CHOOSE YOUR ADVENTURE
By Jason Jourdan
It may come as a shock to learn adventure travel comes with risk or rather risks! Adventure is a good thing. The enterprises people choose, and their reasoning, say a lot about them. After all, adventure separates the wheat from the chafe of daily life.
Since the pandemic, the quest for authentic experiences has given a boost to the adventure tourism industry. Many travel insurance companies offer coverage for adventurous activities often excluded by standard policies. They cater to adrenaline fiends with insurance coverage for recreations the insurance industry defines as ‘hazardous.’ These activities include, but are not limited to, diving with sharks, seaplanes, BASE jumping in a wingsuit, skydiving, or cheese chasing races.
The question for vacation heroes is, “what’s covered/not covered?” Not having adequate policy coverage is the bon vivant’s equivalent of “hold my beer.”
However, there are aspects of adrenaline-fueled tourism with lower death/dismemberment statistics. The Broke Backpacker suggests the following activities fall along the safer side of hazardous activities:
- Trekking/hiking/orienteering
- Camping
- Kayaking/rafting/canoeing
- Fishing
- Horseback Riding
- Hunting
- Safaris/wildlife watching
- Bungee jumping
- Skiing/snowboard
- Surfing
- Diving/snorkeling
- Mountain biking
- Zorbing (it’s a thing, look it up)
As safe as these behaviors sound, things can and often do go wrong, especially when traveling to some of the most exotic places in the world. Locations can be remote and miles away from civilization. Then there’s the weather, venomous creatures, and exotic diseases like malaria, fevers, meningitis, COVID-19, and don’t forget parasites. Finally, for added fun, some corners of the globe carry the threat of terrorism and kidnapping!
Thrill-seekers bound for popular adventure destinations like Pakistan, New Zealand, Scandinavia, Antarctica, Nepal, or Canada should be sure to include travel insurance on their packing checklist.
Would-be Lara Crofts are wise not to purchase the first travel insurance policy they find online. Before zipping up their bags, backpacks, and suitcases, adventurers will want to seek out trusted names and advisors for the best coverage to address their travel concerns. Most policies, depending on the levels of intended risky activity, are surprisingly affordable. It’s like the adage for purchasing a motorcycle helmet, will it be protecting a bargain-priced head or something worth a lot more?
Here are five things to know when shopping for travel insurance:
Does the adventure require specialty insurance?
Is medical evacuation covered?
What about other medical expenses?
Is there coverage for expensive gear?
Are there policy exclusions?
Even the best-planned vacations can take an expected turn, let alone a trip that includes leaping out of an airplane! Sensory overload-based travel carries specific concerns relating to selecting travel insurance, and adventurers need to know what’s covered and what’s not!
Those planning a memorable excursion can take comfort in knowing Point Comfort® offers policies designed to cover a variety of contingencies:
- COVID-19 Medical Expense Coverage up to the Policy Maximum
- Emergency Medical Evacuation and Repatriation
- Emergency Medical Reunion
- Return of Minor Child
- Emergency Traveler Assistance
An insurance policy won’t mitigate every risk associated with adventurous activities. But, it will provide a healthy dose of peace of mind. Discover your point of comfort with the benefits of Point Comfort® international travel medical insurance.
Get the most from adventure tourism with coverage that’s simple, fast, and secure!
CLICK HERE for your FREE quote.
