Adventure sports are thrilling and exhilarating, but they also come with higher risks of injury and accidents. That’s why it’s essential to have travel insurance that covers you for the activities you plan to do on your trip.
In this article, we’ll explain what adventure sports travel insurance is, why you need it, and how to choose the best one for your needs. We’ll also review the top 7 travel insurance companies for adventure sports in the USA, based on their coverage, benefits, and customer reviews.
Understanding Adventure Sports Travel Insurance
What is Adventure Sports Travel Insurance?
Adventure sports travel insurance is a specialized type of coverage designed to protect travelers who engage in high-risk activities during their trips. Traditional travel insurance policies may exclude or limit coverage for adventure sports, so it’s crucial to find a plan that specifically covers the activities you plan on participating in.
Adventure sports can include anything from skiing and snowboarding to bungee jumping and skydiving. Some travel insurance companies may have different definitions and classifications of what constitutes an adventure sport, so it’s important to read the policy wording carefully and check if your chosen sport is covered.
Why is it Important for Adventure Sports Enthusiasts?
Adventure sports enthusiasts need travel insurance for several reasons:
- Medical expenses: If you get injured or sick while doing an adventure sport, you may need medical attention, which can be costly in some countries. Travel insurance can cover your medical bills, ambulance fees, hospitalization costs, and even repatriation if needed.
- Emergency assistance: If you encounter a serious emergency while doing an adventure sport, such as a natural disaster, a terrorist attack, or political unrest, you may need help from professionals who can assist you with evacuation, rescue, or legal matters. Travel insurance can provide you with 24/7 emergency assistance and access to a network of experts who can help you in any situation.
- Trip cancellation and interruption: If you have to cancel or cut short your trip due to unforeseen circumstances, such as illness, injury, death of a family member, or bad weather, you may lose your prepaid deposits and bookings for your adventure activities. Travel insurance can reimburse you for your non-refundable expenses and cover the additional costs of returning home early or rescheduling your trip.
- Personal belongings: If you travel with expensive equipment or gear for your adventure sports, such as skis, snowboards, bikes, or cameras, you may want to protect them from theft, loss, or damage. Travel insurance can cover the cost of repairing or replacing your personal belongings if they are stolen or damaged during your trip.
Top 7 Travel Insurance Companies for Adventure Sports in the USA
Based on our research and analysis, here are the top 7 travel insurance companies for adventure sports in the USA:
1. SafetyWing
SafetyWing is a popular choice for digital nomads and long-term travelers who want flexible and affordable travel insurance that covers them for a wide range of adventure sports.
SafetyWing offers two plans: Nomad Insurance and Remote Health. Nomad Insurance is a travel medical insurance that covers you for up to 365 days in any country except your home country. It covers over 150 adventure sports and activities, including skiing, snowboarding, surfing, scuba diving, hiking, biking, and more.
Remote Health is a comprehensive health insurance that covers you worldwide, including your home country. It covers over 100 adventure sports and activities, including skiing, snowboarding, surfing, scuba diving, hiking, biking, and more.
SafetyWing has some unique features that make it stand out from other travel insurance companies:
- You can buy or renew your policy online at any time, even after your trip has started.
- You can choose your start date and end date of coverage, and pay monthly or quarterly.
- You can add children under 10 years old to your policy for free (one child per adult).
- You can visit any hospital or doctor of your choice within their network of providers.
- You can enjoy free access to telehealth services through their partner PlushCare.
SafetyWing has received positive reviews from customers who praise its ease of use, customer service, and claim process. However, some customers have complained about its high deductible ($250), limited coverage for dental and vision care ($1k), and lack of trip cancellation and interruption coverage.
SafetyWing’s Nomad Insurance costs $40 per month for travelers aged 18-39 years old. Remote Health costs $153 per month for travelers aged 18-39 years old.
2. VisitorsCoverage
VisitorsCoverage is a leading online marketplace that offers a variety of travel insurance plans from different providers. VisitorsCoverage allows you to compare and buy travel insurance plans that suit your needs and budget. VisitorsCoverage has several plans that cover adventure sports and activities,
such as Atlas Travel Insurance from Tokio Marine HCC-MIS Group (TMHCC), Patriot Travel Medical Insurance from International Medical Group (IMG), and Liaison Travel Insurance from Seven Corners.
VisitorsCoverage has some advantages that make it a reliable and convenient option for travelers:
- You can compare and buy travel insurance plans from multiple providers in one place.
- You can customize your coverage by choosing your deductible, policy maximum, and optional riders.
- You can get instant quotes and confirmation online, and receive your policy documents by email.
- You can access 24/7 customer support and claim assistance by phone, email, or chat.
VisitorsCoverage has received positive feedback from customers who appreciate its user-friendly website, competitive prices, and helpful customer service. However, some customers have reported issues with claim delays, denials, and communication.
VisitorsCoverage’s travel insurance plans vary in price depending on the provider, plan, coverage, and traveler’s age. For example, Atlas Travel Insurance costs $1.12 per day for travelers aged 18-29 years old with a $250 deductible and a $50k policy maximum.
3. Seven Corners Travel Insurance
Seven Corners is a reputable travel insurance company that offers a range of plans for different types of travelers. Seven Corners has two plans that cover adventure sports and activities: RoundTrip Choice and Wander Frequent Traveler Plus.
RoundTrip Choice is a trip protection plan that covers you for up to 90 days per trip. It covers over 30 adventure sports and activities, including skiing, snowboarding, scuba diving, bungee jumping, and more.
Wander Frequent Traveler Plus is a travel medical plan that covers you for up to 45 days per trip. It covers over 150 adventure sports and activities, including skiing, snowboarding, scuba diving, bungee jumping, and more.
Seven Corners has some benefits that make it a trustworthy and attractive option for travelers:
- You can cancel your policy for any reason within 10 days of purchase and get a full refund.
- You can extend your coverage up to one year if your trip is longer than expected.
- You can use their online portal to manage your policy, file claims, and track your status.
- You can access their worldwide network of doctors and hospitals through their Wellabroad app.
Seven Corners has received positive reviews from customers who commend its comprehensive coverage, fair prices, and responsive customer service. However, some customers have experienced problems with claim processing, documentation, and verification.
Seven Corners’ travel insurance plans vary in price depending on the plan, coverage, and traveler’s age. For example, RoundTrip Choice costs $88 for a 10-day trip for travelers aged 18-34 years old with a $0 deductible and a $20k policy maximum. Wander Frequent Traveler Plus costs $120 for a 6-month period for travelers aged 18-29 years old with a $250 deductible and a $1M policy maximum.
4. Generali Global Assistance
Generali Global Assistance is a well-known travel insurance company that offers three plans for different levels of coverage: Standard, Preferred, and Premium. Generali Global Assistance covers over 20 adventure sports and activities,
such as skiing, snowboarding, surfing, scuba diving (up to 100 feet), hiking (up to 14k feet), biking (up to 15k feet), and more.
Generali Global Assistance has some features that make it a solid and reliable option for travelers:
- You can cancel your policy for any reason within 10 days of purchase and get a full refund (as long as you haven’t filed a claim or departed on your trip).
- You can add optional coverages to enhance your protection, such as Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR), Medical Upgrade (for higher medical limits), or Sporting Equipment Rental (for renting gear or equipment).
- You can use their online tools to find a doctor or hospital near you, check the status of your claim, or request assistance.
- You can enjoy free access to identity theft resolution services through their partner Identity Theft Resource Center (ITRC).
Generali Global Assistance has received positive feedback from customers who value its extensive coverage, reasonable prices, and helpful customer service. However, some customers have encountered difficulties with claim denials, exclusions, and communication.
Generali Global Assistance’s travel insurance plans vary in price depending on the plan, coverage, and traveler’s age. For example, Standard costs $63 for a 10-day trip for travelers aged 18-34 years old with a $0 deductible and a $50k policy maximum.
5. World Nomads
World Nomads is a popular travel insurance company that caters to adventurous travelers who want flexible and comprehensive coverage for their trips. World Nomads offers two plans: Standard and Explorer. Standard covers over 200 adventure sports and activities,
such as skiing (on-piste), snowboarding (on-piste), surfing (up to 10 feet), scuba diving (up to 165 feet), hiking (up to 19k feet), biking (on-road), and more. Explorer covers over 300 adventure sports and activities, such as skiing (off-piste), snowboarding (off-piste), surfing (over 10 feet), scuba diving (over 165 feet), hiking (over 19k feet), biking (off-road), and more.
World Nomads has some advantages that make it a preferred option for travelers:
- You can buy or extend your policy online at any time, even if you’re already traveling.
- You can choose your country of residence and your destination country, and get coverage for multiple countries in one trip.
- You can support a social cause by donating to one of their community development projects around the world.
- You can access their travel guides, blogs, podcasts, and forums to get inspiration and tips for your trip.
World Nomads has received positive reviews from customers who appreciate its flexible and comprehensive coverage, competitive prices, and friendly customer service.
However, some customers have complained about its high deductible ($100), limited coverage for personal belongings ($1k), and strict claim requirements.
World Nomads’ travel insurance plans vary in price depending on the plan, coverage, and traveler’s age. For example, Standard costs $76 for a 10-day trip for travelers aged 18-39 years old with a $100 deductible and a $100k policy maximum. Explorer costs $118 for a 10-day trip for travelers aged 18-39 years old with a $100 deductible and a $100k policy maximum.
6. Nationwide
Nationwide is a well-established travel insurance company that offers four plans for different levels of coverage: Essential, Choice, Luxury, and Adventure. Nationwide covers over 40 adventure sports and activities,
such as skiing, snowboarding, surfing, scuba diving (up to 130 feet), hiking (up to 15k feet), biking (on-road), and more. Adventure is a special plan that covers over 100 adventure sports and activities, such as skiing (off-piste), snowboarding (off-piste), surfing (over 10 feet), scuba diving (over 130 feet), hiking (over 15k feet), biking (off-road), and more.
Nationwide has some benefits that make it a reliable and attractive option for travelers:
- You can cancel your policy for any reason within 10 days of purchase and get a full refund (as long as you haven’t filed a claim or departed on your trip).
- You can add optional coverages to enhance your protection, such as Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR), Medical Upgrade (for higher medical limits), or Rental Car Damage (for renting a car).
- You can use their online tools to file claims, check the status of your claim, or request assistance.
- You can enjoy free access to concierge services through their partner Signature Travel Network.
Nationwide has received positive feedback from customers who value its extensive coverage, fair prices, and helpful customer service.
However, some customers have encountered problems with claim processing, documentation, and verification.
Nationwide’s travel insurance plans vary in price depending on the plan, coverage, and traveler’s age. For example, Essential costs $54 for a 10-day trip for travelers aged 18-34 years old with a $0 deductible and a $50k policy maximum. Adventure costs $108 for a 10-day trip for travelers aged 18-34 years old with a $0 deductible and a $250k policy maximum.
7. Travelex
Travelex is a reputable travel insurance company that offers two plans for different levels of coverage: Travel Basic and Travel Select. Travelex covers over 50 adventure sports and activities,
such as skiing, snowboarding, surfing, scuba diving (up to 150 feet), hiking (up to 15k feet), biking (on-road), and more.
Travelex has some features that make it a solid and reliable option for travelers:
- You can cancel your policy for any reason within 15 days of purchase and get a full refund (as long as you haven’t filed a claim or departed on your trip).
- You can add optional coverages to enhance your protection, such as Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR), Medical Upgrade (for higher medical limits), or Adventure Sports Coverage (for additional sports and activities).
- You can use their online tools to file claims, check the status of your claim, or request assistance.
- You can enjoy free access to travel assistance services through their partner On Call International.
Travelex has received positive reviews from customers who appreciate its comprehensive coverage, reasonable prices, and helpful customer service.
However, some customers have experienced issues with claim delays, denials, and communication.
Travelex’s travel insurance plans vary in price depending on the plan, coverage, and traveler’s age. For example, Travel Basic costs $52 for a 10-day trip for travelers aged 18-34 years old with a $0 deductible and a $15k policy maximum. Travel Select costs $79 for a 10-day trip for travelers aged 18-34 years old with a $0 deductible and a $50k policy maximum.
Factors to Consider When Choosing Adventure Sports Travel Insurance
When choosing adventure sports travel insurance, you should consider the following factors:
- Coverage for specific sports and activities: You should check if the travel insurance plan covers the specific sports and activities you plan to do on your trip. Some plans may have exclusions or limitations for certain sports and activities, such as requiring a license, certification, or supervision. You should also check if the plan covers any equipment or gear you need for your adventure sports, such as skis, snowboards, bikes, or cameras.
- Medical coverage and emergency assistance: You should check the medical coverage and emergency assistance provided by the travel insurance plan. You should look for a plan that offers adequate medical limits, covers pre-existing conditions, and provides 24/7 emergency assistance. You should also check if the plan covers evacuation and repatriation costs in case of a serious injury or illness.
- Trip cancellation and interruption coverage: You should check the trip cancellation and interruption coverage offered by the travel insurance plan. You should look for a plan that covers you for unforeseen events that may cause you to cancel or cut short your trip, such as illness, injury, death of a family member, or bad weather. You should also check if the plan offers Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) coverage, which allows you to cancel your trip for any reason and get a partial refund.
- Cost of the insurance policy: You should compare the cost of different travel insurance plans and choose the one that fits your budget and needs. You should consider the deductible, policy maximum, and optional riders that may affect the price of the plan. You should also look for discounts or promotions that may lower the cost of the plan.
