Guide to Adventure Travel Insurance

Adventure travel insurance is designed to provide you with vital travel insurance protection whilst allowing you to take part in what may be considered "hazardous activities" and sports. These activities come with a higher risk of injury or personal liability which results in the adventure travel insurance premiums being slightly higher.

Having said that, there's no real choice here because the cover you get from an adventure travel insurance policy is excluded in the small print of standard travel insurance cover. Adventure travel insurance should be seen as a small price to pay when compared to the potential cost of medical expenses or court actions.

Adventure travel insurance will come with a number of exclusions and limitations. First of all, the overwhelming majority of policies will only cover adventure actvities and sports if they are undertaken at an amateur level. A standard or adventure travel insurance policy will not provide you with cover if you are a professional.

Before you buy an adventure travel insurance policy, be sure to check any existing protection you may already have. Some sports and activities may be covered by any existing cover at no extra cost.

Extending adventure travel insurance

If you are not covered for your adventure activity or sport, you should look at an adventure travel insurance policy. The activities covered in each policy will differ so make sure you read the small print carefully. You'll find adventurous activities such as jet-skiing, motorcycling, mountain biking, scuba diving and so on will usually fall into this category and require specific adventure travel insurance cover.

Your adventure travel insurance policy may define a list of activities. It is important that you know what is excluded from this list before you travel. Also be aware that some adventure activities and sports may be included in your cover for a small additional fee or by the travel insurance company placing a much higher excess on a claim resulting from that specific activity.

As with all niche protection product, adventure travel insurance is designed to cover a specific risk. Therefore, there's no point in comparing adventure travel insurance on price alone. It's the substance of an adventure travel insurance policy that is important - always keep this in mind!