Thrill-seeking holidaymakers at risk says AXA

AXA, UK travel insurer, stresses the need for travel insurance as Brits replace the bucket and spade with Zorbing and Octopush.

The holiday season is approaching and millions of Brits will be planning ways to make the most of their well-earned breaks. Over the last few years, activity or experience-based holidays have rocketed in popularity and even in the current downturn the overall trend is expected to continue according to AXA, with scuba-diving and trekking topping the list of favourite activities.

However, the company is warning that thrill-seekers could potentially be putting themselves at risk by not taking out any, or the right level of travel insurance to cover themselves.

Accidents caused by holiday activities will generally be covered under the medical section of a travel insurance policy and with the average medical claim costing an average of £744, people could end up forking out more than what they paid for their holiday.

AXA, who insure around ten million holidaymakers, will cover many of the common holiday activities as part of a standard travel insurance policy. Additionally, changes to policies can be made by AXA Direct customers at any time using an online tool called myAXAspace (axa.co.uk/myaxaspace) which allows customers to add activities and get an immediate response as to whether they are covered. For more dangerous sports the company may charge an additional premium or in some cases where specialist cover is required they will decline the customer.

Over the last few years, the company has had to re-write policy documents to keep pace with the latest trends in holiday activities. Among the most popular recent additions are:

Zorbing - rolling down a hill inside a giant inflatable ball. Or for added fun hydrozorbing - where you chuck a couple of buckets of water inside the ball too

Octopush - underwater hockey

Wind tunnel flying - sometimes known as indoor sky-diving. Jets of generated vertical wind enable participants to "fly".

Tree canopy walking - using suspension bridges high up in the tree tops. Think "I'm A Celebrity" ...

Ringos - giant rubber rings used for sliding down slopes.

And a special clause has been written into the company's policy booklet for people wanting to walk Sydney Harbour Bridge, such is its popularity.

As well, as the new-fangled sports, AXA provides insurance cover for more traditional, seemingly harmless pastimes such as croquet and bowls.

John Dacey, Lifestyle Claims Manager from AXA says: "Swimming with dolphins is so last year - it's now all about bathing with elephants. And who wants to go canoeing when power boating is an option?

"Whatever activities you're planning on your holiday, make sure you tell your insurer. Many will be included on a standard policy but it's always worth checking. Our myAXAspace tool makes it possible for AXA Direct customers to log on anywhere in the world at any time and let us know what you're doing.

"Going on holiday is about having fun and experiencing new things. We want people to enjoy themselves doing this but at the same time take sensible precautions in case of an accident. Buying travel insurance should be as essential as checking they've tied the bungee rope to your foot before you jump."