Diving, a motorbike, skiing, hunting, travel: am I covered if something happens?
A hobby you love should not become a surprise at claim time. What applications ask about hazardous activities, when a fall at the gym counts as an “accident”, and what travel insurance complaints teach us.
In short
It depends on what the application asks and what your policy’s exclusions say. An honest answer may bring an exclusion or an extra premium; silence can cost the claim.
- Read the sports and hobby exclusions in each of your policies.
- If you did not declare something you were asked about, tell the insurer in writing now.
- In accident cover, an “accident” is whatever the policy defines; read the definition.
- Buy travel cover on the day you book the trip, and save the assistance number on your phone.
From the series “The questions you are afraid to ask”: questions real people ask, with honest answers.
At a glance
- Many applications ask about hazardous sports and hobbies. An honest answer may bring an exclusion or an extra premium; silence can cost the claim.
- In accident cover, an “accident” is whatever the policy defines, usually a sudden external event. An injury from overexertion may not fit.
- Travel insurance: buy it on the day you book the trip, with every condition declared.
- Travel, boat and liability cover are general insurance: here we give information only.
Live your life, just without surprises
The fear is not that nobody will insure you because you dive or ride a motorbike. The fear is finding out at the worst moment that something was not covered. The good news is that this can be prevented: with accurate answers on the application and ten minutes of reading the exclusions.
Three different covers, three different sets of rules
| Cover | What to check for a hobby |
|---|---|
| Life cover | Whether the application asks about hazardous activities, and whether the policy excludes any (for example flying, motor racing, deep diving). |
| Accident cover | How an “accident” is defined, which sports are excluded, and whether amateur competitions are covered. |
| Travel and health cover abroad | Geographic scope, medical expense limits, repatriation, winter sports, altitude, and the assistance phone line. |
If you take up a new hobby after signing, whether you must tell the insurer is set by your own policy; there is no single rule. Ask in writing and keep the answer.
What went wrong for others — and how to avoid it
- A condition was “not declared”. It is the leading cause of travel insurance complaints in the United Kingdom (not Cyprus): people did not declare conditions they had recovered from. How to avoid it: declare every condition the form asks about, and keep a screenshot or PDF of your answers.
- The annual policy was bought after the trip was booked. In the United Kingdom (not Cyprus), there was no cancellation cover for trips booked before the policy started. How to avoid it: buy travel cover on the day you book.
- A private clinic abroad, and no call to the assistance line. In the United Kingdom (not Cyprus) there were disputes over treatment in private hospitals without contacting the insurer first. How to avoid it: save the assistance number before you leave; in an emergency, treatment first and the call as soon as you can, keeping every receipt.
Your questions, one by one
I go scuba diving every summer. Does my life cover include diving accidents?
It depends on what you declared and on the policy’s exclusions. Some policies ask about depth and certification, and may exclude dives beyond a limit. If you did not declare it and the application asked, tell the insurer in writing now.
I ride a motorbike every day. Will I pay more or be excluded?
Some applications ask about motorbikes and it may bring an extra premium or a condition; others do not. Daily commuting is often treated differently from racing. Answer exactly as things are, and read the exclusions for races and tracks.
I ski in Troodos and abroad. Am I covered if I break my leg?
In Cyprus, your base is GESY and whatever health or accident plan you have. Abroad, many travel policies need a specific extension for winter sports. Check before you go, not on the slope.
Is there insurance for children who play football or do martial arts?
There are accident covers for children, and some clubs have their own insurance. Ask the club in writing what its cover includes, with what limits, and what is left to you. GESY covers treatment for every child who lives in Cyprus legally.
I have a private pilot licence. Does it affect my life cover?
Often yes: private flying is one of the activities many applications ask about, and it may bring an extra premium or an exclusion. Declare flying hours and aircraft type if asked. A policy with a flying exclusion still covers everything else.
Are amateur marathons, triathlons or cycling races considered dangerous?
Usually not to the same degree as extreme sports, but some accident covers exclude competitions. Look in the exclusions for words like “competition”, “professional” or “speed”. If you are not sure, ask in writing.
I travel a lot for work. Is my health insurance enough abroad, or do I need travel insurance too?
Check your health plan’s geographic scope and limits, and whether it covers repatriation. Travel insurance usually covers other things too (cancellation, luggage, delays). Ask your employer whether there is company travel cover.
I go hunting. If there’s an accident with a gun, am I covered?
For yourself, it depends on the exclusions of your life or accident cover. For harm to someone else, liability insurance matters, and that is general insurance. Ask your insurer or a general-business intermediary what applies to hunters.
Do I have to tell my insurer if I start a new hobby like kitesurfing after signing?
Your own policy says: some ask you to report changes, others assess only at application. Ask in writing and keep the answer. If you must, tell them before your first outing, not after an accident.
I’m trekking at high altitude in Nepal. What should I check?
Whether your travel cover includes the altitude you will reach (there is often a limit), rescue and repatriation. Check the exclusions of your life or accident cover for mountaineering too. Take the assistance number and a copy of the policy with you.
Does a gym or weightlifting injury count as an accident?
It depends on the definition. Many policies define an accident as a sudden external event; an injury from overexertion or wear may not fit, while a fall or a dropped weight may. Read the definition in your policy.
I race cars on track days. Is that excluded everywhere?
Speed racing is a common exclusion in life and accident cover, but not everywhere in the same way. Declare it if asked, and ask whether it can be covered for an extra premium. For the car itself, a motor policy usually does not cover the track.
We sail our boat between Cyprus and Greece. Are we covered at sea?
Boat insurance is general insurance, with its own navigation limits and exclusions. For yourselves, check your health plan’s geographic scope and your life cover’s exclusions. Ask a general-business intermediary or the boat’s insurer.
My son plays for an academy. Does the club’s insurance cover injuries?
Ask the club in writing: what it covers, with what limits, and whether it pays medical costs or only a lump sum for serious injury. A club’s cover is often limited. Your child’s treatment goes first through GESY or your own health plan.
Is one paraglide or skydive on holiday a problem for my policy?
It may be. Some exclusions apply to any such activity, even once, others only to regular or professional activity. Read the exclusions of your travel cover and of your life or accident cover before you book the activity.
Is personal accident cover worth it for someone very active?
It can help with a lump sum or a daily allowance after an injury, but only if your sports are not excluded. Compare what it pays with what you would really lose (income, costs). It does not replace health or income cover.
Questions worth asking
- Which activities does the policy exclude, in what exact wording?
- How is an “accident” defined?
- Must I tell you if I start a new hobby?
- What is the assistance number, and what do I do in an emergency abroad?
What you can do from today
- Read the sports and hobby exclusions in each of your policies.
- If you did not declare something you were asked about, tell the insurer in writing now.
- Buy travel cover on the day you book the trip.
- Save the assistance number and a copy of the policy in your phone.
- Ask your child’s club in writing what its insurance covers.
General information, not advice. AVRASTRO is not an insurer and does not sell general insurance. For home, travel, boat or liability cover, speak to an intermediary registered for general business or to your insurer; for your own case, the terms of your own policy apply.
Sources
Read also: Accident cover guide · Covers in plain words · General insurance: the basics · Exclusions and waiting periods · What must I declare on the health form?
