Sports and activity holidays: one travel insurance policy for dual protection
In recent years, long-distance running has become one of Hong Kong’s most popular sports. And no wonder when getting started is so easy, minimal equipment is required and it is an activity generally suitable for all ages. Many enthusiasts even travel abroad to compete in world-famous events such as the New York, Tokyo, Boston, London and Berlin marathons, combining the sporting challenge with the joy of travel. When it comes to overseas trips, most people consider taking out travel insurance. But is there a single travel policy available that covers both overseas sporting activities and general travel arrangements?
Run further with tailored support
When participating in overseas marathons, local weather, jet lag, diet and venue conditions can all take their toll on your performance. If, for example, you sustain an injury or suffer from heatstroke during a race, not only will you incur additional medical expenses, but your subsequent itinerary may also be disrupted, leading to financial loss greater than you might have anticipated.
To mitigate such risks, some insurers have included coverage for marathons and other amateur dangerous sports and activities, such as skiing and scuba diving, within their travel insurance policies. This coverage extends beyond personal accident and overseas medical treatment and hospitalisation expenses to include follow-up treatment within 90 days of returning to Hong Kong, such as physiotherapy, chiropractic care and treatment by registered Chinese medicine practitioners. It also provides trauma counselling and mobility aid allowances, offering comprehensive support to help you get back on track.
For instance, if you are injured during a competition and require medical treatment locally, you will be reimbursed for necessary medical expenses. Furthermore, if your injury results in prolonged hospitalisation, certain travel insurance policies offer a daily cash benefit with a fixed allowance to ease the financial burden during your stay in hospital. Besides, additional travel expenses incurred from a delayed return to Hong Kong for treatment, or losses from prepaid but unused hotel accommodation and activities, such as concert tickets or day tours booked through online travel agencies, are also covered.
It is worth noting that most travel insurance policies only cover sports activities performed at amateur level –that is, without remuneration. Before taking out a policy, it is essential to carefully review the exclusions to ensure you fully understand the coverage provided. In case of an emergency overseas, you may call the insurer’s 24-hour emergency assistance hotline at any time for support, such as for medical referrals and hospital deposit arrangements, ensuring you receive appropriate care while abroad.
Coverage for flight and itinerary delays and changes
During travel, itinerary changes are not uncommon and can often catch you off guard. Should flight delays, overbooking, rerouting or missed connections exceed a specified duration, which is typically 5 hours – and you have taken out appropriate insurance – you are entitled to a fixed sum to cover additional expenses. If a flight is cancelled due to adverse weather conditions in Hong Kong or at the destination, necessitating itinerary changes, related accommodation and transport ticket costs are also covered.
In recent years, some insurers have introduced “cancellation for any reason” cover, enabling policyholders to receive partial reimbursement for prepaid expenses even when cancelling trips for personal reasons, thereby offering greater flexibility in travel planning.
Enhanced coverage for greater peace of mind
Today’s travel insurance extends beyond basic trip delay and medical protection to offer a range of thoughtful add-ons tailored to diverse travel needs. Examples include car rental excess protection specifically designed for driving holidays, newly introduced cruise travel coverage in response to market demand, doorstep luggage repair services, and lounge access passes for flight delays.
What is particularly noteworthy is the “Pet Protection” scheme. If a pet owner is held up in collecting their cat or dog from a licensed boarding facility due to a delayed return to Hong Kong or overseas hospitalisation, they can receive compensation for the additional boarding costs. In addition, should a sudden life-threatening health condition affect the pet that requires the trip to be cancelled or cut short, the associated travel losses are covered.
Whether embarking on a marathon journey to challenge yourself or enjoying a family holiday to savour precious moments together, it is advisable to carefully compare the coverage of different travel insurance products before purchasing. In doing so, you can select the most suitable plan to ensure every trip is enjoyed to the fullest, with peace of mind!
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This Chinese version of this article was published in the Hong Kong Economics Journal
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