail centres mean mountain bikers are encountering increasingly challenging trails that line up features one after the other. It is an exhilarating experience. But it also makes it easier for riders to step beyond their limits and skill level. Similarly, modern mountain bikes are becoming more and more capable, with changes in geometry and suspension technology enabling riders to go harder, faster and steeper.
All of these factors increase the need for specialist mountain biking insurance. However, it is also important to remember that mountain biking poses risks even when you are not hitting the trails hard or riding particularly fast. Off-road riding can result in accidents and injuries at any speed and mountain bikers must protect themselves against these dangers.
What risks are involved in mountain biking?
Generally, we can divide the risks associated with mountain biking into three broad categories.
Accidents
Accidents pose a physical risk to mountain bikers and typically result in short-term health complications. They include things like broken bones, cuts, muscular tears and concussions. In mountain biking, these can occur in any number of ways. But the most common causes are falls and collisions with obstacles. While falling sideways off the bike is usually safer and results in lesser injuries to the lower limbs, coming off the bike forwards, over the handlebars, is much riskier. It exposes the head and neck, as well as those parts of the body designed to protect them, such as the collarbone (Springer Link). It also endangers arms, wrists, hands and shoulders - which riders often use to soften a fall and absorb the initial impact.
Long-term injuries
As well as more minor injuries that may require hospitalisation or medical care but typically repair relatively quickly, mountain biking can result in long-term injuries and health complications. In many cases, these long-term injuries will involve damage to vulnerable areas, such as the spine, neck and head. That said, some riders do suffer from other long-term conditions that are not the result of accidents, such as carpal tunnel syndrome and knee or lower back pain.
Financial loss
Long-term injuries can mean a sustained break from work and a loss of income. A broken bone or back issue can put you out of action for longer than you would like, affecting your ability to do your job and potentially putting you in a tricky financial position. This is the last thing you want to worry about when out riding and enjoying the trails. For many, the peace of mind provided by specialist mountain biking insurance is one of the most significant benefits and allows them to participate in their passion without stressing over possible complications.
What can mountain biking insurance cover you for?
Today, specialist mountain biking insurance policies can cover you for almost every risk you can think of. This is both a blessing and a curse. It means you can tailor your insurance policy to your specific needs. But it also means finding the right policy and a fair insurance premium is a bit of a minefield. That is where specialist insurance brokers are really valuable. They help riders find the most appropriate cover and identify the most competitive rates, so you don’t pay over the odds and are protected in all the ways you want.
When putting together a bespoke mountain biking insurance policy with a specialist broker, you will probably mix and match aspects of the following types of cover.
Accidents and injuries
Accident and injury insurance protects against the medical costs resulting from a crash or collision. We regularly refer to it as health insurance or medical cover and it enables riders to receive the best possible medical attention without worrying about the financial implications. From hospital scans to physical rehabilitation, you have access to first-class, wait-free healthcare for any injuries that arise from mountain biking.
Emergency rescue
Mountain bikers ride almost everywhere. However, we often spend a lot of time in inaccessible and hard-to-reach areas that make it difficult to reach healthcare facilities. This is particularly true of remote mountainous areas and is a critical consideration for mountain bikers who ride in major mountain ranges in the UK and abroad. If specialist emergency rescue is required, it can be extraordinarily expensive and leave riders with significant medical debts.
Insuring your bike and equipment
Mountain bikes and the equipment that accompanies them are not inexpensive. Many riders will spend thousands of pounds on their bikes, helmets, clothing and extra gear. Unfortunately, they are easily damaged. By nature, mountain biking puts the bikes themselves through a lot. As a result, protecting your investment by insuring your equipment is usually a sensible move.
Travelling to ride
Mountain biking is an international sport and many riders travel around the world, visiting iconic trails and their dream destinations. Whether you are riding the best of British Columbia, sampling Moab’s sensational slickrock, hitting long alpine descents in Verbier or enjoying some Mediterranean sun in Finale Ligure, travel insurance enables you to do so with complete confidence. It will protect you financially should anything happen while you are away and it may even help you recoup some of your costs if you are forced to cancel.
Insurance for racing
Not all mountain bikers race. But a growing number of riders like to dabble in Enduro, XCO or Downhill events. Racing is where you put yourself at the most risk, as you are constantly pushing for a faster time or to climb a few positions in the rankings. It also usually requires specialist insurance, as not all traditional insurance policies will cover you for competitive events.
Personal liability
In some instances, such as large mountain bike events or group rides, you will be riding with other mountain bikers. Personal liability insurance protects you financially should you cause an accident or injury to another rider or their equipment.
Types of mountain biking insurance
Specialist mountain biking insurance usually integrates the above insurance aspects into three distinct types of policy.
Health Insurance - This cover protects you in case of injury, accident or health complications. It ensures riders do not struggle with long NHS waiting times and receive immediate attention from the best specialists available. Many insurers will work with an extensive list of private healthcare providers, enabling riders to choose their preferred medical professional and book appointments at a time and place that works for them.
Income protection - Income protection will help you meet your financial obligations should you suffer a mountain biking injury that prevents you from working. This includes financial responsibilities such as mortgage payments and utility bills. For most people, these are obligations you simply cannot afford to fall behind on and have serious implications if you do.
Life insurance - While no one likes to think about the worst happening, life insurance offers peace of mind to those riders concerned that they may sustain a critical injury through mountain biking. It ensures that family and dependents are protected in the event of such an injury and means no one has to shoulder the financial burden.
How to choose the right mountain biking insurance
Piecing together your perfect mountain biking insurance policy is often trickier than you think. There is more to consider than just the extent of your cover. With this in mind, here is a quick step-by-step guide to choosing the right policy and provider.
1. Use a specialist mountain biking insurance broker
Using a specialist insurance broker is crucial for two reasons. First, you want a sports-specific provider who understands the specific risks involved in mountain biking and provides adequate cover for those risks. Many general insurers will not cover riders comprehensively, leaving you exposed should something happen.
Second, specialist insurance brokers streamline the process, providing you with the information you need and helping you make informed decisions. This avoids the confusion of dealing with many different providers directly and allows you to compare and contrast offers.
2. Look for a broker that is communicative
If you have any questions regarding a policy, need more information or want advice and guidance, you will benefit from a broker that communicates quickly, clearly and efficiently. Finding a broker that emphasises good communication early on in the process bodes well for the relationship in the future. If you need to claim at a later date, you do not want them to drag their feet or be slow in helping you finalise your claim and receive the necessary financial assistance.
3. Balance policy considerations and price
While a good specialist mountain biking insurance broker will always aim to deliver a policy that meets all of your sporting needs, they will also strive to get you the most competitive rate possible. This is where price comparison features and services come into their own. They enable you to get a good idea of the average costs for your particular type of policy and find the best deal.
4. Research providers’ reputations
Before you commit to a policy, conduct some research into the proposed provider’s reputation. You can find much of this information online by looking at reviews, comments and testimonials. They should give you an insight into how the broker or provider handles the claim process, whether they are as helpful and communicative as you think they are and if there have been any issues you are yet to consider.
5. Discuss your needs with an expert
Finally, do not commit to a policy until you are absolutely sure it covers everything you need. Write down any questions you have or any aspect of the policy you are not clear on and speak to your specialist insurer broker. A good broker will provide access to their mountain biking insurance experts. They will provide clarity and guidance on any aspects of your insurance coverage.
Specialist mountain biking insurance with Quote Sports Insurance
At Quote Sports Insurance, we help you find specialist mountain biking insurance that protects you against all relevant risks. Our price comparison service also ensures you get the most competitive rates and can compare policies with minimal fuss. As a sport-specific insurer, we benefit from extensive experience and unparalleled expertise, enabling us to provide mountain bikers with insurance that reflects the reality of riding your bike regularly.
We understand the risks you are exposed to and can guide and assist you in identifying an affordable policy that guarantees total peace of mind and comprehensive financial protection. Whether you are taking your first steps into the world of mountain biking or you are a seasoned trail rider, we are here to help. Find out more »
