12.08.24

Essential Travel Insurance for Adventure Holidays

Adventure Holidays – Essential Travel Insurance

Recent research highlights a concerning trend among adventure holidaymakers: one in five who engaged in high-risk activities like surfing or bungee jumping were not covered by insurance. This discovery comes from a popular comparison website, emphasising the importance of proper cover for thrill-seekers.

For many, a holiday means lounging by the pool, but for the more adventurous, it involves activities that carry higher risks. Unfortunately, the research revealed that nearly 72% of those who did not purchase travel insurance for their adventure holiday believed they didn’t need it and were willing to take the risk. Without adequate protection, any mishap could lead to significant financial consequences.

Choosing the Right Insurance for Adventure Holidays

An ‘adventure holiday’ typically involves thrilling activities with increased risk, such as skiing, surfing, scuba diving, bungee jumping, skydiving, and horse riding. While some higher-level insurance policies may include these activities, they are usually offered as add-ons to basic travel insurance. Therefore, it is crucial to read the fine print to ensure your chosen policy covers your planned activities.

If you are seriously considering an adventure holiday, it’s well worth talking to a specialist broker with access to insurer markets that cover the activity that you are going to participate in. Standard ‘online – off-the-self’ insurance will not provide adequate cover.

If you decide to participate in an unplanned activity while already on holiday, it could be too late to adjust your policy. The survey found that 34% of travellers did not opt for specific cover because they spontaneously decided to engage in high-risk activities and couldn’t change their policy. Conversely, 10% of those who selected a policy covering adventure sports had to make a claim, with an average value of £2,800. Medical costs can escalate quickly, reaching tens of thousands of pounds if hospitalisation is required.

Again, if you decide to act in a spontaneous way as a high-risk adventure may be very tempting, it may still be possible to add that activity to your policy. A very quick phone call to your broker would confirm this.

Cover Details

• A typical adventure travel insurance may include:
• Medical treatment: Cover for injuries sustained during activities.
• Personal accident cover: Compensation for serious injuries, such as limb loss.
• Personal liability cover: Protection if someone else is injured as a result of your activity.
• Repatriation: Costs for returning to the UK for specialist treatment if seriously ill or injured.
• Curtailment/cancellation cover: Reimbursement if plans are cancelled or the holiday is cut short.
• Legal expenses: Cover for hiring a lawyer if necessary.

Typical Exclusions and Limitations

Even comprehensive adventure travel insurance policies have exclusions. Generally, the more dangerous the activity, the less likely it is to be covered. Extreme sports like base jumping or free climbing often fall outside standard terms of the policy.

Specialist insurance is usually required for professional sports or activities with prize money. Some activities may only be covered under certain conditions, such as scuba diving to a specific depth or being accompanied by a qualified instructor.

Understanding the specific conditions and exclusions of your policy is crucial to avoid inadvertently voiding your policy.

For those planning adventure holidays this summer, ensuring the right insurance cover is essential to enjoy your activities worry-free.

Remember, your travel insurance is not a mere formality; it is your safety net and a shield against the unexpected. Choose wisely!

Cox Mahon is a leading specialist insurance broker with extensive experience in providing tailored insurance solutions for travel, fine art and valuables, property, and several other areas. Focused on serving clients’ best interests, we offer impartial advice and comprehensive cover options to ensure peace of mind and financial protection.

Harrison Law, Cert CII, Head of Commercial & Private Clients, Cox Mahon