Does Health Insurance Cover Sports Injuries & Gym Accidents

Are There Health Insurance Plans for Gym and Sports Injuries?

Yes, there are health insurance plans for gym and sports injuries. Many health insurance companies in India offer coverage for sports injuries if you're hospitalized. Some personal accident or critical illness insurance plans may also cover certain sports injuries.

There are also special health insurance plans that only cover injuries from sports or gym activities. Such plans can cover ligament tears, bone fractures, and other issues depending on the policy.

Additionally, some travel health insurance also provides additional coverage for adventure sports while traveling abroad. Though the coverage varies from one company to another, it would be good to check on which injuries are covered by which insurance company.

Common Sports and Gym Injuries

Any sports or fitness activities may result in severe injury. Such injuries may be very costly, depending on their severity and the type of treatment required. Here are some common sports and gym injuries:

• Muscle sprains
• Bone fractures
• Knee injuries
• Dislocated bones and joints
• Achilles tendon injuries
• Rotator cuff injuries
• Tendon injuries

These injuries are very painful, take time to heal, and need a lot of care. If not treated, they can affect your daily life. Some of these injuries may need expensive surgery and rehab to fully recover and some may require high-cost surgery and rehabilitation to get back to normal.

What Sports Injuries Are Covered by Health Insurance?

Most health insurance companies will not pay for injuries arising out of really risky events, for example, scuba diving, racing, or mountain climbing. However, for any regular sports or gym injuries, the health coverage pays off.

One thing to note is that most health insurance plans do not cover OPD (outpatient) costs. Gym injuries, which are often small muscle or ligament injuries, are usually paid for out of pocket and are not covered by health insurance.

So, injuries like ligament tears, physiotherapy, fractures, and minor strains are not included. They are only included when you have been hospitalized, or if these outpatient expenses are part of your recovery after being in the hospital.

Important Things to Know Before Buying Sports Health Insurance

Here are a few things to keep in mind before getting sports health insurance:

• People under 18 years old can't claim for sports injuries.
• Common injuries like sprains from everyday sports are usually considered self-inflicted.
• Injuries from sports while traveling abroad may not be covered.
• Out-patient expenses (OPD) are often not covered.
• Injuries caused by drugs or illegal substances are not covered.
• Some treatments may be considered "cosmetic" and not covered.

Some insurance companies cover all types of sports injuries, including endurance, adventure, and hobby sports. However, these plans might have higher premiums than regular ones.

Conclusion

Regardless of whether you play sports or are actively working out, there is always the risk of injury. At such times, it is a good idea to seek medical attention right away. Worrying about treatment costs is likely to increase the level of stress of the individual. So it is better to purchase health insurance before it is needed so that one is financially ready in the event of an accident.