Hazardous Activities and Sports Travel Insurance

If you plan to add a little excitement to your next holiday which includes either sport or a hazardous activity, a standard travel insurance policy is unlikely to cover you in the event of an accident. However, before you decide to purchase a new policy, check your existing policy details as you may be covered.

A standard travel insurance policy is likely to cover at no extra cost the following sports and avtivities:-

Archery, Badminton, Baseball, Basketball, 3 Bungee Jumps, Canoeing, Cricket, Cycling, Golf, Jogging, Marathons, Netball, Orienteering, Parascending (over water), Rambling, Roller Blading (Inline Skating / Skate Boarding), Running (both Sprint & Long Distance), Safari, Scuba Diving (qualified, max depth 30m) under 14 days, Snorkelling, Squash, Swimming, Tennis, Trekking (under 2,000m), Triathlons, Volleyball, Water Polo, Water Skiing, White/Black Water Rafting (Grades 1 - 4), Windsurfing and Yachting (both racing and crewing) inside territorial waters.

The following amateur activities are also automatically covered without paying any additional premium, but the policy is likely to exclude any cover under the Personal Accident and Personal Liability sections:-

Abseiling, Boxing Training, Camel / Elephant Riding or Trekking, Cycle Touring, Passenger (in private/small aircraft or helicopter), Football, Go Karting, Hiking (over 2,000m, but under 6,000m), Hockey, Horse Riding (no Polo, Hunting, Jumping), Hot-Air Ballooning, Jet boating, Jet Skiing, Kayaking, Motorcycling (under 50cc) - no Racing, Trekking (over 2,000m, but under 6,000m).

The following amateur activities can be covered by declaring to insurers, and paying an additional premium but the policy is likely to exclude any cover under the Personal Accident and Personal Liability sections:-

Flying (piloting private/small aircraft or helicopter), Manual Labour (at ground level, no machinery), Martial Arts (training only), Motorcycling (over 50cc) - no Racing), Mountain Biking, Rugby, Scuba Diving (unqualified, max depth 30m) under 14 days, Scuba Diving (qualified, max depth 40m) over 14 days, Sea Canoeing, Snow Mobiling, Surfing.

The following amateur activities can be covered by declaring to insurers and paying an additional premium but the policy is likely to exclude any cover under the Personal Accident and Personal Liability sections and the excess under the medical section of cover is likely to be increased to £200 or more:-

American Football, Gliding, Paragliding, Parachuting, Parascending (over land), Sand Yachting, Sky Diving, White/Black Water Rafting (Grade 5 to 6), Yachting (racing or crewing) outside territorial waters.

The following amateur activities can be covered by declaring to insurers and paying an additional premium but the policy is likely to exclude any cover under the Personal Accident and Personal Liability sections and the excess under the medical section of cover is likely to be increased to £400 or more:-

Canyoning, Hang-Gliding, High Diving, Horse Jumping (no Polo or Hunting), Micro Lighting, Parasailing, Rock Climbing (not Mountaineering), Rock Scrambling.

Exclusions

Please note, professional sports and activities are not covered by any standard travel insurance policy.

Any activity not listed on this page (or any of the listed sports on a professional basis), which could be considered as a hazardous activity, sport, pastime or employment (involving an increased risk of injury), will not be covered under a standard policy unless declared and accepted by the issuing agent when taking out the policy and in return for an additional premium and/or changes in cover.

Riskiest Sports

1. Canyoning
2. Gorge Walking
3. Hang-Gliding
4. High Diving
5. Horse Jumping
6. Micro Lighting
7. Mountain Boarding
8. Para-Sailing
9. Rock Climbing (not mountaineering)