Mountain Biking Travel Insurance

How do I buy mountain biking travel insurance online?

Getting covered with Rise & Shield is easy. Follow these simple steps to secure your trip:

Mountain biking travel insurance FAQs

What is mountain biking travel insurance?

Mountain biking travel insurance is travel insurance that includes eligible mountain biking alongside benefits such as emergency medical expenses, evacuation and repatriation, cancellation, travel disruption and emergency assistance.

With Rise & Shield, general off-road and cross-country mountain biking requires Adventure Plus, while downhill mountain biking using downhill trails or mechanical lifts requires Adventure Extreme.

Does travel insurance cover mountain biking?

It can. Rise & Shield specifically lists general off-road and cross-country mountain biking under Adventure Plus and downhill mountain biking under Adventure Extreme.

The correct add-on must be selected and the applicable safety, trail and other policy conditions must be met.

What is the difference between Adventure Plus and Adventure Extreme for mountain biking?

Adventure Plus is required for general, off-road and cross-country mountain biking.

Adventure Extreme is required for downhill mountain biking using downhill trails and/or mechanical lifts. Downhill riding also carries the professional guide, instructor or operator condition.

Is cross-country mountain biking covered?

Yes. Eligible cross-country mountain biking can be covered with Adventure Plus.

You must wear a helmet and appropriate safety gear, ride on recognised routes or trails, and avoid downhill riding or stunts under this activity classification.

Is general off-road mountain biking covered?

Yes. Eligible general off-road mountain biking can be covered with Adventure Plus.

The helmet/safety-equipment and recognised-route requirements apply, while downhill riding and stunts are excluded from this category.

Is recreational trail riding covered?

Potentially, yes. Recreational trail riding may fit the general off-road or cross-country mountain biking category where it takes place on a recognised route or trail and does not involve downhill riding or stunts.

If your itinerary does not clearly fit that classification, check it before relying on cover. This is a cautious interpretation of the current mountain biking entry.

Is downhill mountain biking covered?

Yes. Eligible downhill mountain biking using downhill trails and/or mechanical lifts can be covered with Adventure Extreme.

You must be with a professional, qualified and licensed guide, instructor or operator, wear appropriate safety gear and stay on recognised routes or trails. Stunts are excluded.

Does lift-served downhill mountain biking require Adventure Extreme?

Yes. The current downhill mountain biking entry specifically includes riding using downhill trails and/or mechanical lifts and requires Adventure Extreme.

What if I ride downhill trails without using a lift?

Downhill trails still fall within the Adventure Extreme mountain biking category.

The wording uses “downhill trails and/or mechanical lifts”, so a mechanical lift is not required for the downhill classification to apply.

Do I need a guide for cross-country mountain biking?

The current general off-road/cross-country mountain biking entry does not attach the specific professional-guide condition.

You must still meet the helmet, appropriate safety-equipment and recognised-route or trail requirements.

Do I need a guide for downhill mountain biking?

Yes. Covered downhill mountain biking carries condition (a), requiring you to be with a professional, qualified and licensed guide, instructor or operator.

Do I have to wear a helmet while mountain biking?

Yes. Both current mountain biking entries carry condition (f), requiring a helmet and/or appropriate safety gear to be worn.

What other safety equipment do I need for mountain biking?

The policy requires appropriate safety gear.

Exactly what is appropriate will depend on the type of riding, terrain, trail, operator, local rules and conditions, so use suitable protective equipment for the activity you are undertaking.

Do I have to stay on recognised mountain bike trails?

Yes. Both the general and downhill mountain biking entries carry condition (g): on recognised routes or trails only.

Is off-trail mountain biking covered?

The current mountain biking entries require riding to take place on recognised routes or trails.

You should therefore not assume that off-trail riding is covered under the mountain biking classification.

Are mountain bike jumps or stunts covered?

No. Both mountain biking entries specifically exclude stunts, and the current activities-not-covered list separately includes cycle jumping.

Is BMX covered?

No. BMX is currently listed among the activities not covered by Rise & Shield.

Are mountain bike races or time trials covered?

No. The Activities section excludes competitions and tournaments generally, while the live activities list specifically includes cycling/biking racing and time trials among activities not covered.

Can professional or semi-professional mountain bikers use this cover?

Not for professional or semi-professional participation.

The Activities section specifically excludes taking part on a professional or semi-professional basis.

Is enduro mountain biking covered?

Enduro mountain biking is not separately named in the current activity table.

Recreational enduro-style riding may potentially fall within the general or downhill mountain biking categories depending on the trail and riding involved, but races and timed stages are excluded. Confirm the exact itinerary before relying on cover.

Are electric mountain bikes or e-MTBs covered?

Electric mountain bikes and e-MTBs are not specifically named in the current Rise & Shield activity table or March 2026 policy wording.

Do not assume that an e-MTB automatically follows the ordinary mountain biking rules; confirm the exact activity before purchasing or taking part.

Can I ride at a mountain bike park?

Potentially, yes, provided your riding fits one of the listed mountain biking categories and all applicable conditions are met.

General/off-road or cross-country riding requires Adventure Plus, while downhill riding on downhill trails or using mechanical lifts requires Adventure Extreme.

Is singletrack mountain biking covered?

Potentially. Singletrack may fit the general off-road/cross-country classification when it is a recognised route or trail and does not involve downhill riding or stunts.

If the riding is downhill in nature, Adventure Extreme may instead be required.

Can travellers aged 65 or over get downhill mountain biking cover?

Not under the current activity guidance.

Downhill mountain biking requires Adventure Extreme, and Rise & Shield currently states that Adventure Extreme is not available if you are aged 65 or over.

Can travellers aged 65 or over get cross-country mountain biking cover?

Potentially, yes. Rise & Shield's Trip Activity Checker currently says travellers can be covered up to age 70, while the specific 65+ restriction applies to Adventure Extreme.

Cross-country mountain biking uses Adventure Plus rather than Extreme, subject to your normal eligibility and completed quote.

Does mountain biking travel insurance cover emergency medical treatment?

Eligible medical expenses following a sudden and unforeseen illness or injury during your trip may be covered, subject to your selected plan, policy terms, exclusions and excesses.

Your mountain biking activity must also satisfy the applicable Adventure Plus or Adventure Extreme conditions.

What happens if I am injured while mountain biking abroad?

Seek appropriate emergency medical treatment and contact the 24/7 Emergency Assistance Centre promptly for a serious emergency.

The policy requires the assistance centre to be contacted for inpatient treatment, MRI or CT scans, medical evacuation or repatriation.

Will Rise & Shield pay the hospital directly?

In most cases involving hospitalisation, direct payments can be made locally.

Minor illnesses or accidents may need to be paid by you first and reclaimed afterwards, subject to the policy terms.

Is medical evacuation and repatriation covered?

Eligible medical evacuation and repatriation may be covered where medically necessary.

The Emergency Assistance Centre must be contacted, and the medical assistance provider determines the appropriate method of repatriation in consultation with the treating doctor.

Is helicopter rescue covered after a mountain biking accident?

An eligible helicopter evacuation may be covered where it is medically necessary and pre-approved by the 24/7 Emergency Assistance Centre.

The assistance centre determines the evacuation method and provider based on the medical circumstances.

Is there an excess for medical helicopter rescue?

Yes. The current separate helicopter-rescue excess is £1,000 / $1,250 / €1,200 when helicopter rescue is required for medical reasons.

Is 24/7 emergency assistance included?

Yes. Rise & Shield's emergency medical assistance service is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

For policies purchased after 13 March 2026, emergency assistance is provided by Compass Point Assist.

Does mountain biking travel insurance include cancellation and curtailment cover?

Eligible unrecoverable travel and accommodation costs may be covered where an insured event makes cancellation or curtailment necessary and unavoidable, subject to your selected plan and the applicable policy terms and exclusions.

Can I cancel my mountain biking trip because the weather or trail conditions are poor?

Not simply because the weather or trail conditions are unsuitable.

Cancellation and Curtailment specifically excludes loss arising directly or indirectly from adverse weather conditions.

What if a mountain bike park or tour operator cancels my ride?

There is no general Cancellation benefit simply because an activity provider fails to supply a booked service.

The policy excludes failure by a provider to supply part of the booked trip and costs recoverable from another source, so you should first seek any available refund or remedy from the operator.

Is the cost of a cancelled one-day mountain biking excursion or bike park session covered?

The Cancellation and Curtailment wording excludes the costs of one-day tours, excursions, rental vehicles or activities booked separately from the main trip.

Different rules can apply to qualifying multi-day activities that form a material part of the trip and were booked before departure.

Does mountain biking insurance cover travel delay or missed departure?

Depending on your selected plan and circumstances, benefits may apply for outward delay, missed departure or connection and abandonment.

The policy sets specific qualifying events, waiting periods, evidence requirements and limits.

What if a fire, flood or storm affects my mountain biking destination?

Catastrophe Cover may apply if a qualifying event such as a fire, storm, flood, earthquake or hurricane forces you to move accommodation.

Eligible irrecoverable travel and accommodation costs may then be covered to continue your trip or, if the trip cannot continue, return home.

Can I claim Catastrophe Cover simply because a bike park or trail closes?

Not automatically. Catastrophe Cover requires a qualifying event to force you to move accommodation.

A closed bike park, inaccessible trail or inability to ride, by itself, is not the trigger described by the benefit.

Is my mountain bike automatically covered by the policy?

No. The Personal Luggage section specifically excludes pedal cycles.

Mountain biking as an activity may therefore be insured without the mountain bike itself being insured as baggage.

Are my helmet, riding clothes and mountain biking accessories covered?

Eligible owned belongings may potentially fall within general Personal Luggage cover, subject to the policy's definitions, limits, depreciation, conditions and exclusions.

However, the mountain bike itself is excluded as a pedal cycle, sports-equipment damage while in use is excluded, and loaned or hired items are excluded.

Is a hired or rented mountain bike covered?

The mountain biking activity itself may be eligible, but the Personal Luggage section excludes items loaned, hired or entrusted to you.

You should therefore not rely on the policy to reimburse loss of or damage to a rented mountain bike.

Is my bike covered if I damage it while riding?

No general mountain-bike protection applies.

Pedal cycles are expressly excluded from Personal Luggage, and the policy separately excludes breakage of or damage to sports equipment while in use.

What if an airline damages or loses my mountain bike?

The Personal Luggage section specifically excludes pedal cycles, so you should not rely on the general baggage benefit to insure a mountain bike lost or damaged in transit.

Items carried as freight or under a bill of lading are also excluded.

Can the High-Value Items add-on cover my mountain bike?

No. The High-Value Items add-on is intended for eligible valuable items such as cameras, laptops, mobile phones and other personal electronics.

It does not override the Personal Luggage exclusion for pedal cycles.

Can the High-Value Items add-on cover my GoPro or action camera?

Potentially, yes. Eligible cameras and other personal electronics can be covered under the High-Value Items add-on when they are properly listed and the applicable limits and conditions are met.

Does Personal Accident or Public Liability cover apply while I am mountain biking?

No. The policy states that Personal Accident and Public Liability do not apply while participating in activities covered under Adventure, Adventure Plus or Adventure Extreme.

Other applicable sections, such as emergency medical expenses, may still apply subject to their terms.

Does mountain biking travel insurance cover pre-existing medical conditions?

Claims arising from conditions that meet the policy definition of a pre-existing medical condition are excluded.

Being medically fit to mountain bike does not override the policy's medical exclusions.

Can I buy mountain biking travel insurance after my trip has already started?

Potentially, yes. Optional Already Departed cover is available to eligible travellers who have already left home, provided nothing happened before purchasing the policy that could lead to a claim.

It requires an additional premium and is not available with Annual Multi-Trip policies.

How does the 48-hour waiting period for Already Departed cover work?

Full Already Departed cover begins after a 48-hour waiting period.

During those first 48 hours, cover is limited to sudden accidental injuries that can be independently verified. Illnesses and other non-qualifying events during the waiting period are excluded.

Can I buy Annual Multi-Trip insurance for several mountain biking holidays?

Potentially, yes, provided the required mountain biking add-on is included and every trip meets the applicable activity and policy requirements.

Each Annual Multi-Trip journey can currently last up to 30 days with Travel Essentials and 45 days with Travel Classic or Travel Elite.

Can Rise & Shield cover a multi-day mountain biking trip?

Potentially, yes. Mountain biking can form part of a multi-day insured trip provided the applicable activity conditions and overall trip-duration limits are met.

A Single Trip is currently limited to 30 days.

Can one policy cover mountain biking and other adventure activities?

Potentially, yes. Different activities on the same trip can require different activity levels or optional covers.

Check each activity individually because cycling, cross-country mountain biking, downhill mountain biking and other adventure activities can have different classifications, conditions and exclusions.

What should I look for in the best mountain biking travel insurance?

Look beyond a policy simply saying that “cycling” or “adventure sports” are covered. Check whether your exact style of mountain biking is listed, whether Adventure Plus or Adventure Extreme is required, helmet and trail conditions, downhill guide requirements, age restrictions, emergency medical and evacuation cover, bike and equipment exclusions, competition exclusions, cancellation rules and trip-duration limits.

Those details determine whether the policy actually fits your riding itinerary.

When should I buy mountain biking travel insurance?

It is generally sensible to arrange your policy once your trip is booked so that any eligible pre-departure cancellation protection can begin.

If you purchase after departure, the separate Already Departed conditions and 48-hour waiting period apply.

How do I check whether my exact mountain biking activity is covered?

Use the current Rise & Shield Activity Checker and compare your planned riding style, trails, use of mechanical lifts, required add-on and special conditions with your quote and policy documents.

If your riding does not clearly fit a listed activity, confirm its classification before relying on cover.

Other useful mountain biking resources

UCI mountain‑bike events calendar

Trailforks global trail map

IMBA Rules of the Trail