My tandem paraglider collapsed 50 feet above the ground in Olüdeniz, Turkey. I shattered my L2 vertebrae. The local hospital stabilized me, but I needed a neurosurgeon in London. I called my travel insurance, confident in my “Adventure Sports” rider. They denied the evacuation request immediately, citing the “Airborne Activities Exclusion.”
Key Takeaways
- The “Airborne” Exclusion: Most standard travel insurance policies (even with “Adventure” add-ons) explicitly exclude liability or evacuation for private aviation, which includes paragliding, hang gliding, and skydiving.
- Commercial vs. Private: Some policies cover you if you are a passenger on a “licensed commercial flight,” but many paragliding operators in tourist hubs operate in a grey area that insurers classify as “private hobbyist,” voiding coverage.
- Specialized Policies: You need niche insurance (like Dogtag or World Nomads Explorer) that specifically lists “Paragliding” as a covered sport.
- The Evacuation Gap: Even if they pay the medical bill (surgery), they might refuse the evacuation because the injury resulted from an excluded activity.
The “Why” (The Trap)
The trap is “Bodily Injury arising from…”
Insurers separate the medical bill from the cause. You might have $100,000 in medical coverage, but if the “Proximate Cause” of the injury is an excluded activity (like flying in a non-scheduled aircraft), the entire claim is void.
- The Trap: You checked “Hiking” and “Biking” but didn’t check the specific box for “Air Sports.”
The Investigation: I Called Them
- World Nomads: I checked the 2026 Explorer Plan. Paragliding is covered only if you book with a licensed commercial operator. If you fly solo or with a “friend,” it’s excluded.
- SafetyWing: “We exclude bodily injury while participating in any organized athletic or sporting activity… including hang gliding and paragliding.” (Note: They have an adventure add-on, but it has strict altitude/licensing limits).
- Global Rescue: “We rescue you regardless of the activity. If you get hurt paragliding, we come get you. We don’t exclude risky sports.”
Comparison Table: Paragliding Coverage
| Feature | Standard Travel Insurance | World Nomads (Explorer) | Global Rescue (Membership) |
| Medical Bills | Excluded | Covered (Commercial) | N/A (Transport only) |
| Evacuation | Excluded | Covered | Covered |
| Solo Flying | Excluded | Excluded | Covered |
| Search & Rescue | Excluded | Yes ($25k limit) | Yes |
[IMAGE: Photo of a paraglider silhouette against the sun with a ‘Coverage Check’ icon overlay]
Step-by-Step Action Plan
- Search the PDF for “Paragliding”: Don’t assume. Control+F “Paragliding.” If it says “Excluded,” do not fly.
- Verify the Pilot: Ask the tandem pilot: “Are you licensed by the local Aviation Authority?” Take a photo of their license. If they are just a guy with a wing, insurance denies it.
- Buy Global Rescue: If you do air sports, you need a membership that doesn’t care how you got hurt.
- Helmet Cam Evidence: Record the flight. If the insurer claims you were “reckless,” the video proves you were flying normally.
FAQ
Does it cover me if I signed a waiver?
Yes. Waivers protect the operator from lawsuits. They do not void your insurance (unless you admitted to gross negligence).
What if I’m just watching?
If a paraglider lands on you, you are a “spectator” and fully covered.
Is Parasailing covered?
Usually yes, because you are tethered to a boat. That is considered a “Water Activity,” not “Airborne.”