Guide to Travel Insurance for Adventure Sports Enthusiasts
Adventure sports are really exciting and perfect for those who want to let loose on their vacation. Today many youngsters as well as seniors are opting for Adventure Sports as part of their trip itinerary…and this is why Travel Insurance becomes more essential for travellers. Have you ever thought about what would happen if you accidentally got injured while you are Rock Climbing, or Snorkelling, or Scuba Diving? To be prepared for these situations, you can have a sports travel insurance plan that covers all types of accidents that may happen during this time, while participating.
Do All Travel Policies Quality as Adventure Travel Insurance?
Generally, a regular travel insurance policy does not cover adventure sports insurance in India on domestic travel insurance or abroad on international travel insurance. However, if you are planning to include similar activities in your next trip, you must opt for an insurance plan which offers coverage for Adventure Sports with your current plan. This coverage enable insured beneficiaries to fully enjoy several fun activities while remaining insured for the same.
In the sections below, we have explained how adventure travel insurance can act as a safety net for individuals and families planning to participate in related recreational activities.
Types of Adventure Sports Covered by Adventure Sports Insurance
As one is aware, Adventure Sports Insurance is more and more becoming essentially to the traveller looking for novel experiences, and since it is physical in nature, you must ensure to adequately warm up yourself to minimise risks of injury. This is highly recommended for physical activities like trekking, skiing, racing, biking, rock climbing, scuba diving, snorkelling etc., as these things need a lot of expertise and physical endurance. In addition, one must keep themselves properly hydrated throughout these activities.
Even if all the precautions are taken, the risk of injury cannot be fully avoided. Here are some adventure sports typically covered:
●Rafting: Rafting in rapid rivers involves risks like capsizing or injuries from strong currents. Insurance covers medical emergencies and equipment damage.
●Trekking: From easy trails to extreme high-altitude expeditions, trekking carries risks such as altitude sickness and falls. Policies may include emergency evacuation and medical assistance.
●Scuba Diving: Exploring the underwater world comes with risks like decompression sickness and equipment failure. Insurance often covers emergency medical treatment or emergency ambulance services.
●Mountain Biking: Riding on rugged terrains can lead to accidents or bike damage.
●Surfing: High waves and strong currents pose risks for surfers. Adventure insurance may cover medical emergencies and lost or damaged surfboards.
●Paragliding: This aerial sport offers breathtaking views but also risks like hard landings and equipment failure. Coverage typically includes accident-related medical expenses and emergency rescues.
●Skydiving: Jumping from great heights comes with inherent risks. Insurance covers injuries from faulty parachutes, bad landings, or unforeseen weather conditions.
Before purchasing a policy, check the terms to ensure your preferred adventure sport is included. Some insurance companies offer Adventure Sports coverage domestically in India, but nor abroad, so please check while buying your policy.
Things to Consider When Purchasing Adventure Sports Insurance
To begin with, you have to compare various sports travel insurance coverage options to see where you can get the maximum protection. Below, we have shared some necessary elements to check out before finalising an adventure sports insurance:
●Financial Cover for Specific Sports in Which You Wish to Participate: Most travel insurance plans cover a particular group of adventure sports for policy seekers. Therefore, you cannot expect every sport to come under the coverage. Also, it is essential to go through the plan documents very carefully to determine what is included in the insurance before you buy it. Since the travel itinerary is decided prior to purchasing your travel insurance, ensure the activity you are participating in is covered.
●Coverage for Emergency Medical Evacuation: This is a must needed feature that proves to be beneficial when an insured person suffers an injury and needs to be immediately moved to a nearby hospital with appropriate medical facilities. In many policies, this part of the adventure travel insurance plan even pays for repatriation costs. You can find out whether your plan is offering this coverage and if not you can switch to another insurer or consider a relevant add-on.
●Coverage for Return of Mortal Remains: The expenses of bringing back to India, the remains of a person who unfortunately dies abroad while participating in adventure sports can be very high. So, if you consider this aspect, you can look for suitable adventure sports insurance in India that offers the repatriation expenses of the mortal remains.
●Coverage for Accidental Death, Permanent Disability : Not all accidents result in just hospitalisation of the insured. Sometimes the accidents are so severe that result in unfortunate death of the traveller, or a permanent disability becomes a reality. Insurance plans offer this PA cover also and this needs to be ensured.
●Participation under Guidance of Trained Professionals : All Adventure Sports insurance have a mandatory pre requirement for coverage. They offer coverage only and unless the insured traveller does participate in Adventure Sports under the Guidance of Trained Professionals. If you are planning on participating in these activities unsupervised, then the insurance policy may not cover expenses.
Why Should You Consider Availing Adventure Sports Cover When Buying Travel Insurance?
Participating in Adventure Sports on your trip can be tension filled as it is. No one wants to be burdened with extra costs while enjoying a trip alone or vacationing with their family. Regardless of the reason for financial strain, which can be any unplanned event such as a medical emergency, following participation in Adventure Sports, lost luggage at the airport, or a lost passport, these things are sure to strain your budget.
Like the possibilities discussed above, injuries are an integral part of adventure sports activities. Still, many travellers voluntarily go for these activities as they crave a lifetime experience. Nonetheless, there is no denying that some of these activities can be dangerous and sometimes even life-threatening.
Eventually, if you do not opt for sports travel insurance, any mishap can wipe out your lifelong savings. Thus, it is important to own a sports insurance plan that can cover the costs while assuring you get top-notch medical treatment even outside India.
When to File Claims for Adventure Travel Insurance?
Let’s assume that a person wants to successfully claim their travel insurance policy with adventure sports coverage. For a valid claim, they have to substantiate that they were not liable for the loss.
The following are three valid instances where your ask for a reimbursement will be approved:
1.Faulty Equipment
Adventure sports organisers are responsible for offering the safety gear and equipment for each type of sport. In addition, they must make prior arrangements to minimise the chances of an accident. Otherwise, if they are found using malfunctioning or age-old equipment, then they will be considered at fault and the policyholder's claim will be processed.
People are advised to carefully inspect any equipment before engaging in adventure sports activities. In this way, they can potentially prevent a dangerous event.
2.Too Little Training
Adventure sports instructors have to abide by standard protocols and must be certified to offer the participants needful training and a safe environment. Without adequate training, these professionals should not allow anyone to participate in adventure activities. So, what happens if you suffer an injury due to negligence or ignorance of the instructor? In that case, you can file a valid travel insurance claim.
3.Lack of Safety Measures or Warnings
Some extreme activities and sports events have criteria like minimum age requirements, height and weight requirements, etc. It is important for the organisers to abide by these rules and mention the regulations through sign boards or visuals to ensure public safety. Otherwise, if an accidental death or injury takes place due to these mistakes, the policyholder can file a claim.
Disclaimer: Under this section it is important to note that for each and every claim, the facts may be different and hence the claim will be settled based on the actual details submitted.
Final Words
Those who have comprehensive travel insurance policies are covered for a wide range of medical and other emergencies that can arise during a trip. However, sports travel insurance offers additional benefits in exchange for some extra premium. It points to an add-on that allows plan beneficiaries to file a claim in case they face accidental injuries or other emergencies because of adventure sporting events.
To make sure that you are selecting a truly valuable travel insurance plan that justifies the premium, count on Star Health. Our Travel Insurance Plan enables our customers to choose among various plans according to their needs, while they select from a huge range of coverage. Star Health Travel Insurance plans covers Adventure Sports under the Domestic Retail and Group policies.
