In this article, we will discuss insurance for high-risk sports.
How to properly insure yourself when participating in extreme sports?
Activities considered dangerous are not covered by your “standard” insurance policies. Before engaging in a high-risk sport, it is therefore important to take out additional insurance. Some sports considered “risky” require specific coverage…
For a practitioner of extreme sports, even a professional or expert in the field, the risk of accident remains very high as the conditions of practice are still dangerous, so much so that the insurance companies rarely cover these enthusiasts.
Which sports are affected?
Sports considered risky are those for which the likelihood of having an accident is higher.
Of course, not all sports are considered extreme even with intensive, or even professional, practice. They can vary from one company to another. Below are some sports commonly referred to as extreme:
Water-based extreme sports:
Canyoning, rafting, kayaking, hydrospeed, etc.
Caving and underground diving.
Equestrian sports:
Eventing, cross-country, horse races, endurance riding, equestrian marathon, rodeo
Automotive or motorcycle sports:
Formula 1, 3 or 3000, rallies, hill climbs, circuit races, stock-car, ice racing, drag racing, hot Rod, raid, speedway, speed trials, endurance, snowmobiling in competition, go-karting in competition
Mountain sports:
Mountaineering, high-altitude hiking (+3,000 m), level > 5 climbing, trekking, bobsleigh, skeleton, off-piste skiing/surfing, bike-ski, ice luge
Nautical sports:
Deep free diving over 20 m, scuba diving over 40 m, navigation beyond 20 nautical miles from the coast, powerboat racing, offshore racing, catamaran, sailing (long crossings)
Combat sports:
American boxing, English boxing, French boxing, Burmese boxing, Thai boxing (kickboxing), full contact
Aerial sports:
Aviation, hang gliding, helicopter, hot air ballooning with competitions, parachuting, paragliding, gliding, UL, sailplane, aerobatics and other aeronautical sports
Competitive mountain biking.
Other more traditional sports can also be considered extreme when the risks are significantly increased, such as skiing off-piste or on steep, unprotected slopes.
How to properly insure yourself?
It is possible to insure yourself against bodily injuries.
Regarding physical injuries you may suffer as a result of an accident, insurance is optional, even though sports clubs are obliged to inform their members of the benefits of subscribing to this type of coverage.
If you practice a recreational sport outside of a club, you can cover bodily injuries through an extension of your multi-risk home insurance policy or with a specific policy (individual accident).
The first verifications to make before signing a new contract
If you engage in a high-risk sport, it is essential to:
Check your insurance contract (supplementary health, Life Accident coverage…), to review any exclusions. In most cases, your AV or your insurance plan excludes almost all high-risk sports. If you’re unsure about your conclusions, contact your insurer. You may need to take out specialized sports coverage for high-risk activities.
Always declare participation in a high-risk sport to your insurer from the moment you join or start practicing this sport. You may be offered an endorsement to your policy to cover these specific risks.
Be careful: if you “forget” to declare your passion for a high-risk sport to your insurer, any claim resulting from its practice will not be covered.
What does an extreme sports insurance cover?
To cover the risks associated with extreme sports, practitioners are advised to subscribe to a policy with appropriate coverage levels. Three coverages seem essential for high-risk sports practitioners:
Liability insurance: this coverage protects the insured against bodily injury and property damage that could be caused to third parties during extreme sports activities.
Death: this coverage provides for the payment of a capital to the beneficiaries in the event of the athlete’s death.
Disability: this coverage provides for the payment of a capital in the event of bodily injuries leading to partial or total disability of the insured.
Additional coverages can be included in the policy to protect the insured during their travel to practice locations or if equipment is damaged or stolen.
The more coverages included, the higher the insurance premium will be. Some policies also include repatriation in the event of an accident abroad.
Moreover, before subscribing to an extreme sports insurance, athletes should carefully review the exclusion clauses, which can be numerous, and the levels of compensation in case of death or disability.
You now understand how high-risk sports insurance works.
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