Travel insurance for water sports

What would a beach holiday be without water sports? Pretty boring, that’s what.

From fishing, snorkelling and scuba diving to jet skiing and parasailing, there are plenty of aquatic activities to be enjoyed on your holiday by the water.

Luckily, travel insurance can cover them all! Here's everything you need to know to get it sorted.

Does travel insurance cover water sports?

Yep, it does. From swimming to scuba diving, you can get travel insurance cover for an extensive range of water-based activities.

What water sports are covered by travel insurance?

The cover available varies depending on what type of water sport you’re talking about. Recreational water sports, like snorkelling or kayaking for example, are usually automatically covered by most policies.

But if you plan on making a splash in a sport that’s slightly more extreme, such as scuba diving or white water rafting, your insurer may only cover you under specific circumstances.

Depending on the insurer you choose, cover for your chosen sport may only be available if you buy an optional adventure sports pack or a special sports travel insurance policy, so read the product disclosure statement (PDS) closely to find out how to get the protection you need.

For example, if you’re planning on exploring a beautiful coral reef on a scuba diving expedition, your insurer may only cover you if you either hold an open water diving licence (entry-level full diver certification), or you dive under the supervision of a licensed instructor. In many cases, you also must not dive deeper than a specified depth, such as 10 or 30 metres. Our guide to scuba diving travel insurance can take you through the ins and outs of finding cover.

What expenses does water sports travel insurance cover?

How can travel insurance help if something goes wrong while you’re participating in a water sport overseas? It can cover:

• Overseas medical expenses. If you’re accidentally injured during your trip, travel insurance can cover everything from emergency ambulance transportation to surgical fees and hospital accommodation. So if you wipeout while surfing and get cut up by a coral reef, or if you break a leg in a freak water skiing accident, your insurer can cover your medical bills.
• Medical evacuation and repatriation. If the treating doctor overseas recommends that the best course of action is for you to be repatriated to Australia, your policy can cover the cost of this process. Cover is also available if you’re injured or fall ill on a remote island and need to be evacuated to the nearest appropriate medical facility.
• Loss, theft or damage. Travel insurance covers the cost of loss, theft or damage to your luggage and personal belongings. However, most insurers won’t cover your sporting equipment while it is in use.
• Accidental death. Many comprehensive policies provide a lump sum accidental death benefit to your loved ones if you die as a result of an accidental injury suffered during your trip.
• Total permanent disability. Many of these same policies also include a lump sum benefit if you become totally and permanently disabled as a result of an accidental injury suffered during your trip.
• Personal liability. If you’re legally liable for compensation after accidentally causing an injury to someone else or damaging their property, your insurance includes personal liability cover.

How to find water sports travel insurance

If you’re looking for water sports travel insurance, consider the following factors when choosing a policy:

• What water sports do you need cover for? What water sports do you think you will participate in during your trip? To find this out, you may need to do a little research and find out what options are available at your destination.
• How does each insurer cover those sports? Remember that some sports are always covered, some sports are only covered in specific circumstances, and other sports will only be covered if you pay an additional premium to purchase adventure sports cover. Professional sports and super-risky adventure activities will be excluded from cover altogether.
• What else does the policy cover? Remember that travel insurance provides a wide range of benefits that can cover you during the rest of your trip, not just when you’re doing water sports, so check what else is covered. For example, does the policy cover stolen luggage, rental car insurance excess and theft of cash?
• What’s not covered? Take a closer look at the list of general exclusions to find out when the policy will not provide any cover.
• Are there any limits? In the table of benefits, check the limits and sub-limits that apply to each benefit. For example, while one insurer may offer unlimited cover for overseas medical expenses, another might impose a cap on the maximum benefit payable.
• Who underwrites the policy? Rather than focusing on the insurance brand that sells the policy, read the fine print to find out who actually underwrites the policy. Choose a policy underwritten by a trusted provider with a good reputation for quickly paying claims.
• How much does it cost? Enter your trip details and get a travel insurance quote. This is quick and easy to do using the travel insurance quote engine at the top of this page.
• How does it compare? Don’t just choose the first policy you find; compare several policies that cover your chosen water sports to see which one is the right choice for your trip.

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Make sure you read the product disclosure statement before buying a policy to know which water activities you're covered for.

Frequently asked questions about water sports travel insurance

• Is there an age limit for water sports insurance cover?

  Generally travel insurance policies may not impose specific age limits on water sports activities as long as they are covered by your policy. However some high-risk activities or those requiring an optional add-on may have age restrictions or require parental consent for minors. Always check your policy's product disclosure statement for any age related exclusions or conditions.

• Am I covered if I am participating in a water sport professionally or competitively?

  Most standard travel insurance policies are designed for recreational travellers. They typically exclude cover for participation in professional or competitive sports including water sports. If you are travelling for professional competition or training you may need to seek specialised sports insurance.

• Does travel insurance cover damage to rental water sports equipment?

  Standard travel insurance policies generally do not cover damage to sporting equipment including rental gear while it is in use. Some specialised sports travel insurance policies or optional extensions may offer cover for damage to rental equipment or provide a benefit for equipment hire. It is best to check the rental agreement terms and your policy details carefully.

• What do I need to do if I have an accident while participating in a water sport?

  In the event of an accident seek immediate medical attention. Contact your insurer's emergency assistance team as soon as possible to advise them of the incident and follow their instructions. Keep all medical reports receipts and police reports if applicable as these will be required when you make a claim.

• Will a pre-existing medical condition affect my water sports travel insurance cover?

  Yes a pre-existing medical condition can affect your cover for water sports related incidents. You must declare all pre-existing medical conditions when you purchase your policy. The insurer will assess your condition and may offer cover with an additional premium an exclusion or decline cover for your condition. Always be honest and upfront to ensure your policy is valid.

• Are there specific safety requirements I need to follow for my water sport activity to be covered?

  Many policies include general exclusions if you act recklessly or do not take reasonable precautions. For water sports this often means following all safety instructions given by guides instructors or tour operators using safety equipment provided such as life jackets and complying with local regulations. Failing to do so could invalidate your claim.

• Does domestic travel insurance provide cover for water sports?

  Yes many domestic travel insurance policies offer cover for water sports activities. Similar to international policies recreational activities like swimming and surfing are often included while more adventurous sports might require an optional add-on. Always review the policy's product disclosure statement to confirm the specific activities covered for your domestic trip.

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