Third Party Liability Insurance when Touring by Bicycle in Germany

Now that the lockdown in the UK is being loosened, holidays abroad have become feasible. Germany is an excellent place to cycle with 1000s of kilometre cycle routes, reasonably priced accommodation and dining. Something to bear in mind while planning a German tour is that the majority of Germans have taken out a Haftpflichtversicherung - a third party liability insurance that covers claims against the holder for damage to person or property and the legal costs arising. An accident to third parties can be eye-wateringly expensive in Germany. It's an excellent wheeze to have a third party liability insurance yourself. If you don't and you damage somebody else's property or person in Germany, the injured party's insurance will be talking to my learned friend quicker than you can say knife. We have a liability insurance policy from our (German) bank. 

This type of insurance does not seem to be usual as such in the UK, but cover is often provided under other insurance policies, for example, travel insurance policies may cover you for accidents that may happen while you are abroad, but it's better to check before you leave home. Members of Cycling UK have third party insurance that will guard against claims made by others for any accidental damage or injury caused by you or your bike. With third party liability insurance, you are covered for any claims made against you for damage or injury. Cycling UK members are automatically covered up to £10 million by this policy. Electric pedal bikes are also included.

Vacation Medical Insurance for Trips to Great Britain

This note was triggered by meeting two US Americans on our walking trip through Northumberland. They had been cycling, but one of them had an accident and had injured her knee. She refused to go to the local National Health Service hospital to have the knee examined and skyped her Dr. in the USA to have a long distance investigation. The couple had several weeks more vacation to "enjoy". We enquired and were told treatment would then follow in the USA, but the lady was in  pain.  Whether the two had something against socialised medicine or whether they had no vacation medical insurance so were worried about the cost of treatment we didn't enquire.

We have known cases where visitors from outside of Europe have come to Germany without medical insurance and it can be quite expensive. Treatment in Britain is cheaper, but… Cyclists visiting Britain from outside the EU, however should take out a vacation medical insurance. If anything happens it is cheaper than being without an insurance. British public hospitals charge non residents which wasn't formerly the case, but these days the hospitals want to see an European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) or a credit card. Just don't ask about dentists, who are largely private in the UK. An ankle or knee injury could well make a serious hole in £500. Short term medical insurance cover costs less than this.

Visitors to Britain from countries either in or associated with the European Union can receive an EHIC which gives the holder medical treatment in the various countries of the EU under the same terms as an inhabitant of the country they are in. At the moment this applies to UK citizens as long as the country is in the EU. What will happen after BREXIT is not clear.