Do Travel Insurance Policies Cover Adventure Activities?

Planning a vacation is not always a piece of cake. From zeroing in on a destination suitable for all and making travel arrangements to booking hotels and preparing a trip itinerary, there are so many things you need to do. And one of the most important things is buying a good travel insurance cover that will protect you financially against medical emergencies and other unexpected situations like a flight delayl, lost checked-in baggage or lost passport. However, travel insurance plans usually don’t cover the injuries you might receive if you participate in an adventure activity. So, while adventure activities can be a lot of fun, you need to think carefully before taking the plunge, especially if you are on a budget, as the treatment cost can be quite high. Read on to understand this better.

Which sports are considered adventure sports?

Adventure sports are the high-risk activities that most adrenaline junkies prefer. While they promise great fun and thrill, some can be dangerous as well. Common activities considered as adventure sports include:

• Scuba diving

• Mountain biking

• Bungee jumping

• Trekking

• Rock climbing

• Paragliding

• Parasailing

• Sky diving

• Cliff jumping

• Canoeing

• Mountaineering

Besides these, other activities such as kayaking, zorbing, windsurfing, skateboarding, hot air balloons, angling and more also come under adventure sports.

What is adventure sports coverage in travel insurance?

Considering the growing popularity of adventure sports among vacationers, some insurance companies are now covering adventure activities in their travel plans. They offer financial assistance in case policyholders meet with accidents during adventure sports. But you need to research well before you go ahead with a specific insurer.

Does HDFC ERGO travel insurance cover adventure activities?

HDFC ERGO travel insurance does not cover adventure activities. Hence, if you have taken a travel plan from the insurer, you must try to avoid high-risk activities.

However, HDFC ERGO offers a host of other benefits and round-the-clock assistance to policyholders, such as:

Medical coverage:

In case you or a family member covered under the travel plan falls sick and requires emergency medical assistance, you can count on HDFC ERGO for cashless treatment facility. The travel insurance cover also offers the following benefits:

• Emergency dental expenses during the trip

• Medical evacuation via land or air to the nearest hospital

• Hospital daily cash allowance for petty hospitalisation expenses

• Lump sum compensation to family in case of accidental death abroad

• Medical and body repatriation, in case of death

• Lumpsum compensation in case an accident leads to permanent disablement

Considering the uncertainties related to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, HDFC ERGO travel insurance covers COVID-19-related hospitalisation expenses too. So, in case you get infected by the virus while on a vacation, you can trust the insurer for financial assistance.

Journey-related coverage:

The travel plan also covers journey-related uncertainties and offers the following benefits:

• Emergency financial assistance in case of theft or robbery

• Compensation for third-party damages in a foreign country

• Compensation for distress related to flight hijack

• Reimbursement for essential purchases made in case of flight delays

• Extended hotel accommodation in case of a medical emergency

Baggage-related coverage:

If you lose your baggage or personal belongings, the insurer will come to your rescue. Some instances include:

If you lose your carry-on baggage, passport and other important documents, the insurer will reimburse the cost of getting a new passport.

If you lose your checked-in baggage, the insurer will compensate you for the essentials you buy.

In case your checked-in baggage gets delayed and you need to buy some essentials till things get sorted, the insurer will reimburse the amount you spend.

What are the limitations?

While HDFC ERGO offers many benefits to policyholders, their travel plan has some limitations or exclusions as well, such as:

• Adventure sports: The insurer does not cover hospital bills related to adventure sports injuries.

• Breach of law: In case you face any health issues due to breach of law or war, the insurer will not cover associated medical expenses.

• Consumption of intoxicating substances: If you require medical assistance after the consumption of intoxicants or banned substances, the insurer cannot take care of the expenses.

• Pre-existing diseases: The insurer will not cover pre-existing conditions or illnesses during the trip.

• Self-inflicted injury: HDFC ERGO does not cover hospitalisation expenses related to self-inflicted injuries.

• Cosmetic and obesity treatment: If you are planning to undergo a cosmetic or obesity treatment during the trip, your insurer will not cover associated expenses.

Conclusion

Although HDFC ERGO travel insurance cover is not applicable for medical expenses related to adventure sports, the insurer offers many benefits to policyholders and helps prevent financial woes. In case you face a travel-related emergency in a foreign land, the insurer is just a call away. It also has a long list of network hospitals in different countries around the world, so you can easily avail cashless treatment and keep your trip budget intact. However, remember to take all possible precautions when engaging in adventure sports for a safe and memorable vacation.

Disclaimer: The above information is for illustrative purpose only. For more details, please refer to policy wordings and prospectus before concluding the sales.