Clear information, comprehensive cover and an easy purchasing process.
Canoeing Insurance
Looking for canoeing insurance? Rise & Shield covers canoeing up to grade 5 with helicopter evacuation and 24/7 emergency assistance.
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Canoeing
Up to Grade 5
Helicopter
Approved evacuation
24/7
Emergency assistance
Is this cover right for your canoe trip?
Yes, Rise & Shield covers canoeing on inland and coastal waters, with Grades 1–2 included as standard and Grades 3–5 available with Adventure Plus.
For Grades 3–5, you must be with a professional, qualified and licensed guide, instructor or operator. Coastal canoeing must stay within 12 nautical miles of the coast.
Canoeing — Grades 1–2
Canoeing — Grades 3–5 — Adventure Plus
Kayaking — Grades 1–2
Kayaking — Grades 3–5 — Adventure Plus
Sea kayaking & sea canoeing — Grades 1–2
Outrigger canoeing — Adventure Plus
This is not a complete list. Canoeing and kayaking at Grades 1–2 are included at the standard activity level. Grades 3–5 require Adventure Plus and must meet the applicable professional guide, instructor or operator condition. Coastal canoeing and kayaking must remain within 12 nautical miles of the coast. Some activities have additional safety, location or equipment requirements and exclusions. Terms, limits, conditions, exclusions and excesses apply.
What can our canoeing travel insurance cover?
Depending on your chosen plan, Rise & Shield can provide cover for some of the most important risks surrounding canoeing.
Rise & Shield is trusted by reputable tour operators and adventure companies
Why choose Rise & Shield for canoeing insurance?
Canoeing and kayaking can take you beyond the risks of an ordinary holiday, from changing river conditions and remote waterways to coastal paddling and emergency evacuation.
Rise & Shield specialises in insurance for adventurous travel, with 24/7 emergency assistance, trusted relationships across the adventure travel industry, and the reassurance of an FCA-regulated insurance provider whose programme is reinsured at Lloyd’s of London.
How do I get canoeing insurance online?
Getting covered with Rise & Shield is easy. Follow these simple steps to secure your trip:
01
Get a Quote: Start by entering your trip details to receive a personalised quote.
02
Customise Your Plan: Tailor the coverage options to meet your specific needs.
03
Receive Instant Confirmation: Purchase and instantly receive your policy details via email.
Are Grades 1–2 included as standard?
Yes. Eligible canoeing and kayaking at Grades 1–2 on inland or coastal waters are included at the standard activity level.
If you are paddling on coastal waters, you must remain within 12 nautical miles of the coast.
How do I cover canoeing or kayaking at Grades 3–5?
Grades 3–5 can be covered when you select Adventure Plus.
You must also be with a professional, qualified and licensed guide, instructor or operator and meet the other applicable activity conditions.
Are kayaking and sea kayaking covered too?
Yes. The current activity list includes kayaking, canoeing, sea kayaking and sea canoeing.
Grades 1–2 are included at the standard activity level, while Grades 3–5 require Adventure Plus and the applicable professional guide, instructor or operator condition.
Do I need a guide for canoeing or kayaking?
Not for ordinary Grades 1–2 canoeing or kayaking under the current activity entry.
For Grades 3–5, you must be with a professional, qualified and licensed guide, instructor or operator.
How far offshore can I canoe or kayak?
For covered coastal canoeing, kayaking, sea canoeing or sea kayaking, you must remain within 12 nautical miles of the coast.
Trips beyond that coastal limit should not be assumed to fall within the standard canoeing or kayaking activity classification.
Is my canoe or paddling equipment automatically covered?
No. The activity itself may be covered, but the Personal Luggage section specifically excludes boats and their ancillary equipment.
It also excludes damage to sports equipment while it is being used and items that are loaned, hired or entrusted to you.
What if I’m injured and need medical evacuation?
Eligible emergency medical treatment and evacuation may be covered following a sudden and unforeseen injury, subject to your plan, policy terms and activity conditions.
Medical evacuation and repatriation must be handled through the 24/7 Emergency Assistance Centre. If helicopter rescue is medically required, pre-approval and a separate helicopter rescue excess apply.
Canoeing insurance FAQs
What is canoeing travel insurance?
Canoeing travel insurance is travel insurance that includes eligible canoeing alongside benefits such as emergency medical expenses, evacuation and repatriation, cancellation, travel disruption and emergency assistance.
With Rise & Shield, eligible Grades 1–2 canoeing is included at the standard Adventure activity level, while Grades 3–5 canoeing requires Adventure Plus and additional activity conditions.
Does travel insurance cover canoeing?
It can. Rise & Shield specifically lists canoeing among its covered adventure activities.
The level of cover required depends on the grade of water and the applicable activity conditions.
Is Grade 1 canoeing covered?
Yes. Eligible Grade 1 canoeing falls within the Grades 1–2 canoeing entry and is included at the standard Adventure activity level.
Is Grade 2 canoeing covered?
Yes. Eligible Grade 2 canoeing is also included at the standard Adventure activity level.
Is Grade 3 canoeing covered?
Yes. Grade 3 canoeing is listed within the Grades 3–5 Adventure Plus canoeing category.
You must also meet special condition (a), which requires you to be with a professional, qualified and licensed guide, instructor or operator.
Is Grade 4 canoeing covered?
Yes. Eligible Grade 4 canoeing can be covered with Adventure Plus, subject to the professional guide, instructor or operator requirement and the other applicable policy conditions.
Is Grade 5 canoeing covered?
Yes. Grade 5 is the highest canoeing grade currently listed by Rise & Shield.
It requires Adventure Plus and the applicable professional, qualified and licensed guide, instructor or operator condition.
Is Grade 6 canoeing covered?
No Grade 6 canoeing activity is listed in the current policy activity table.
The Activities exclusions state that activities not listed under the applicable activity levels are not covered, so Grade 6 should not be assumed to be insured.
Do I need Adventure Plus for Grades 1–2 canoeing?
No. Grades 1–2 canoeing is currently included at the standard Adventure activity level.
Do I need Adventure Plus for Grades 3–5 canoeing?
Yes. Grades 3–5 canoeing requires Adventure Plus under the current policy wording.
Do I need a guide for Grades 1–2 canoeing?
The current Grades 1–2 canoeing entry does not attach the specific professional-guide condition.
You must still follow local laws, safety procedures and rules, and use recommended safety equipment and protective clothing.
Do I need a guide for Grades 3–5 canoeing?
Yes. Grades 3–5 canoeing carries special condition (a), requiring you to be with a professional, qualified and licensed guide, instructor or operator and follow their instructions.
Does canoeing insurance cover kayaking?
Yes for the activities specifically listed by the policy. The current wording includes kayaking, canoeing, sea kayaking and sea canoeing at Grades 1–2 within the standard Adventure activity level.
Is Grade 1 or Grade 2 kayaking covered?
Yes. Grades 1–2 kayaking is explicitly listed at the standard Adventure activity level, subject to the relevant policy and activity conditions.
Is Grade 3–5 kayaking covered?
The live Rise & Shield Activity Checker currently classifies Grades 3–5 kayaking and sea kayaking as Adventure Plus, but the March 2026 policy PDF does not explicitly reproduce that combined Grades 3–5 kayaking entry.
Because your policy documents remain the final basis of cover, confirm a Grade 3–5 kayaking itinerary with Rise & Shield before relying on cover.
Is sea kayaking covered?
Yes. Sea kayaking at Grades 1–2 is expressly included within the current activity wording at the standard Adventure level, subject to its location and other policy conditions.
Is sea canoeing covered?
Yes. Sea canoeing at Grades 1–2 is included within the combined canoeing and kayaking activity entry.
How far offshore can I canoe or kayak?
The current activity wording imposes a 12-nautical-mile coastal limit on the relevant canoeing and kayaking entries.
If your route goes further offshore, do not assume that the standard canoeing or kayaking activity classification applies.
Can Rise & Shield cover inland canoeing?
The activity table expressly refers to canoeing on “inland or coastal waters”.
However, the same entry also carries a condition requiring the activity to be within 12 nautical miles of a coast. If you are planning a genuinely inland route far from the coast, check the itinerary with Rise & Shield before relying on cover.
Can I go white-water canoeing?
Potentially, yes. Canoeing is specifically classified by grade: Grades 1–2 are standard Adventure, while Grades 3–5 require Adventure Plus and the professional guide/instructor/operator condition.
Does the policy's exclusion for “boating on white water” mean white-water canoeing is excluded?
No. The policy treats boating and canoeing as separate activities.
General boating on white water is excluded, while the dedicated canoeing entries expressly provide for Grades 3–5 canoeing with Adventure Plus.
Is outrigger canoeing covered?
Yes. Outrigger canoeing on inland or coastal waters currently requires Adventure Plus.
The activity must meet the stated coastal limitation, and white water is excluded for outrigger canoeing.
Is dragon boating covered?
Yes. Dragon boating on inland or coastal waters is currently listed at the standard Adventure activity level.
Is white-water rafting covered?
Eligible white-water rafting at Grades 1–3 is currently included at the standard Adventure activity level.
It carries the professional guide/operator and safety-equipment conditions, so it should be checked separately from canoeing.
Is packrafting covered?
Packrafting is not specifically named in either the current live Activity Checker or the March 2026 policy wording.
Do not assume that a packraft automatically follows the canoeing or kayaking grade rules; check the exact activity with Rise & Shield before purchasing or taking part.
Are inflatable canoes or kayaks covered?
The current activity table classifies canoeing and kayaking by the activity and grade rather than separately listing inflatable craft.
If you are using an unusual inflatable craft or undertaking an itinerary that could reasonably be considered packrafting, rafting or another activity, confirm the correct classification before travelling. This is a cautious interpretation of the current activity list.
Do I need to wear safety equipment while canoeing?
Yes. The general Activities conditions require travellers to follow safety procedures and rules and use recommended safety equipment and protective clothing.
Exactly what equipment is appropriate will depend on the activity, conditions, operator and local requirements.
Are canoeing races or competitions covered?
No. Activities are covered on an amateur basis only, and the policy excludes competitions and tournaments.
Can professional or semi-professional paddlers use this cover?
Not for professional or semi-professional participation. The Activities section specifically excludes participation on a professional or semi-professional basis.
Does canoeing travel insurance cover emergency medical treatment?
Eligible medical expenses following a sudden and unforeseen illness or injury during your trip may be covered, subject to your selected plan, policy terms, exclusions and excesses.
Your canoeing activity must also satisfy the applicable Activities conditions.
What happens if I am injured while canoeing abroad?
Seek appropriate emergency medical treatment and contact the 24/7 Emergency Assistance Centre promptly for a serious emergency.
The policy requires the assistance centre to be contacted for inpatient treatment, MRI or CT scans, medical evacuation or repatriation.
Will Rise & Shield pay the hospital directly?
In most cases involving hospitalisation, direct payments can be made locally.
Minor illnesses or accidents may need to be paid by you first and reclaimed afterwards, subject to the terms of the policy.
Is medical evacuation and repatriation covered?
Eligible medical evacuation and repatriation may be covered where medically necessary.
Repatriation must be approved and arranged by the 24/7 Emergency Assistance Centre, and the medical team determines the appropriate method.
Is helicopter rescue covered after a canoeing accident?
An eligible helicopter evacuation may be covered where it is medically necessary and pre-approved by the 24/7 Emergency Assistance Centre.
The assistance centre determines the evacuation method and provider based on the medical circumstances.
Is there an excess for medical helicopter rescue?
Yes. The current separate helicopter-rescue excess is £1,000 / $1,250 / €1,200 where a helicopter is required for medical reasons.
Is 24/7 emergency assistance included?
Yes. Rise & Shield's emergency medical assistance service is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
For policies purchased after 13 March 2026, emergency assistance is provided by Compass Point Assist.
Does canoeing travel insurance include cancellation and curtailment cover?
Eligible unrecoverable travel and accommodation costs may be covered where an insured event makes cancellation or curtailment necessary and unavoidable, subject to your selected plan and the policy terms and exclusions.
Can I cancel my canoeing trip because river levels or weather conditions are poor?
Not simply because the weather, river level or paddling conditions are disappointing or unsuitable.
The Cancellation and Curtailment section specifically excludes loss arising directly or indirectly from adverse weather conditions.
What if my canoeing tour operator cancels the activity?
There is no general benefit simply because an activity provider fails to supply a booked service.
The Cancellation section excludes failure by a provider to supply part of the booked trip and costs recoverable from another source, so you should first seek any refund or remedy available from the operator.
Is the cost of a cancelled one-day canoe excursion covered?
The Cancellation and Curtailment wording specifically excludes the costs of one-day tours, excursions, rental vehicles or activities booked separately from the main trip.
Different rules can apply to qualifying multi-day activities that form a material part of the trip and were booked before departure.
Does canoeing insurance cover travel delay or missed departure?
Depending on your selected plan and circumstances, benefits may apply for outward delay, missed departure or connection and abandonment.
The policy sets specific qualifying events, waiting periods, limits and evidence requirements.
What if flooding or a storm affects my canoeing destination?
Catastrophe Cover may apply if a qualifying event such as a flood, storm, hurricane, earthquake or fire forces you to move accommodation.
Eligible irrecoverable travel and accommodation costs may then be covered to continue the trip or, where necessary, return home.
Can I claim Catastrophe Cover simply because a river floods?
Not automatically. The Catastrophe benefit requires a qualifying event to force you to move accommodation.
A change in river conditions or inability to paddle, by itself, is not the trigger described by this benefit.
Is my canoe automatically covered by the policy?
No. The Personal Luggage section specifically excludes boats and their ancillary equipment.
Canoeing as an activity may be insured without the canoe itself being insured as baggage.
Are my paddles and canoeing equipment covered?
Do not assume so. The Personal Luggage exclusions include boats and ancillary equipment, as well as damage to sports equipment while it is being used.
Exactly how a particular item would be classified can depend on the item and circumstances, but there is no blanket canoe-equipment benefit.
Is a hired or rented canoe covered?
The canoeing activity itself may be eligible, but the Personal Luggage section excludes items loaned, hired or entrusted to you.
You should therefore not rely on the policy to reimburse loss of or damage to a rented canoe.
Is my canoe covered if I damage it while paddling?
No general sports-equipment protection applies while equipment is being used.
The Personal Luggage wording specifically excludes breakage of or damage to sports equipment while in use, and boats and ancillary equipment are separately excluded.
What if an airline damages or loses my canoe?
The Personal Luggage section specifically excludes boats and ancillary equipment, and it also excludes items carried as freight or under a bill of lading.
You should therefore arrange appropriate specialist or carrier protection for a canoe rather than relying on the general baggage benefit.
Does Personal Accident or Public Liability cover apply while I am canoeing?
No. The policy summary states that Personal Accident and Public Liability cover do not apply while participating in activities covered under Adventure, Adventure Plus or Adventure Extreme.
Other applicable sections, such as emergency medical expenses, may still apply subject to their terms.
Does canoeing travel insurance cover pre-existing medical conditions?
Claims arising from conditions that meet the policy definition of a pre-existing medical condition are excluded.
Being medically fit to canoe does not override the policy's medical exclusions.
Can I buy canoeing travel insurance after my trip has already started?
Potentially, yes. Optional Already Departed cover is available to eligible travellers who have already left home, provided nothing occurred before purchase that could lead to a claim.
It requires an additional premium and is not available with Annual Multi-Trip policies.
How does the 48-hour waiting period for Already Departed cover work?
Full Already Departed cover begins after a 48-hour waiting period.
During those first 48 hours, cover is limited to sudden accidental injuries that can be independently verified. Illnesses and other injuries arising during the waiting period are excluded.
Can I buy Annual Multi-Trip insurance for several canoeing holidays?
Yes, provided each activity and individual trip meets the applicable policy requirements.
Under the current wording, each Annual Multi-Trip journey can last up to 30 days with Travel Essentials and 45 days with Travel Classic or Travel Elite.
Can Rise & Shield cover a multi-day canoeing trip?
Potentially, yes. Canoeing can form part of a multi-day insured trip provided the activity conditions and overall policy duration limits are met.
The current wording limits a Single Trip to 30 days.
Can one policy cover canoeing and other adventure activities?
Potentially, yes. Different activities on the same trip can use different activity levels or optional covers.
Check each planned activity individually because canoeing, kayaking, rafting, river boarding and other watersports can have different classifications and conditions.
What should I look for in the best canoeing travel insurance?
Look beyond a policy simply saying that “watersports” are covered. Check the maximum canoeing grade, whether harder grades require an add-on or guide, emergency medical and evacuation cover, coastal limits, safety requirements, equipment exclusions, competition exclusions and trip-duration limits.
Those details determine whether the policy actually fits your paddling itinerary.
When should I buy canoeing travel insurance?
It is generally sensible to arrange your policy once your trip is booked so that any eligible pre-departure cancellation protection can begin.
If you purchase after departure, the separate Already Departed conditions and 48-hour waiting period apply.
How do I check whether my exact canoeing or kayaking activity is covered?
Use the current Rise & Shield Activity Checker and compare your planned activity, grade, location and any required add-on or special condition with your quote and policy documents.
Where the live Activity Checker and policy wording differ, your issued policy documents should be checked before relying on cover.
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