Best Travel Insurance for Kite Surfing

Written by Antonio Cala

Last updated on May 27, 2024

Table of Contents

With its growing popularity, kite surfers face unique challenges and risks that standard travel insurance may not cover. From gear damage and loss to personal injury and unpredictable weather conditions, the right travel insurance is essential for peace of mind. 

In this article, we’ll cut through the jargon and present the best travel insurance options for kite surfers, ensuring you’re covered for every gust of wind and wave, no matter where your kite surfing adventures take you.

For an in-depth analysis of insurance choices tailored for adventure travelers, don’t forget to check out the  Ultimate Guide to Adventure Travel Insurance.

Quick Recommendations

If you want some quick recommendations, here is our infographic to help you choose the best insurance for your next kite surfing trip.

best travel insurance for kite surfing - infographic

Kite Surfing Travel Insurance Overview

Understanding Travel Insurance for Kite Surfing

Kite surfing trip insurance is a specialized form of adventure travel insurance tailored for individuals embarking on kite surfing journeys. Picture an adrenaline-fueled kite surfing adventure, which may span multiple days, organized by a tour operator or undertaken independently, where you harness the wind at diverse coastal spots.

This insurance is essential as it provides coverage for medical emergencies, evacuation, and repatriation, all of which are indispensable for any significant kite surfing trip. Without this insurance, kite surfers could incur steep medical bills in the event of an unforeseen accident.

Furthermore, this insurance covers trip cancellations and disruptions, which could otherwise lead to serious financial losses. It’s imperative to carefully assess the policy to ensure that it covers the specific kite surfing activities you plan to engage in, guaranteeing your safety as you soar above the waves.

What Does It Cover?

The majority of insurance policies for kite surfing typically provide coverage for the following four categories:

Medical Expenses

Sustaining injuries while kite surfing can lead to significant financial consequences. Medical treatment costs can vary widely based on the location, and kite surfing in remote or difficult-to-access areas may incur extra expenses for services such as helicopter evacuation and medical repatriation.

Most kite surfing trip insurance policies offer coverage for emergency medical assistance, often up to a substantial limit. However, it’s important to be aware that the coverage for rescue efforts may have a cap, which could be lower than the coverage for medical treatment expenses. Therefore, it is essential to review the specifics of your policy to comprehend the full range of coverage provided for such events.

Trip Cancellation or Interruption

If an injury necessitates the cancellation or early termination of your kite surfing trip, this insurance enables you to claim compensation for the unused parts of your expedition. The coverage amount for cancellations can vary, typically extending from a modest sum to several thousand dollars.

This aspect of kite surfing trip insurance aims to assist you in recovering some of the expenses from your disrupted plans, offering financial reprieve in the wake of an unexpected injury.

Equipment Coverage

In the regrettable event that your kite surfing equipment is damaged, stolen, or lost, kite surfing trip insurance usually offers coverage that may range from a minor amount to several thousand dollars. Minor wear and tear like small tears or scratches are often not included, but significant damage or theft of your gear could qualify for coverage.

Keep in mind that many insurance policies include a per-item limit, so if you possess high-end kites, boards, harnesses, or other expensive gear, they might not be fully covered even if the policy indicates an equipment coverage limit in the thousands. It’s crucial to review the specifics of your policy to ensure that your most valuable equipment is adequately insured under the terms of your coverage.

What Doesn't Cover?

When evaluating specialized travel insurance for kite surfing trips, it’s important to be aware of the exclusions that could affect your coverage. Possible exclusions might include:

Unattended equipment: If your kite surfing equipment is left unattended and then stolen, your insurance coverage may not apply.

Ignoring travel advisories: If you opt to kite surf in a location against the recommendations of official bodies such as the Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office, your insurance might not provide coverage.

Best Travel Insurance Policies for Kite Surfing

Our Pick For

International Trips + Remote Locations + Any Nationality

Nationalities: all nationalities are covered.

Pre-existing conditions: Yes.

Seniors Over 65: People aged 65-75 are included in the Individual Plan. Extended Plan memberships are available to those age 75-84 and include all services but are contingent upon completion of a medical form and a physician’s medical verification.

Trip Duration: Short term policies (7, 14 or 30-days) and long term policies (1 to 5 years) available.

Groups: Individual, family and student plans available.

Situations covered: It covers civil unrest, natural disasters, government evacuation orders and other security emergencies (when purchasing the Security package).

Reasons To Buy

Remote locations coverage. Coverage available for 65-84. Pre-existing conditions accepted. All nationalities accepted​.

Reasons To Avoid

The price is a bit higher than other insurance policies. However, no other company provides the same coverage as Global Rescue. It doesn’t cover trip cancellations or delays. It doesn’t cover equipment.

Worldwide field rescue (up to $500,000) in remote or dangerous environments. Global Rescue’s deployable teams are standing by to rescue their members from the point of illness or injury for any serious medical emergency.

 

Medical Evacuation. Global Rescue’s fully deployable medical teams have unparalleled capabilities to transport our members back to their home hospital of choice from anywhere in the world. This includes global COVID-19 transport.

 

Medical & Security Advisory Services. Global Rescue’s operations centers are staffed by experienced nurses, paramedics and military special operations veterans. Global Rescue also has partnerships with the Johns Hopkins Emergency Medicine Division of Special Operations, Elite Medical Group and Partners HealthCare, the Harvard Medical School affiliate.

 

Security Membership. Global Rescue’s teams of military special operations veterans are available to provide advisory, consultation and evacuation services for events like natural disasters, terror attacks and civil unrest when you are in danger.

 

Destination Reports & Event Alerts. Destination reports for 215 countries and principalities worldwide include entry requirements, COVID-19 travel status and restrictions, detailed health and security assessments and required immunizations. Keep up to date on health and security events worldwide.

 

My Global Rescue Mobile App. Access Global Rescue services in one location. Browse destination reports and alerts, activate emergency assistance, real-time virtual health visits and keep track of the people you care about with GPS tracking and messaging.

Security Package. Physical extraction when you are in danger of bodily harm. It includes civil unrest, natural disasters, government evacuation orders and other security emergencies.

 

High Altitude Evacuation.. This is for individuals traveling above 15,000 ft (4,600 m) during any part of their trip (excluding airplane travel). It also includes emergency physical transport due to injury or illness.

Global Rescue is the most comprehensive travel protection available worldwide. It has the least restrictions and biggest coverage than any other medical insurance.

It’s a medical-only protection designed for adventure travelers planning to travel internationally or domestically for adventure activities such as kite surfing. All nationalities are covered and options for people over 75 are available.

Global Rescue is our preferred option for kite surfing worldwide, particularly if you plan to go kiting in remote locations.

Our Pick For

Americans + Pre-existing Conditions + Trip Protection

Nationalities: Only US citizens and residents are eligible.

Pre-existing conditions: Pre-existing conditions can be covered for Trip Cancellations and Interruptions, as long as you purchase your plan within 14 days of your initial trip deposit, and are medically able to travel when you purchase your plan.

Seniors Over 65: There is no maximum age limit.

Trip Duration: All plans cover trips up to 180 days.

Groups: Insurance policies for solo travelers, couples and families are available.

Reasons To Buy

The prices are very competitive.

Plans are very customizable with plenty of extras available and the option of removing items you don’t need.

Pre-existing medical conditions accepted.

24/7 chat available with the Faye Mobile App

     

Reasons To Avoid

Only available to American residents.

Emergency Medical Expenses: Up to $250,000. If you experience sudden illness or injury in-trip, including COVID-19. We can cover prescription drugs, hospitalization and physician costs.

 

Emergency Evacuation: Up to $500,000. Coverage of transportation in the case of illness or injury that is acute, severe or life threatening when adequate medical treatment is not available in the immediate area.

 

Trip Cancellation: Up to 100%. If you need to cancel your trip for covered reasons, including if you get sick, contract COVID-19, or a travel provider goes bankrupt. We can cover flights, hotel bookings, tickets & activities, and quarantine accommodation.

 

Trip Interruption: Up to 150%. When you must unexpectedly cut your trip short or extend it for covered reasons, including if you contract COVID-19.

 

Trip Delay: Up to $4,500. Up to $300/day, for delays of more than 6 hours. When you’re stranded in transit due to reasons outside of your control such as flight delay or theft of passport.

 

Lost or damaged Belongings: Up to $2,000. Reimbursement for lost, stolen, or damaged luggage, including clothing, personal items and professional equipment like a phone or laptop.

Cancel for Any Reason: Up to 75% of Trip Cost. The ability to nix your trip for reasons other than those covered in your plan’s trip cancellation coverage, including fear of contracting COVID-19, as long as you purchase this coverage within 14 days of your initial trip deposit and cancel at least 48 hours in advance of your scheduled departure date.

 

Pet Care: Up to $2,500 in veterinary expenses & 
$250 for kenneling. Coverage of veterinary expenses if you take your furry friend along (including pet sickness or injury), or kenneling costs if you arrive back home later than expected.

 

Adventure & Extreme Sports: Up to $250K (international trips) or $50K (domestic trips) for accidental & sickness expenses. Medical and transportation coverage if you become injured while participating in an adventure or extreme sport, like skydiving, bungee jumping, motocross or free diving.

Faye insurance provides American residents one of the biggest medical coverages on the market at a very competitive price. 

There’s no age limit and, with the Adventure & Extreme Sports Protection, you can get coverage for kite-surfing.

We recommend Faye for Americans who want a complete travel protection for their kite-surfing trip, including high medical coverage, trip protection cancellation & interruption, and equipment coverage.

Our Pick For

Non Americans + Budget

Nationalities: Most nationalities can purchase insurance from World Nomads, including residents of the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, India, Australia, or New Zealand. However, as of the current writing, most European residents are unable to buy a World Nomads policy.

Pre-existing conditions: Not covered.

Seniors Over 65: Travelers aged 70 and over are not covered.

Trip Duration: All plans cover trips up to 365 days.

Groups: Insurance policies for solo travelers, couples and families are available.

Reasons To Buy

The price is competitive.

   

Reasons To Avoid

Prices and coverage vary greatly by the country of residence.

Some European nationalities are not covered.

Pre-existing medical conditions not covered

Max age is 70 years old.

Emergency Accident & Sickness Medical Expense: Up to $100,000. Coverage is for medical expenses for emergency treatment of an accidental injury that occurs during the trip. Emergency treatment must be medically necessary and performed during the trip. Refer to the certificate / policy for complete details.

 

Emergency dental treatment: Up to $750. Coverage is for emergency dental treatment for accidental injury to sound, natural teeth. The injury and treatment must occur during the trip.

 

Emergency Evacuation: Up to $500,000. Coverage is for an accidental injury or sickness occurring during the trip that results in your necessary emergency evacuation. An emergency evacuation must be ordered by a physician who certifies that the severity of your accidental injury or sickness warrants your emergency evacuation. Refer to the certificate / policy for complete details.

 

Trip Cancellation: Up to $10,000. Reimburses for prepaid, non-refundable cancellation charges if you must cancel your trip (after the effective date) due to covered sickness, accidental injury, or death of you, a family member or traveling companion; inclement weather, unforeseen natural disaster at home or at your destination, strike or other covered reasons. Refer to the certificate / policy for complete details.

 

Trip Interruption: Up to $10,000. Reimburses for prepaid, non-refundable, unused expenses if you must interrupt your trip (after departure) due to a covered sickness, accidental injury, or death of you, a family member or traveling companion; inclement weather, unforeseen natural disaster at home or at your destination, strike, or other covered reasons. Refer to the certificate / policy for complete details.

 

Trip Delay: Up to $3,000. Coverage is for unused portion of pre-paid accommodation or additional expenses, on a one-time basis, if you are delayed en route to or from the trip for 6 or more hours due to a defined hazard as explained in the certificate / policy.

 

Baggage & Personal Effects: Up to $3,000. Reimbursement is for loss, theft or damage during the trip to baggage and personal effects (including sporting equipment) owned by you, provided you have taken all reasonable measures to protect, save and recover the property. Per article limit of $500.

 

Activities covered based on 4 groups. You pay more for higher group. The Explorer plan includes more activities than the Standard Plan. Extreme activities not covered (cave diving, free soloing, etc)

The World Nomads Explorer Plan is a great option if you’re looking for an affordable travel insurance that covers kite surfing.

We recommend World Nomads Explorers plan for surf trips if you are not American or don’t want the full-protection that Faye provides.

Comparison Table

Company
Plan
Medical Expenses
Emmergency Evacuation
Trip Cancellation
Trip Delays
Equipment Coverage

Travel

$100,000

$500,000

None

None

None

Adv Sports

$250,000

$500,000

100%

150%

$2,000

Explorer

$100,000

$500,000

$10,000

$3,000

$3,000

Conclusion

best travel insurance for kite surfing

When choosing insurance for your kite surfing trip, the remoteness and accessibility of the kite surfing spots you plan to visit are key factors to consider.

For kite surfers venturing into isolated or difficult-to-access areas, Global Rescue stands out as an excellent choice. Its exceptional medical evacuation services set it apart from other insurance options.

If your kite surfing excursion is in more reachable areas and you are a US resident, Faye offers a solid choice. It features extensive medical coverage, accommodates pre-existing conditions, has no age limits, and includes kite surfing within its coverage.

For non-US residents going on kite surfing trips in less remote areas, the Explorer Plan from World Nomads is our recommended pick. It provides substantial medical coverage and is recognized for its value for money in the travel insurance market.

Other Travel Insurance Reviews

Kite Surfing Travel Insurance Reviews Online

When doing your research, you might want to read what other publications have to say about the best travel insurance for kite surfing. 

Here are some of the most popular articles I found interesting. 

Kite Surfing Travel InsuranceBattleface

Kitesurfing insurance: everything you need to knowMargarita Kite School

About the Author

Antonio was born and raised in Southern Spain, and quit his job in 2013 to travel the world full-time with his wife Amanda for 10 years straight. Their passion for adventure took them to visit 150+ countries.

They cycled 25,000km + from California to Patagonia, sailed over 10,000NM around the Caribbean & Sea of Cortez, rode their motorbikes 30,000 kms+ across West Africa (Spain to South Africa) and visited Antarctica, among many other adventure expeditions. Today, they’re still traveling,  currently around the USA with an RV.

Traveling to so many places, remote destinations and by different means taught them a lot about travel insurance, which policies to hold depending on the area and the type of adventure they were doing. Antonio now publishes regular content to help other travelers choose the best travel insurance for adventure trips.

Together, they also run the travel community Summit, the RV site Hitched Up, the boutique accommodation blog Unique Places and the popular newsletter Adventure Fix, where they share their knowledge about the places they’ve visited and the ones still remaining on their list.

Antonio Cala

Co-Founder of Adventure Fix

Best Travel Insurance For Kite Surfing
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