If you are an adventure sports lover going on an adventure trip, the usual travel insurance will not cover you.
If you're an Indian heading overseas—or even within India—for adventure sports, it's wise to take out a specialised travel insurance plan that includes adventure coverage
If you are an adventure sports lover going on an adventure trip, the usual travel insurance will not cover you.
What Regular Health Insurance Policies Do Not Cover
Most regular health insurance policies in India do not cover injuries resulting from adventure sports. Activities such as bungee jumping, scuba diving, skiing, or even paragliding are considered high-risk by insurers. "That is because activities like rock climbing, skydiving, or snowboarding carry a high risk of bone, head, or spinal injuries. Insurance companies factor in risk when designing policies and premiums. Including such high-risk events would significantly raise premium costs for all policyholders," says Alok Agarwal, MD & CEO, Zurich Kotak General Insurance Company (India).
For example, in case you trek to the Everest Base Camp and face any health issues and need to be flown back in a helicopter, your regular travel insurance will not cover it.
"Injuries resulting from illegal activities are also not covered. Along with this, self-harm, self-inflicted injuries, and treatment for conditions arising from drug or alcohol use are also excluded. Therefore, thrill-seekers should seek a policy that meets their requirements for comprehensive financial protection," says Bhaskar Nerurkar, head, health administration team, Bajaj Allianz General Insurance.
What To Do Instead To Get Proper Coverage
"My suggestion to every customer is that before zipping through Costa Rican rainforests or river rafting in Rishikesh, one should check for common exclusions, such as hazardous activities, extreme sports (including skydiving, scuba diving, rock climbing, etc.) or recreational sports at high speeds or heights (like parasailing or motocross). These exclusions are in place because covering such risks would lead to higher overall costs, making insurance less affordable for everyone else," says Agarwal.
"However, there are few travel/specialised products available in the market designed specifically to cater to the segment looking for such covers. Such products offer coverage for accidental injury, accidental death, and at times compensation for permanent total disability and similar potential risks," says Dinesh Mosamkar, senior vice president, consumer underwriting, TATA AIG General Insurance Company.
If you're an Indian heading overseas—or even within India—for adventure sports, it's wise to take out a specialised travel insurance plan that includes adventure coverage. Firstly, many countries mandate travel insurance for entry. For example, the Schengen region requires a policy that covers at least €30,000 in medical costs, including emergencies, hospitalisation, and repatriation. "So a specialised travel insurance plan can be tailored to include adventure sports coverage as an add-on, so you're protected against potentially massive out-of-pocket expenses," says Agarwal.