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Covid-19 (coronavirus) – important information

From 17th May 2021, a travel traffic light system is being introduced and trips to green list countries will be legally permitted if you live in England. Strict border control measures will remain in place for your return to the UK.



Before you buy, you should consider the implications of your destination moving from a green list country to amber or red as you may incur additional costs and/or face travel restrictions that will not be covered by your travel insurance.



The traffic light rules only dictate what you have to do on returning to England – so even if a country is on the green list, you still need to check your destination's entry requirements and the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) advice for travelling there. If the Foreign Office has advised against travel to your destination and you still decide to travel, you will not be covered by any travel insurance policy you purchase.



A few insurers do offer cover If you are an essential traveller, however if you are in doubt or have any queries, please check the policy wording, or contact your chosen provider before purchasing.



Until dates have been set to permit non-essential international travel from Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland it is important that you follow all the rules that apply to your country of residence.

Do you need water sports cover on your travel insurance?

Most travel insurance policies will come with cover for certain water sports as standard.

Here’s a few water sports you might find on your policy:

  • Jet skiing
  • Snorkelling
  • Banana boating
  • Scuba diving
  • Sailing a yacht or catamaran
  • Parasailing
  • Free diving
  • Canyoning or coasteering
  • Surfing
  • Deep sea fishing

Some more extreme activities, like white water rafting might be offered as an optional add-on.

If you’re deep diving or cage diving with sharks, you might need a specialist water sports policy.

Sometimes you can buy cover as part of the experience on the day but read the terms and conditions carefully. If you sign a waiver, make sure that you’re still protected incase something goes wrong.

Surprisingly, sports like sea kayaking and stand up paddle boarding aren’t usually included in your policy. Check the details to see exactly which water sports are covered. If they're excluded, you might be able to add them for a fee.

Water sports and insurance exclusions

There are always limits and exclusions to cover, the same goes for water sports:

Age limits

Some insurers apply age limits. For example, you might need to be over 18 to be covered if you jet ski, while surfing cover might be limited to under 50s.

Alcohol

Every insurer has an exclusion around alcohol consumption. Some state a specific alcohol limit – for example, no more than four pints of beer – while others might say claims will be rejected if you’re found to have had your judgement impaired by drink or drugs.

Not following instructions

If you need to claim and it’s found you weren’t wearing the correct safety equipment or following instructions, you won’t be covered.

Sailing

Most policies that include sailing will only cover you if you’re sailing within 12 miles of the shore.

Paragliding

You'll usually only be covered if you're with an instructor. If you’re qualified to paraglide alone, you’ll have to search for a policy that covers this.

White water rafting

According to Defaqto, only 15% of annual travel insurance policies cover white water rafting as standard.[2] White water rafting is one of the riskier water sports, and is classified in six different levels. Insurers might restrict you to only white water rafting in rapids between grades one to three.

How to get cheaper travel insurance with water sports cover

  1. Types of insurance

    If you’re going on several trips per year, annual cover will be more cost effective than multiple single-trip policies

  2. Consider the sports

    Only get cover for the water sports you’ll be doing, otherwise you’ll be wasting money on cover you don’t need

  3. Cheaper doesn’t mean better

    Don’t get a cheaper travel insurance policy if it means you’ll lose out on important aspects of cover you might need

  4. Compare

    The easiest way to make sure you’re getting value for money is by comparing a range of travel insurance policies which include water sports cover

Travel insurance guides and tools

All guides and tools

[1]Gocompare.com introduces customers to theidol.com which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Gocompare.com's relationship with theidol.com is limited to that of a business partnership, no common ownership or control rights exist between us. Please note, we cannot be held responsible for the content of external websites and by using the links stated to access these separate websites you will be subject to the terms of use applying to those sites

[2]Last checked 12 April 2021

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