Insurance

There can be nothing more interesting on a Saturday afternoon than the researching of insurance for any trip.

Good old GoCompare, for an annual multi trip policy spills out over 100 different quotes from a plethora of different companies ranging from £23 to £167. Unfortunately none of these policies allow you to travel for more than 60 days at a time, so pretty useless for me. Most of these really only cover for what I call ‘paint by numbers’ touring (ie. getting someone else to do all the organisation, booking all accomodation, changing your saddle, changing you punctures, taking all your equipment in a car and so eliminate any jeopardy, or adventure…. well, or any fun – I know each to their own)

You can get single trip insurance cover (70 days) ranging from £46 – £360 but once again not covering cycle touring. I am sure some these do add touring, I just didn’t delve that far.

But there is Campbell Irvine. I have used them before and they are very amenable, why would they not be they are in the service industry.
I was on the phone for about 20 mins, probably paying a premium rate as well Grrrrrrrr.
So a single trip policy (no cycle touring) for 75 days costs about £164 I think there is a 25% extra to add cycle touring.
A Multi trip policy with cycle touring, maximum trip length 70 days costs about £163 (yes yes I know it’s cheaper, it sounds ridiculous but that’s what I was quoted. I may have heard or written it down wrong, there is always that high possibility.
Oh a yearly policy with cycling touring but not returning to the UK for a year (return and it is voided) is only £848  –  Just in case you are interested.
And none of these include the bike, that has to be done separately.

I know of may people who do not insure at all as it it so financially prohibitive.