High-Risk Adventure Travel Insurance Explained: A Guide for Thrill Seekers

Did you know that most high-risk thrill-seeking activities aren’t covered by your travel insurance? In this thrill seekers’ guide to high-risk travel adventures, we’ll show you why traditional travel insurance doesn't cut it.

Don’t let the limits of conventional travel insurance control your trip! Keep reading to find out where you can get the coverage you need, and have the experiences you want while travelling — no matter how dangerous they may seem.

Travel Insurance Doesn’t Traditionally Cover High-Risk Adventures or Activities 

While travel insurance is meant to protect you from unexpected emergencies like trip cancellations and sudden medical issues, it will exclude activities that are considered “high-risk”. This means that if you are injured while taking part in activities like scuba-diving or mountain-climbing, you won’t be covered for the medical expenses associated. 

You’ll have to pay up to thousands of dollars in out-of-pocket medical costs, regardless of if you’re travelling abroad or just domestically. 

What Travel Activities are Considered Too High-Risk for Coverage?

A high-risk travel activity is generally any activity that puts you at significant risk of injury and/or death. Most travel insurance providers won’t cover activities that give you a high chance of needing coverage. 

Some specific activities that are considered high-risk and not covered by standard travel insurance policies are:

• Sky-diving

• Scuba-diving

• Mountain-climbing

• Extreme sports/Contact sports

• ATV tours and dune buggy excursions

• Motorized vehicle racing

• Off-trail hiking or mountaineering

• Paragliding or BASE jumping

• Bungee jumping

• Hot air ballooning

If your travel plans include any of the above activities, you should be looking for travel insurance plans that go beyond the basic coverage.

Non-risky travel activities include things like shopping at local stores, sightseeing in urban areas, dining at restaurants, visiting museums or historical landmarks, attending cultural events, and taking guided city tours.

Canadian Travel Insurance that Covers Thrill-Seeking Travel Activities 

Manulife CoverMe Travel Insurance

Active travellers deserve comprehensive coverage that doesn’t force them to change their plans. With Manulife CoverMe Travel Insurance, you can travel flexibly on your terms, and plan the adventure you want without limits. Manulife CoverMe provides coverage for most adventures and outdoor activities, like hiking, skiing, boating, and ATVing. It’s an especially popular choice for domestic travellers, such as Canadian families visiting their cottage up-North. 

Our brokers are ready to help you find a plan that suits your needs, no matter what you plan to do. Let us find a personalized option that works for you!

Ask a HealthQuotes Broker about High-Risk Adventure Travel Insurance Plans

Tips for Thrill-Seeking Travellers Looking for Travel Insurance

1. Carefully read the plan’s fine print and exclusions to ensure your activities will be covered before opting in.

2. Ask your provider about any optional travel insurance add-ons for high-risk adventuring. 

3. Ask your provider under what circumstances a high-risk travel activity can be covered. Some providers will cover you if you’re certified to participate in the activity or will be attended to by a licensed guide. 

4. Be transparent with your insurance provider about what’s in your itinerary to ensure your activities are eligible for coverage. 

5. Don’t impulsively add a high-risk travel activity to your itinerary without first asking your provider about coverage. Plan ahead as much as possible. 

6. No matter what, don’t overestimate yourself. Even if you’ve taken part in high-risk activities before, such as ATVing, that doesn’t make you immune to accidents. Even the most experienced professionals can be the victim of an accident. 

Whether you want to dive with the sharks, zip-line in a rain forest, or take a trip up the famous Mount Everest — you and your bank account deserve to be protected. Get yourself the coverage you need to travel with confidence by purchasing high-risk adventure travel insurance.