Sports and adventure travel insurance

Most standard policies won’t cover you — you need sports and adventure travel insurance. Compare your options.

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By

Gary Ross Hunter

Edited by

Tim Bennett

Updated

Fact checked
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Key takeaways

  • Lots of travel insurers let you add on cover for sports and adventure activities.
  • You can add on this type of cover when you get a quote with the insurer.
  • Some high-risk activities, such as hang gliding, are not typically covered.

Why do I need adventure travel insurance?

A typical travel insurance policy can cover you for things like medical bills, cancellation costs and lost, damaged or stolen belongings. However, when it comes to extreme sports, a basic policy probably can't give you the protection you need.

An adventure or extreme sports travel insurance policy protects you from a whole lot more. In fact, what distinguishes adventure travel insurance from ordinary travel insurance is how many more sports and adrenaline-filled activities are included.

Adventure policies are tailored to the sports enthusiast, thrill-seeking traveller and adrenaline junkie, which basically means a policy won't exclude all the activities you want to do on your next trip. From hiking trips that involve abseiling, river rafting and camping, to once-in-a-lifetime experiences like skydiving and bungee jumping, an adventure travel insurance policy can give you peace of mind knowing you're protected should anything go wrong. A policy can even cover you for high altitude trekking.

Because most of these activities are far from hospitals and medical facilities, adventure sports travel insurance generally also comes with emergency evacuation cover. Emergency medical evacuation makes sure you're not seriously out of pocket if you require an ambulance, helicopter or medical aircraft to transport you to the nearest hospital.

Which adventure sports are typically covered?

Depending on your policy and provider you will be able to take out cover for activities including:

  • Abseiling
  • Backpacking
  • Biking
  • Black/white water rafting
  • Bungee jumping
  • Camping
  • Caving or potholing
  • Deep sea fishing
  • Hang gliding
  • Horse riding
  • Hot air ballooning
  • Kitesurfing
  • River rafting
  • Sea kayaking
  • Scuba diving
  • Skydiving
  • Wakeboarding or water skiing
  • Winter sports

If you plan on riding a moped or motorcycle you may need to take out additional cover as these are considered to be high-risk activities.

Is snowsports included?

Depending on the policy, snowsports is often included in an adventure travel insurance policy. However, if you're going on a trip specifically to ski or snowboard, consider getting ski insurance. Ski travel insurance can cover you for emergency evacuation, extreme weather conditions, lost or stolen equipment and more.

Is it possible to get travel insurance for sports teams?

Yes. There are a number of travel insurance brands that are able to organise group travel insurance for sports teams up to 40 people heading off on a domestic or overseas sports tour.

Usually, a representative of the group will need to fill out a group travel insurance application form from the insurer's website listing each of the group members, including details of any sports or hazardous activities the group will be participating in and any pre-existing medical conditions that different members of the group have.

After receiving the group's details, the insurance provider will review the information and provide you with a quote to cover the group.

Are there exclusions for sports and adventure travel insurance?

Always check your product disclosure statement (PDS) for specific exclusions. Common exclusions on sports and adventure travel insurance policies can include:

  • Base jumping
  • Hang gliding
  • Hunting
  • Mountaineering/abseiling
  • Professional and contact sport
  • Ski acrobatics
  • Wingsuit gliding
  • Parkour
  • Rodeos

By shopping around, you'll be able to find adventure travel insurance policies that cover you for some of these activities.

General exclusions

Keep in mind that even if your policy says you're covered for a specific activity, there are some incidents in which you won't be covered. These include:

  • Failure to take reasonable care. If you're injured in a situation where you weren't taking reasonable care, you won't be covered. For example, if you weren't wearing a helmet when riding a motorcycle, your claim might be rejected.
  • Intoxication. You won't be covered for any injuries sustained while under the influence of alcohol or illicit drugs.
  • Pre-existing medical conditions. Insurers might restrict your ability to claim depending on pre-existing medical conditions you have. Before signing up for a policy, check to see if you're covered for specific activities.

More adventure travel insurance tips

Other factors to consider before you choose a policy and go off on your trip include:

  • Use Smartraveller. You can register your trip with Smartraveller so that the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) has your travel details and information in case of an emergency.
  • Check the weather forecast. Keep up to date with the weather if your adventure holiday involves a lot of outdoor activities. That way, you can avoid being out in the wilderness during a storm.
  • Scan all of your insurance documents. Do this before you go and keep an electronic copy in a convenient place. Also, make sure you have the contact details for your insurer with you at all times to easily get in contact with it.
  • Let friends and family know your itinerary. It's a good idea to let someone know when you'll be checking in with them so that they will become aware if something goes wrong.

Can travel insurance cover you for a particular sport?

Have a particular extreme activity you want travel insurance for? Check out our list of guides below.

Frequently asked questions

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To make sure you get accurate and helpful information, this guide has been edited by Tim Bennett as part of our fact-checking process.
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Editor, Insurance

Gary Ross Hunter was an editor at Finder, specialising in insurance. He’s been writing about life, travel, home, car, pet and health insurance for over 6 years and regularly appears as an insurance expert in publications including The Sydney Morning Herald, The Guardian and news.com.au. Gary holds a Kaplan Tier 2 General Advice General Insurance certification which meets the requirements of ASIC Regulatory Guide 146 (RG146). See full bio

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Gary Ross has written 647 Finder guides across topics including:
  • Health, home, life, car, pet and travel insurance
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12 Responses

    Default Gravatar
    KenJune 1, 2018

    Our son is travelling to and competing in extreme Barcelona in Barcelona Spain on 16/17th June 18 as a pro scooter ride.

    As there is prize money involved for podium finishers, we are looking for insurers that may offer cover for this event.

    ASA or Australian Scooter Association have been remarkably unable to assist.

    We look forward to hearing from you.

    Regards

      Default Gravatar
      NikkiJune 1, 2018

      Hi Ken,

      Thanks for leaving a question on our page.

      While we don’t provide a specific product recommendation, you may enter your son’s travel details on our sport travel insurance form. This will allow you to compare quotes from different insurers. Once you have chosen a particular policy, you may then click on the “Go to site” button and you will be redirected to the insurer’s website where you can proceed with your application or get in touch with their representatives for further assistance.

      Hope this helps.

      Regards,
      Nikki

    Default Gravatar
    AngeJuly 15, 2017

    I typed in sporting insurance recommendations and nothing relating to sport is popping up in the search, it is all just average insurance, could you please send me a few companies that cover thaiboxing competitions?

    thank you

      Default Gravatar
      DanielleJuly 16, 2017

      Hi Ange,

      I’m sorry to hear about the issue you’re having. Thai boxing is actually a high-risk sport and thus, not too many insurers would like to cover you for that.

      However, what you can do is still proceed with comparing your options through our website. Once you have found an insurer that interests you, you can then go to their website and ask them directly if they can provide a special cover for you.

      While looking for insurers, please make sure you read the terms and conditions of the policy to learn more and know if it is the right policy for you or not.

      I hope this helps.

      Cheers,
      Danielle

    Default Gravatar
    markJuly 10, 2017

    looking for triathlon cover in china

      Default Gravatar
      DanielleJuly 11, 2017

      Hi Mark,

      Thanks for reaching out.

      Triathlon is not typically one of the sports covered by travel insurance. However, what I can suggest is for you to still check our options by filling out the form on this page. Once you have filled out the form, you’ll be presented with your possible options. From there, reach out to the travel insurer that you have chosen and ask them directly if they can cover a triathlon in China.

      I hope this helps. While looking for insurers, please make sure you read the terms and conditions of the policy to learn more and know if it is the right policy for you or not.

      Cheers,
      Danielle

    Default Gravatar
    HelenMarch 8, 2017

    Does anyone insure me if I can’t actually participate in the event I’m travelling to because I’m injured before I leave Australia – but I’m still ok to travel?

      AvatarFinder
      ZubairMarch 9, 2017Finder

      Hi Helen,

      Thank you for your question. finder.com.au is a comparison service and we are not permitted to provide personalized financial or product advice.

      Terms and conditions vary between travel insurance brands when it comes to travel insurance for pre-existing medical conditions. However, in most cases, you will be covered for costs incurred as a result of a pre-existing condition unless your condition has been approved by the travel insurance brand prior to travel.

      Cheers,
      Zubair

    Default Gravatar
    SimonMay 19, 2016

    Hi, do you know of any companies that cover for martial arts competition?

      AvatarFinder
      RichardMay 20, 2016Finder

      Hi Simon,

      Thanks for your question. According to the InsureandGo website, they can:

      “Provide extra cover for more extreme activities like martial arts training.”

      This may mean they could possibly offer cover for competitions.

      I hope this was helpful,
      Richard

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