Going on an adventure will always be exciting no matter what you’re planning to do. If you’re someone who loves trying out outdoor activities, you may want to get travel insurance for your next adventure.
There’s no surprise that a few sports and activities come with risks. Even if you take all the necessary precautions for your trip, unexpected factors may lead to an accident. In these cases, no matter if you are scuba diving or jet skiing, you’d wish you got travel insurance to cover damages.
Picking the right insurance policy could be tricky; there are plenty of options. Ideally, you should get something that covers the activity you’re planning to do.
If you love activities like wakeboarding or water skiing, you must get travel insurance that covers water sports, for example.
On this page, you’ll discover the top five travel insurance providers. I’ll also give you a few tips at the end on how to pick the right one for your trip.
What Are the Best Insurance Providers for Adventure Travelers?
1. SafetyWing
SafetyWing is my best pick for extreme sports travel insurance. Even though it’s still relatively new compared to other companies, it focuses on people who practice a wide range of sports. I posted my experience on this page if you want to read more than this brief summary.
You can also use this widget below to get a free no-obligation quote!
This company’s “Nomad Insurance” package covers people from all over the world at competitive rates. You’ll get coverage for recreational sports and activities like:
- Baseball
- Bowling
- Archery
- Cycling under 4,500 meters
- Fishing
- Golf
- Ice skating
However, you won’t get coverage if the activity:
- Involves organized athletics that require regular practice
- Is performed in a professional capacity or for profit
Furthermore, you must ensure that the activity you’re doing is supervised correctly and that you’re wearing enough safety equipment.
If you’re looking for additional travel insurance for water sports or any other kind of extreme activity, you must go for the “Adventure Sports” addon.
SafetyWing’s addon for extreme sports covers up to $100,000 in damages for a huge range of activities, including American football, quad biking, and more.
The addon won’t give you coverage for professional sports, and you’ll still be required to wear protective equipment.
Whether you get SafetyWing’s basic package or its Adventure Sports addon, rest assured you have enough protection for your trip. If you’re looking for extensive coverage and excellent prices, this is an amazing option to consider.
2. Battleface
Battleface is another great option for those looking for sports insurance. It’s #2 on my list because of its low cost and customization options.
Some of the benefits include:
- Trip interruption
- Emergency medical expenses
- Hospital benefits
- Baggage delay/loss
- Personal money and passport
- Personal liability
- Winter sports
The amount of coverage depends on the type of “emergency” you experience. Personal liability, for example, offers coverage of up to $500,000, whereas a personal accident covers up to $250,000 per person.
Unfortunately, Battleface’s insurance package may still seem too “basic” compared to other providers on this list. Consider this company if you’re looking to save money or don’t mind the basic coverage.
3. World Nomads
World Nomads is a reputable company that focuses on travel insurance for adventurers. You can get two different packages: Standard Plan and Explorer Plan.
Regardless of the plan, you’ll get coverage for most of the things you need, including:
- Trip cancellation
- Emergency medical expenses
- Emergency medical transportation
- Gear protection
The best news about this company is that both plans cover over 150 activities. You can get a quote directly from the provider’s website.
World Nomads separates these activities into the following categories:
- Snow
- Air
- Water
- Land
- Sports
- Experiences
Of course, you’ll get more coverage if you choose the “Explorer Plan.” Even if you don’t want to get the most expensive option, the “Standard Plan” offers more than enough to those who are only looking for basic medical coverage.
Consider World Nomads if you want extensive protection and reasonable coverage amounts.
4. IMG Global
IMG Global has been around since 1990, making it a reputable company for those looking for travel insurance.
The company offers a wide range of insurance plans. However, if your focus is an adventure travel insurance policy, you should go for the “Patriot Medical” plan with the “Adventure Sports Rider” addon.
Even though IMG Global offers great prices for its packages, it only covers 33 adventure sports. This could seem too low compared to other options like SafetyWing and World Nomads, which provide cover for much more.
Furthermore, the company uses your age to define your coverage maximum, which can be a downside depending on how old you are. This insurance provider doesn’t offer adventure sports coverage for those over 65 years old regardless of medical history.
You should consider IMG Global if the company offers protection for the sport/activity you’re interested in. The prices are decent enough, and the plan offers enough protection for most cases.
Like with other options on this list, you can get your quote through the company’s website.
5. HCC Medical Insurance
HCC Medical Insurance comes with special travel options depending on what you’re planning to do. In this case, you can choose between “Atlas International” and “Atlas International Premium” for your adventure.
Atlas International offers up to $1 million in maximum coverage, whereas the “Premium” plan offers an extra million.
Other than the coverage, you can expect protection for the same number of sports and activities, including
- Mountain sports
- Ski sports
- Water sports
Like SafetyWing, you’ll only get protection if you’re performing these activities in non-professional environments and as long as you’re wearing proper protection gear.
I suggest you take a look at HCC’s list of included sports and make your decision based on that. The water sports cover is more than enough for most people, but those wanting to perform adventurous water sports that are extra dangerous including water sports like scuba diving, extreme jet skiing, or shark diving, you might need a different water sports travel insurance.
Keep in mind that this company has a considerable list of activities that it doesn’t cover, so it may be only suitable for those wanting to do basic things like surfing, scuba diving, or rappelling.
Is It Necessary to Get Travel Insurance?
Absolutely! Travel insurance covers unexpected emergencies that could arise during your trip. If you’re planning on doing certain activities or sports, it’s even more important to get insurance coverage.
Here are some benefits your travel insurance package should include besides sports protection:
- Trip delays/interruptions
- Trip cancellation
- Baggage damage/delays
- Repatriation costs
- Accidental death/dismemberment
- Theft
When Should You Get Travel Insurance?
You should get travel insurance as early as possible when planning your trip. Even though some people wait until the day of the trip to purchase insurance, I suggest you do it sooner just in case you want to change something before going out. If you are doing any type of water sports like jet skiing, scuba diving, shark diving, or more adventurous water sports, you certainly should consider water sports cover. Additionally, those who are interests in more adventurous water sports travel insurance may have to take other factors into consideration, such as pre existing medical conditions.
In general, the water sports insurance cost is the same as other types of travel insurance, and no matter what your adventurous activities entail, from sea kayaking to white water rafting, a standard travel insurance policy might not cover high risk activities or even if you fall ill from once of these dangerous activities.
What Should You Consider Before Choosing Any Travel Insurance Provider?
Choosing the right insurance provider is no easy task, so I understand if you’re having some trouble deciding.
The main factor you should focus on is the type of activity you’re planning to do. If you want to go ice skating, for example, you must check if the insurance company offers coverage for that and how much.
Once you’re done with that, make sure to keep the following in mind:
- Cost: You shouldn’t necessarily go for the most affordable or expensive option. Pick a company that offers a great balance between price and coverage.
- Type of Coverage: Check if your insurance company offers coverage for extreme sports (if you need that). Providers like SafetyWing offer addons that give you extra protection.
- Customization: Usually, you can customize your insurance plan to fit your specific needs. Check if your company of choice offers this option.
- Reviews: It’s easier than ever to check reviews of most companies online. Take a few minutes to read user reviews online. This will give you more perspective and a better idea of what to expect.
Final Thoughts
You must always take your safety seriously, especially if you’re performing extreme activities. Take as many precautions as necessary, and choose the right sports travel insurance provider to ensure a stress-free trip.
If you don’t want to think about it too much, pick SafetyWing. It offers extensive coverage of the most common sports and activities in the world, so you will enjoy a fun, thrilling, and safe adventure.
About Tim Schmidt
Tim Schmidt is a 20+ year Entrepreneur and Digital Marketer. A Fort Lauderdale-based "Digital Nomad," he enjoys traveling as much as possible with family and friends. AllWorld is his escape to document all of his adventures, including being a hardcore "foodie." He has property in Costa Rica and visits several times each year and is happy to offer his expert advice for planning your trip.
