Does travel insurance cover water sports?
We do not currently show quotes for specialised water sports insurance at MoneySuperMarket, but some of our travel insurers may cover it as standard or as an add-on.
Key takeaways
Standard travel insurance might not cover all water sports
Check your policy to see which sports are covered and if there are any restrictions
You can purchase specialist extreme sports insurance or upgrade a standard policy
Do I need extra travel insurance for water sports?
It depends on the water sport and your policy. Most standard travel insurance policies cover a range of holiday activities, including certain water sports. However, the level of protection can vary, and some activities will only be covered if you purchase extreme sports insurance or upgrade your standard policy.
If your chosen water sport isn’t covered by your insurance, you won’t be able to make a claim if you have an accident or injury while doing it.
What water sports are covered by a standard policy?
Every insurer is different, so it’s impossible to say which sports will or won’t be covered. While some policies will include certain water sports, others might not even cover things as simple as swimming in the sea.
You should always check your own policy documents to verify what activities you are covered for.
Do I need specialist cover for extreme water sports?
For those planning to enjoy water sports at a more advanced level – such as diving with sharks or class-five white water rafting – a specialist extreme sports travel insurance policy may be required. These policies are more expensive due to the increased risk, but they provide the comprehensive cover needed for more adventurous and potentially dangerous activities.
Which water sports require additional cover?
It’s impossible to give an exhaustive list of which water sports require additional cover, as every insurer will be different.
However, some common sports that may need additional cover, or where cover might come with restrictions, include:
Swimming and snorkelling
It’s common for swimming and snorkelling to be included in travel insurance policies, but you shouldn’t just assume that you are covered.
Check your insurance policy to make sure that activities like swimming in the sea are covered, and purchase an add-on if necessary.
Surfing and body-boarding
Although many policies include surfing, there might still be restrictions. These could be based on the number of days you can surf, the type of waves you can ride, or whether a professional instructor is present.
It's important to note that you might need to insure your surfboard separately. If you're an avid surfer, it's worth considering a more comprehensive policy that includes higher levels of cover or specialist insurers who offer dedicated travel insurance for surfers.
Jet-skiing
Travel insurance that covers jet-skiing is likely to be more expensive due to the increased risk. Jet-skiing can lead to severe injuries, so insurance premiums tend to be higher.
Water-skiing
Water-skiing is considered a high-risk activity that involves some level of skill, and so is unlikely to be covered by standard policies. You may wish to consider extreme or adventure sports travel insurance.
Kayaking and canoeing
Kayaking is sometimes covered by standard travel insurance policies, but restrictions could apply, such as how far away from the shore you can be or which type of water you can canoe on.
If you’re travelling with your own kayak, you might want to get it insured separately as your baggage limit might not be sufficient.
White water rafting
White-water sports are sometimes covered by standard travel insurance policies, but restrictions are likely to apply, such as a limit on the grade of white water you can navigate.
Scuba-diving
Standard travel insurance often does not cover scuba-diving, especially if you are diving below a few metres.
Even specialist scuba-diving insurance policies may have limitations - you may not be covered for diving alone or below 30m, for example. What you are covered for is also likely to be linked to your certification level.
Sailing
Most standard travel insurance policies do not include sailing. Policies that do include sailing will often have restrictions, such as the distance you can sail from shore. You may therefore need specific insurance that covers you for sailing holidays.
How do I find cheap travel insurance that covers water sports?
MoneySuperMarket’s holiday cover comparison tool is a quick and easy way to compare hundreds of policies from dozens of insurers and see what activities they do and don't cover.
Simply provide a few details about yourself and your trip and find quotes from as little as 72p
Author
Katie Bishop
Insurance writer
Katie Bishop is an author and journalist with a decade of writing and editing experience. She has previously worked as an economics editor at Oxford University Press, and her business and finance...
Reviewer
Beth Leslie
Senior Insurance Content Editor
Beth is an experienced writer and editor who specialises in financial and economic content. She is currently the Senior Insurance Content Editor for MoneySuperMarket. Beth is passionate about making...
