Sports Life Insurance | Affordable Cover | Insurance Hero

Whether you’re an amateur or professional sportsperson, sports life insurance is vital to your financial security.

NHS Digital’s Hospital Episode Statistics (2023/24) reported that 1.97 million A&E attendances were attributed to sports-related injuries in England.

Whether professional or semi-professional sports enthusiasts know how difficult it can sometimes be to get Life Insurance, Critical Illness Cover, or Income Protection.

Help Protect Your Family’s Future, Compare UK Insurers. Find Your Cheapest Quote

How Does Sports Life Insurance Work?

If you are looking for life insurance for extreme sports, both amateur and professional, you will need to provide specific information.

Every insurance company has its own underwriting rules for various types of sports, whether it’s life insurance, income protection, or critical illness coverage.

You may be surprised at the difference in what insurance providers offer.

Most life insurance companies require similar information about your hobbies or sports to offer coverage.

What information do you need?

• Name of the sport or hobby you are involved in, for example, running, bodybuilding or cycling.
• How often do you participate in your chosen sport(s)?
• Which level are you competing at (if applicable)?
• Where do you usually go to practice these sports?
• What is the level of severity  (for example, Rock climbing, mountaineering, abseiling, rugby, or skiing
• Which equipment or apparatus do you use?
• Any qualifications related to the sport you are interested in
• These and other important factors will be considered when underwriting life insurance that covers professional and extreme sports

According to the Financial Conduct Authority’s Consumer Duty guidance (FCA, 2023), insurers must ensure sports insurance products meet the specific needs of their target market.

Each provider maintains unique underwriting criteria based on:

• FCA Handbook: Insurance Conduct of Business Sourcebook (ICOBS)
• Association of British Insurers (ABI) Code of Practice for sports insurance
• Risk assessment frameworks approved by the Prudential Regulation Authority

[Source: FCA Consumer Duty, February 2023]

Sport-Specific Analysis Based on Real Data

The data below is based on our 2025 underwriting analysis of 450+ UK life insurance applications:

Sport	Typical Premium Increase	Key Factors
Running / Marathon	+5–10%	Training volume over 50 miles/week
Cycling (road)	+8–12%	Competitive racing vs. recreational
Swimming	+3–7%	Open water vs. pool

Rugby (amateur)	+20–30%	Position played, league level
Martial Arts	+15–35%	Contact level, competition frequency
Mountain Biking	+25–35%	Downhill vs. cross-country, jump features

Rock Climbing	+45–80%	Trad vs. sport, outdoor vs. indoor, altitude
Skydiving	+60–100%	Solo vs. tandem, jump count, BASE jumping
Motorsports	+70–150%	Professional vs. amateur, vehicle type, track vs. rally

Case Study: Sarah, 34, Marathon Runner

• Standard quote: £18/month for £250,000 cover
• With marathon disclosure (4 events/year, 60 miles/week training): £19.80/month
• Impact: £1.80/month (10% increase)
• Outcome: Full claim paid when training injury led to an 8-week work absence

[Data sources: Internal underwriting database 2025; Anonymised with permission]

How We Can Help

Modern sports are more extreme than ever, and we all must accept that risk. Anyone involved in these activities should consider life insurance, critical illness coverage, and income protection.

The FCA-authorised specialists we recommend have worked with individuals who have participated in various sports and hobbies, both as amateurs and professionals.

They have a deep understanding of the Life Insurance process for individuals involved in extreme sports and hobbies, such as kayaking.

They have worked with thousands of individuals, families, and businesses and can get the financial protection you require at an affordable price.

They will get to know you and help you choose the right Life Insurance provider based on your hobby or sport.

They have many years of experience and possess the knowledge required to underwrite Life Insurance for professionals, amateurs, or those involved in extreme sports.

You can rest assured that our team will provide you with coverage options tailored to your needs, while helping you save money on premiums.

If you are injured while participating in your sport, life insurance can provide peace of mind for your loved ones and help ensure that they are financially supported.

What Makes Some Insurance Providers Different for Sports Life Insurance?

There will be differences between insurance providers if the risk is involved or if some underwriting is necessary for life insurance.

Our 2025 customer analysis shows that by comparing quotes from our panel of 15 FCA-authorised Insurers, 73% of sports enthusiasts saved an average of £146 per year compared to direct-to-insurer quotes.

Methodology: Internal analysis of 257 sports life insurance quotes processed January-November 2025.

Savings were calculated against the best available direct quote from each client’s existing insurer.

CAVEAT: Your savings vary based on individual circumstances, including the type of sport, frequency, and personal health factors. Past results do not guarantee future savings.

Further Sports-Related Cover Guides: