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How We Selected Extreme Sports Insurance

Ranked #1,077 in Sports & Recreation, #37,236 overall

As Adventure Seekers We Need Extreme Sports Insurance

We ski and snowboard and our sporting adventures are excluded from our travel insurance policy. Searching for extreme sports insurance was more difficult than I thought it should be, so I have created this page to simplify the process for other extreme athletes.

As our situation was a bit unique, my research was extensive. I present here a list of all companies I could find which offer extreme sports insurance. I also included a bit of information on our selection, IHI Bupa, a good choice for us as evidenced by a hassle free approval and payment of our ER bill.

photo by AndreasB used with permission, licensed under creative commons.

Disclaimer

This page is based on my internet research and personal experience with our selection. I am not an insurance agent, nor am I a medical professional. I do not receive any form of payment from any insurance company.

Why Do You Need Extreme Sports Insurance?

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Do You Need Extreme Sports Insurance?

Ask yourself these questions

Think about this:
  • Do I need insurance for the country I am visiting (or does the native medical system cover visitors)?
  • Does the travel or medical insurance I have cover the extreme sports I am going to do?

READ YOUR POLICY CAREFULLY

Be Sure to Look for All the Details About Your Sport and It's Cover

Sample Exclusion Statement (From Travel Guard Worldwide Health Policy)

Down at the bottom of terms and conditions I found this:

What is Excluded?
. . . 18. Injury resulting from participation in the following activities: Amateur Athletics, Contact Sports, and professional sports or athletic activities. Non-contact and non-organized/non-sanctioned amateur sports or athletic activities engaged in by the Member solely for leisure, recreational, entertainment or fitness purposes are not excluded unless they are excluded by this provision. The following are excluded: Mountaineering where ropes or guides are normally used or at elevations of 4,500 meters or higher. Aviation, except when traveling solely as a passenger in a commercial aircraft. Hang gliding, sky diving, parachuting or bungee jumping; Snow skiing or snowboarding, except for recreational downhill and/or cross-country snow skiing or snowboarding (no cover provided whilst skiing away from prepared and marked in-bound territories and/or against the advice of the local ski school or local authoritative body); Racing by any animal or motorized vehicle; and spelunking; and subaqua pursuits involving underwater breathing apparatus unless NAUI/PADI certified, accompanied by a certified instructor, and at depths of less than 10 meters; jet skiing; and any other sport or athletic activity which is undertaken for thrill seeking and exposes you to abnormal or extreme risk of injury.

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My List of Companies Offering Extreme Sports Insurance

Offered here in alphabetical order. Click on the policy names to get information.

Here is the list of all the policies I could find which offer extreme sports insurance (also called hazardous sports coverage). In some policies it is automatically included, in others it is an add-on. Most excluded at least one activity, and many had geographic restrictions so be sure to READ THE FINE PRINT.
  • Atlas America (for Non-US citizens traveling to the United States) and Atlas International (for anyone traveling outside of the US.) - Very detailed exclusion policy which lists most, but not all hazardous sports. I debated putting this in the no sports cover category.(HCC Medical Insurance Services)
  • CSA Freestyle Luxe - Adventure travel accepted (mountaineering, rock climbing, sky-diving, hang gliding, bungee jumping)
  • Diplomat America - for Foreign Nationals visiting the United States - offers both hazardous sports rider or athletic rider (Global Underwriters).
  • Diplomat International - for individuals traveling outside their home country to any country aside from the United States. - offers both hazardous sports rider or athletic rider (Global Underwriters).
  • International Health Insurance danmark a/s (IHI) - No restrictions on hazardous sports, activities or occupations, except excludes motor sports (shows, races or competitions)
  • International Major Medical (PSU) - for visitors to the US - includes optional sports or activity coverage.
  • Liaison (Seven Corners) Based on your needs, Seven Corners offers five different policies which have a hazardous sport options:
    Liaison International -for people traveling outside their home country.
    Liaison Worldwide - for people traveling outside their home country.
    Liaison Majestic - for people traveling outside their home country.
    Liaison Silver - for U.S. seniors traveling abroad.
    Liaison Continent - for people traveling outside their home country.
  • Patriot Extreme (International or America) (IMG) - Designed for the international traveler who engages in extreme sports, Patriot Extreme provides benefits for those traveling abroad who also intend to participate in a select group of athletic activities. (Underwriter: Sirius International)
  • Patriot Trip Elite America (IMG) - covers most extreme sport, but no scheduled athletic competitions or events. (Underwriter: Sirius International)
  • Southern Cross TravelCare (for New Zealanders going overseas) - covers downhill snow skiing or snowboarding on a recognized commercial field. Does not cover any racing of any sort (other than on foot)
  • TravelGap Excursion and Voyager (HTH) - Only available to US residents - includes downhill (alpine) skiing and scuba diving with conditions
  • Travel Lite (Travelex ) - two supplements to choose from, either: adventurer pack (includes extreme skiing) or Athlete student pack (sporting competitions, racing)
  • Visit USA Health Care (AIG) - available for Non-US citizens visiting USA only. (or green card holders in US) -hazardous activity coverage available.
  • WorldMed Insurance (AIG) - US & Non-US citizens traveling outside their home country - multipe hazardous activity coverage options available.

Our Choice of Extreme Sports Insurance

For our last overseas ski and snowboard trip we selected IHI Bupa and for us we made a good choice.

IHI Bupa

The following is a list of good reasons for taking out Worldwide Travel Options with IHI Bupa (Original list can be found on the IHI Bupa website)

1. Worldwide Insurance Cover - (And while still covered, war zones such as Iraq and Afghanistan are subject to a premium.)

2. Doctors' advice (medical consultants and nurses available).

3. 24-7 emergency service (They can help you arrange treatment and medical evacuation day and night.)

4. Free choice of hospitals and doctors, including private doctors and hospitals.

5. Compassionate emergency repatriation (if a close relative becomes seriously ill or dies as a result of acute illness when you are travelling.)

6. Help to find international (English speaking) doctors.

7. Sports cover, including hazardous sports, without extra charge. The only exception is motor sports (shows, races or competitions).

8. Direct payment to hospital (if hospitalized).

9. Medical evacuation to the nearest place of treatment.

10. Extend your insurance online (If you have to prolong your trip)

IHI Travel has no restrictions for hazardous sports and occupations

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Here Is The E-Mail Reply We Received Within About 20 Minutes of Our Request

I only took out our policy numbers, and the patients name.

Dear Rhonda Albom

Please be advised that XXX is covered for acute illness and injury by her insurance and it is ok that she seeks immediate medical attention.

In the event that XXX get's hospitalised please contact us again as we can place a guarantee of payment for her treatment while inpatient. Otherwise we kindly advise you to pay medical bills/emergency room fees and subsequently send in the bills along with receipts in order for our travel claims department yo reimburse expenses.

We hope that XXX will feel better soon.

Best regards

Pernille A. Bonde
Medical Centre
ihi Bupa | Palaegade 8 | DK-1261 Copenhagen K | Denmark

Bupa Denmark, filial af Bupa Insurance Limited, England
T: + 45 33 15 30 99 - F: + 45 33 32 25 60
E: ihi@ihi.com, web: www.ihi.com
24-hour Emergency Service, tel: + 45 33 15 33 00, E: emergency@ihi.com

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Let's Hope He Had Extreme Sports Insurance!

I guess this really isn't funny, but I laughed anyway. How about you?

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Insurance Policies which Did NOT Offer Extreme Sports Insurance Cover Either Directly or an an Add-On

(Listed here to save you a bit of research)

  • Access America
  • The Bridge Plan (PIU)
  • Global Trip Classic, Global Trip Plus and Global Trip Saver
  • Good 2 Go
  • InterMedical Insurance (USI)
  • Medex
  • The Multinational Accident Plan (HCC)
  • Total Travel Insurance
  • Travelex - Travel Lite Policy
  • Travel Guard Worldwide Health
  • Travel Insured
  • Travel Safe
  • tripinsurance.com

Did I Miss Any?

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Sports Travel Insurance & Sport Equipment Insurance | HBIS Activity Insurance

Harrison Beaumont provide specialist sport insuran more...2 points

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travel insurance for pre existing medical conditions

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A Bit More By the Author

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This Page on Extreme Sports Insurance is the Opinions of Pukeko

Here is a bit more about me

(Pukeko is a native New Zealand bird. Learn more about Pukeko here)
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by

Pukeko

I tend to over research everything I do, and I like to share what I know. Although our children are still young, we are aiming towards becoming a winter... more »

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