What is bike insurance for extreme sports?
Bike insurance is an additional policy that protects you against costs related to injuries and accidents while riding a mountain bike. In the case of high-risk sports such as downhill, enduro or freeride, standard accident insurance is often not enough.
Extreme sports require special insurance coverage because the probability of injury is significantly higher than during regular recreational riding. That's why most insurers offer dedicated policies for MTB enthusiasts that take into account the specifics of this sport.
Most standard accident insurance policies exclude extreme sports from coverage or require an additional fee. Always check the terms of your current policy before heading to a bikepark!
Why is it worth getting insured when riding MTB?
Riding in a bikepark is a wonderful adventure, but comes with a real risk of injury. Here are the main reasons why you should consider insurance:
- High medical costs – A broken collarbone, torn ligaments or knee surgery can cost from several to tens of thousands. Insurance covers these expenses.
- Rescue operations – Helicopter evacuation from a mountain bikepark can cost up to 20,000. Without insurance, you bear this cost.
- Loss of earning capacity – A serious injury can exclude you from work for many months. Insurance provides financial benefits in such cases.
- Liability protection – If you cause an accident and injure another cyclist, liability insurance covers the costs of compensation and treatment for the injured party.
What does bike insurance cover?
Good insurance for MTB cyclists should offer comprehensive protection. Here are the key elements:
Medical costs
Coverage for hospitalization, surgery, rehabilitation and medication costs after a bike accident
Rescue operations
Helicopter evacuation, mountain ambulance transport, mountain rescue service assistance in the field
Compensation
Financial benefit payment for permanent health impairment or death resulting from an accident
Civil liability
Liability coverage - covers damages caused to other people while riding (injury, property damage)
Types of insurance for cyclists
Personal Accident Insurance
Basic policy that pays benefits in case of permanent disability or death. Note: many standard policies exclude extreme sports!
- ✓ Benefit for permanent injury (e.g. 50,000 for 10% disability)
- ✓ Death benefit
- ✓ Low premium (from 50/year)
Liability Insurance
Protects you financially when you cause damage to another person. Particularly important on crowded trails.
- ✓ Coverage for compensation to injured parties
- ✓ Legal protection (litigation costs)
- ✓ Sum insured: 500,000 - 1,000,000
High-Risk Sports Insurance
Comprehensive coverage dedicated to MTB, downhill, enduro and freeride. Best option for regular bikepark visitors.
- ✓ Covers extreme sports (downhill, enduro, freeride)
- ✓ Medical costs up to 500,000
- ✓ Rescue operations and evacuation
- ✓ Liability up to 1,000,000
How to choose the right insurance?
Choosing insurance depends on your riding style, frequency of trips and risk level. Here's a practical guide:
Assess your risk level
Do you only ride recreationally on gentle trails? Basic accident insurance is enough. Do you regularly ride downhill in bikeparks? You need extreme sports coverage.
Check the sum insured
Medical costs should be min. 200,000, liability min. 500,000, evacuation/rescue min. 50,000. The higher the sum, the better the protection.
Read the exclusions
Make sure the policy DOES NOT EXCLUDE: mountain biking, MTB, downhill, jumps and bikepark riding. This is crucial!
Compare offers
Don't be guided only by price. Compare coverage scope, sums insured and reviews from other cyclists. Also check if the policy works in Poland and abroad.
How much does bike insurance cost?
Insurance costs depend on coverage scope and your age. Here are approximate prices for 2025:
| Type of insurance | Coverage scope | Annual price |
|---|---|---|
| Basic accident insurance | 50,000 (without extreme sports) | 50-150 zł/rok |
| Cyclist liability | 500,000 liability | 80-200 zł/rok |
| Extreme sports + liability | Up to 500,000 medical + evacuation + liability | 200-500 zł/rok |
Very low premiums often mean numerous exclusions and low sums insured. Read the GENERAL INSURANCE CONDITIONS before purchasing. Better to pay 300 for full coverage than 50 for a fake policy.
What does insurance NOT cover?
Even the best policy has exclusions. Here are the most common situations when insurance will NOT pay:
- ❌ Accidents under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- ❌ Riding without a helmet (some policies)
- ❌ Participation in competitions without additional premium
- ❌ Injuries caused intentionally or as a result of a fight
- ❌ Chronic conditions (e.g. knee injury that existed before purchasing the policy)
General Insurance Conditions are the most important document. You'll find the full list of exclusions there. Don't trust just the ads - read carefully what the policy covers and what it doesn't!
Real cases - when insurance came in handy
Here are true stories of cyclists whose insurance saved their budget:
Fall at Bike Park Czarna Góra
Situation: Michał (32 years old) fell on a black trail, broke his collarbone and had a concussion. He required surgery and 3 months of rehabilitation.
Coverage: Extreme sports insurance (400/year)
Outcome: Insurance covered: surgery (12,000), rehabilitation (8,000) and paid 15,000 compensation (15% permanent disability). Michał didn't pay a penny.
Helicopter evacuation in Kluszkowce
Situation: Anna (28 years old) had an accident on the upper part of Joy Ride. Broken ribs and suspected spinal injury - helicopter evacuation necessary.
Coverage: Policy with rescue operations (350/year)
Outcome: Helicopter + hospitalization = 35,000. Insurance covered the entire cost. Without the policy Anna would have had to pay out of pocket.
Collision with another cyclist
Situation: Tomek (35 years old) lost control on a turn and hit another cyclist. The injured person broke their arm and demanded 50,000 compensation.
Coverage: Cyclist liability (180/year)
Outcome: Insurance covered medical costs and compensation for the injured party. Tomek avoided years of payments and legal problems.
Summary - Is it worth getting insured when riding MTB?
Bike insurance is an absolute must for anyone who regularly rides in bikeparks or practices extreme sports on a bike. Here are the key takeaways:
Remember: insurance is not a cost, it's an investment in your financial security. Before you head out for another season, check your insurance coverage. Safe riding!