Does Travel Insurance Cover Adventure Sports?

Are Adventure Sports Activities Covered under Travel Insurance Plans in India?

Yes. Some travel insurance plans provide coverage for adventure sports activities. They pay for the medical expenses that you may incur in case you get injured while participating in adventure sports during your trip. While very few of them provide it as an in-built cover, some may offer it as an add-on cover. Moreover, this kind of cover is usually available in overseas travel insurance plans.

However, not all insurance companies cover all types of adventure sports activities in their travel insurance plans. even if they do, they comparatively charge a higher premium, depending upon the adventure activities that you plan to participate in.

Although basic travel insurance plans might cover safe sports like hiking, horse riding, fishing, etc. But if you are planning to participate in adventurous sports like paragliding, diving, surfing, skiing, river rafting, snowboarding, etc., then you will need to buy an adventure sports travel insurance policy. Here is the list of adventure sports activities that may be covered under an overseas travel insurance plan-

• Mountaineering
• Mountain Biking
• Skiing and Snowboarding
• River Rafting
• Ziplining
• Paragliding
• Snorkel and Scuba Diving
• Jet Skiing
• Sky Diving
• Rock Climbing
• Bungee Jumping

Why Should You Buy Adventure Sports Travel Insurance Plan?

Adventure sports are risky and can give you an adrenaline rush. But even if something goes slightly wrong while performing the sport, it can result in serious injuries and even loss of life. But due to the high risk of injuries and loss of life, most traditional travel insurance plans in India do not provide coverage for such plans. As a result, you will be forced to pay for tour treatment expenses abroad on your own leading to major financial losses.

However, some travel insurance companies in India have come up with adventure sports travel insurance plans or specific add-on cover that provides coverage for adventure sports activities. In either case, you and your family are covered against any financial liability arising out of participation in adventure sports during your trip. Thus, you can participate in thrill activities with peace of mind and concentrate only on enjoyment. So if you are an adventure sports lover and want to indulge in such activities during your overseas trip, this policy is for you. 

Claims for Adventure Sports Travel Insurance 

For successfully raising a claim under a travel insurance plan with adventure sports cover, it is necessary to prove others' fault. There are three main circumstances where this can occur, and you can ask for a claim from your insurer. Take a look at the circumstances where others’ fault can be proved in case of a mishap relating to adventure sports-

1. Faulty Equipment

It is the organizer's responsibility to use safe equipments for an adventure sport. They should also fulfil your personal needs during the activity. If the equipment is faulty, old, or defective, you can raise a claim against it in case of injury. As a rule of thumb, you must inspect the equipment provided to you before using them.

2. Inadequate Training

It is essential to be adequately trained before participating in adventure sports. The instructors for an adventure activity must follow all the correct procedures and train to offer maximum protection to the participants. But if you get injured due to the ignorance of the instructor or inadequate training, you can raise a claim under this policy. 

3. Ignorance of Safety Measures

Most adventure activities have prescribed safety procedures like- maximum weight, minimum height, or minimum age limits. The organizers are required to adhere to all safety procedures or regulations. In case of any accident due to ignorance of safety measures by the organizer, you can raise a claim with your insurance provider.

Tips on Buying an Adventure Sports Travel Insurance Plan

Buying an adventure sports insurance plan gives you financial protection in case of any mishap faced while participating in extreme sports. Here are some tips that you should follow before buying an adventure sports add-on cover under your travel insurance plan:

• Coverage for Your Specific Adventure Sports- Not all adventure sports activities are covered under the travel insurance policy. Make sure to read the policy documents carefully and buy the policy only if it covers the activities that you are interested to participate in. 
• Ensure Emergency Medical Evacuation Coverage- If an injury occurs while doing an adventure activity, the emergency medical evacuation cover will help you to get evacuated to the nearest hospital and avail medical facilities as quickly as possible. So, make sure that your travel insurance policy offers coverage for emergency medical evacuation due to adventure sports injuries.
• Coverage for Return of Mortal Remains-In case of an unfortunate death while participating in adventure sports, the transportation cost for returning the mortal remains of the traveller can be high. So, consider buying a travel policy that covers repatriation of mortal remains to your homeland due to participating in adventure sports activities.

Conclusion

Now you know that you can protect yourself financially in case of a mishap while participating in adventure sports during your trip. So make sure to add the adventure sports cover to your overseas travel insurance policy before planning an adventure trip abroad. Don’t forget to read all the terms and conditions of the insurance policies carefully to choose the best one for yourself.