Common holiday activities could actually invalidate your travel insurance – meaning you’re risking some hefty fees if something does go wrong during your trip
Brits are being warned to think twice before trying their hand at a host of holiday activities – or they could risk bills of over £80,000, travel insurance experts have warned.
Mirror Switch and Save has teamed up with experts at Quotezone.co.uk to help you compare travel insurance policies, while urging holidaymakers to think carefully about the cover they might need. That’s because some popular activities could actually invalidate your policy according to Quotezone research.
The likes of scuba diving, quad biking and jet-skiing are all popular abroad especially for thrill-seekers who want to make the most of watersports centres or want to try a new adventure, but most holidaymakers don’t realise that you need to get the right cover or you could end up invalidating your own insurance.
Even worse is some Brits won’t take out insurance at all – and they could be risking some huge costs if they get injured.
Check out seven holiday activities that can invalidate your travel insurance below…
1. Scuba diving
Standard travel insurance might include scuba diving, but this is often only limited to a certain depth, and you may need to provide proof of certification. Diving without a qualified instructor or diving alone could void your cover if you have an accident.
2. Jet-skiing
Most basic policies don’t include jet-skiing, so you’ll need to purchase a specialised insurance policy that does include it if you plan on trying it during your next holiday.
3. Banana boats
Whilst most standard travel insurance policies do include banana boats under general water sports, it’s important to do so safely. Not wearing a life jacket, being under the influence of alcohol, or going on a boat that isn’t run by a licensed operator could all result in a rejected claim should you get injured.
4. Quad biking
Most standard insurance policies will not cover quad biking, so you will need to ensure you take out adequate cover. Failure to do so can be costly. For example, a quad bike accident in Greece, where you need surgery and medical evacuation/repatriation, could carry costs that exceed £80,000 if you aren’t correctly insured, according to the UK government.
5. Scooters or motorbikes
Very common in places like Thailand, Bali or Vietnam, but if
Hiring a scooter or motorbike itself won’t invalidate your insurance, but you need to make sure you’re staying safe. If you don’t have the right licence or you’re not wearing a helmet, any claims for an accident could be rejected. Many policies also won’t cover motorbikes over a certain engine size unless you have a full motorcycle licence.
6. Go karting
Many travel insurance policies generally won’t cover go karting as standard, with many excluding high-risk activities like motorsports. If you do take part in go karting, always make sure you follow safety precautions such as wearing a helmet or any injury claims could be rejected by your provider.
7. Organised sport events
If you’re heading abroad to take part in a race – for example a marathon – or a ‘fitness break’, you may want to check the terms of your documents. Most standard travel insurance policies exclude claims arising from participation in organised sports events such as marathons, which are considered high-risk activities due to the physical strain and injury risk. It’s worth checking if you need to add specialist cover to your policy before heading abroad.
Looking for travel insurance? Mirror Switch and Save has partnered with Quotezone.co.uk to help you compare a wide range of travel insurance quotes, from trusted UK insurance providers.
Reach Publishing Services Ltd. is an Introducer Appointed Representative of Seopa Ltd. who are regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, FRN: 313860. Seopa Ltd. own and operate the insurance comparison service. Mirror Switch & Save earns a commission for each policy purchased, at no cost to you. We do not provide financial advice.