Travel Insurance for Sports & Activities: What’s Covered?

Quick summary for busy readers:

• Most travel insurance policies automatically cover a long list of recreational sports and activities, but higher-risk ones often need an adventure pack, winter sports add-on or specialist policy instead.
• What counts as “covered” varies a lot between insurers. An activity that’s included as standard with one provider might be excluded entirely, or only covered with an extra premium, by another.
• Some activities, like BASE jumping, professional motorsport, and expeditions to genuinely unexplored territory, aren’t covered by any mainstream travel insurer, regardless of how much you’re willing to pay.
• If you’ve got something specific planned, it’s worth checking the policy’s activity list and any exclusions before you buy; never assume a comprehensive policy will cover everything you want to do.

 

A good holiday doesn’t always mean relaxing poolside with a delicious cocktail and good book. Sometimes it involves white water rafting, scuba diving, skydiving, jet skiing or rock climbing; things that get your adrenaline pumping!

Of course, when it comes to travel insurance, not all of these wonderful sports and activities are automatically covered (and some aren’t covered at all). Read on to learn more, including a full comparison of what activities New Zealand insurers do and don’t cover.

Does travel insurance cover adventure sports?

It depends entirely on the activity and the insurer. Most travel insurers cover a wide range of sports and activities automatically, but what’s included as standard with one provider can be specifically excluded by the next. Or if something isn’t covered outright, you can often still get cover by adding an adventure pack or a winter sports add-on (usually for an extra premium though).

Because it all varies so much, we’ve rounded up what the leading New Zealand insurers do and don’t cover when it comes to adventure sports and activities:

What activities are usually covered?

Most New Zealand travel insurers usually cover:

• Recreational sports. Things like golf, sailing, cycling, camping, fishing, horse riding, kayaking, swimming, surfing and trekking. Recreational team sports like football, netball or hockey are also generally covered.
• Water activities. Amateur water sports popular with beach and island travellers, like jet skiing, kayaking, paragliding, surfing, white water rafting and windsurfing, are usually covered too, though the more intense activities can come with limitations.
• Bungee jumping. Despite the adrenaline factor, bungee jumping is covered by most travel insurance policies without requiring a specialist add-on.
• Archery. You’re generally covered to shoot at a target, though reckless behaviour while doing it can void a claim.
• Ziplining. Most providers cover ziplining as standard, though it’s always worth confirming before you book.

A few activities sit in a middle ground, sometimes covered automatically, sometimes needing an add-on, and occasionally excluded altogether depending on the insurer:

• Skiing and snowboarding. Covered by most insurers provided you’ve bought a policy that includes snow sports cover, though racing, stunts, and off-piste skiing can all fall outside standard cover. We’ve got a dedicated guide on off-piste ski insurance you should read if that’s part of your travel plans.
• Scuba diving. Widely covered, but usually with conditions attached around certification and maximum depth. Head to our scuba diving travel insurance guide for more details.
• Skydiving. Tandem skydiving is commonly covered whereas solo jumps are only covered by a handful of insurers. Either way, check the specifics before you book.
• Riding a motorbike or scooter. Cover usually depends on engine size and holding a valid licence. Check out our motorbike travel insurance guide for a complete breakdown.
• Sailing. Cover does depend heavily on distance from shore, and it varies a lot between insurers. If sailing is on your itinerary, check out our sailing travel insurance guide.
• Abseiling and rock climbing. However, altitude limits often apply and a lot of insurers won’t cover mountaineering or rock climbing if ropes or specialist equipment are involved.

What activities are not covered by travel insurance?

There are a few adventure sports and activities that travel insurers will not cover, no matter how much you’re willing to pay for an add-on. These typically include:

• BASE jumping and cliff jumping. Considered significantly more dangerous than standard skydiving or parachuting, and generally excluded outright rather than available as an add-on.
• Professional or competitive sports. If you’re racing against the clock or other competitors, particularly where prize money or formal recognition is involved, standard travel insurance typically won’t cover you.
• Motorsport and racing. Motorsport is one of the more consistently excluded categories across the market. If you’re renting a car or bike for a track day, check what cover the rental company itself provides instead.
• Running with the bulls. A genuinely dangerous, high-injury event by design, and one that travel insurers just don’t cover.
• Shooting sports. Activities involving firearms are rarely covered under standard travel insurance, though some insurers offer additional cover for things like clay pigeon shooting.
• Expeditions to inaccessible or unexplored areas. If you’re planning something in genuinely remote or previously unexplored territory, mainstream travel insurance generally isn’t built to cover it.

Because coverage varies so much between insurers, and policies change over time, it’s always worth reading the Policy Wording or contacting the insurer directly before purchasing to ensure whatever activity you’re planning will be covered.