Standard insurance vs adventure add-ons
Standard travel insurance typically covers medical emergencies, hospitalisation, personal liability, trip disruptions, and baggage loss. However, such plans often exclude high-risk adventure activities.
“Travel insurance provides financial protection, particularly in high-cost destinations like the US and Europe, but for adventure activities, specialised add-on coverages are essential,” said Vivek Chaturvedi, CMO & Head of Direct Sales, Digit Insurance.
Digit Insurance, for instance, offers an Adventure Activity add-on under its Double Secure and Double Secure Plus plans.
This coverage includes hospitalisation or outpatient treatment resulting from activities like skydiving, scuba diving, skiing, and paragliding.
Chaturvedi cites a case where a customer fractured their neck in an ATV accident in Bali, leading to a claim of ₹11 lakh.
Understanding risk, premiums, and exclusions
Adventure insurance premiums are generally modest compared to the coverage offered.
For example, a 35-year-old opting for Digit’s Double Secure travel plan with adventure coverage for a $100,000 sum insured pays around ₹830.
However, there are important conditions to note:
- Policies may not cover activities if the trip’s primary purpose is the adventure activity or if undertaken professionally.
- Height, depth, or difficulty limits may apply, such as trekking above 4,000 meters or high diving beyond 5 meters.
- Common exclusions include complications from pre-existing medical conditions and sub-limits on surgery, room rent, or ambulance costs.
- To avoid claim rejection, travellers must verify that the plan explicitly includes coverage for their intended activities and adhere to all stated policy conditions.
“Read the policy carefully to understand all inclusions, exclusions, and sub-limits. This ensures that claims are processed and settled efficiently,” Chaturvedi emphasised.
In an earlier conversation with CNBC-TV18, Priya Deshmukh, Head of Health Products, ICICI Lombard said, “These policies extend coverage for activities like paragliding, scuba diving, skydiving, rock climbing, and even extreme pursuits such as heli-skiing or motorcycle racing.”
A look at some of the policies available for adventure sports
| Insurance provider | Plan name | Plan highlights |
| Digit Insurance | Happy Traveller – Double Secure | 1. Adventure sports covered |
| 2. Personal accident covered | ||
| 3. Outpatient expenses for injuries | ||
| Reliance General | Reliance Travel Care Individual | 1. PED cover (emergency due to mentioned PED) |
| 2. Adventure sports covered | ||
| 3. Daily allowance in case of hospitalization | ||
| Care Travel Insurance | Care Explore Gold | 1. Life-threatening condition due to PED |
| 2. Home burglary insurance | ||
| 3. Adventure sport cover (Add-on for ₹320) | ||
| Star Health Insurance | Star Domestic Travel Insurance Policy – Platinum | 1. Adventure sports death, PTD and repatriation of mortal remains |
| 2. Emergency hospitalisation expenses | ||
| 3. Flight/rail delay and cancellation |
Safety measures in hospitality
Safety is not just an insurance issue. Indian resorts offering adventure experiences are also strengthening guest protection.
Pawan Chahar, General Manager, Jim Corbett Marriott Resort & Spa, explained, “Guest safety must be integrated into every adventure. For jungle safaris and nature walks, trained naturalists accompany groups, vehicles carry medical emergency kits, and guests receive thorough safety briefings.”
The resort also uses predictive preparedness measures such as terrain mapping, weather monitoring, and emergency communication grids. These steps ensure that guests can enjoy adventure activities with structured safety support.
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