Surfing Travel Insurance

Is surfing covered by travel insurance?

Fast Cover provides cover for surfing up to two nautical miles off any land mass.

However, not all travel insurance companies provide the same cover or include the same activities. You can find out if surfing is covered in a policy by reading the company’s Product Disclosure Statement (PDS).

Why do I need travel insurance for surfing?

Surfing, while exhilarating and fun, is not an entirely risk-free activity, regardless of how experienced a surfer is. Even travellers who take necessary precautions and act responsibly can experience an emergency in the waves. That’s why it’s important to find a policy that provides cover for surfing in case something goes wrong.

If you experience an injury related to surfing while travelling, surf travel insurance can help you with Emergency Assistance and the unexpected expenses such as hospital bills and the cost of medical consultations. Surf travel insurance can also provide assistance such as:

• Organising your transfer to another hospital.
• Organising your medical evacuation back to Australia with a medical escort
• Finding a translator.
• Informing your relatives and workplace about what has occurred.
• Providing guidance during an emergency to better ensure your safety and that you have what you need to make a travel insurance claim.

Have a pre-existing medical condition? Check out Fast Cover's Medical Conditions page for more information about medical screening for your existing medical and pregnancy conditions including information about the General Exclusions that may apply*.

Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) has documented case studies on their website highlighting why travel insurance is essential for travelling.

Does surf travel insurance cover emergency evacuations from remote beaches?

If you are seriously injured while surfing, you may require an emergency evacuation to the nearest hospital by transport such as:

You may also require repatriation, or an emergency flight back home to Australia for medical care.

Look for a surf travel insurance policy that includes cover for repatriation so that you have the confidence of knowing, should you need emergency transport, you’ll have an emergency assistance provider who can arrange it and you’ll have cover for the costs.

Does travel insurance cover my surfing equipment & gear getting damaged, lost or stolen?

There can be nothing worse than taking your valuables overseas and having them lost, stolen or damaged. The best way to avoid this happening is to leave any valuables you can do without at home. You may want to consider if you really need to take your laptop, tablet, phone, camera and Go Pro, or will your phone suffice for the trip?

Surf travel insurance can provide cover for your luggage, including surfboards and a whole range of other items you may be taking on your surf trip.

The amount of cover you’ll be provided with can vary between insurers. Remember to check which items are included and the sub-limits and exclusions that apply for specific items so that your belongings will be covered if something goes missing or become damaged while you’re travelling.

Remember, surf travel insurance may not automatically provide cover for damage to surfboards while in transit – that may be the responsibility of the airline.

What else can surfing travel insurance provide cover for?

Surf travel insurance may be able to provide cover for a range of unexpected emergencies or situations which aren’t just limited to being in the water.

Other benefits of surfing travel insurance policies:

• Accidental death
• Permanent disability
• Loss of income
• Lost, stolen or damaged travel documents, including your passport
• Theft of cash
• Travel delays
• Special event transport expenses
• Personal liability
• Rental vehicle insurance excess

All travel insurance providers and policy types will have different benefits and exclusions. Check the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) to understand what you are and aren't covered for.

What exclusions to surf travel insurance should I be aware of?

There may be a few exclusions in your surf travel insurance policy. These are important to be aware of so you know when your policy may not provide you with cover.

For example, you may not be covered for surfing if:

• You make a claim for an injury that was a existing medical condition at the time you purchased your policy, and it wasn't approved and for cover and listed as a covered medical condition on your certificate of insurance because you did not complete the medical screening for the pre-existing medical condition. For example, if you have a shoulder or leg injury that is exacerbated by falling off your surfboard or getting dumped by a wave.
• You make a claim for a new medical condition that you developed after you bought your policy and before your trip departure date, but you did not complete a medical screening for the new medical condition.
• You were acting irresponsibly at the time you become injured surfing, such as if you had taken illicit drugs or consumed an excessive amount of alcohol.
• You are subject to an age restriction on activities (including surfing) or the policy in general.

There are often general exclusions that apply to surfing travel insurance policies, so before you choose your policy, be sure to read the product disclosure statement in detail and the exclusions that would apply to you if you purchase the policy.