Edited by Samuel MountjoyTravel Insurance for Adventure Sports and Activities
Edited by Samuel Mountjoy
Quick Answer
Adventure sports and activities such as rock climbing and surfing aren’t covered by most standard travel insurance policies. You can, however, generally buy add-on coverage or a specialized policy that covers a wide range of high-risk activities.
Most travel insurance doesn't offer protection against high-risk adventure sports and activities like skydiving, snorkeling and bungee jumping. Without it, you could face steep costs to replace gear, cover medical injuries or receive other emergency assistance. But adventure sports travel insurance—often available as add-on coverage or a stand-alone policy—can provide the protection you need.
What Is Adventure Sports Travel Insurance?
Adventure sports travel insurance covers activities that are typically excluded from standard travel insurance, like water sports, land activities and air activities. Adventure sports coverage can sometimes be added to an existing travel insurance policy. Alternatively, you can buy a policy from an insurance company that specializes in coverage for adventure sports and activities.
Adventure sports travel insurance generally offers the same types of protections as standard travel insurance: coverage for trip delays, baggage loss or damage, medical emergencies, accidental death and dismemberment or emergency evacuations. But unlike standard coverage, the protection extends to high-risk activities.
Buying this type of coverage is generally a good idea if you think you might participate in adventure or sporting activities on your trip. The extra protection covers high-risk activities as well as common activities, such as swimming or riding a moped.
What Activities Does Adventure Sports Travel Insurance Cover?
Adventure sports travel insurance generally provides coverage for hundreds of sporting and adventure activities. Policies vary widely, so it's important to check the fine print to see the full list of coverage sports or ask an agent if you're not sure.
Here's a closer look at some of the activities commonly covered by adventure sports travel insurance.
- Land activities and sports: ATV riding, biking, camping, contact sports, horseback riding, hunting, mountain climbing, paintballing, rock climbing, skiing, snowboarding and snowmobiling
- Water activities and sports: Cliff diving, personal watercraft riding, kayaking, paddleboarding, scuba diving, snorkeling, surfing, swimming, waterskiing, white water rafting and windsurfing
- Air activities and sports: Bungee jumping, hang gliding, hot air ballooning, parasailing, skydiving and zip lining
How Much Does Adventure Sports Travel Insurance Cost?
Your trip's cost generally has the largest impact on the price of standard travel insurance, which is usually around 4% to 8% of the total price. So if your trip costs $10,000, for example, you can expect to pay between $400 to $800 for standard travel insurance.
The exact cost of travel insurance that includes adventure sports coverage depends on numerous factors, like coverage limits, your age and whether you buy a stand-alone policy or add-on coverage.
When you buy adventure sports travel coverage, you can either purchase a stand-alone policy or add an endorsement to a standard travel insurance policy. Buying a stand-alone policy that offers coverage for adventure sports averages around $27 per day for a comprehensive policy, according to travel insurance marketplace SquareMouth.
If you engage in adventure sports often and travel frequently, buying an annual plan or multi-trip policy might offer the most value.
Is Adventure Sports Travel Insurance Worth It?
Adventure sports travel insurance is generally worth it if you plan to participate in any type of risky sport or activity while traveling. It can be especially beneficial for adventure enthusiasts who partake in activities that have a high risk of injury, take place in remote areas or where weather and conditions are unpredictable.
If you're traveling overseas—or to an area of the United States where health care services are not easily accessible or your health insurance isn't accepted—adventure sports travel insurance offers added protection. Without coverage, you could be on the hook for tens of thousands of dollars or more in medical costs or other expenses.
For costly prepaid trips, adventure sports travel insurance can help you get back some or all of your money if your trip gets canceled. People who travel with expensive gear and equipment also benefit from adventure sports travel insurance. Depending on your insurance coverage, you may be able to get financial protection for lost or damaged luggage and personal belongings.
How to Choose the Best Travel Insurance for Adventure Sports
Use the tips to find the best travel insurance for adventure sports and activities:
- Check your credit card benefits. Many types of credit cards, including travel credit cards, offer protection for trip delays, cancellation and lost baggage. If you have some coverage through a credit card, you may be able to buy a less comprehensive adventure sports travel insurance policy. You typically have to use the credit card that offers trip protection to pay for the trip in order to be eligible for coverage.
- Review the fine print. When comparing policies, look for a plan that covers any potential activities you may encounter on your trip. Policies often have many types of exclusions, so it's important to buy a plan that meets your specific insurance needs.
- Shop around. Review plans from different insurers, tour operators and airlines. Coverage limits and type of plans vary widely—from add-on endorsements to stand-alone plans. If you travel often, domestically or internationally, you may decide an annual or multi-trip plan is the best choice.
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The Bottom Line
Adventure sports and activities travel insurance offers many protections for people that participate in high-risk sports. But it also covers activities that you may not even think of as extreme. So, whether you're booking a two-week snowboarding trip or just plan to do a little snorkeling on your next vacation, having coverage can protect you financially—and medically—if things go wrong.
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About the author
Sarah Archambault
Sarah Archambault is a personal finance writer and editor who enjoys helping others figure out how to make smart financial decisions. She’s an expert in credit education, auto finance, banking, personal loans, insurance and credit cards.
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