People who have never taken part in sports before might be hearing the term ‘sports insurance’ for the first time. If you’re starting horseback riding, is it better to get sports insurance? This article introduces the necessity, overview, and main types of sports insurance.
What Is Sports Insurance?
Is horseback riding a sport that requires insurance because it’s dangerous? If you already have life insurance, what’s the difference? Many people have simple questions about sports insurance. Let’s look at why it’s necessary and what coverage it provides.
Is Insurance Necessary for Horseback Riding?
There are stories of people being advised to buy a one-day insurance when only planning to go for a grooming session, making them wonder, “Is horseback riding really that risky?”
Of course, staff usually pay close attention to safety, and there’s no need to worry excessively. However, horses are large and powerful yet timid and easily startled. Therefore, even small incidents can potentially lead to serious accidents. It’s best to keep this in mind.
While avoiding serious injuries requiring hospitalization is ideal, insurance becomes most useful in case of major injuries. For safety, it’s recommended to join sports insurance when you start horseback riding.
Is it Different from Regular Insurance?
If you already have life insurance covering hospitalization costs, you might wonder, “Should I also get sports insurance?”
However, a “sports” insurance is not necessarily the only way to cover injuries during sports activities. First, check the coverage of your existing insurance. If the coverage of the sports insurance you’re considering overlaps with the current one, you might not need to double-cover.
Typically, sports insurance plans also cover outpatient expenses, theft of equipment, and traffic accidents on the way to lessons.
Top 3 Sports Insurance Options for Horseback Riding
Next, we will introduce several insurance plans. Many big insurance companies and new entrants are offering sports insurance, so it can be confusing to compare “big names are reliable?” or “what’s the difference among many options?”
We have selected insurance from The Japan Sports Safety Foundation, Rakuten, and Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance. Japan Sports Safety Foundation is well-known for sports insurance, and Rakuten and Mitsui Sumitomo are familiar brands, so they offer peace of mind.
Since each insurance has multiple plans with different coverage levels, find one that best fits your horseback riding style and budget. Even if you’re considering other options, comparing features and prices can help you choose the right coverage for your needs.
Japan Sports Safety Foundation “Sports Safety Insurance”
The Sports Safety Insurance provided by the Japan Sports Safety Foundation is relatively low-cost and was created with the aim of encouraging safe participation in organized sports and cultural activities. It is mainly targeted at groups of four or more people, although clubs often handle group registration, making it convenient for individual riders.
This insurance covers incidents that occur during activities under the management of the participating organization and en route to the activities. Details about coverage scope, such as auto accidents, can be checked directly on the Japan Sports Safety Foundation website.
The coverage period runs annually from April 1 to March 31. If you join in October, for example, your insurance will not only last until the same date next year but will also cover only six months of the year’s fee.
Since the cost is affordable, it’s best to join at the beginning of the fiscal year for better value.
Rakuten Super Easy Insurance “Sports Plan”
Rakuten’s Super Easy Insurance is highly recommended for those already using Rakuten Market or Rakuten Pay regularly. Buying insurance is as simple as adding desired items to your shopping cart and paying, just like regular online shopping. On subsequent purchases, payment is done via Rakuten Pay.
It offers options for individual, family, or couple coverage. Plans vary from “Budget,” “Standard,” to “Premium,” balancing coverage and premium cost.
This flexibility makes it easy to choose insurance that fits your family and activity needs. The “Sports Plan” is suitable for horseback riding.
Details of coverage and costs can be found on the Rakuten Super Easy Insurance website.
Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance “GK Injury Protection (Personal Life Compensation Insurance)”
Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance’s “GK Injury Protection (Personal Life Compensation Insurance)” is a comprehensive coverage insurance that protects not just sports accidents but also workplace and household incidents. If you currently have no insurance or only have specific illness or hospitalization coverage, this insurance could be a good option for broader protection, including accidents in daily life.
The insurance covers sudden and accidental injuries. Details about coverage scope and benefits can be checked on the Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance website.
There are three plans: “Standard,” “Enhanced,” and “Traffic Accident Only.” The Enhanced plan offers similar coverage to the Standard plan but costs only a few hundred yen more per month and includes coverage for heatstroke, which is beneficial for outdoor sports enthusiasts.
Summary
Horseback riding is not particularly dangerous, but accidents can happen during horse care and lessons. Having appropriate injury insurance provides peace of mind in case of unforeseen incidents.
Many clubs have their own insurance, so it’s a good idea to check with your riding club first. If you decide to purchase insurance individually, it’s not necessary to limit yourself to sports insurance. Consider coverage, cost, and your riding frequency to choose the most suitable insurance.