What to Know About Travel Insurance for Athletes 

One of the most amazing parts about being an athlete is the competition opportunities that come your way. For varsity teams flying across the border for a tournament or professional athletes heading to a competition abroad, it’s important to know what to be prepared for. With exploration always comes the unknown, so it’s important to have the right travel insurance to protect yourself from whatever comes your way.

Want travel insurance but don’t know where to start? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. Read on to learn about what athletes should look for in a heavy hitter travel insurance plan.

Emergency Medical Insurance

To cover your bases, it’s always a good idea to start with Emergency Medical Insurance. Getting protected in case of unexpected medical emergencies gives you a secure financial safety net to rely on. That way, you’re not stuck with hefty out-of-pocket expenses that you weren’t anticipating. This coverage alone includes coverage for many sports such as skiing, bungee jumping, parasailing, and more.

Sports & Activities Coverage

Sports & Activities Coverage is an add-on that can act as a supplement to your Emergency Medical Insurance plan. It’s a great option for athletes who might need coverage for higher-risk sports that wouldn’t otherwise be covered under Emergency Medical Insurance alone. Here’s what’s covered with TuGo’s optional coverage:

Sport/Activity*	Is it covered?
Backcountry skiing/snowboarding	✅
BASE jumping	✅
Boxing	✅
Downhill freestyle skiing/Snowboarding in organized competitions	✅
Downhill mountain biking	✅
Hang gliding/paragliding	✅
High risk snowmobiling and motorized snow biking	✅
High risk motorized speed activities, including:   – Motorized racing competitions, endurance events or timed activities,    – Motocross, dirt biking, and motorcycling (unless vehicle   is solely being used for transportation purposes)	✅
Ice climbing	✅
Mixed martial arts	✅
Mountaineering – 2 options:   – Mountaineering up to 6,000 m elevation   – Mountaineering over 6,000 m elevation   – Includes ski mountaineering (skimo) and ice climbing if the    activity is part of mountaineering	✅
Organized team sports including**:    – American and Canadian football     – Ice hockey     – Rugby	✅
Parachuting/skydiving/tandem skydiving	✅
Rock climbing (includes canyoneering, but doesn’t include indoor/outdoor artificial rock climbing)	✅
Scuba diving or free diving over 40 metres	✅
White water sports – Class VI	✅
Wingsuit flying	✅

Here’s what’s NOT covered with Sports & Activities Coverage:

Sport/Activity	Is it covered?
Barrel racing	❌
Bronc riding	❌
Bull riding	❌
Chariot racing	❌
Chuck wagon racing	❌
Harness racing	❌
Rodeo bareback riding	❌
Rodeo clowning	❌
Rodeo team roping	❌
Steer wrestling/chute dogging	❌
Trick riding	❌

Good news: If you don’t see your sport listed in either of the above charts, that means it’s already covered under our Emergency Medical Insurance!

TuGo Emotional Assistance

With constant competition and travel, the mental load can be unbearable at times. Thankfully, TuGo also offers TuGo Emotional Assistance, a complementary service for travellers to ensure they get the emotional support they need, wherever they find themselves. Available globally, 24/7, this service can be particularly valuable for athletes experiencing isolation or mental hardship. Sports and competition can certainly put athletes into high pressure situations, so having a resource to help can make all the difference. Simply call the toll-free phone number provided in your policy declaration email, and you’ll be connected with professional support that is strictly confidential.

Whether you’re heading to the Olympics or a high school tournament, we’re in your corner. Get insured so you can focus on your game while TuGo handles the unexpected. On your marks, get set, travel!

Catch you later,

Jacqueline