Experts warn active holiday trend could leave travellers exposed to insurance gaps
The rise in fitness-led travel is prompting renewed scrutiny of how far standard travel insurance policies extend when sport becomes the main purpose of a trip
A growing trend for ‘active holidays’ has raised concerns among travel health and insurance experts, who warn that many travellers may be unknowingly invalidating cover when taking part in sporting activities abroad.
Industry specialists said the rise in running-focused travel, including overseas marathons, triathlons, and destination running events, is driving a shift in how people structure their holidays – but also increasing the risk of insurance misunderstandings at the point of claim.
The trend has seen more travellers plan trips around sporting events, with major international races continuing to attract large global participation.
At the same time, wider ‘active travel’ experiences such as training-focused breaks and fitness-led tourism are becoming more mainstream, supported by growing consumer interest in wellness and performance-based travel.
This includes winter sports travellers, many of whom may be unaware of whether they are suitably covered for winter sports such as skiing.
However, experts caution that many standard travel insurance policies may not automatically provide cover for organised sporting activities, particularly where participation forms a central part of the trip.
Sarah Findlay, a travel insurance specialist at Total Travel Protection, said travellers often underestimate how policy wording applies to structured sporting activity abroad.
“A lot of people assume they are covered as long as they are on holiday, but organised events can fall into a different category depending on the insurer,” she commented.
“If sport is the primary reason for travel, or forms a significant part of the itinerary, travellers may need specialist cover or an add-on policy. Without that, they can find themselves uninsured at the point of claim.”
Medical professionals also caution that active holidays can present additional physical pressures.
Dr Kathryn Basford at Asda Online Doctor added that travel conditions could compound the physical demands of endurance events.
“Long-haul travel, changes in climate, dehydration, and disrupted sleep all place additional strain on the body,” she noted.
“When this is combined with high-intensity exercise such as marathon running, the risk of injury or illness can increase significantly, particularly for individuals with underlying health conditions.”
Basford added that travellers with pre-existing conditions should seek medical advice before participating in endurance events abroad.
Insurance specialists further warn that non-disclosure of pre-existing medical conditions remains a key reason for rejected claims, particularly where incidents occur during physical activity overseas.
Experts say travellers should also check whether policies include cover for organised sport, medical treatment abroad, cancellation due to injury, sports equipment, and emergency medical evacuation.
They warn that while active travel is increasingly mainstream, the associated insurance risks remain complex – and often only become visible when something goes wrong.