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
- Check your base policy first. Some policies include “standard” adventure activities (hiking, snorkeling, beginner skiing) automatically.
- Buy an adventure add-on. Most major insurers offer an activity pack for $20–50 that covers skiing, diving, etc.
- 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.