Thrillseekers find joy in adventure. Our licensed insurance specialists evaluated travel insurance plans by their coverage, cost, and the needs of travelers engaging in high-risk activities.
Best Travel Insurance Plans for Adventure Travel
What are the Key Benefits of an Adventure Travel Insurance Plan?
While looking for a travel insurance plan to cover you while participating in high-risk activities, it is important that you have strong coverage in case of a medical incident during your adventure. High-risk activities include skiing, scuba diving, hiking, mountain biking, kayaking, and more. Not only can you cover yourself, but you can also cover your equipment during your trip.
Typically, basic travel insurance may not cover injuries that are caused by these kinds of high-risk activities, since the risk of injury is so much higher. However, there are travel insurance plans that may have an optional adventure sports coverage that you can add on for an additional fee.
The benefits of travel insurance to look out for when it comes to adventure sports coverage include the following:
- Emergency Medical Evacuation: If you happen to get injured, especially in a remote location or somewhere with limited medical facilities, travel insurance can help cover your transportation and medical evacuation to the nearest hospital.
- Emergency Medical Expenses: Travel insurance can provide coverage if you need to go to a hospital and get medical treatment due to an injury from an adventure sport. Receiving medical treatment outside of your home country can be expensive, especially because sometimes your domestic health insurance may provide little to no coverage.
- Accidental Death & Dismemberment: While it is not a subject that we all want to think about, making sure you have accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) insurance helps provide a lump sum amount to your beneficiary in the event of a death or covered accident. This add-on can also protect you in case of dismemberment, which can be typically defined as the loss of a limb, loss of sight, or permanent paralysis.
- Adventure Sports Coverage: Allows coverage for medical expenses related to your high-risk activity. Many travel insurance plans don't normally cover activities with a higher risk such as skiing or mountaineering. However, some plans typically have adventure sports coverage as a separate, optional add-on, which could be worth it in case of an injury related to your activity.
- Sports Equipment Delay and Loss: If your sports equipment is delayed, stolen, damaged, or missing, travel insurance may provide reimbursement if you need to repair or rent new equipment. Sports equipment may include ski gear, surfboards, wetsuits, and bicycles. It is important to read your policy details to see what it classifies as "sports equipment."
- Trip Cancellation: For a covered reason, travel insurance may provide reimbursement if you need to cancel your trip, allowing you to recoup up to 100% of your prepaid, nonrefundable trip expenses.
- Trip Interruption: If there is a covered, unforeseen event causing you to end your trip early, travel insurance can cover your unused, prepaid expenses that you cannot get a refund for. For example, if you were going somewhere to ski and there is a snowstorm during your trip, travel insurance may cover you in this case.
- Trip Delay: Trip delay coverage can provide reimbursement for prepaid, nonrefundable expenses you could not use if your trip is delayed by several hours for a covered reason. This kind of coverage may also pay for additional costs like meals, extra transportation, and lodging if an overnight stay is necessary and the airline does not provide vouchers for these expenses.
- 24/7 Assistance Services: If you need guidance during your trip, many travel insurance plans offer a 24/7 assistance services hotline that you can typically find on your ID card. This service can provide translation services, hospital navigation, and give advice on the necessary documents you may need in case you need to file a claim.
| Benefits | iTravelInsured Travel LX | Pathway Premier | iTravelInsured Choice + Sports Rider |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trip Cancellation | Up to 100% | Up to 100% | Up to 100% |
| Trip Interruption | Up to 150% | Up to 150% | Up to 150% |
| Trip Delay | Up to $250 per day, $2,500 maximum | Up to $2,000, $300 per day, after 6 hours | Up to $150 per day, $1,000 maximum |
| Baggage and Valuable Loss | Up to $2,500, $250 per item | Up to $1,000, $250 per item | Up to $1,000 |
| Baggage Delay | Up to $500 | Up to $500 | Up to $300 |
| Medical Emergency Coverage | Up to $500,000 | Up to $100,000 | Up to $100,000 |
| Medical Emergency Evacuation | Up to $1,000,000 | Up to $1,000,000 | Up to $500,000 |
| Accidental Death & Dismemberment | Up to $100,000 for Common Carrier | Up to $10,000, Up to $25,000 for Common Carrier | Up to $10,000 |
| Sports Equipment Delay | Up to $500 | Not covered | Optional Add-on benefit |
| Sports Equipment Loss | Up to $2,000 | Not covered | Optional Add-on benefit |
| Adventure Sports Coverage | Optional Add-on benefit | Optional Add-on benefit | Optional Add-on benefit |
What are the Common Scenarios Adventure Trips May Face?
An adventure trip typically has more high-risk, unpredictable situations than a standard trip. However, those situations can be mitigated if you have the right protection while traveling. Travel insurance allows you to focus on your journey freely, knowing you are protected from those worst-case scenarios.
Scenario #1: Injury During Your Trip
While hiking in Peru, you slip on some loose rocks and break your leg. You are a distance away from the nearest road, and there is no way you can get up on your own. Travel insurance can help provide coverage to get a helicopter rescue so you can be medically evacuated to the nearest hospital. Also, with travel insurance, it can provide coverage for your medical expenses while in Peru. However, if you need surgery and would prefer to do it back home, travel insurance can help get you back home if necessary and reimburse most of your prepaid, nonrefundable costs that you weren't able to use.
Scenario #2: Natural Disaster Cancelling Your Trip
You have been looking forward to your multiple-day surfing trip in Australia, when you find out that a tropical cyclone has hit your destination. This ultimately cancels your flight, forcing you to cancel your entire trip. Luckily, travel insurance can help reimburse up to 100% of your prepaid, nonrefundable trip expenses if a natural disaster strikes your area. However, it is important to know that travel insurance covers unforeseen events, meaning that you had to have bought your insurance before the tropical cyclone was announced.
Scenario #3: Airline Loses Your Checked Bag
You just landed in Canada, and you are excited for your ski trip. You notice that at baggage claim, you can't find your ski gear, and you find out that your checked bag went on a different plane route. The airline confirms that they located your bag, but won't be able to deliver it to you until 2-3 days later, which is half your trip duration. Travel insurance will help provide reimbursement if you need to rent ski gear while your bag is missing, and can contribute to monetary compensation for essential items like toiletries and clothing if needed.
Tips for Purchasing Adventure Travel Insurance
Now that we have gone through the benefits of travel insurance for adventure trips, it is also important to consider the following when getting a travel insurance plan:
- Check if your specific adventure activities are covered: Not all policies cover the same activities. Look into the policy's coverage and read what it explicitly covers. Coverage for adventure travel may be excluded unless it's specifically stated otherwise. You can also ask the insurance provider which activities it covers in writing.
- Understand potential depth and altitude limits: Oftentimes, some insurance plans have a limit in coverage beyond certain altitudes and depths. For example, if your policy restricts coverage for scuba diving to depths of 30 feet, you should only go up to the stated limit in case something were to happen while scuba diving. Make sure you take a look at your insurance policy and match the coverage limitations to your itinerary.
- Confirm baggage and sports equipment coverage: Many travel insurance policies have an overall benefit maximum and per-item limits, so if you plan to bring expensive gear with you, you may want to consider the sports equipment delay/loss add-on to your insurance policy. That way, your high-value equipment can be protected during your trip.
- Get your travel insurance early: If you purchase travel insurance as soon as you book your trip, not only does it provide a bigger coverage window for trip cancellation, but it also allows you the option to add certain, time-sensitive benefits like Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) insurance and allows you to qualify for a pre-existing medical conditions waiver. These time-sensitive add-ons typically need to be added within 14-21 days of your initial trip deposit.
Plan Your Next Adventure With Travel Insurance
Travel insurance acts like a safety net during your adventure travel, making sure that you are protected against the unexpected. The right policy for your next trip should ensure that you are covered from those "what-if" scenarios, especially with the unpredictable nature of high-risk activities. If you want to make sure you have the right amount of coverage, or if you have any hesitations, our Customer Success Team is more than welcome to assist you with any questions you may have.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
If I'm doing a multi-country trip, do I need a policy that covers every destination?
Yes, your travel insurance policy should cover all of the countries that you plan to visit during your trip. When getting a travel insurance policy, you will typically need to select the country you will spend the most time in, also known as your primary destination. You will also need to indicate your total trip duration. Travel insurance covers your prepaid, non-refundable trip costs during the coverage dates, including if you are going to different countries.
If a natural disaster hits my destination, will my policy help me get home?
Travel insurance may cover natural disasters, such as a hurricane, snowstorm, or a major earthquake, given the policy was purchased before the event was named or considered as a "known event." The critical factor for coverage is that the natural disaster must be unexpected. If a severe weather event is already reported and you purchase a travel insurance plan after the fact, your policy likely will not cover interruptions related to the natural disaster.
Can I get reimbursed if I need to cut my trip short for personal reasons?
Standard travel insurance will not cover you if you decide to change your mind or cut your trip short for personal reasons. However, some plans offer Interruption For Any Reason (IFAR) coverage. Similar to Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) insurance, IFAR allows you to interrupt and cut your trip early, no matter the reason, and still get reimbursed for some of your travel expenses.
If my phone or GoPro gets damaged during an adventure, is that covered?
If you have the adventure sports add-on to your travel insurance, it may cover your items, but up to the specific benefit maximum listed on your policy. However, if you accidentally drop your electronics during an adventure, that may not be covered by insurance. For travelers who bring expensive gear while on an adventure, it may be worth it to consider dedicated, separate equipment insurance for your electronics.
Does travel insurance cover non-guided activities?
As long as you have the adventure sports rider, you may be covered if you decide to do an activity without an instructor, however, it may vary from plan to plan. It is important to make sure you are doing the activity in a safe manner and making sure you have the proper equipment to perform the activity safely. You can also contact your insurance provider to clarify if you are covered if you do decide to partake in a non-guided activity.
Can I buy insurance after I've already started my adventure trip?
You may be able to purchase travel insurance after you have started your trip, however, it is not recommended. There may be a lack of coverage, but the options may also be limited or even more expensive. It is best to purchase travel insurance days before you leave to ensure better and stronger coverage. For specific add-ons, such as Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR), you may have to purchase it 14-21 days before your flight.
Can't I just get travel insurance from my tour operator?
Comprehensive third-party travel insurance generally offers stronger benefits compared to protection plans offered by tour operators. Tour operator plans often provide more limited coverage, typically only applying to services booked through their specific company. These kinds of plans may have lower cancellation refund levels and frequently lack strong medical evacuation coverage. Additionally, these plans may create conflicts of interest since the company determines your eligibility for reimbursement. Independent travel insurance generally provides broader coverage across all trip components, higher medical benefits, and impartial claims handling. Always compare coverage details and prices before making a final decision.
Can I extend my adventure trip?
Trip insurance coverage may be extended only if the entire trip is covered by the policy and your return is delayed due to unavoidable circumstances such as illness or natural disasters. This extension will terminate on the earlier of two dates: when you arrive at your originally scheduled return destination, or when the stated extension time frame in your policy lapses. It is recommended to refer to your policy documents for specific terms and conditions.
