High Risk Hobbies
Insurance for High-Risk Hobbies
Adrenaline-fuelled hobbies are a big part of life for many people. Whether you’re into rock climbing, skydiving, or motorsports, these pursuits can offer excitement and escape. But when it comes to arranging life insurance or income protection, high-risk hobbies can sometimes complicate things.
The good news? You can still get cover subject to meeting criteria. And with the right advice, you’ll know exactly what’s possible, what might cost more, and how to avoid unnecessary exclusions.
At Kerr & Watson, we help people with high-risk hobbies find protection that fits around their lifestyle.
What Is Classed as a High Risk Hobby?
A high-risk hobby is any activity that increases the chance of injury or death compared to everyday activities. Insurers take these risks into account because they affect the likelihood of a claim being made.
Common high-risk hobbies include:
- Skydiving or base jumping
- Scuba diving (especially deep or technical diving)
- Rock climbing or mountaineering
- Motorsport and track racing
- Paragliding, hang-gliding or microlight flying
- Martial arts or boxing
- Horse riding, particularly competitive or jumping events
- Skiing or snowboarding off-piste
- Sailing or offshore yachting
- Caving or potholing
Even if your hobby feels safe and well-managed, insurers may still classify it as high risk depending on how often you do it and in what conditions.
How High Risk Hobbies Affect Life Insurance
When you apply for life insurance, insurers want to understand the level of risk you face, not just in terms of health, but also your hobbies. If you take part in any of the activities listed above, insurers may:
- Charge a higher premium
- Exclude certain activities from your cover
- Offer cover with restrictions or increased waiting periods
- Ask for further information, such as training level or frequency of participation
It’s important to be honest about your hobbies. If you fail to disclose them during your application and something happens, it could result in a claim being declined later on.
We guide you through the application process, making sure your disclosures are accurate and your cover works the way you need it to.
What About Income Protection or Critical Illness Cover?
If your hobby could lead to time off work, income protection becomes even more important. Income protection pays a monthly benefit if you can’t work due to illness or injury — but high-risk hobbies can impact your policy.
Here’s how:
- Your hobby might be excluded from claims, meaning injuries caused while doing it won’t be covered
- You may be asked to choose a longer deferred period
- Some providers might refuse cover, while others will accept with adjusted terms
Critical illness cover follows a similar path. If a serious condition occurs as a result of a high-risk activity, it might fall outside of your policy if exclusions apply.
But not all insurers treat these hobbies the same way. Some are much more understanding — especially if you take safety precautions or have advanced training. That’s where advice from Kerr & Watson makes all the difference.
How to Improve Your Chances of Getting the Right Cover
If you’ve got a high-risk hobby and you’re looking for life insurance or income protection, here are a few things that can help:
- Be specific in your application
Don’t just say “I do martial arts” — describe the type, level, frequency, and whether it’s competitive. - Highlight safety training
Courses, certifications or regular use of safety equipment can demonstrate that your risk is managed. - Use a broker
Comparison sites aren’t designed to handle complex cases. A broker like Kerr & Watson will guide you to insurers who understand your lifestyle. - Be flexible
In some cases, you might choose to accept an exclusion in order to keep premiums low. In others, you may prefer full cover even if it costs more. We’ll help you weigh your options.
Why This Matters
If you were to suffer an accident or lose your life doing something you love, would your family be protected financially? Would your mortgage be covered? Would you still receive an income if you couldn’t work?
That’s the real value of getting this right.
It’s not about being penalised for having fun. It’s about making sure your insurance matches the reality of your lifestyle — and protects those who rely on you.
How Kerr & Watson Can Help
At Kerr & Watson, we’ve helped many people with high-risk hobbies find the right cover — from climbers and divers to motorsport enthusiasts and winter sports lovers.
What we offer:
- Guidance on which insurers are most favourable to your hobby
- Honest conversations about exclusions, pricing and options
- A smooth application process where we handle all the details
- Clear explanations so you feel confident in your policy
- Ongoing support if your activities change or your needs evolve
We’re not here to sell you something you don’t need. We’re here to make sure that what you do get works for you, your family, and your lifestyle.
Conclusion
Having a high-risk hobby doesn’t mean you have to compromise on life insurance or income protection. With the right support, you can get the cover you need — and keep doing what you love without worrying about the “what ifs”.
Contact Kerr & Watson today to find out how we can help you protect your lifestyle, your income, and your loved ones. Whatever your hobby, we’ll help you get the cover that works for you.
Your Insurance In 3 Easy Steps…

Conversation
Schedule a call to talk to an adviser about your needs and situation. Alternatively give us a call on 01252 224620 or email us on info@kerrandwatson.co.uk.

Research
We will take the information gained on the call and carry out some research before sending you a bespoke recommendation.

Application
Once we have the relevant information, we will complete your insurance application and update you throughout the process.
Testimonials
Awards & Recognition
Contact Us
Free initial conversation. No obligation.
Not ready to apply yet? That’s fine — we can start with a quick conversation about your options.
We aim to respond within a few hours during working days.
By submitting this form you agree that Kerr & Watson may contact you regarding your enquiry.
Your information will be handled in accordance with our Privacy Policy.
Useful Articles for High Risk Hobbies
View High Risk Hobby Insurance Articles





