I to read this, seems to be an issue, our biggest problem is we are on the road, and they will not cover anyone over 60. Any suggestion would be helpful.

Its all just a huge nightmare ... all I want is someone to rescue me if Im hurt and pay for treatment... simple enough, No.

I have trawled through the Global Rescue and Ripcord small print, and while they imply a field rescue will happen, the small print seems to give them many other options. Most critically, they dont pay for the actual medical costs, so unless I chose to come back to the UK for NHS treatment, while you would be taken to a hospital, your medial attention is not covered.
And if I have got that wrong I apologise, but then if the small print was easier to understand, well, u know where Im going.

So just to document where I am so far, based on a 55 yo UK resident, riding to Thailand and then staying there 6 months (so 10 months away in total), I'm getting ~

Ripcord or Global Rescue - around £400 - extrication only, but they claim from anywhere in the world. Mixed reviews but I think they will. The downside is no curtailment and it means back to the care of the NHS.

Of the more "normal" travel policies that do cover large motorbikes, I seem to have a choice of ~

AA - £242 but for only 6 months max
Holidaysafe - sliding scale from £129 for 3 months to £523 for the full year.
Direct Travel - sliding scale from £134 for 3 months to £524 for 10 months
Harrison Beaumont - 3 months for £196
24/7 Gap - backpacker policy for 1 year @ £164

The latter is by far the cheapest, but the worry always is ... will they organise things when u need help, rather than just a refund when u get back home. I have been there - there is a big difference !

The search continues !

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No, it is not simple.
It relates to the "moral hazard" of all such insurance.

One aspect is that insurance should cover only what is not likely to occur, thereby the underwriters will make a handsome profit and the share/stock holders will be content.

Another aspect is that once individuals are contracted into insurance cover which makes them "comfortable" in their own minds then those same individuals are inclined to take greater risks; thus by providing a particular form of insurance the industry itself has increased its' exposure to making a loss. Their statistical basis for deciding on an appropriate premium will be based on the general population whereas we want to be insured against our own follies while undertaking hazardous activity; so why would anyone take on a very high risk of losing money?

Naturally, this is a first world approach and way of thinking that would not occur to many others on this planet.

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Dave

A top tip, I have also used the Post Office before and was told I was covered and may use them again after checking that they still cover for motorcycle travelling.

Just checked the Post Office ... Yes, still cover motorcycles up to 1500cc.
However, the cheapest Super Economy premium is £292 for a 12 month Backpacker policy.
So, all other things being equal, Gap 24/7 is still the cheapest.

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I got stung big time by the post office, I came back to UK for a short visit, after being out of the country for 2.5 yrs. I rang them, and asked, if I bought a 3 month policy for example, and I decide to stay abroad for another couple of months, could I extend whilst away?

They said yes, and the policy documents confirmed this. When I did decide to stay on in new zealand, I rang up to extend, and was told that I couldn't extend without returning to the UK and buying a new policy. This was because they had changed underwriters and the new underwriters did not allow this. GRRRR!!! So no coverage now. Post office did not contact me to say the policy had changed, and even when purchasing the policy, it took several phone calls to get the docs emailed through, and their online portal never really worked properly.

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https://fernsforays.wordpress.com/

From your description, the policy did not change, it expired at the end of the period.
Nor would it change as an extant contract between you and the underwriter providing the cover, via the PO acting as the broker.

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Dave

Well, after basically checking loads of insurance companies, and going down the "backpacker insurance" route, I found a 12 month policy, (WW excl USA & Canada) that includes motorcycles of any capacity....

Alpha 250 Longstay GC Policy - £143 for a full year.

Maybe the benefits aren't the best out there, but they got good reviews on Trustpilot, will pay up to £10 million in medical, and repatriate me if deemed necessary.

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Read the fine print.
I have read of someone who was injured and assessed as requiring medical treatment. But the assessment was that air transport would be risky - treatment should be made locally. The insurance company assessed it as requiring repatriation - on a normal commercial flight .. the cost of that to them was far lass than the medical costs and one repatriated the medical liability for them ceased.

Who does the assessment of repatriation vs local medical treatment and who is liable for the costs?
And who assesses how the repatriation is to be done?

With luck you and I will never find out.

Just to update re the Post Office (UK): I just checked with them as I need insurance for an upcoming trip; while they still cover bikes up to 1100 or so cc, they do not cover unpaved roads (I asked about this specifically). So, I checked with Navigator Insurance. They have no limit on cc and ALL official roads are covered. Their definition of a road was one on which a normal car could travel, paved or otherwise. Hell of a lot cheaper than the Post Office as well.

i just did a claim with them for non motorcycle related medical emergency in US when travelling for a couple of months (I am Australia) and they paid out quickly and with minimal pain ...

Much better than an experience I had with Cover More in Oz a few years back ...

It is a caveat emptor moment.

BTW I got home last year having not needed my insurance to discover the 125cc max clause had been there all the time and I have done 25,000kms un insured on a 1200cc BMW! There but for the Grace of God!

Read the small print!

Peter

it's not 60, it's 70, and after that they assess you on a case by case basis.