Do you like your holidays with a slice of adventure? Whether it’s slicing up sand dunes, getting around on farms or touring rice fields, quad biking can be a thrilling adventure the whole family can enjoy. But if you’re planning to get behind the wheel of a quad bike on your trip, it’s important to ensure that you understand whether you’re covered before settling in the saddle.

Not all Australian insurers cover quad biking as standard. There are many conditions to be aware of before you get behind the wheel of an ATV (All Terrain Vehicle).

If your insurer does offer cover, the following terms are likely to apply:

• you may need to pay extra to cover the activity by way of an adventure pack add-on.
• you may only be covered if you booked through a legitimate operator.
• you must wear a helmet at all times.
• age limits and destination exclusions can also apply.
• a higher excess sometimes applies for riskier activities, so check whether a different excess may apply.

So where can you find quad biking travel insurance? Saddle up and find out right here…

Which travel insurers cover quad biking?

Please note: An additional premium or adventure pack may be required in order to be sufficiently covered. Click on the ticks and crosses for more information.

Get on track

Insurers such as Budget Direct, Boomers Travel Insurance, Virgin Money & Webjet will only cover single riders quad biking with an additional purchase of their adventure pack.

Insure & Go and Tick Travel Insurance will cover travellers only when participating with a commercial operator available to the general public. The activity or course should also not require any special training, skills, or a certain level of fitness to take part.

Insure4Less and Travel Insuranz will cover if you are partaking with a commercial operator, however, they exclude cover for the USA or Canada.

Worldnomads require policyholders to be over the age of 15 years in order to be covered for quad biking.

Insurers such as 1Cover, Worldcare, iTrek, Simply Travel Insurance & Zoom travel insurance will not cover quad biking at all as they consider it too risky to insure.

Rise in quad biking accidents

A significant number of Australians are injured or killed in quad bike accidents every year. This has raised concerns for the those participating in the activity overseas, where holiday adrenaline hits run high, and safety standards can be low!

Australians regularly die in overseas accidents. Young inexperienced travellers are taking part in activities they typically wouldn’t do in their home country. Often with little regard to their safety and failing to appreciate just how risky their actions may be.

From a travel insurance perspective, you are very unlikely to be covered for deliberately putting yourself in harms of danger, or for acts of ‘recklessness’. This can include participating in high-risk sports and activities such as quad bike riding. It’s your responsibility to act wisely and take all required safety precautions when travelling overseas, as well as making sure you’re covered by your travel insurance policy.

Quad bike safety tips:

• Wear a helmet: Your brain is important, so protect it. The most common accident occurs when the bike flips over on top of you, so, at a minimum, a helmet can reduce your risk of a serious brain injury. Whether it’s compulsory or not, make sure you wear a helmet.

• Go with a pro: Don’t just hire a quad bike from anyone. Rent from a reputable, licensed commercial operator who will be required to complete relevant safety checks and provide appropriate training.

• Be sensible: You may consider yourself a whizz on wheels, but the injury statistics say it all. Consider the repercussions of your actions when engaging in risky behaviour abroad.

• Know the rules: Whether you’re hiring a quad or a car overseas, remember that rules differ greatly around the globe. Be vigilant when riding in an unknown area to avoid dangers like other risky-riders and dangerous terrain.

• Have the right license: You wouldn’t drive without a license back home, so why risk it on holidays? To ride legally overseas you may need a license valid for the same class of vehicle you’re intending to hire, accompanied with an international driver’s permit.

• Get travel insurance: Don’t assume that your policy covers you for riding a quad bike, moped or motorbike automatically. Do your research and buy a policy that adequately covers your planned adventure activities. Compare travel insurance for your action-packed adventure today. Quad biking is not for the faint-hearted, before you saddle up, make sure you’ve got adequate protection to cover the most important thing on your holiday - you!