Many Kiwi travellers participate in adventure tourism and sports while overseas, from paragliding and bungy jumping to jet skiing and camel riding. While these activities are bound to make your trip unforgettable, they have inherent risks. Making them memorable for the right reasons means considering safety precautions and travel insurance implications.

Travellers should be aware that operators overseas may not have the same safety and maintenance standards you would expect in New Zealand. Standards may also vary between operators. We recommend you ask about any risks involved and insist on using relevant safety equipment, such as helmets and life jackets. It’s really important to make informed decisions about the risks you intend taking.

It might sound like common sense, but don’t partake in risky activities under the influence of alcohol or drugs – because this is likely to invalidate your travel insurance. It’s essential you read the fine print of your travel insurance policy to check you’re covered for everything you want to do. Exclusions can include off-piste skiing or scuba diving, for example, unless you’ve specifically asked for this to be covered in your policy and had this confirmed in writing. To navigate the often complex world of travel insurance, read Consumer NZ’s handy guide.

Reviewed:28 Nov 2019, 14:06