Swimming Insurance
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Cover for open‑water swimming competitions & events
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Cancellation cover
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Award winning insurance
Recognised for our specialist approach
to sports and travel insurance.
Trusted by 75,000+ customers
Exceptional-rated cover from thousands of active travellers.
Backed by AXA XL
Buy with confidence with cover
underwritten by a leading insurer.
What does swimming insurance cover?
Our swimming travel insurance is built for athletes taking part in swimming specific activities such as coastal swims, triathlons and swimathons.
This specialist water sports cover can include emergency medical treatment and repatriation, trip cancellation and curtailment, baggage, personal accident, activity and competition entry fees, search and rescue, and more.
Already have travel insurance but it doesn’t include water sports? This bolt-on adds the protection you need for your surf, dive, kayaking or swimming trip, whether it’s a week-long holiday or a single activity day. You can also add it during your trip.
Our policies provide three different types of cover: Sports travel insurance, Sports accident, and Activity Top-Up. Please ensure you select the most suitable cover for your activity, when you get a quote and always review your policy documents.
Sports equipment is excluded under our bolt‑on cover.
Only a summary of the policy’s coverage is presented on this page. Please refer to policy documents for full details of what is and what is not covered, when you get a quote.
Thousands rate how easy it is
We’ve refined our process to make buying sports insurance abroad simple but thorough, with cover designed around the activities you take part in, from training trips and competitions to active holidays overseas.
Our Claims Record
Average pay out for each insurance claim
£1,599.09*
How to make a claim
Choose your policy, find the forms you need
Download and complete forms
Submit your claims for review
A Recent Claim Example
“One of our policyholders became unwell while in South Africa to play Cricket. They sought medical treatment and were treated for suspected appendicitis, with symptoms of stomach cramps, high fever and nausea. Because they secured our Sports Travel Insurance, they were covered to seek medical treatment.”
Total Paid Out
£5,971.47
Claim Type
Medical Assistance
Policy Type
Sports Travel Insurance
Incident
Medical assistance
Policy Excess Applied
£90.00
Location
South Africa
Disclaimer
*Data relates to all SportsCover Direct Insurance claims from Jan to Dec 2025 inclusive. Claim example from 2025.
Medical cover explained
We provide cover that considers your medical circumstances. Complete a medical declaration to ensure you’re properly protected, as part of the quotation process.*
*Please note, just because you’ve declared a medical condition or injury doesn’t mean it is automatically covered. The insurer needs to assess it first and will inform you by email if any terms apply.
Medical conditions must be declared
All pre-existing conditions considered
Cover available up to age 74
We'll review your details
Most declarations don't mean exclusion
Any terms will be confirmed by email
Why choose us
SportsCover Direct is a specialist insurance provider focused entirely on sport. For over 30 years, we’ve helped athletes, teams and organisations get the protection they need, whether they’re travelling, competing, or training abroad or in the UK.
Covering 500+ sports
Fast online quotes
Established over 30 years
UK-based support team
FAQs
You can select cover for ice swimming when you get a quote. You are restricted to having a lifeguard or support boat to ensure your cover is valid.
Yes, you are not covered travelling to countries with no travel restrictions applied by the Foreign Office.
If you need medical treatment abroad, following an open water swimming event, this can be covered by medical expenses provided you have taken reasonable precautions and followed local advice.
Yes, our Swimming Travel Insurance can generally be taken out even if you have a medical condition. We can almost always offer cover at no extra cost, but occasionally our underwriters may apply special terms if you subsequently needed to make a claim relating to your condition.
Yes, you can select a swimming travel policy and opt for Europe, or worldwide cover depending on where you’re travelling.
Yes, you are covered for the benefits listed on your policy.
Yes, there are no exclusions for time trial events, you are covered for the benefits listed on your policy.
Yes, this is covered under search and rescue. However, if you are open water swimming you must have a support boat with you and the water must be above 5 degrees to ensure your cover is valid.
Yes, it can be – you need to select all the activities you need included in your policy, when you request a quote.
Our policies will cover anyone up to the age of 74 at the time of purchase. An applicant aged 75 or over cannot be covered.
There are no restrictions if a tide-related incident occurs provided you are swimming in water above 5 degrees and have a support boat.
If you are swimming abroad our sports travel policy provides cover for medical expenses if you sustain an injury, provided reasonable precautions have been taken and you have complied with any exclusions.
For swimming in the UK you can be covered for broken bones, dental treatment and physiotherapy, should these be required following an injury.
Swimming equipment can be covered under a swimming travel policy with sports equipment cover.
Our policy can cover:
- Indoor/outdoor pool swimming activities
- Open water swimming with support boat (above 5˚C)
- Cross channel swimming with support boat
- Fin swimming
- Ice swimming-water temp 5˚C or below. (Must have support boat or lifeguard, & be certified medically fit)
- Swimming with dolphins, Swimming with Dolphins in a pool
- Swimming with Dolphins in the sea
Yes, unless otherwise stated during the online quote process.
Get specialist cover in minutes
Covering over 500 sports with quick online quotes and UK- based support, if you need it.
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