While most vacationers seek relaxation and leisure activities, there is a subset of travelers who pursue the most extraordinary and extreme experiences a new location offers. For those in the latter category, typical travel insurance might not be robust enough to cover their excursions. Most travel plans will cover unforeseen injuries and illnesses that prevent a policyholder from taking the cover trip or for incidents occurring while traveling, says Jenna Hummer, public relations manager for travel insurance quoting and comparison site Squaremouth. However, for travelers planning to swim with sharks, surf, mountain bike, white water raft or partake in some other extreme sport or adventure, a sports and activities policy offers coverage more in line with these undertakings. "If a traveler files a claim related to an activity that is not covered by their policy, their claim will not be paid," Hummer says. "It is important for travelers with a standard policy to review the activity exclusions listed in their policy before participating in high-risk activities." According to Hummer, in addition to the coverage offered by most travel policies, sports and activity plans also can include the following:

• Sports equipment loss or delay: This coverage reimburses a traveler in the event their own sports equipment is lost, delayed or damaged during a covered trip.
• Sports weather loss: This coverage reimburses a traveler's prepaid and nonrefundable trip payments when they are not able to participate in a sport or activity due to inclement weather.
• Sports fees: This coverage reimburses a traveler's prepaid and non-refundable payments that are specific to sports and activities.
• Search and rescue: This coverage pays for the costs associated with finding a traveler in the event they become lost, disoriented or go missing while participating in a recreational activity during their trip.

"The available policies with sports and activities coverage can differ based on each traveler's trip details, so it is important for travelers to search for a policy that includes the activity they plan to participate in," Hummer says. The above slideshow highlights some of the most exciting adventure travel destinations for 2024, according to National Geographic. Related:

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