Off to sail for a week and a half at Diamond Head and it is so hard to travel with gear these days that I intend to hire it. I am keen to find a travel insurance that will protect me if I get injured and even better is one that would cover the hire gear if it is accidentally damaged.

I know it is a big ask, has anyone heard of such an insurance? I have heard a hire place on Maui covers the gear, but that isn't where I am going. It is also my honeymoon so have to keep the MRS happy - hence Oahu so she can shop while I smack a few lips....

Check with your credit card provider.
Some offer travel and personal insurance as part of their standard service... others allow you to pay additional fee for it.

Make sure you read the fine print !

Hi Mitton I met you at robe last week, I am also going over next month, have got full medical and travel insurance with QBE organized it through our private cover (health partners), $200 bucks for a months cover. JAMIE.

I used to get travel insurance via Westpac... it's underwritten but QBE but if you buy through Westpac it's a) cheaper and b) covers more stuff and at higher values. Including but not limited to camera gear and laptops left in the boot of the car.

I seem to remember that an annual policy was about $650. You don't have to be a Westpac customer and can get an online quote as well as buy the insurance online on the day of departure. Have a look at the Westpac web site.

As far as insurance for hire gear is concerned I believe most shops offer the insurance for an additional fee. I am guessing in most cases this isn't really an insurance per se but rather the shop taking the risk in case of breakage for a little bit of extra money. Either way you go for the gear insurance make sure you clarify if it includes the following:

- broken mast and sail due to sailing in wave
- broken board because you landed a jump flat
- lost rig because you had to abandon it at sea in order to rescue yourself.

OnePath(ANZ) travel insurance covers windsurfers for medical costs for personal injury and public liability - not gear damage
More expensive than some others but money well spent.
Also cover kitesurfers - not mentioned in their policy like windsurfing but I have a email from their underwriters(QBE) saying they are covered

kd

Got the insurance sorted through Travelcare. Hopefully can insure through shop. Paul scored a deal on Maui with insurance through a shop recently.

The PDS on travelcare excludes 3rd party liability on watercraft - this would include windsurfing.Seems to cover medical costs for a injury to yourself while windsurfing
kd