WHAT TRAVEL INSURANCE DOESN’T COVER: POPULAR ACTIVITIES THAT COULD PUT YOU AT RISK

Diving, camping, and hiking are popular vacation activities—but many travelers are unaware that standard travel insurance policies often do not cover these or other adventure sports.

Holidays are often seen as the perfect opportunity to try new sports or enjoy favorite activities in exciting new places. However, travel insurance providers warn that many commonly enjoyed adventure activities are excluded from basic insurance plans—leaving travelers exposed to both safety and financial risks.

According to Tera Bajkal, Senior Marketing Manager at insurance company World Nomads, travelers risk facing high medical expenses if they engage in activities that aren’t covered by their insurance.

“Standard policies often contain exclusions for specific sports or activities, regardless of how safe travelers may think they are,” she says, as reported by Euronews.

ACTIVITIES THAT ARE OFTEN EXCLUDED FROM COVERAGE

Many adventure activities—such as high-altitude hiking or camping—may be excluded from standard coverage due to inherent risks. Bajkal points out that the same goes for freediving or scuba diving below certain depths.

If you take part in activities not included in your policy, the biggest risk is the cost of medical treatment in the event of injury. “When that happens, travelers can be left with huge hospital bills that they must pay out of pocket,” Bajkal explains.

This concern is especially serious when it comes to emergency evacuations. If an injury or accident requires evacuation, the out-of-pocket costs can be devastating—not just physically, but financially as well.

WHAT TO DO IF YOUR ACTIVITY ISN’T COVERED

It’s not uncommon to spontaneously decide to try a new activity while traveling—only to find it’s not covered by your insurance. In these cases, travelers should check whether they can purchase additional coverage or upgrade their current plan while still abroad.

“It’s important to note there is a waiting period,” Bajkal says. “Travelers should plan accordingly. For those purchasing a single-trip policy from World Nomads, coverage begins at 12:01 a.m. the day after purchase and payment confirmation.”

Waiting periods and coverage options vary across insurers and policy types.

ACTIVITIES THAT MOST COMMONLY LEAD TO CLAIMS

Even for seemingly ordinary activities abroad, it’s crucial to double-check your policy—especially if the activity is common in the destination country.

For instance, motorbike riding frequently leads to insurance claims, according to World Nomads. In countries like Thailand and Indonesia, riding a motorbike is a main mode of transport.

Another high-risk activity is trekking at high altitudes, which can result in altitude sickness. Destinations where this is most common include Peru and Nepal.

THE MOST EXTREME ACTIVITIES THAT INSURANCE MAY COVER

If you're planning to participate in extreme sports, you'll need a comprehensive insurance plan.

Under the World Nomads Epic plan, travelers are covered for glacier walking and ice climbing—up to 8,000 meters. The Epic and Explorer plans also cover more intense activities like cave diving up to 50 meters, freediving up to 60 meters, bull riding, windsurfing, skydiving, and cliff jumping.