Travel Insurance for Adventure Sports

Travellagio · 5 min read

Standard travel insurance policies exclude most adventure activities by default. Skiing, scuba diving, bungee jumping, motorbike riding, paragliding, rock climbing — all typically require an add-on or a specialist policy. If you get injured doing something your policy excludes, your claim is denied. Full stop.

Commonly excluded activities

• Skiing and snowboarding (sometimes covered, often limited)
• Scuba diving below 30m/100ft
• Motorbike/scooter riding (especially without a license)
• Bungee jumping, skydiving, paragliding
• Rock climbing, mountaineering above certain altitudes
• Martial arts, contact sports
• Any professional or competitive sport

How to get covered

1. Check your base policy first. Some policies include “standard” adventure activities (hiking, snorkeling, beginner skiing) automatically.
2. Buy an adventure add-on. Most major insurers offer an activity pack for $20–50 that covers skiing, diving, etc.
3. Use a specialist insurer if you’re doing extreme activities. Companies like World Nomads specialize in adventure travel coverage.

The motorbike problem

Motorbike/scooter accidents are the #1 travel insurance claim in Southeast Asia. Most policies require you to have a valid motorcycle license from your home country AND wear a helmet. Without both, your claim is denied even if you have “adventure sports” coverage. This catches hundreds of travelers every year in Thailand, Bali, and Vietnam.

Compare travel insurance →