A Simple Guide to Travel Insurance for Your Horseriding Holiday

Travel insurance is more than just a formality, it is a safety net that protects you in case of unexpected circumstances, and is required when booking a riding holiday with one of our partners. Why? Because life happens, and when it does, you’ll want a safety net. Without it, you could be personally liable for costly medical expenses, particularly when riding overseas.

Why travel insurance matters:

Most of the time everything goes smoothly, but every so often something unexpected crops up. Travel insurance means that if you have an accident or fall while riding, you’re covered for medical expenses and repatriation (getting you safely back home if needed). Horse riding is classed as a risky sport, so it’s always better to be prepared.

It’s not only about accidents during the ride itself. Sometimes guests have to cancel their holiday at the very last minute because of injury or illness. Many of our ride partners require non refundable deposits to secure your place, so also having cancellation cover can save you a lot of money if something happens before you set off.

The tricky bit is that while many insurance companies exist, not all of them cover horseback riding. You’ll need to make sure the policy you choose specifically includes it.

What your policy should cover:

Here are the essentials to look for in your travel insurance:

• Medical cover / expenses

• Repatriation cover (return to your home country if needed)

• Cover for horseback riding (check specifically for your activity or discipline, for example trekking, dressage, jumping, polo) in your destination country

• Cover for pre existing medical conditions (if relevant)

• Cancellation cover for your holiday and flights

If you travel often, it may be worth looking into an annual plan. It’s usually cheaper and definitely less hassle than buying a new policy for every trip.

TRAVEL INSURANCE providers:

Based on what our guests use and recommend:

US and Canada:

• World Nomads -  popular with adventurous travelers, their policies often include horse riding and other outdoor activities.

• Global Rescue - well known for specialist emergency evacuation and repatriation services, a solid choice if you’ll be riding in remote areas.

UK and Europe

• True Traveller (Adventure pack covers horse riding as an overnight or main mode of transport, Extreme pack covers equestrian, dressage, show jumping and eventing, Ultimate pack covers polo & polocross)

• South Downs Insurance (part of AXA)

• Sports Cover Direct

• World Nomads

Australia

• Cover-More is a good option, but check the policy includes the type of equestrian activity your holiday involves. For example, if you’re doing long distance trekking or jumping, you may need to upgrade your policy. Always confirm before committing.

Other options (available in many countries)

·       Allianz Travel – one of the largest insurers worldwide, with a wide network and options for multi trip and annual plans, but double check riding is specifically included in your activity list.

·       Global Rescue – also works well for riders around the world- especially if your trip is in a remote or high risk area.

·       World Nomads – continues to be a good global option for many nationalities

 
A few final reminders:

• Some policies require you to wear a helmet or appropriate gear in order to be covered.

• If you book cancellation insurance (highly recommended), make sure your policy also covers extras like lost luggage or missed flights.

• Your ride operator will need your insurance details after you confirm your booking and before you arrive. Without them, you may not be able to ride.
  

Horse riding can be unpredictable, but that’s part of the magic. With the right travel insurance, you can relax and enjoy your holiday knowing that if the unexpected happens, you’re covered.

World on Horseback gives this advice in good faith, but ultimately, it’s your responsibility to check that your policy covers everything you plan to do on your riding adventure. These companies have been used by our guests (including myself), but policies can change, so always confirm before booking.