Why Adventure Travellers Need Specialised Travel Insurance
Adventure travel has seen an incredible surge in popularity in recent years, with travellers of all ages increasingly looking for experiences that challenge their physical abilities and allow them to connect with nature in a meaningful way. More people have started engaging in these adventurous activities such as mountain climbing, scuba diving, or off-road cycling.
While these activities provide excitement and unforgettable memories, they also come with inherent risks that traditional travel insurance often fails to cover. In such cases, typical travel insurance can fall short, with exclusions for injuries, equipment loss, or emergency rescues. This is where specialised adventure travel insurance comes into play.
Specialised policies are tailored specifically for higher-risk activities, offering you the peace of mind and protection you need to fully enjoy your journey. Let us take a look at what makes adventure travel insurance different and why it’s a must for anyone planning an adventure holiday.
What is an Adventure Holiday?
Adventure holidays come in many forms, from action-packed itineraries in exotic locations to experiencing the occasional adventurous activity during a more traditional break. These could include trekking in the Borneo rainforest, snowshoeing in Slovakia's Tatra Mountains, kayaking Alaska’s rivers, or bungee jumping off New Zealand's Kawarau Bridge. Adventure holidays provide endless opportunities to experience new cultures, discover stunning
locations, and step outside your comfort zone.
What is Specialised Adventure Travel Insurance?
Specialised adventure travel insurance, often referred to as adventure sports insurance or adventure insurance, is created by taking higher-risk, high-thrill activities into primary consideration.
Unlike a general travel insurance policy, which may have limited or no cover for higher-risk sports, specialised adventure travel insurance includes a range of protections specific to riskier situations, providing an essential safety net for those who pursue exciting and thrilling activities.
Adventure travel insurance typically covers a wide array of higher-risk activities, including:
- Winter Sports: Skiing, snowboarding, ice climbing
- Water Sports: Scuba diving, surfing, white-water rafting
- Mountain Sports: Rock climbing,
- Aerial Activities: Parascending, bungee jumping, skydiving, hot air ballooning
- Off-road Cycling: Off-road mountain biking, downhill biking
One of the key benefits of this type of insurance is its flexibility. With many policies, travellers can select only the specific activities they plan to participate in, avoiding unnecessary costs for cover they don’t need.
Why You Should Always Have Specialised Travel Insurance forAdventure Travel
Adventure travel is generally captivating. It can be from the thrill of skiing downhill, sea diving, or white-water rafting. But with these thrilling pursuits comes a unique set of risks and challenges that standard travel insurance may not cover all the additional requirements. This is where more specialised travel insurance steps in, tailored specifically to the needs of adventurers.
Specialised travel insurance is more than just a financial safety net, it ensures you enjoy the adventure rather than worrying about the cover and expenses. By addressing the hazards associated with adventure travel like medical emergencies, baggage loss or delay, or even trip cancellations, this type of insurance ensures that you can focus on the journey without constantly worrying about what could go wrong. Let’s explore why having adventure-specific insurance is essential and how it protects you in ways a standard policy won’t.
Why Do You Need Specialised Travel Insurance?
The thrill comes with heightened risk, and standard travel insurance often excludes cover for these activities. Specialised adventure travel insurance steps in to bridge this gap, providing essential cover for adventurous sports and activities that conventional policies might not touch. Here are a few reasons why you need specialised travel insurance more than the standard cover.
Increased Risk Factors
Adventure activities carry a heightened risk of accidents or injuries compared to conventional travel. While you might expect a leisurely city tour to come with low risks, activities like rock climbing, white-water rafting, or parascending present much higher physical demands and unpredictability. Specialised travel insurance takes these risks into account by covering costs for medical treatment, rehabilitation, and emergency evacuations that standard policies
typically don’t accommodate. If the unexpected does happen, you’re fully supported without the fear of steep, out-of-pocket expenses.
Exclusions in Standard Policies
Most standard travel insurance policies categorise adventure activities as ‘high-risk’ or ‘extreme,’ leaving travellers unprotected for the very experiences they came to enjoy. For example, policies may exclude cover for popular adventure activities such as higher-altitude trekking, deep-sea diving, or rock climbing.
Without the correct coverage, any accident or mishap related to these activities may leave you liable for all associated costs. Specialised adventure travel insurance, however, is specifically designed to cover these unique activities, bridging the gap and ensuring you’re fully protected from start to finish.
High Medical and Rescue Costs
Medical treatment and rescue costs can escalate quickly when you’re participating in adventure sports, especially in remote areas where healthcare facilities are limited or difficult to access. For instance, an air rescue from the Swiss Alps can exceed £2,500, while in more isolated locations, emergency evacuation might surpass £5,000. Adventure insurance is specifically crafted to handle these high costs, ensuring you have access to timely, quality
care without bearing the financial burden alone.
Protection for Equipment Loss or Damage
Adventure travellers often bring along specialised equipment, which can be both expensive and essential to the journey. From high-quality climbing ropes and harnesses to GPS systems or mountain bikes, these items come with a significant price tag and are crucial for a safe experience. Specialised travel insurance often covers these items, offering financial support to compensate them if they’re lost or stolen
Cancellation and Delay Protections
Adventure trips can be susceptible to unexpected disruptions, whether due to extreme weather, health issues, or transportation delays. Without appropriate cover, these disruptions could result in significant financial losses, especially if you’ve pre-paid for experiences that are difficult to reschedule. Specialised travel insurance can cover the costs of rebooking or offset the expenses associated with delays or cancellations, giving you the flexibility to adapt and continue your adventure without financial worry.
What to Consider When Planning an Adventure Holiday
Planning an adventure holiday involves careful consideration to ensure you are adequately prepared and protected. Here are key points to keep in mind:
- Know Your Limits: Choose activities that align with your physical capabilities. If you have a medical condition, ensure it won't prevent you from safely enjoying your adventure and its declared when buying cover.
- Choose a Reputable Company: Make sure the company organising your activities has the necessary licences and certifications. Adhering to safety regulations is crucial—your insurance might not cover reckless or unregistered activities.
- Pack Smart: Ensure you have the right equipment for your adventure, such as suitable footwear for trekking, or a first aid kit for emergencies. Items like insect repellent and sunscreen can be essential for certain destinations.
- Prioritise Safety: Safety should always be a priority. Save the local emergency
number on your phone and be aware of nearby medical facilities. Proper insurance
coverage that includes emergency medical treatment and evacuation is also critical.
What Aren't You Covered For?
When planning for an adventure holiday, having the right travel insurance is crucial. But not all insurance covers every scenario. Understanding what isn’t covered in adventure travel insurance can help avoid costly mistakes. Here’s a look at common exclusions that travellers should be aware of.
- Reckless Behaviour or Unregistered Activities
Engaging in activities without adequate guidance, training, or proper registration can void your insurance coverage. For example, if you attempt scuba diving while unqualified or without certified instructors, any incidents may not be covered. Adventure travel insurance is designed for informed, responsible adventures, so sticking to authorised routes and activities is essential. - Alcohol or Substance Influence
If an accident occurs under the influence of alcohol or drugs, the resulting expenses may be excluded from coverage. Insurers expect travellers to take precautions, and being under the influence may suggest risky behaviour. For instance, if you’re injured after a few drinks, any medical costs could be your responsibility. - Exceeding Safety Limits
Adventure activities often have specific safety guidelines, such as depth limits for diving or altitude restrictions for mountaineering. Policies may include clauses specifying limits to ensure safety and reduce risk. For example, a typical policy may cover diving up to 30 metres but will exclude incidents beyond that depth unless explicitly included. - Negligence with Equipment
Coverage typically doesn’t extend to situations where equipment was lost or damaged due to carelessness. Whether it’s camping gear or adventure sports equipment, insurers may not cover items that were misplaced or left unprotected or damaged while being used. Ensuring you’re vigilant about your gear can make all the difference when it comes to claims.
Why It’s Important to Understand Exclusions
Insurance policies often come with terms that may feel dense, but taking the time to read through exclusions in travel insurance can save significant stress and expense later on. By understanding what’s not covered, you’ll be better prepared, and can avoid unpleasant surprises if a claim is needed.
Choosing the Right Adventure Travel Insurance
When selecting travel insurance for your adventure holiday, there are a few key factors to consider:
- Activity Coverage: Ensure the policy covers the specific activities you plan to do. Check for exclusions and confirm coverage for pre-existing medical conditions if needed.
- Policy Limits: Review the maximum cover for medical expenses, emergency evacuation, and personal belongings. Make sure these limits meet the demands of the high-risk activities you’re engaging in.
- Emergency Assistance: Opt for policies that provide emergency medical assistance services, including helplines for advice and support in emergencies.
- Cancellation and Curtailment Cover: Adventure holidays have a higher risk of being disrupted by illness, injury, or even natural disasters. Make sure your policy offers protection for trip cancellation, delays, or early termination.
- Where the activity is the main purpose of your trip, ensure that it is fully covered, and not just covered as an occasional activity.
Start Your Adventure with Specialised Travel Insurance at Gigasure
When embarking on an adventure, you want to ensure that all aspects of your trip are safe and enjoyable. Gigasure specialises in customisable travel insurance that caters to the unique needs of adventure travellers. Whether it’s cover for medical emergencies, equipment protection, or trip cancellations, Gigasure’s plans are designed to give you the
right level of cover for every adventure.
With Gigasure, you can easily tailor your insurance to include only the activities on your itinerary, avoiding the extra costs of unnecessary cover. To make it even more convenient, you can download the Gigasure app, to customise or boost your cover, access policy details, manage claims, and get customer support on the go.
Ready to explore the world with peace of mind?
Get a free quote today or speak to one of our specialists to customise a plan that suits your adventure needs. Reach out to us to discover why Gigasure is the perfect choice for a safe, worry-free adventure. Adventure awaits, make sure you’re fully protected with Gigasure’s specialised adventure travel insurance!
