Insurance to cover your bicycle while cycling or traveling anywhere in the world
Theft
Protects your bicycle against theft while traveling internationally.
Crash
Covers crash and accidental damage while riding internationally.
Transit
Covers damage or loss during airline, vehicle, or shipping transport.
What Is International Bike Insurance?
Bicycle insurance does a great job protecting your ride at home. But if you decide to take it abroad, adding the optional International Bike Insurance makes sure that protection goes with you. It extends the existing physical damage coverage to any country in the world. It can be added based on your travel plans and applies when your bike is ridden, shipped, or transported internationally.
Unlike standard travel insurance or airline liability, International Bike Insurance is designed specifically for cyclists and high-value bicycles. It focuses on cycling-specific risks, such as damage during transport and theft while riding and storing a bike abroad. For cyclists who train, tour, or compete outside the US, this provides continuity of protection when domestic coverage no longer applies.
Why International Bike Insurance Matters (And Who It’s For)
Cycling abroad adds risks that do not exist domestically. Once you introduce the variables associated with travel, the risk goes up: bicycles are handled by airlines, shipped between countries, transported on vehicle racks, and ridden in unfamiliar environments. Bikes are frequently damaged in transit, while both the airlines and shipping companies heavily limit liability. In countries with higher crime rates, theft by force or confrontational theft is also a concern.
International Bike Insurance is designed for cyclists whose cycling adventures extend beyond domestic trips. It supports riders participating in international cycling tours, bikepacking trips, long-distance adventures, races, and training camps. Families traveling with multiple bicycles can save by bundling them on one policy. For cyclists who view travel as part of their cycling lifestyle, this protection provides confidence wherever the road leads.
What’s Covered Internationally
Optional worldwide coverage extends your bicycle insurance to cover your bike while traveling outside the United States.
Worldwide coverage includes protection for:
- Theft, including theft by force while abroad
- Crash and accidental damage while riding internationally
- Damage during transport, such as airline handling or vehicle rack transport
- Loss or damage in transit while shipping a bicycle internationally
Whether your bicycle is damaged during a flight, stolen, or lost in transit, this coverage is designed to respond to real-world cycling risks encountered abroad.
Real-World International Cycling Claim
One of our clients traveled to France to ride Alpe d’Huez and several other iconic cycling routes. While waiting to board his flight, he called us from the airport to add International Bike Insurance coverage.
After arriving, he rented a car equipped with a roof-mounted rack and, following a long day of riding, accidentally drove into a low underground hotel garage with the bicycle still on the roof of the car. The impact destroyed it.
With most of the planned trip still ahead, he chose to purchase a replacement bike locally in France rather than miss the remainder of the experience. His shop in Illinois emailed a copy of the original purchase receipt, which he submitted along with photos of the damaged bicycle as part of his claim. When he returned home from his trip, a check was already waiting for him.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is International Bike Insurance?
International Bike Insurance extends the theft and accidental damage coverage offered by your bicycle insurance to any country in the world.
Does it cover flying with a bicycle internationally?
Yes. It covers damage, loss, or theft while a bicycle is transported by an airline.
How do I add International Bike Insurance?
International bike insurance can be added when purchasing a policy or added later based on travel plans.
Does it cover E-bikes worldwide?
Yes, no matter if it’s road, mountain, or hybrid e-bike, it is covered.
Can the coverage be applied to individual bicycles on a multi-bike policy?
Yes. It can be applied to any or all insured bicycles.
Does it cover racing and organized events abroad?
Yes, but only if you specify competitive use on your policy. An organized event is generally any ride, race, or competition that is timed, requires an entry fee, or involves formal registration. These include races, gran fondos, triathlons, and similar events.
Does homeowners or travel insurance cover my bike overseas?
In most cases, no. Homeowners, renters, and travel policies typically do not cover the bicycle abroad, and generally limit coverage for high-value bicycles, apply depreciation, or exclude coverage during shipping or sporting use.
Is it needed when using the bike in the US?
No, the standard policy already covers theft and accidental damage in the US and Canada.
Is it needed when traveling to Canada?
No, our standard policy already covers riding in the US and Canada.
Can I buy it just for one trip?
As long as you already have a bicycle insurance policy from us, you can add this coverage before you leave on the trip and remove it when you return. This coverage can not be purchased separately, only added to an existing policy.
Can I buy it after I have already arrived at my destination?
Yes, as long as your bike is undamaged and is your possession.
Is my bike covered when left in the transition area overnight at an event like an Ironman?
Yes, as long as the event provides overnight security.
Can a non-US resident buy this coverage while living outside of the US?
No, while non-U.S. residents may purchase this policy, they must be physically present in the United States at the time of purchase and be able to provide a US address as the primary location of the bike. International Bike Insurance cannot be used to insure a bicycle whose primary location is outside of the U.S.
How many days can an insured bike remain abroad during a policy term?
The insured bicycle may spend as many as 364 days abroad and 1 day in the US during the term.
Does it extend optional coverages like medical gap, liability and uninsured motorist worldwide?
No, only the physical coverage, such as theft and accidental damage, are extended internationally. Consider purchasing separate travel insurance with medical and/or liability coverage if needed.
Can I cancel it once I return from the trip?
Yes, you can add and remove this coverage at any time.
How Claims Work When You’re Traveling
When something goes wrong while traveling, the claims process should be clear, accessible, and manageable. Having processed thousands of claims, we’ve encountered nearly every scenario cyclists face at home and abroad. Claims are filed digitally, and most are assigned to an auditor on the same business day, allowing the review process to begin quickly. Submitting required documentation promptly helps keep things moving and reduces delays during an already stressful situation.
If the bicycle is stolen, a police report is required and should be filed as soon as reasonably possible after the incident. For shipping-related loss, supporting documentation is required to show how the bicycle was transported, such as airline baggage receipts or shipping records from a carrier. Photos of the damage and details of the incident help support the claim and allow it to be reviewed efficiently, whether the loss occurs domestically or abroad.
Worldwide Coverage vs. Homeowners Insurance
Unlike standard insurance, we understand that bicycles are an essential part of our clients’ lifestyle, and do not treat them as generic “sporting equipment.” Whether you’re climbing roads or mountains, adventure touring, or racing, crossing country borders or entire continents, this coverage follows your bike if it’s damaged or stolen abroad.
| Coverage Consideration | Optional Worldwide Coverage | Homeowners Insurance |
|---|---|---|
| Designed specifically for bicycles | Yes | No |
| Applies outside the US | Yes | No |
| Theft while traveling abroad | Covered | No |
| Theft by force while abroad | Covered | No |
| Damage during airline transport | Covered | Limited |
| Damage while transporting on a vehicle rack | Covered | No |
| Full declared value | Yes | No |
| Separate from home policy claim history | Yes | No - claims impact home insurance rates |
| Intended for high-value bikes | Yes | Limited - subject to depreciation |
| FREE INSTANT QUOTE |
Not all insurance policies provide the same level of protection, and many people only discover gaps in their coverage after filing a claim. We’ve done the hard work of reviewing the fine print. To see how plans compare, check out our insurance comparison.
Customer Stories
Client satisfaction is our #1 goal. Here's what our clients say about Velosurance
"Thank you so much to Velosurance!! My Ebike was stolen recently while on a trip to Minneapolis.. I was so bummed to lose it and I wasn't sure if it would even be covered.. Dan Madsen and Velosurance were very understanding and covered my claim in full.. "
Piper D
Baltimore, MD
"Velosurance is great! I’ve had them for 5 years now and it gives me peace of mind knowing that I have my bike stuff covered. I have made a few claims and everything was taken care of and solved in a timely manner. Definitely recommend getting velosurance. "
Steven G
Los Angeles, CA
"I have insured my bikes with Velosurance for 10 years and had to make two claims. Once I damaged my wheels on vacation, the second I was hospitalized after a massive crash. They were incredibly responsive both times, and made a stressful time incredibly easy. "
Gary K
San Francisco, CA
Check out Velosurance reviews to see what people are saying about us.
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International Bike Insurance
No matter where your adventures take you, protect your bike and yourself from the unexpected damage in transit with America's best bicycle insurance.
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Velosurance discounts
Members of USA Cycling, USA Triathlon, and International Mountain Bicycle Association (IMBA) receive discounts on Velosurance bicycle insurance products.
Velosurance provides bicycle insurance policies in the following states: Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, D.C., Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, North Carolina, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin.