Travel Insurance for Surfers

Surfing is one of those activities in which the picture-perfect backdrop of nature actively participates in the experience as much as you do; it’s no wonder why so many people are drawn to the sport. But as easy as some people make it look, surfing is not without its risks. Whether you’re a keen amateur, a seasoned pro, or someone who’s getting up on a board for the first time, you may not be able to avoid the inevitable wipeout from time to time, but you can certainly avoid high medical bills sustained from injuries, with the help of travel insurance.

What kind of travel insurance do I need for my surfing trip?

Like snowboarding, mountain biking or any other outdoor sport that makes you vulnerable to the elements (such as the open ocean), surfing makes Emergency Medical Insurance an essential purchase for water-bound travellers. From one moment to the next, your sense of thrill can turn into one of danger with a wrong maneuver or a drastic change of weather, putting you at risk for serious injuries. Regardless of which coast in the world you find yourself surfing, seeking hospitalization or treatment for medical emergencies can be costly.

Surfboards, wetsuits and accessories don’t come cheap, so we also recommend securing your gear with optional Baggage Insurance, in the event that they get lost, damaged, destroyed, stolen or simply delayed in transit to your destination, as long as surfing is not your profession or occupation. Need to cancel your surfing plans before you leave for your trip? Or maybe you’re already at the beach destination and your vacation gets interrupted—Trip Cancellation & Trip Interruption Insurance will cover you for non-refundable costs.

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What if I don’t just plan to surf?

Although surfing for recreation or competitions (and activities such as snorkelling or jet skiing) are already covered under TuGo’s Emergency Medical plan, you might be planning on doing more extreme activities under the water instead of on it, such as scuba diving over 40 meters or free diving over 40 metres. That’s when more daring individuals will need to consider Sports & Activities Optional Coverage.

Surfin’ Canada

You don’t always have to travel to faraway exotic places like Hawaii, South Africa, Australia, Costa Rica or Indonesia to chase the best breaks. Beach boys and girls can ride the waves right here in Canada, in surf towns found in BC, Nova Scotia and around the Great Lakes. Don’t forget, even with a provincial health plan, you’ll still need travel insurance within Canada to properly protect yourself when travelling.

While cocktails or a few ice cold beers can perfectly complement your day at the beach, alcohol and travel insurance don’t mix quite as well. Read up on how your claim can be denied due to alcohol-related illnesses or injuries sustained while surfing or doing other activities on your trip.

Happy surfing,

Justin