"Depending on the nature of your holiday, you may want to consider getting a travel policy that provides extra cover for golf. If you're going abroad to play in a tournament for example, then you're likely to want cover for more than just 1 or 2 rounds of casual golf. By getting a specialist policy that covers for things like tournament fees and hiring equipment, you're covered even if your flight gets cancelled or you can't travel."
What's covered with golf holiday insurance?
Golf travel insurance offers the same level of cover as a standard travel insurance policy would, including emergency medical care, repatriation cover and flight cancellation cover. The main difference between golf holiday insurance and standard travel insurance, is the specific cover for golf equipment, missed green fees and hole-in-one cover.
Exactly what is covered by your policy can depend on the insurer you go with and what they specify. It's worth checking policy documents before you buy so you're happy with the level of cover you're getting.
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Medical treatment. As with a typical travel insurance policy, your medical bills are covered if you have an accident or suffer an illness while you’re playing golf.
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Missed green fees. If you've paid green fees and booked a round of golf, you'll be covered if you can't play due to illness or injury. You can also recover costs if bad weather prevents you from playing.
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Loss, damage or theft of golf equipment. Golf equipment isn't cheap - so if it's stolen, damaged or missing while you're away, it's worth considering having golf club cover in place to protect you. Golf travel insurance can cover the cost of replacing gear such as clubs. bags or trolleys, clothing and balls.
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Hiring replacement golf clubs. Your golf travel insurance policy can cover the cost of hiring replacement clubs if yours have been stolen, damaged, or go missing.
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Cancellation cover. If you can't travel for a specific reason, you can claim for costs relating to accommodation, flights and any activities you paid for up front.
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Hole in one cover. You may or may not be aware of a very real tradition in golf. If you manage to shoot a hole in one, you're obliged to buy a round of drinks at the clubhouse! It's not a cheap round, but the good news is that many golf travel policies pay up to a specified amount of the bar bill. It's important to note that some policies may cover this, so it's best to check your level of cover before you buy your policy.
What isn't covered?
This is likely to be similar to what a standard travel insurance policy wouldn't typically cover. There are additional points relating to golfing you should be aware of, but always check what is and isn't covered before you buy a policy.
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Travelling against Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) advice. If you decide to travel against FCDO advice, your policy could be invalidated and you won't be covered.
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Pre-existing medical conditions that weren't disclosed before you travelled. When you're applying for travel insurance, you must declare any medical conditions. Not doing so could invalidate your policy, and you won't be covered.
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General wear and tear of golf clubs and other equipment: General wear and tear of your equipment happens over time. You're typically only covered for accidental damage.
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Incidents involving alcohol or drugs. Any claims directly or indirectly resulting from the influence of alcohol or non-prescribed drugs won't be covered.
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Changing your mind about travelling: Simply deciding to change your plans could prevent you from making a claim. You'll have to provide evidence as to why you're cancelling, such as a golf course closure due to bad weather, for example.
Does golf travel insurance cover tournament fees?
Can I get cover for my golf holiday if I've got a pre-existing medical condition?
There are some insurers that might not offer cover if you have a pre-existing medical condition. Others may offer golf travel insurance at a higher price.
The reason is that certain pre-existing medical conditions mean you might need emergency care while you're away, which your insurer might have to pay for. You therefore pose as a higher risk to insure. These conditions include:
- Diabetes
- Cancer
- Stroke
- Serious heart conditions
- Respiratory conditions
- Terminal illnesses
You must tell your insurer about any health issues before searching for travel insurance to make sure you've got the right cover. If you don't and need to make a claim, it could be rejected and you'd have to pay for medical treatment yourself. If in doubt, contact the insurer before buying.
If you can't find suitable cover, the Money and Pensions Service (MaPS) might be able to help. This organisation has set up a directory of insurers who cover customers with pre-existing medical conditions through their brand MoneyHelper. You can also phone MaPS for free, impartial advice on 0800 138 7777.
Types of travel insurance
There are different types of travel insurance, your needs should be reflected in the policy you decide to buy. It's worth considering a number of factors before settling on a policy such as the extent of cover you need.
Most travel policies cover golfing activities, but if it's your primary reason for travelling, you may need enhanced cover. You'll also need to think about how many trips you have planned, and how long you intend on going for.
Travel insurance articles
Need more help with your golf holiday?
Does golf travel insurance cover injuries while playing?
Your golf holiday insurance should include cover for medical expenses and treatment if you get injured while playing golf. It's important to check your policy documents to see what injuries are exactly covered before you tee off.
Will my policy offer hole-in-one cover?
Yes, your golf travel insurance should offer hole-in-one cover. Unlike standard travel insurance, which wouldn't cover this, a specialist golf trip policy should cover any costs you have as a result. The tradition is usually something like a round of drinks for everyone in the clubhouse.
How much golf insurance cover do I need?
This depends on what level of cover you need. It's important to think about the value of your golf clubs and other equipment such as golf balls and golf trolleys. Before getting golf cover, you'll need to know how much all of your items are worth so you can have the right amount of cover in place.
It's also worth thinking about how often you plan on travelling to play. If you've got a few golf trips lined up in a year, it may be worth considering annual travel insurance with golf cover added on.
Will my travel insurance cover damage to a golf buggy?
No, you usually won't be able to claim for any damage to a golf buggy. You'll usually only be able to claim for any injuries you've suffered while in a golf buggy.
Will I get like-for-like golf club replacements if I make a claim?
If you need to make a claim for lost, stolen or damaged golf clubs, most insurers should replace them with clubs that are of equal value. You may be asked for receipts for your original clubs. Check the small print as there can be exceptions around the age of certain equipment.
Will golf insurance cover me in the UK?
Most golf travel insurance policies should cover you for the UK. Some insurers won't pay out on claims you make too close to home, so it's best to check if your policy has any restrictions like that.
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