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Paragliding or parasailing over a foreign land can be a visual experience like no other. However, before you fly up and away make sure your travel insurance covers for medical expenses if anything goes wrong.
How do I make sure I'm covered?
If your policy says it covers a range of sports including paragliding, it’s important to check if there are any conditions that affect when cover will apply. Conditions may include:
You must be a passenger. You will need to be paragliding in tandem with a licensed instructor and be a passenger rather than in control of the aircraft.
A licensed operator is required. The paragliding equipment and service must be provided by a licensed commercial operator.
You may need to buy an extra sports option. You may need to take certain steps when taking out your policy, such as applying for cover over the phone or purchasing a special adventure sports pack.
Understand what your policy covers. There is a difference between paragliding and parasailing and some travel insurance brands may only cover parasailing.
Who provides cover for paragliding and parasailing?
These activities must be with a commercial operator; and available to general public; and not considered extreme risk; and not require special skills or a high level of fitness to undertake
These activities must be with a commercial operator; and available to general public; and not considered extreme risk; and not require special skills or a high level of fitness to undertake
Activity must be conducted through a commercial operator, be available to general public, not be considered Extreme Risk and not require any special skills, pre-fitness training program prior to the participation of the activity, or a high level of fitness to undertake
Note: This information was last updated August 2022
What is the difference between paragliding and parasailing?
Paragliding
Parasailing
Paragliding is a flying sport where participants use their feet to launch a free-flying aircraft off a high cliff and experience the feeling of soaring through the sky like a bird. It’s often confused with the similarly named sport of parasailing, where participants are attached to a vehicle.
Parasailing is also a recreational flying sport, but the key difference is that participants are towed behind a vehicle, generally a boat. The vehicle generates the momentum needed to provide lift, and the participant is attached to a special type of parachute known as a parasail.
If you’re thinking of paragliding or parasailing while on holiday, be aware that travel insurers apply different definitions of what constitutes paragliding and what constitutes parasailing. Check with your insurer to confirm whether you will be covered before you participate in either sport.
Taking off from the 2,000m high Mt Babadag and marvelling at the stunningly clear blue water below is one of the highlights at this great paragliding destination. Read the guide to travel insurance for Turkey.
This extremely popular site for paragliders and hang-gliders allows you the opportunity to soar over breathtaking mountains and valleys. Read the guide to travel insurance for Asia.
Castelluccio, Umbria, Italy
This high-altitude village lets paragliders take in the remarkable vista of colourful flowers that bloom in spring and summer.
There are certain situations when you won’t be able to receive any cover from your travel insurer for paragliding or parasailing. Some of these are specific to the sport itself, including:
No cover if you don’t satisfy all policy conditions, such as flying in tandem with a licensed instructor when you paraglide
No cover unless you specifically arrange for the sport to be covered when arranging your policy
No cover for personal liability while paragliding
No cover if you operate the equipment
In other cases, you may not be covered for paragliding-related claims under some of the general exclusions of your policy, such as:
If the insurer excludes paragliding from cover altogether
If your claim arises because you are under the influence of alcohol or drugs
Make sure you read the fine print of your policy to work out when you will and will not be covered.
Am I covered for hang gliding?
Hang gliding is a similar activity to paragliding but the main difference is the design of the aircraft that makes it harder to control than paragliders. For this reason, many travel insurance policies will exclude hang gliding.
Paragliding and parasailing safety checklist
Paragliding requires a high cliff for launching and the right conditions. Paragliders should never take off into winds over 25km/h unless they are highly trained and experienced. Paragliding should also never be undertaken in wet conditions.
Life jackets if the vehicle is a boat. Life jackets are essential if the sport is being done over water.
Route should have no obstructions. There should be no obstructions in the vehicle’s path.
Wear a helmet. All paragliding and parasailing participants should wear a helmet to prevent injury.
Research the provider. Before hiring a tandem glider pilot, do your research and make sure you will be taking to the air with someone you can trust. Find a licensed instructor with a licensed commercial paragliding provider. Ask the instructor how long they’ve been flying for, how many tandems they’ve done and what advice they can give to beginners. Watching them take off first is another good way to gauge their skills.
Jessica Prasida is a travel insurance expert for Finder. She lives and breathes travel, having worked as a travel agent and branch manager at STA Travel for over 4 years, then writing about travel insurance with Finder for another 5 years. Jess has a Bachelor of Business from the University of Technology, Sydney and a Tier 1 General Insurance qualification.
This guide takes a closer look at motorcycle travel insurance and makes some suggestions regarding levels of cover and ways to stay safe when riding abroad.
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