Holidays are often seen as a chance to try out new sports or engage in a favourite pastime in an exciting new environment.
Snorkelling, camping and hiking are among the popular pursuits travellers typically don’t think twice about taking part in when on a trip.
However, travel insurers caution that numerous popular adventure sports are excluded from typical insurance policies, which can leave travelers exposed to potential dangers as well as monetary losses.
According to an expert, these are the sports associated with the highest number of claims along with the most intense activities covered under their respective insurance policies.
Travellers risk hefty medical bills if they participate in activities without insurance
Terra Baykal, travel insurer World Nomad’s senior marketing manager, says standard
insurance policies
might not cover sports or activities, regardless of how minimal-risk they might seem to travelers.
There might be exclusions for engaging in activities such as hiking or camping at elevations higher than specific limits due to the inherent risks involved,” she explains. “Similarly, this applies to activities like scuba diving or freediving beneath particular depths.
If you engage in activities without proper insurance coverage, the main issues that might occur involve medical mishaps like injuries.
“When these occur, travelers might end up facing significant hospital expenses without any coverage to assist them in dealing with the consequences,” Baykal points out.
“This also goes for lack of emergency evacuation
coverage
If the traveler’s injury or incident is serious enough to necessitate evacuation services, the out-of-pocket expenses can be extremely high and might lead to significant financial hardship (in addition to the physical trauma caused by the incident itself).
What should you do if you wish to attempt something that isn’t covered under your policy?
It’s quite common when you’re overseas to suddenly want to join in an activity that isn’t included in your insurance coverage.
In this scenario, travelers ought to verify whether they have the option to purchase anew.
insurance
or modify their plan while they are away.
World Nomads enables travelers to buy a policy even when they’re already at their destination; however, coverage doesn’t start right away.
“It’s crucial to remember, though, that waiting periods may apply, hence travelers ought to keep this in mind and plan their trips accordingly,” states Baykal.
For individuals looking for a one-way trip travel insurance through World Nomads, coverage begins at 12:01 AM the following day once the policy purchase is completed and World Nomads receives the payment.
The waiting periods can differ among various insurance providers and their specific plans.
Which activities result in the most travel insurance claims?
In general, if you have any doubts about participating in a sport or activity when abroad, even if it is very common, you should double-check your policy.
At certain locations, dangerous activities are either inevitable or an essential aspect of the journey.
For example,
motorbiking
One activity leading to the highest number of insurance claims, as reported by World Nomads, serves as the primary means of transport in locations such as Thailand and Indonesia.
According to Baykal, “The activity that generates the highest number of insurance claims is hiking at elevated heights, which often leads to altitude sickness.” Such incidents commonly happen in places like Peru and Nepal.
What are the most extreme activities covered by travel insurance?
If you intend to partake in extremely adventurous activities, it’s essential to secure an all-inclusive insurance policy.
In World Nomads’ Ultimate Plan, travelers receive coverage for
glacier
hiking and ice climbing, both up to 8,000 meters.
With both the Epic Plan and Explorer Plan, adventurers have the opportunity to experience cave diving up to 50 meters, freediving down to 60 meters, bull riding, hang gliding, skydiving, and cliff jumping.
