Winnipeg Insurance Brokers Ltd. Unit 106-2565 Portage Avenue, Winnipeg, MB R3J 0P4
Updated: February 11, 2022
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You take big risks, go all out, and play hard. Now all you need is insurance that can live up to your lifestyle! This guide to extreme sports insurance is the inside scoop every Manitoban needs before they go off-roading, bungee jumping, scuba diving, or ziplining this season.
Standard or basic sports are any sport activities you might engage in during regular, daily life. They don’t involve particularly high levels of risk. Things like getting a few friends together to play hockey, joining a soccer team, or playing football all count.
An extreme sport is any sport that involves a certain amount of inherent risk, or a particularly high rate of injury. They usually involve speed, specialized equipment, stunts, or physical contact. And, as long as they’re done safely, they’re really fun!
If you plan on travelling to participate in an extreme sport, be warned that because they’re considered extreme, these sports are not covered by standard travel insurance. (But if you’re playing in Manitoba, you’ll likely be covered by your Manitoba Health Plan.)
Extreme summer sports are played when the weather is warmer, the days are longer, and all you need to wear is a t-shirt, shorts, sunscreen, and the proper protective gear.
Think extreme activities and sports like:
Winter sports typically rely on snow, ice, and those bitter-cold, negative temperatures that true Manitobans fully embrace!
They’re extreme activities and sports like:
Most insurance companies offer enhanced Extreme Sports, Adventure Sports, and Sport and Activities Coverages as an optional travel insurance add-on. With this specialized coverage in place, you can rest easy knowing that your insurance company will pay any reasonable and customary charges for medical-related expenses (up to the maximum coverage limit).
This can include a critical, sudden, or unexpected emergency medical condition or injury that happens while you are participating in, or training or practicing for, the sport or activity you’re covered for.
It’s important to remember there may be specific clauses that apply in order for your coverage to be valid. Some details that could affect your coverage include:
Because extreme and adventure sports are not always covered by standard health, life, and travel insurance, if they’re part of your life—while you’re at home or on vacation—you’ll want to look into insurance extension options that you can add-on to a more basic plan.
What specifically is covered in your extreme sports insurance plan will vary by insurance company, but many will offer Adventure Sports Insurance, Extreme Sports Insurance, and Sports and Activities coverage as add-ons.
Related: A Complete Guide to Winter Sports & Ski Holiday Insurance
You may be an extreme risk taker when it comes to your activities, but we recommend you play it safe when it comes to your coverage.
If you’re in your 20s or 30s and are just starting to think about insurance beyond what you may have gotten from work/ your province, we recommend downloading our free Guide To Insurance For Manitobans in their 20s and 30s. In this simple, easy-to-read guide, we break down all the insurance policies that we recommend you take advantage of while your young and healthy.
Just like you wouldn’t jump on your bike without your helmet, don’t jump into life without the proper coverage.
Adventure Sports and Extreme Sports Insurance options always cover a predetermined list of high-risk activities and sports, but each insurer will have its own list, so it will be important that you specifically ask if your favourite sports are covered by the insurers you speak to. That said, here are some examples of extreme sports insurance options and the sports they cover!
Adventure Sports Insurance gives you coverage to the policy limit for sports like:
This plan will cover you for up to $500,000 for the following extreme sports:
This plan will cover any “reasonable and customary expenses” for medical and related expenses up to your coverage limits for an emergency, sports-related medical condition. (As long as the sport is included on their list of covered activities!)
Activities that are typically included are:
Just know that the charges they pay for must be the result of an emergency that happens after your coverage begins—not an existing or chronic condition—and must happen outside of your home province or country.
Not all extreme sports insurance options are the same. Sometimes one insurance company covers your sport, while another does not! And, sometimes the right coverage depends on where you’ll be playing your sport. Before you buy a policy, explain your specific extreme sport plans and circumstances to an Insurance Consultant, so they can make sure you have the exact coverage you need.
The right extreme sports coverage within Canada all depends on what kind of insurance protection you have, and what you’re looking to protect. Typically, when accidents happen in Canada and you require medical attention, you’ll be covered under the Manitoba Health Plan. If you have employee benefits through work or your own individual health plan, you’re also likely to get enhanced coverage. Just keep in mind that there may be exclusions in these policies that would negate coverage in these instances. It’s best to always look into all the insurance coverage you have in place before you play, so you can fill any gaps.
If you have a group plan with your employer or an individual health plan, you’ll likely have coverage for out-of-country travel, but remember that there will likely be exclusions if you’re traveling to play extreme sports! Again, it’s best to look into your coverage in-detail before going. And, since there will likely be gaps, we highly recommend purchasing an extreme sports travel insurance policy that goes over-and-above your baseline health plan coverage. This way, you’ll have options to add coverage for activities that would normally be excluded under a group policy.
To find the coverage that’s right for you and the extreme sports you love to play, talk to our expert Insurance Consultants. We’re licensed to sell insurance and because we represent you (not the insurance companies), we’ll make sure you get the advice and protection you really need.
In most scenarios, basic travel medical insurance reimburses you for any covered financial losses after you file a claim and that claim is approved. In other words, if you get hurt or sick while traveling, you pay for any medical bills upfront, file a claim when you get back, and then your insurer pays you back. (As long as your claim is allowed!)
Note: To file a claim, you’ll need to submit proof of your loss, so be sure you keep all necessary paperwork and evidence related to your accident.
If you have travel insurance and your sport or activity is not listed as an exclusion on your policy, you’ll be covered under the Emergency Medical Insurance plan. However, if your sport is listed as an exclusion, then it’s considered an extreme sport and won’t be covered. In that case, you’ll need to purchase additional coverage to enhance your emergency medical plan.
It depends on your credit card provider, as every company is different, but it’s very likely that extreme sports will be excluded from your credit card company’s policy. Contact your provider to learn which sport activities are covered and the limit of coverage you have access to.
Adventure sports are only covered by travel insurance when you purchase optional coverage that gets added-on to your emergency medical plan.
If you’re injured outside of Canada and you don’t have specific extreme or adventure sport insurance in place, you would have to cover any medical fees and expenses you incur out of your pocket. This means paying for everything from hospitalization to medication to ambulance transportation to treatment fees, which can get very expensive, very fast.
If you’re coaching or teaching any extreme sports or activities but aren’t actually participating in them, you don’t need to purchase additional insurance. Your standard travel insurance will be sufficient.
As insurance brokers, we work with a variety of different insurance companies that each offer unique adventure and extreme sports insurance options. To secure the best one for you, get in touch with us. We’ll assign an Insurance Consultant to review your unique needs, and match you up with the best protection for your situation!
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We love it here, too.
We are committed to the communities where we live and work, and we demonstrate our commitment by taking part in sponsorship and volunteer programs.
Winnipeg Insurance Brokers Ltd. Unit 106-2565 Portage Avenue, Winnipeg, MB R3J 0P4