Holidaymakers are being cautioned that participating in certain beach activities may invalidate their travel insurance, potentially resulting in costs of up to £80,000. The travel insurance team at Quotezone.co.uk has listed seven holiday activities that could interfere with coverage, many of which are common in popular holiday destinations.
According to a study by Quotezone, 36% of Brits would like to try an activity-filled holiday, while 35% said they cannot relax when just sunbathing, making many tempted to try high-octane activities.
Banana Boat Risks
Banana boats were among the activities flagged by Quotezone. The company stated: "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."
Other Risky Activities
Organised sports events on the beach may also not be covered, as physical strain and injuries from such activities might be excluded. Water sports like scuba diving and jet-skiing can require specialist cover; some policies cover scuba only up to a certain depth and require a qualified instructor. On dry land, hiring a scooter, motorbike, go-karting, or quad biking can be dangerous, especially without a helmet or if local laws are not followed. A quad biking accident in Greece involving surgery and medical repatriation could exceed £80,000 without adequate insurance.
Expert Advice
Helen Rolph, travel insurance expert at Quotezone.co.uk, said: “Many Brits don’t realise that popular holiday activities like jet-skiing or quad biking could leave them thousands of pounds out of pocket if they’re not properly insured.” She added: “Even if coverage is in place, claims can still be rejected if local safety laws are broken, the holidaymakers don’t wear a helmet or are found to be under the influence of alcohol.” Rolph also noted: “When heading abroad, people often think activities like banana boating and go karting, popular with young travellers, stag and hen parties – are included as standard, but this is rarely the case and could leave thrill-seekers at risk.”
