Adventure sports involve a high level of risk and liability, the standard basic travel insurance policy may not allow coverage for it.
Travel insurance
Summary:
Experiencing adventure sports is sometimes once in a lifetime opportunity. Several of these sports can be experienced overseas.
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Every traveller has something or the other to experience in some of the world. Travelling to a foreign land holds a different experience and enthusiasm. It is especially charming, irrespective of the type of traveller you are. Certain people are quite attracted to experience the natural harmony and gourmet cuisines, while some seek thrill in partaking in adventure sports.
When you are travelling to any foreign locale, acquiring travel insurance is an indispensable part of your trip plan. It acts as a protective covering shield, that allows coverage for unprecedented issues during travel. This may include trip cancellation, stolen baggage, emergency medical costs, etc.
In case you are willing to partake in adventure sports, you have to ensure acquiring befitting international travel insurance that will aptly cover all the adventures that you have decided to participate in. Not all insurance plans are the same in this regard; you need to read the policy papers well to know the details well and then proceed accordingly.
Does travel insurance cover adventure sports?
Certain travel plans allow coverage for certain adventure sports. If you remain aptly covered, it will allow enough coverage if you get injured during your trip.
Adventure sports are also termed extreme sports, agro sports, or action sports. They involve potentially high danger levels and risks. These sorts of sports involve comparatively high levels of physical strain, specific gears, speed, height, etc.
With the growing and increasing interest in adventure sports, several insurance companies are now launching new plans offering coverage for such high-risk activities. However, the terms and conditions differ from one insurance provider to another.
Coverage nature of travel plans
Usually, most international travel plans operating in India allow limited coverage for adventure sports. It is best that you research well considering your requirements well and then zero in on any particular plan. Under general circumstances, standard travel insurance will cover these expenses:
1. Medical expenses: If you accidentally get injured somehow while participating in any adventure sport, your respective travel plan will cover the medical treatment costs. This includes hospital costs, doctors’ charges, and medicine costs. The nature of coverage may differ as per the terms of the chosen policy plan.
2. Trip interruption: In case you get injured while participating in an adventure sport and due to that you have to shorten your trip duration, this clause will compensate for the loss. It will cover the travel costs including the airfare differences, non-refundable hotel costs, emergency accommodation costs, tour costs, etc. The claims will be entertained as per the terms of the specific plan chosen.
3. Stolen or lost baggage: In case your baggage gets stolen or lost while you are participating in adventure sports, your insurance plan will cover the cost of your lost baggage as per the plan terms.
4. PED coverage: Certain travel plans allow PED coverage as optional. It can prove to be handy in case you are suffering from any chronic health condition according to the terms of the plan you have selected.
Specialised coverage related to adventure sports
Apart from the usual coverage as mentioned earlier, certain travel plans also allow specific coverage for adventure sports like:
1. Rescue along with evacuation: In case you face any accident and get injured while participating in any adventure sport and need immediate rescue and evacuation, your specific travel plan may cover all these charges, as per the policy terms. You can receive such assistance all across the world.
2. Liability insurance: In case you accidentally injure some other person while participating in any adventure sport, your chosen travel plan may allow legal liability coverage under such circumstances.
Adventure sports covered by travel insurance
Before you finally select any travel insurance plan, you must research well on its specific coverage span. In case you have any fascination about participating in any particular type of adventure sport, you must clarify with your respective insurance provider whether their international travel insurance covers that sport(s) or not. This is essential as all insurance providers do not cover all sorts of adventure sports.
However, some common types of adventure sports that most insurers cover include the following:
1. Rafting: This is a thrilling sport organised in the river rapids. Several well-known national and international destinations organise this sport.
2. Trekking: This is a marvellous way to explore the mountain's beauty in a whole new light. The world is dotted with innumerable trekking trails, some being easy, while some are comparatively more challenging.
3. Scuba diving: This helps you to witness the underwater beauty in the coastal areas of your visiting country. Depending on your destination, you can choose and try the available scuba diving options.
4. Mountain biking: You can explore your love for biking in a whole new light with mountain biking. Several destinations across the globe bear thrilling mountain biking trails.
5. Surfing: If you are a sea person and wish to explore the waves, then surfing is the perfect option for you. It is one of the most popular adventure sports played across the world. Therefore, several destinations organise surfing. Italy is one of the most notable destinations in this respect.
6. Paragliding: If you prefer the rugged terrains of the high mountains, then paragliding is a great way to get an awesome view of the mountainous beauty. You can research over the net regarding the paragliding opportunities offered across different countries in the world and see which one is plausible for exploration.
7. Skydiving: This will offer you an exciting opportunity to experience the thrill of freefall. You can experience world-class skydiving opportunities in Spain. If this is the first time for you, some organisations offer tandem jumps ideally supervised for beginners.
Why do you need to consider opting for adventure sports in travel insurance coverage?
Although any adventure sport is enough to boost your excitement and adrenaline flow, you cannot ignore the risks involved in them. Some are less, while some are comparatively riskier, but, nonetheless, all of them are risky. You can face serious physical consequences while partaking in these sorts of activities if anything goes wrong.
As adventure sports involve a high level of risk and liability, the standard basic travel insurance policy may not allow coverage for it. Therefore, you must review your chosen policy well before finalizing it. If there is any ambiguity, please ensure to clarify all of them beforehand to avoid any sort of misunderstanding during claim settlement, if the need arises.
If your basic insurance policy does not cover adventure sports, then you need to add a special rider to expand the coverage scope. It is best to include it to enjoy worry-free travel and make pleasant and thrilling memories.
Tips for adventure sports
In case you are seeking to experience the adrenaline rush by participating in any sort of adventure sports activities, you need to keep these handy tips in mind to reduce the risk of injury:
1. Always consider expert opinions: Make yourself completely prepared entirely before participating in the activity. Always listen to the techniques and advice of the professionals as they are practically well-trained in the sport. Try to avoid new places and choose the popular ones.
2. Keep a first-aid box ready: Always ensure to keep a practical and well-stocked functional first-aid box ready at hand while participating in any adventure sports activity. Keep yourself well-prepared and informed about all the necessary safety instructions and rescue operation procedures.
3. Consider your health: Your health is best known to you. You know your limits and boundaries well. Do not go with the flow unless you personally feel absolutely ready and physically fit for it. If you are not 100% fit physically, refrain from partaking in any sort of adventure sport just for the sake of participating.
Conclusion
We have aptly highlighted all the associated risks and points that you need to keep in mind while participating in any adventure sport anywhere in the world. Whether you are planning to undertake any adventure sports or not, include this coverage clause in your international travel insurance to keep all the grounds covered. In case you undertake any such activity without any previous planning, you will enjoy the insurance coverage protection to keep your worries at bay to a considerable extent.
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