Travel insurance for surfing

Who provides surf cover and how are you covered?

Brand	What is covered?	Conditions	Apply
	Medical emergencies Loss/damage personal luggage and items including surfboards	Cover for damaged or lost items only applies when in transport, not when in use.	Get quote
	Loss/damage personal luggage and items including surfboards	Cover for damaged or lost items only applies when in transport, not when in use.	Get quote
	Medical emergencies Loss/damage personal luggage and items including surfboards	Optional High Value Items cover can be purchased for surfboards. No depreciation will apply to these items. Cover for damaged or lost items only applies when in transport, not when in use	Get quote
	Medical emergencies Loss/damage personal luggage and items including surfboards	Optional High Value Items cover can be purchased for surfboards. No depreciation will apply to these items. Cover for damaged or lost items only applies when in transport, not when in use	Get quote
	Medical emergencies	No cover for damage or loss to surfboards	Get quote
	Medical emergencies	No cover for damage or loss to surfboards	Get quote
	Medical emergencies	No cover for big wave or extreme surfing No cover for damage or loss to surfboards	Get quote
	Medical emergencies	No cover for big wave or extreme surfing No cover for damage or loss to surfboards	Get quote
	Loss/damage personal luggage and items including surfboards	Cover for damaged or lost items only applies when in transport, not when in use	More info
	Medical emergencies Loss/damage personal luggage and items including surfboards	Cover for damaged or lost items only applies when in transport, not when in use	Get quote
	Loss/damage personal luggage and items including surfboards	Cover for damaged or lost items only applies when in transport, not when in use	More info
	Loss/damage personal luggage and items including surfboards	Cover for damaged or lost items only applies when in transport, not when in use	Get quote
	Loss/damage personal luggage and items including surfboards	Cover for damaged or lost items only applies when in transport, not when in use	Get quote
	Loss/damage personal luggage and items including surfboards	Optional High Value Items cover can be purchased for surfboards. Cover for damaged or lost items only applies when in transport, not when in use.	More info
	Loss/damage personal luggage and items including surfboards	Cover for damaged or lost items only applies when in transport, not when in use.	More info
	Loss/damage personal luggage and items including surfboards	Cover for damaged or lost items only applies when in transport, not when in use.	More info
	Medical emergencies Loss/damage personal luggage and items including surfboards	Cover for damaged or lost items only applies when in transport, not when in use.

Note: This information was last updated July 2022

General exclusions when it comes to surfing cover

• No cover medically if you are under the influence of drugs and alcohol
• No cover medically if you participate professionally or in a paid capacity
• No cover for personal liability

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What are the risks of surfing on my travels?

Injury/illness

Surfing is only as risky as you make it and taking precautions can limit the risks considerably. Nevertheless, accidents do happen and some common risks include:

• Serious reef cuts that require immediate medical attention
• Minor reef cuts that can turn into serious infections
• Emergency evacuation from remote areas following injuries
• Serious spinal injuries
• Dengue fever and malaria in some island chains
• Infections from sea urchins
• Shark attacks – you never know!

Equipment damage and loss

• Damage: There is nothing worse than forking out serious cash for a new set of boards for a trip only to have them seriously damaged in transit or while on your trip away. A number of insurers will provide cover for damaged equipment though conditions will apply. You may be able to pay a little bit extra to have your board listed as a high-value item.
• Theft: It's a sad fact that some of the best surf spots around the world are in locations that are also prone to theft of travelling tourists. South America, South Africa and some parts of Europe and Indonesia can at times have sketchy areas where the theft of gear is a threat. Travel insurance will cover you if your boards are stolen – just remember to get a police report (usually within 24 hours).

Am I covered for injuries like reef cuts?

A good comprehensive policy will cover you for medical emergencies, so if you wipe out on a coral reef and receive cuts that need medical treatment, you will be covered for the cost up to the benefit limit.

Yes, but not if you deliberately put yourself in danger

There is a condition in many policies that you must have been taking reasonable care at the time you were injured (i.e. paddling out at Pipe if you have only been surfing a few months). If the insurer can show you put yourself in harm's way, it may be able to reject your claim on the basis you did not take reasonable care to protect yourself.

What if the airline damages my board?

As with most luggage items, if your surfboard is damaged or lost while in the care of the airline, it will usually pay for damages, providing you report the incident as soon as possible. The amount of compensation will depend on the carrier, so if your surfboard is expensive, you would be wise to have travel insurance as well. In such circumstances, your insurer would pay you the difference between what the carrier reimburses you and what the board is insured for.

The best way to ensure your board is not damaged in transit is to buy a good-quality board bag and wrap your board securely in bubble wrap, protecting the nose and tail and removing the fins if possible.

How to select surfboard insurance

The government’s Smartraveller website lists 5 questions you should ask yourself when buying travel insurance, which are equally applicable to surf travel insurance.

Where are you surfing?

If the place you plan to surf is remote it would be wise to have emergency evacuation cover.

How long are you surfing for?

Is surfing only a part of your itinerary? If so, you may only need to purchase surf cover for that period.

What are you going to do there?

If you plan to do any other activities that might be considered risky, such as scuba diving or hang gliding you may need to take out additional cover.

Do you want to cover your boards?

If so, you may need to choose a higher benefit limit to cover its replacement cost.

Do you have any medical conditions?

If there any pre-existing conditions that you have you must declare them and purchase additional cover if provided, otherwise you won’t be covered.

Frequently asked questions

• What is the difference between my surfboard being covered in transport and in use?

  Travel insurance policies typically cover your surfboard only when it is being transported by an airline, another public carrier or locked away securely. This means if your board is damaged or lost by an airline, for example, you may be covered. However, if you damage your surfboard while actively riding it in the water, your policy will generally not cover the repair or replacement costs.

• How do I make a claim if my surfboard is damaged or stolen?

  To make a claim for a damaged or stolen surfboard you typically need to contact your insurer as soon as possible. For damage claims, you should gather evidence such as photos of the damage, receipts for the board or repairs and a written statement. For stolen surfboards, you must report the theft to local police usually within 24 hours of discovery and obtain a police report number. Keep all original receipts for your board as proof of ownership and value.

• Does travel insurance cover me for competitive surfing events?

  Most standard travel insurance policies do not cover participation in professional or paid competitive surfing events. Some policies may offer limited cover for amateur competitions but this often requires an optional add on for adventure sports. Always check your policy wording carefully and declare your planned activities to your insurer to ensure you have appropriate cover.

• Are rental surfboards covered by travel insurance?

  Generally, rental surfboards are not covered under the personal luggage and items section of a standard travel insurance policy. This section typically only covers items you own. If you are concerned about damage to a rental surfboard, you may need to check with the rental company for their own insurance options or consider a specialist sports equipment policy if available.

• How do I declare my surfboard as a high-value item?

  Many insurers allow you to specify individual items of high value, such as an expensive surfboard, for an additional premium. To do this, you usually need to list the item and its value when you purchase your policy. This can increase the amount you are covered for beyond the standard luggage limit. You will generally need to provide proof of purchase for the item if you make a claim.

Written by

Jessica Prasida

Travel Insurance Expert

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Jessica Prasida brings a decade of experience in the travel industry, including over four years as a travel agent and branch manager at STA Travel. She holds a Bachelor of Business and a Master of Marketing from the University of Technology, Sydney, as well as a Tier 1 General Insurance qualification that complies with ASIC guidelines. An avid traveller herself, Jessica combines her professional expertise with a passion for ensuring safe and enjoyable journeys for all travellers. Jessica was a Travel Insurance Publisher at Finder from 2019 to 2024. See full bio

Co-written by

Gary Ross Hunter

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Gary Ross Hunter has over 6 years of expertise writing about insurance, including life, health, home, and car insurance. Having reviewed hundreds of product disclosure statements and published over 800 articles, he loves simplifying complex insurance topics for everyday readers. Gary has contributed to major outlets like Yahoo Finance, The Sydney Morning Herald, and news.com.au, and holds a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in English Literature from the University of Glasgow, along with a Tier 2 General Advice certification, ensuring his work adheres to ASIC’s RG146 standards. See full bio

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