Quad Bike Travel Insurance: Cover and Conditions

Quick summary for busy readers:

• Not every New Zealand travel insurer covers quad biking. And with those that do, it’s often only included if you pay extra for an adventure sports add-on rather than as standard.
• Common conditions include booking through a licensed operator, wearing a helmet, staying within any stated age limits, and accepting a higher excess for the activity.

 

From Bali’s volcanic backroads to Morocco’s Sahara dunes, quad biking has become extremely popular with Kiwi travellers. And sure, it’s a great way to make a trip feel more adventurous and fun, but it’s also one of the activities travel insurers get nervous about… meaning plenty of policies simply won’t cover you for it.

Read on for everything you need to know regarding quad bikes and travel insurance, including where you can buy it.

Does travel insurance cover quad bikes?

Most insurers do not cover quad biking, often referred to as riding an ATV or all-terrain vehicle, as it sits in that higher-risk category of activities. And with the few that do, cover usually comes with a few conditions attached:

• You may need to pay extra for an adventure sports or activity pack add-on, rather than it being included as standard.
• Cover often only applies if you booked through a legitimate, licensed operator, not an informal or unregulated setup.
• Wearing a helmet at all times is usually a condition of cover.
• Age limits and destination exclusions can apply, so it’s worth checking both before you book.
• A higher excess sometimes applies specifically for riskier activities like quad biking, so don’t assume your standard excess is what you’d actually pay if you needed to claim.

Where can I buy quad bike travel insurance?

As we mentioned previously, only some New Zealand insurers cover quad biking. We’ve put together which insurers do offer quad biking cover below: