Participation in extreme or high-risk recreational activities is a standard underwriting question on life insurance applications. Skydiving, rock climbing, BASE jumping, and similar activities can result in exclusion riders, additional flat extras, or higher premiums — but the right carrier can make a significant difference.
What Insurance Companies Look At
- Specific activity: skydiving, BASE jumping, free solo rock climbing, cave diving, wingsuit flying, and motorcycle racing are among the highest-risk activities
- Frequency of participation: a hobbyist who skydives twice a year is treated differently than a competitive skydiver with dozens of jumps annually
- Training and certification: certified skydivers with proper training (USPA license) are viewed more favorably than uncertified participants
- Altitude and technical difficulty for climbing: sport climbing at a gym vs. high-altitude mountaineering carry very different risk profiles
- Safety equipment and protocols
- Future plans: whether you intend to continue the activity after policy issuance
How Carriers Typically Respond
Common responses include: a flat extra premium (an additional dollar amount per $1,000 of coverage), an exclusion rider that excludes death resulting from the specific activity, or standard coverage with no adjustment at carriers that take a more liberal view. Some carriers specialize in adventure sports underwriting and offer competitive options. Shopping the market is essential.
We work with carriers that offer competitive coverage for adventure sports enthusiasts. Contact us to explore your options.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get life insurance if I skydive or participate in extreme sports?
Yes. Extreme sports participants can get life insurance, but the activity is typically rated with a flat extra premium added to your base rate. The flat extra amount depends on the sport, frequency of participation, and level of experience. Some carriers also offer an exclusion rider — covering all causes of death except the specific extreme sport activity.
What extreme sports affect life insurance rates?
Activities commonly flagged by underwriters include skydiving, BASE jumping, rock climbing, free solo climbing, wingsuit flying, motocross, cave diving, and high-altitude mountaineering. Less extreme activities like recreational skiing, surfing, or mountain biking typically have no impact on rates.
What is the difference between a flat extra and an exclusion rider for extreme sports?
A flat extra adds a dollar surcharge per $1,000 of coverage to account for the elevated risk of your sport, but pays the full death benefit for any cause of death including the sport. An exclusion rider keeps your base premium unchanged but excludes death caused by the specific sport from coverage. Which is better depends on your priorities.
How often do I have to participate in an extreme sport for it to affect my rates?
Most carriers ask about participation frequency on the application. Even occasional participation in very high-risk activities like BASE jumping or skydiving typically results in a flat extra. Some carriers have frequency thresholds — for example, fewer than 50 jumps per year may be rated differently than more frequent participation.
What if I plan to stop my extreme sport — can my rates be reduced?
Yes. If you permanently cease the activity, you can request a rate review. You will typically need to certify that you have stopped the activity and have no intention of resuming it. The carrier may require a period of time — often 12 months — before reconsidering the flat extra.