From Skydiving to Snowmobiling: Your Guide to Extreme Sports Insurance

Extreme sports insurance sounds like something that kills the thrill. When you’re focused on your next skydiving jump or planning a backcountry Canadian snowmobiling adventure, thinking about life insurance probably isn’t high on your list. But if you regularly participate in activities like bungee jumping, rock climbing, or racing, your life insurance will cost more than you might expect.

It’s understandable that adrenaline junkies don’t want to slow down to deal with insurance paperwork. You’re living life to the fullest, so why worry about the what-ifs? Unfortunately, insurance companies see your thrilling pursuits differently. They consider these activities hazardous because they carry a higher risk of accidents or death.

Finding appropriate coverage when you love high-risk sports can feel like navigating a maze. Extreme sports participants typically receive what insurers call a “table rating,” which means premium increases ranging from 25% to 250% above standard rates. Activities such as skydiving—often considered one of the most dangerous by insurance companies—along with auto racing, hang gliding, caving, mountaineering, deep-sea scuba diving, backcountry snow sports, and other extreme sports, face particular scrutiny from underwriters across Canada.

How often do you participate in these activities? That question matters more than you might think, as frequency significantly impacts both your insurability and premium rates.

This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about securing life insurance while pursuing your passion for extreme sports. You’ll discover what exactly counts as a hazardous activity, how these pursuits affect your premiums, and most importantly, practical strategies to obtain adequate coverage without giving up your adventurous lifestyle.

What counts as an extreme or hazardous sport?

Insurance companies don’t have a universal definition of what makes a sport “extreme.” Most Canadian insurers classify activities as hazardous when they involve significantly higher injury rates or death rates compared to everyday activities.

The definition matters because it directly impacts your premiums and coverage options.

Common examples of high-risk sports

Extreme sports typically fall into several categories based on their risk profile:

• Height-related activities: Skydiving, base jumping, hang gliding, and rock climbing

• Speed-focused pursuits: Car racing, motorcycle racing, and jet skiing

• Water-based adventures: Scuba diving, whitewater rafting, and big wave surfing

• Winter activities: Heli-skiing, snowboarding, and backcountry snow sports

• Combat sports: Mixed martial arts, boxing, and other high-impact activities

Many travel insurance policies explicitly exclude these activities unless you purchase additional coverage. Even seemingly moderate activities like hiking can receive different classifications—a walk on a marked trail carries substantially less risk than scaling a steep mountain.

Why insurers treat these differently

Insurance providers operate on statistical probability. These activities create financial uncertainty because participants may face accidents or death earlier than standard actuarial models predict. Sports like professional bodybuilding might face scrutiny not just for the activity itself but also for associated factors like potential performance-enhancing drug use.

For life insurance specifically, hazardous pursuits dramatically impact both policy costs and terms. Insurers typically respond in one of three ways: charging higher premiums, adding specific exclusions for the activity, or in extreme cases like free solo climbing or wingsuit jumping, declining coverage altogether.

How often you participate matters

If you engage in hazardous activities more than twice yearly, insurers consider you an active participant. This frequency threshold can significantly change your premium rates.

Insurers examine several factors when assessing your risk:

• The activity’s risk level

• Your experience and certification

• Location and terrain where you participate

• Whether you compete professionally

• Your medical history and how it might interact with the activity

Some companies have recently relaxed certain guidelines. Backcountry skiing policies have become more lenient, with some carriers now offering standard coverage regardless of frequency.

How extreme sports affect your life insurance

Life insurance companies view extreme sports participation through the lens of financial risk. Insurers operate on statistical probability, and thrill-seeking activities significantly alter these calculations.

Why premiums are higher for thrill-seekers

Insurance premiums reflect mortality risk, and extreme sports enthusiasts represent a higher probability of early claims. Depending on the sport and participation level, adventurers can expect to pay between 25% and 250% above standard rates. This increased cost stems from decades of historical data—not predictions about any specific individual.

Insurers charge more because they anticipate a greater likelihood of paying death benefits. Without these adjustments, safer policyholders would essentially subsidise high-risk activities.

The healthier and safer your lifestyle, the lower your premiums. So if you’re considering giving up that weekly skydiving habit, it might be worth discussing with your insurance broker how this could affect your rates.

What exclusions might apply

Insurance providers often implement specific exclusions alongside—or instead of—premium increases. These clauses state that death benefits won’t be paid if fatality occurs during participation in listed activities. Common exclusions include:

• Skydiving and aerial sports

• Motor vehicle racing

• Scuba diving beyond certain depths

• Rock climbing and mountaineering

Failing to disclose participation in these activities could result in denied claims. Even existing policyholders should notify their insurer when starting new extreme activities, as this constitutes a material change in risk.

Your insurance protects your loved ones. Concealing your adventurous hobbies places their financial security at risk if something unexpected happens.

The role of underwriting in risk assessment

Underwriters evaluate several factors before determining insurability:

• Frequency of participation (occasional vs. regular)

• Certification level and experience

• Safety equipment usage

• Competition level (recreational vs. professional)

• Activity location (controlled environment vs. remote terrain)

Underwriting results in four possible outcomes: standard approval, approval with higher rates, approval with exclusions, or outright denial. Since underwriting guidelines vary amongst Canadian insurers, shopping amongst different providers often yields vastly different results.

Non-medical life insurance options present viable alternatives for extreme sports participants who face challenges securing standard coverage. These policies can provide substantial coverage without the extensive medical questioning that might complicate applications for adrenaline junkies.

Types of life insurance for extreme sports in Canada

Adventure enthusiasts in Canada have several insurance options despite their participation in high-risk activities. Each type offers distinct advantages depending on your specific circumstances, risk level, and coverage needs.

1. Fully underwritten life insurance

Fully underwritten policies require a detailed questionnaire about your hazardous activities along with an evaluation of your experience, ability, and participation frequency. This thorough assessment can actually benefit extreme sports participants, as it might result in standard or preferred rates with only slightly higher premiums than non-participants.

The underwriting process evaluates your job safety, hazard level, and employer policies. While this option involves more scrutiny, it typically provides the highest coverage amounts and most extensive features.

Think of this as the most thorough option – but also potentially the most rewarding if you’re an experienced, safety-conscious participant.

2. Simplified issue life insurance

For those wanting to bypass medical exams, simplified issue insurance requires only basic health questions without laboratory testing. This option often doesn’t require disclosure of extreme sports participation. The application process typically takes just 2-5 business days rather than weeks, making it suitable for adventurers needing quick coverage.

Keep in mind that premiums tend to be higher than fully underwritten policies, with moderately lower coverage limits.

3. Guaranteed issue life insurance

Guaranteed issue policies offer immediate approval without medical questions or activity disclosure. These plans are particularly valuable for participants in exceptionally high-risk activities who might otherwise be declined coverage.

These policies generally feature higher premiums and lower coverage limits than other options. Most guaranteed policies include a waiting period, typically two years, during which natural cause deaths receive only a premium refund rather than the full benefit amount.

4. Group life insurance

Group life insurance through employers provides coverage without medical underwriting, making it accessible regardless of health or extreme sport participation. This insurance is typically available at little to no cost.

Relying solely on group coverage might prove insufficient for thrill-seekers, as benefits are usually limited to one or two times annual salary.

Tips to get covered if you love high-risk sports

Getting life insurance when you participate in extreme sports doesn’t have to mean giving up your passion. These practical steps will help you find appropriate coverage while continuing to pursue the activities you love.

Be honest about your activities

Transparency is essential when applying for insurance. Concealing your participation in high-risk activities might seem like an easy way to get lower premiums, but it’s a dangerous gamble. Falsifying information about your extreme sports activities constitutes misrepresentation and may lead to claim denials, policy cancellation or even fraud charges.

Remember that your insurance protects your loved ones—concealing your adventurous hobbies places their financial security at risk. If something happens to you during an activity you didn’t disclose, your beneficiaries could be left without the coverage they’re counting on.

Get certified and join clubs

Formal training and club memberships can significantly improve your chances of getting coverage at reasonable rates. Many providers offer better terms to applicants who possess recognised certifications or belong to professional associations like the British Kitesurfing Association.

These credentials demonstrate your commitment to safety protocols and proper training. When underwriters see that you take your sport seriously and follow established safety practices, they’re more likely to view you as a lower risk.

Work with a broker who understands extreme sports insurance

Not all insurance brokers understand the nuances of extreme sports coverage. Seek brokers specialising in this area who can direct you towards insurers more receptive to high-risk activities, such as Maple Bay Insurance.

These specialists understand which companies are more flexible and can help you present your case in the best possible light. Request a free, no-obligation life insurance quote.

Review your policy for exclusions

Read your policy documents carefully to understand what activities are excluded. Approximately 75% of travel medical insurance policies exclude skydiving and parachuting, making thorough policy review essential.

Don’t assume that general life insurance automatically covers all your activities. Even if you’re approved for coverage, specific exclusions might apply to certain extreme sports.

Consider non-medical life insurance options

If traditional underwriting proves challenging, explore alternatives. Simplified issue policies often require no medical exams yet still provide substantial coverage for high-risk activities. Guaranteed issue insurance offers immediate approval regardless of extreme sport participation.

These options might cost more than traditional policies, but they can provide the coverage you need when standard options aren’t available.

Conclusion

Extreme sports don’t have to mean giving up on proper insurance protection. Yes, finding suitable coverage as a thrill-seeker presents challenges, but it’s far from impossible.

Insurance companies will classify activities like skydiving, rock climbing, and backcountry snow sports as high-risk. That means higher premiums based on your participation frequency and experience level. But several viable options exist for adventure enthusiasts who know where to look.

Remember that honesty about your activities is essential when applying for any insurance. Failure to disclose participation could lead to denied claims when your loved ones need financial protection most. Getting proper certifications and joining professional clubs significantly improves your chances of securing reasonable coverage terms.

Working with brokers who specialise in extreme sports insurance can make all the difference. These experts understand which Canadian insurers offer the most favourable terms for specific activities and can guide you towards policies with fewer exclusions and more reasonable premiums.

At Maple Bay, we understand that extreme sports enthusiasts need specialised insurance solutions. We work with multiple insurers to find coverage that fits your lifestyle and budget. Whether you’re an occasional weekend warrior or a dedicated adrenaline junkie, we’ll help you secure the protection your family deserves.

Contact us today for a free consultation about extreme sports insurance options.