You push your limits. Whether it’s the vertical challenge of a rock face, the exhilarating speed of a cross-country course, or the physical commitment of the rugby scrum, your sport is a core part of who you are. But have you ever stopped to consider what would happen to your income if that passion led to an injury that stopped you from working?
You push your limits. Whether it’s the vertical challenge of a rock face, the exhilarating speed of a cross-country course, or the physical commitment of the rugby scrum, your sport is a core part of who you are. But have you ever stopped to consider what would happen to your income if that passion led to an injury that stopped you from working?
For most professionals, an off-the-shelf income protection policy provides a robust financial safety net. But for those of us with a taste for adventure, the reality is more complex. Standard insurers often see a climber, a rider, or a rugby player and see only risk, leading to sky-high premiums or, worse, outright exclusions that leave you dangerously exposed.
This guide is for you. We’ll demystify the world of income protection for high-risk sports. We'll show you that getting comprehensive cover that protects you both on and off the field is not only possible but can also be affordable—if you know where to look.
The simple answer is often no. Standard income protection policies are designed for average risks. When an underwriter sees "rock climbing," "eventing," or "rugby" on an application, their risk models flash red. This can lead to one of four outcomes:
The good news? A handful of specialist-friendly insurers have a more sophisticated approach. Instead of a blanket "yes" or "no," they ask detailed questions to truly understand your specific level of risk. They differentiate between an indoor boulderer and an alpine mountaineer, or a weekend hacker and a competitive event rider.
This nuanced underwriting means they can offer comprehensive cover, often with only a minimal premium loading, where other insurers would apply a punitive exclusion. At WeCovr, we work with these specialist insurers every day. Our expertise lies in matching your unique circumstances to the provider most likely to give you the cover you need at a price you can afford.
Before we dive into the specifics of high-risk sports, let's establish the fundamentals.
Income Protection is a type of insurance that pays you a regular, tax-free monthly income if you are unable to work due to any illness or injury.
Think of it as your own personal sick pay scheme, especially vital if you're self-employed or your employer's sick pay is limited. It's designed to cover your essential outgoings—like your mortgage, rent, bills, and food—allowing you to focus on your recovery without financial stress.
Here are the core features:
It’s crucial to understand how it differs from other types of protection insurance.
| Feature | Income Protection | Critical Illness Cover |
|---|---|---|
| Payout Type | Regular monthly income | One-off, tax-free lump sum |
| What Triggers a Payout? | Inability to do your job due to any illness or injury (after a waiting period) | Diagnosis of a specific, defined serious illness (e.g., heart attack, cancer, stroke) |
| Purpose | To replace lost earnings and cover ongoing bills | To cover major one-off costs like mortgage clearance, medical treatment, or home adaptations |
| How It Helps an Athlete | Covers you for a broken leg from a fall, keeping your mortgage paid while you recover for 6 months | Covers you for a defined serious illness, but not for most common sports injuries |
For active individuals, Income Protection is arguably the most important cover. While the risk of a critical illness exists for everyone, the risk of an injury that temporarily stops you working is significantly higher for anyone participating in climbing, riding, or rugby.
When applying for any insurance, you are bound by a duty of "fair presentation." This means you must answer all questions from the insurer truthfully and completely. Withholding information about your hobbies is a false economy that can have devastating consequences.
If you fail to disclose your high-risk sport and later need to make a claim—even for something completely unrelated, like a back problem from sitting at your desk—the insurer has the right to investigate your original application. If they discover you weren't truthful, they can:
Insurers will ask specific questions. Be prepared to provide details on:
Answering these questions honestly allows a good broker to approach the right insurer who can accurately price your risk, rather than leaving you with a worthless policy.
Climbing is not a single activity in the eyes of an insurer. Their assessment will change dramatically based on the type of climbing you do.
| Climbing Type | Insurer's View | Likely Underwriting Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Indoor Bouldering / Top-Roping | Low Risk | Often standard rates or a very small loading (+25%). |
| Outdoor Sport Climbing (UK) | Moderate Risk | A premium loading (+50-75%) is common. Some may exclude. |
| Trad Climbing (UK, sub-100m) | High Risk | Specialist insurers may offer cover with a significant loading (+75-150%). Many will exclude. |
| Alpine Mountaineering / Ice Climbing | Very High Risk | Most insurers will decline. A specialist broker may find cover with a major loading or specific exclusions. |
Real-Life Scenario: The Self-Employed Web Developer
Sarah is a 35-year-old freelance web developer earning £60,000 a year. She is a passionate trad climber, regularly climbing E1-grade routes in the Peak District and North Wales.
She applies for income protection directly with a high-street insurer. She honestly declares her hobby. The insurer offers her a policy but with a total exclusion for any injury sustained while climbing.
Disappointed, Sarah speaks to an adviser at WeCovr. The adviser knows that certain specialist insurers, like The Exeter, have more detailed underwriting for climbers. They help Sarah complete a new application, detailing her experience, grades, and club membership.
The Result: The specialist insurer offers Sarah full income protection with no exclusions. They apply a 75% premium loading, meaning her monthly premium of £40 becomes £70. For Sarah, paying an extra £30 a month for the peace of mind that she is fully covered, whatever the cause of injury, is a price well worth paying.
Like climbing, "horse riding" is too broad a term for insurers. The risk associated with a gentle hack is worlds away from that of a 3-day event.
Membership with organisations like British Equestrian and a good safety record can positively influence an underwriter's decision. They want to see that you take your safety seriously.
Real-Life Scenario: The Solicitor and Event Rider
Mark, a 42-year-old solicitor, competes in affiliated eventing at Novice level. His employer provides four weeks of full sick pay. He needs income protection to cover his mortgage and family expenses if he's off work for longer.
His initial application to a major insurer is returned with a total exclusion for equestrian activities. This is useless for Mark, as a fall is his most likely reason for a long-term absence.
He uses a broker who places his application with a provider known for its flexible underwriting, such as LV=. They ask for details on his competition level and safety equipment.
The Result: LV= offers Mark a full policy with no exclusions. They apply a premium loading, but because Mark opts for a 13-week deferred (waiting) period to align with his sick pay, the overall premium remains affordable. Six months later, a fall during a competition results in a complex leg fracture requiring surgery. After his 13-week deferred period, his income protection policy starts paying him £3,500 a month, tax-free, allowing him to focus on his rehabilitation without worrying about bills.
For insurers, the key distinction in rugby is between amateur and professional status.
Real-Life Scenario: The Accountant and Amateur Flanker
David is a 28-year-old accountant who plays flanker for his local amateur club. He is fit and healthy but aware of the risks. He applies for income protection to secure his £2,000/month rental payments and bills.
A standard insurer quotes him a policy but excludes all rugby-related injuries.
A specialist adviser recommends a policy from a provider like Shepherds Friendly, who are known to consider amateur contact sports. They ask about his level of play and any previous concussions.
The Result: He is offered a policy that fully covers him for rugby injuries, with a 50% premium loading. His premium is £35 per month instead of the standard £23. A year later, a bad tackle ruptures his ACL. He is unable to work for nine months following surgery. His policy pays out after his one-month deferred period, ensuring his finances remain stable throughout his recovery.
Finding an insurer who will cover your sport is only half the battle. The details of the policy itself are what determine whether it will actually pay out and protect you effectively.
This is the single most important definition in your policy. It dictates the terms under which you can claim.
For anyone in a skilled or professional role, especially those with high-risk hobbies, insisting on an "Own Occupation" definition is non-negotiable.
This is the pre-agreed waiting period between when you first become unable to work and when the policy starts paying out. It can typically be set at 4, 8, 13, 26, or 52 weeks.
For long-term peace of mind, guaranteed premiums are almost always the superior choice.
If you run your own business, the financial impact of an injury can be catastrophic, affecting not just you but your company and employees. Specialist protection products are available.
This is an income protection policy owned and paid for by your limited company, for you as an employee/director.
This is an extremely efficient way for company directors to secure their income, especially those with hazardous hobbies where a personal plan might be prohibitively expensive.
This policy protects the business itself, not your personal income. It's designed to provide a financial cushion if a key individual—whose skills, knowledge, or contacts are critical to the company's profitability—is unable to work due to illness or injury.
The payout is a lump sum or regular income paid to the business to help:
For a small business where a director is the main fee-earner or technical expert, a climbing or riding accident could halt business operations entirely. Key Person Insurance provides the funds to survive that crisis.
Navigating the protection market for high-risk sports is not a DIY job. The landscape is complex, and the difference between two insurers' approaches can be the difference between full cover and no cover at all.
This is where WeCovr provides critical value:
Trying to find the right cover alone means you risk choosing a policy with a hidden exclusion, paying too much, or being declined unnecessarily. We take that risk and uncertainty away.
Your adventurous spirit is something to be celebrated, not penalised. With the right advice and the right policy, you can continue to pursue your passion with the confidence that your financial future is secure.
Don't let the fear of high premiums or exclusions leave you unprotected. The cost of a few weeks or months off work without an income is far greater than the cost of a properly structured protection plan.
Let our expert advisers do the hard work for you. We’ll compare the specialist market to find the insurer that understands your sport and offers the comprehensive cover you deserve.
Contact WeCovr today for a free, no-obligation quote and discover how affordable peace of mind can be.






