Compare Surf Travel Insurance Plans & Prices

Should You Buy Travel Insurance for A Surfing Trip?

Yes, you should buy surf travel insurance to protect your surfing vacation. Whether you're hitting classic surf spots in Hawaii, catching some huge waves in Nazaré, Portugal, or practicing your surf technique closer to home, this type of coverage can provide the protection you need for emergencies.

But, surfing travel insurance is for more than emergency medical expenses — it can cover your whole trip, including your travel arrangements, accommodations, and expenses you incur if you’re delayed reaching your destination.

When does it make sense to buy surf travel insurance? Situations where this coverage can pay off include:

• Reef cuts and lacerations
• Board collision injuries
• Dislocated shoulders
• Surfer's ear
• Staph infections
• Shark bites
• Equipment loss or theft
• Medical evacuation

How Much Does Surf Travel Insurance Cost?

Comprehensive travel insurance for surfing costs $27 per day on average.

These policies offer coverage for the most common disruptions that may impact your surfing trip, including trip cancellations, medical emergencies or evacuations, travel delays, and lost or delayed surf gear.

This is based on adventure-specific travel insurance sales through Squaremouth in the past 12 months. Adventure plans cost an average of $408, with an average trip length of 15 days.

Like other types of comprehensive travel insurance, the cost of surf insurance is based on several risk factors, such as your age, destination, trip length, and non-refundable travel expenses.

If you are not concerned about canceling your trip and just want medical benefits while you are surfing, you can choose to purchase travel medical insurance instead. These plans are much less expensive, typically costing around $5 per day.

Where To Buy Surf Travel Insurance

You can purchase travel insurance directly from a travel insurance provider, through a travel insurance comparison site, or through a tour operator or surf camp. Each option comes with its share of pros and cons.

Directly From Travel Insurance Providers

If you already researched surf travel insurance and you know which travel insurance companies offer the coverages you need, you can purchase a plan directly from the provider. This option can help you get protection for whatever your surf trip entails, whether you plan to catch some saves close to home or explore the swells in remote surf spots like Uluwatu, Bali or the Outer Atolls in the Maldives.

Travel Insurance Comparison Sites

While you can purchase travel insurance directly from a company that sells it, browsing policies on a comparison site like Squaremouth can help you get a better deal. Squaremouth lets you compare multiple surf travel insurance policies in one place, not only for price, but also for included coverages and benefit amounts. This is the most efficient and cost-effective way to find the coverage you need for your surf trip.

Through Your Tour Operator or Surf Camp

Some surf tour operators and camps offer travel insurance coverage that you can purchase upon booking your trip. However, they may only offer one or two plans to choose from, and they may not come with the robust policy limits you're looking for.

Is Travel Insurance Worth It For Surf Trips?

Travel insurance is worth it for every type of vacation, but it's especially crucial for surf expeditions and other types of adventure travel. The sensation of gliding across the water may give you the adrenaline rush of a lifetime, but it also puts you at a higher risk for injuries than if you were on a regular sightseeing trip.

As you plan your next getaway, look for surfing travel insurance that includes high limits for medical emergencies and medical evacuation at the very least. Additional coverage for search and rescue, your expensive surfing gear, and trip cancellations and interruptions can provide even more protection and peace of mind.