Before setting off, check your medical cover, emergency transport, third-party liability and the conditions that apply to motorcycle activities.
1. Does Your Policy Cover Your Actual Trip?
Rather than simply asking whether motorcycling is covered, explain your plans: whether you will ride or travel as a passenger, the motorcycle’s engine size, how many days you will be riding and whether your route includes unpaved roads.
Some policies cover occasional motorcycle use but exclude motorcycle touring, using a motorcycle as your main means of transport, larger engines or off-road riding. For a multi-day motorcycle trip, ask your insurer to confirm your specific itinerary is covered in writing.
Different activities may have different requirements:
|
How You Travel |
What to Confirm |
|---|---|
|
Riding yourself |
Your licence, engine size and planned riding activities meet the policy conditions |
|
Travelling as a passenger |
Pillion passenger cover applies, including any requirements concerning the rider and helmets |
|
Riding off-road |
The insurer accepts your route type, such as unpaved public roads, trails or enduro riding |
Describe the terrain accurately rather than simply calling your trip an “adventure tour”. For licensing requirements, see International Driving Permit (IDP) in Vietnam.
2. Which Benefits Should You Prioritise?
|
Benefit |
What to Check |
|---|---|
|
Emergency medical expenses |
Treatment, surgery and hospital care following a covered motorcycle accident |
|
Medical evacuation |
Transport to an appropriate medical facility when medically necessary |
|
Medical repatriation |
Arrangements for returning home for further care |
|
24/7 emergency assistance |
Contact details, how to open a case and whether hospital payment can be arranged |
|
Trip cancellation or interruption |
Covered reasons and eligible non-refundable expenses |
|
Baggage and equipment |
Per-item limits, excesses and requirements for keeping belongings secure |
Benefits and exclusions vary between policies. Medical-only insurance may not include cancellation costs or lost belongings.
Medical Evacuation Is Different from Motorcycle Recovery
Transporting an injured rider to hospital, recovering a damaged motorcycle and conducting a search-and-rescue operation are separate services. Check each individually, especially if your route includes remote areas.
Medical evacuation generally depends on medical necessity and the insurer’s assistance arrangements. A reference to helicopter evacuation does not guarantee that a helicopter will be available, authorised or covered in every situation.
Motorcycle recovery and medical evacuation are separate services. Check what your policy covers.
3. Are Third-Party Liability and Rental Motorcycle Damage Covered?
These are separate from your own medical expenses. Having cover for one does not mean you are protected against all three.
|
Type of Cover |
What It Relates To |
|---|---|
|
Personal medical cover |
Treatment for your own injuries |
|
Third-party liability |
Your legal liability for injury to other people or damage to their property |
|
Rental motorcycle damage |
Damage, theft and related costs involving the motorcycle you rent |
Third-Party Liability
Do not assume that a travel policy’s Personal Liability benefit covers incidents involving a motorcycle. Some policies exclude liability arising from motor vehicle use, even when they cover the rider’s medical treatment.
Ask your insurer to confirm whether liability while riding a motorcycle in Vietnam is covered, along with the limits and exclusions.
Vietnam’s compulsory motor vehicle owner’s civil liability insurance is a separate form of cover. At collection, check the certificate’s validity, vehicle details and insurer’s contact information.
This insurance does not provide comprehensive protection for you or the rental motorcycle. Liability exceeding the insurance limit, or falling outside its scope, still needs to be resolved under the applicable law and agreements.
Damage to the Rental Motorcycle
Travel insurance may cover your injuries while excluding damage to, or theft of, the motorcycle you rent.
Before collecting the motorcycle, check who pays for repairs, theft, recovery and rental charges during repairs. Compare these terms with your rental agreement and any Damage Waiver offered.
A Damage Waiver is not a substitute for medical insurance or comprehensive travel insurance.
4. Which Conditions Could Affect a Claim?
Read the policy wording supplied with your insurance, including the motorcycle conditions and general exclusions. Pay particular attention to:
-
Licence and helmet requirements: Some insurers require an appropriate motorcycle licence from your home country as well as legal permission to ride at your destination.
-
Alcohol and drugs: Check the relevant exclusions.
-
Medical history: Confirm whether you must declare existing conditions, medication or recent treatment.
-
Excesses: Understand how much you pay towards a claim and when an excess applies.
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Payment arrangements: Ask whether you may need to pay medical bills upfront and claim reimbursement.
-
Residence and travel dates: Make sure the policy is valid for your country of residence, the full trip and every country you plan to visit.
Failure to meet a relevant condition may lead to a claim being declined. The outcome depends on the policy and circumstances; it does not necessarily mean every benefit under the policy becomes invalid.
5. What Should You Do If You Need to Claim?
Prioritise safety and medical care. As soon as reasonably possible, contact your insurer’s emergency assistance team and inform your guide or rental company.
Ask about approval requirements for hospital admission, transfers and repatriation. Do not delay necessary emergency treatment simply to complete insurance paperwork.
Keep the documents relevant to your claim, including:
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Medical reports and treatment records.
-
Invoices, receipts and proof of payment.
-
Details of the accident and any official reports.
-
Your insurance case number and records of the advice received.
Before departure, save your policy, emergency contact number and written confirmation of motorcycle cover on your phone. Keep an offline copy so you can access them even when reception is limited.
