Getting the most out of your holiday is what we all want from our trip. You have spent a lot of time and money planning the trip and you want to make as many memories as possible. Sometimes opportunities arise whilst you are away which can potentially enrichen the trip. But there are occasions when you need to control your impulses and consider whether what you are about to do is safe, sensible and doesn’t invalidate your travel insurance.
Food challenges
Experiencing new cuisine is one of the main reasons people travel. The local delicacy of a city can give you an ever-lasting impression of the culture. But there are times where the culture is just a little over zealous when it comes to food and drink - most notably with food challenges.
All over the USA, there are some unbelievable food challenges which can be tempting, especially if you consider yourself to be a foodie. So, the prospect of a challenge can be inviting to say the least. But many of them do come with a warning and require you to sign a risk waiver, so the restaurant is not held responsible for any problems you might develop as a result of eating the food. If you put yourself in harms way, then you might find it is difficult to make a claim for medical expenses should you require medical assistance.
Example of food challenge: The Fire in Your Hole Challenge in Sarasota, Florida (picture above)
Eat ten hot wings which are coated with extract from the ghost pepper (the hottest pepper in the world). Contestants have only 20 minutes to complete the challenge. Winners get their picture put on a wall of fame, but losers are showcased on the wall of shame. Ghost peppers can give you some serious problems internally. Large enough concentrations can cause seizures, heart attacks, and even death.
Adrenaline rush in the air
If jumping off of a bridge with a bungee cord attached or skydiving is on your bucket list, you might want to reconsider the urge, unless you have adequate cover which allows you to do these activities. Travel insurance policies routinely exclude several sporting activities and you should check these carefully, as your idea of hazardous may be different from that of an insurer.
You can fly as a passenger in a hot air balloon or a helicopter, as long as you are doing so as a fare-paying passenger.
Adrenaline rush in the water
Scuba diving (below 30 metres) or swimming with sharks or stingrays can prove to be another area of contention. You might find that swimming with Dolphins is covered on your policy as the risk isn’t as high. But if you feel that to get that adrenaline pumping and shark cage diving is for you, then you should get extra cover or thicker chain mail!
Adrenaline rush in the on land
Slightly less dangerous sounding – and therefore not so obvious – sports such as paintballing and quad biking will also need extra cover.
If you go ahead without the correct cover and injure yourself as a result, then you will almost certainly risk not being covered for medical expenses.
If you think that your impulses may get the better of you, get adequate cover before you travel and have peace of mind that you will be covered…but probably don’t try any food challenges.
Call our travel insurance team on 01243 784000 and get covered for your next trip.
