Let’s give him a name, Marcos. He was all set to skydive at 28 years old, fully equipped with a GoPro on his helmet. Everything was in place. The breathtaking scenery was ready, the jump was booked, and he was bursting with energy. But something did go wrong. This time, it wasn’t the parachute that was the problem. His ankle gave out. A sudden twist while landing sent him straight to the hospital.
Marcos thought he was covered under travel insurance. However, after calling the company, the cold response, “Your policy doesn’t cover injuries from extreme sports,” left him feeling hopeless. The adrenaline rush wore off quickly, but the debt? That lingered on for months.
This is the part of the article where I try to save you from ending up in a similar scenario. Adventure trips are meant to be exciting, but they shouldn’t be ruined by hidden medical bills.
What is considered an adventure sport?
Some people assume that the term “adventure sport” covers only extreme activities such as skydiving or climbing Mount Everest. For many insurers, that covers a wider range of activities which seem to lack risk. Surfing, diving, skiing, snowboarding, mountain biking, certain altitude hiking, kayaking, rafting, paragliding, and even horseback riding in specific regions.
What matters most is how your insurance regards your profession. Should an activity comes with a risk involving a physical challenge, speed, elevation, depth or any form of unpredictable conditions, you are most likely to incur additional insurance charges.
Even with a helmet on or when you’re guided by an experienced professional, many of these activities won’t be covered by standard travel insurance.
Normal insurance is not enough if your trip includes physical risk.
When any unforeseen incident occurs within the scope of your trip, you might think your insurance can help you out. Unfortunately, only paying for medical care isn’t always guaranteed to cover expenses resulting from an injury sustained while surfing, skiing, or hiking in so-called risky areas.
The issue arises from the details that most people don’t bother looking into. “Dangerous sporting activities” is too often left without proper definition, including critical terms such as: “remote area,” “non recreational sports,” or “unnecessary risk.”
Without adventure sports insurance, most people will unfortunately have to bear the brunt of the consequences themselves.
And when the time comes, it doesn’t make sense if you paid too little for insurance. Everything will be gone. Because insurance that doesn’t pay out when the time calls for it isn’t insurance. It is a promise that is broken.
What real adventure sports insurance does cover
A good specialized insurance policy enables you to move freely. If something goes wrong, they will take care of you. If you need a ride, they will do it. If the situation is serious, they will bring you home. But they also cover you for medication, tests, or help in a language you understand.
The coverages that should not be missing are:
- Medical attention if you have an accident while practicing activity.
- Hospitalization in case of serious injury.
- Rescue in mountains or areas with difficult access.
- Medical evacuation if you are far from a health center.
- Post-accident surgery or rehabilitation.
- Transport to the country of origin if you cannot continue traveling.
- Liability coverage, if you harm someone else.
- 24/7 support in any language so you do not need to rely on Google Translate when you need help the most.
All of this, of course, depends on the insurance you choose. But a plan that calls itself “adventure” must be prepared to respond to these scenarios. If it doesn’t include it, you are buying travel insurance, not action insurance.
Not all insurance policies with “adventure” in the name cover you equally.
Some insurance companies have “add-ons” as a supplementary feature to your insurance policy. An example would be adding an emergency backpack to your luggage when you travel. Other insurers have more inclusive plans and incorporate such «add-ons» into their base policies. Which is better? That question depends on your trip.
If you are planning one-off climbing trips, temporary supplemental insurance will likely suffice. However, if you intend to spend two months surfing in Indonesia, then you require day-to-day insurance that comprehensively cover the sport without limitations.
Certain insurance products only protect you for specific activities if these are done with certified guides, during designated times, or under very strict terms. If you engage in these activities outside of these conditions—say, solo trekking at dawn—you likely won’t be covered, even though you paid for that coverage.
Now, it does not matter what the insurance company’s site says. What really counts is what the policy states. The contract. That almost always ignored PDF document. Everything is written in there.
What kind of traveler are you?
This is my favorite part of the article; it is the most straightforward. Take a moment to reflect and respond to the following questions:
- Have you ever engaged in extreme sports, or is this your first time trying them out?
- Do you prefer to travel using a guide, or do you travel independently?
- Are you experienced in a certain sport, or are you a beginner?
- Are you visiting a single location, or will you traverse through off-the-beaten-path regions?
- Are there any medical conditions that you are currently dealing with that could complic matters?
All of these questions are relevant to determining what kind of insurance policy you are going to need. There is no one size fits all solution. What is insurance enough for you, could be an overkill for someone else. And what is adequate insurance for someone else, could leave you vulnerable without proper coverage.
Mistakes that leave adventurers without help
I’ve heard it all. People never told their insurer they were going on a climbing trip. They bought coverage, but didn’t add the sports extra. Someone deemed “recreational activity” to cover skydiving. Or proving they had an accident while doing the activity was beyond them.
A young man shared with me that he once went scuba diving without a certified instructor. His insurance policy would only cover him if he was being actively supervised. Subsequently, he had to out of pocket for an ear surgery. “I learned more about insurance than I did about corals,” he said with a bitter chuckle.
Another example is a skier who assumed her credit card included insurance coverage. She suffered an injury while snowboarding in Canada, and because she never read the terms, was left without coverage and having to ask family for financial assistance.
In this scenario, all the problems could have been avoided if the person had received concise and accurate details prior to booking something.
Where can I get insurance with coverage for adventure sports?
You may obtain them either from specialized insurers or through comparison websites.
The companies include World Nomads , True Traveler , IMG Global , SafetyWing , Battleface and others. A good number allow you to choose the exact nature of the sports you are going to undertake, and they will customize the policy to fit.
In case you do not know where to begin from, there are comparison websites that sort out insurance based on the activity: AseguraTuViaje , Chapka , Insubuy , VisitorsCoverage, just to name a few. These sites allow you to see which company covers what activity and the price associated with it.
Always make sure to secure it before you begin the activity. Some plans may not cover you if you’re already traveling. Others may not let you add the supplement post-trip. It’s like a life jacket: it only works if you put it on before you hit the water.
Save every single email. Read every line of the policy document. Write down the emergency contacts. Have both a printed and digital copy. Do not take these precautions out of dread. Do so out of gratitude for your experience.
Going on an adventure without insurance is like jumping without a net.
Riding a bike through a new forest, climbing a mountain, or swimming in the open sea are all wonderful activities. All of this is equally mesmerizing and offers quite an adventure. However, it does come with a cost. What provides thrills today could be a fracture, loss, or an unforeseen expense tomorrow, an unexpected toll. Ultimately, the difference between misfortune and misadventure comes down to how well you have prepared.
Traveling with adventure sports coverage offers limits but breaks all travel shackles at the same time. It also means you won’t be overly concerned with the “what if” worries. It essentially allows you more wiggle room to make poor choices, take appropriate chances, and make the most out of life at its peak, without having to constantly look over your shoulder.
If you’ve completed this far, consider yourself luckier than all the other people. There’s vital information you have which so many have missed on but wish they hadn’t. Now the ball is in your court.