Any golfer worth their backswing will tell you that theirs is an expensive sport.
With golf clubs ranging into the thousands, it simply wouldn’t do to lose your golf gear on a trip away. Travel insurance for your golf holiday will put your mind at ease so you can spend more time on the green and less time seeing red!
What Does Golf Travel Insurance Cover?
Whether you’re the next Tiger or just a grassroots golfer, travel mishaps can happen to anyone. Golf insurance will cover you should the following occur:
- Your golf equipment gets lost, stolen or damaged: In the case of loss, theft or damage to your golf gear, you would be eligible for replacement equipment or reimbursed for the cost of a repair. Benefit limits do apply, so shop around to find the best policy for the cost of your gear.
- You require hire equipment: If you are unable to use your golf gear (due to loss of theft, damage or a travel delay of more than 24 hours) your policy will cover the cost of hire equipment (provided you have lodged a claim with the insurer).
- You’ve prepaid your green fees but cannot use them: If you cannot use your prepaid green fees due to accidental injury or illness, golf insurance will cover you(provided the fees are non-refundable).
- You shoot a hole-in-one: Well firstly, congratulations! It’s customary to shout the bar after shooting a hole-in-one, and quite obligingly, some policies will cover the round of drinks!
What Does Golf Insurance Not Cover?
Even the very best athletes have limits, and the same applies to golf insurance. You would not be covered if:
- Your golf gear was stolen out of an unlocked car: Leaving your gear in a car overnight or in a non-secured car compartment would void your cover. If you must leave your gear in the car, lock it away in the boot during daylight hours only.
- You fail to report a theft: Not only do you need to notify the relevant authority about theft, loss or damage to your golf equipment, you must be able to substantiate your claim with a written report from that authority.
- You were negligent: Whether you left your golf equipment behind in your hotel room, aircraft, bus, taxi or left it unattended in a public place, you would not be covered.
- Your gear was shipped unaccompanied: Travel insurance wouldn’t cover your costs if your golf equipment was sent unaccompanied under the provisions of any freight contract or forwarded in advance.
- Your gear was damaged whilst in use: Most insurers will not cover you for loss, theft or damage incurred to your golf gear whilst in use.
- You incur general wear and tear: If your equipment damage was caused by atmospheric or climatic conditions, wear and tear, vermin or any process of cleaning, it would not be covered.
- You are entitled to be reimbursed by a transport provider: If an airline or carrier was responsible for the loss or damage to your clubs, you would need to claim with them. However, if you are reimbursed less than the amount of your claim, golf insurance will pay the difference.
Golf Club Cover: The Tee-Total Value
Every golf insurance policy will pay out their benefits differently. Some insurers will either replace the equipment with a similar item, pay to repair the item or pay you a sum of money to reimburse you for it. It’s important to do your research before purchasing golf insurance as policies can vary greatly. Also, be mindful that although you may have a lump sum for the cost of your golf equipment, set limits do apply. For instance, you may be covered for $3,000 worth of golf gear but only be able to claim for $1,000 for a pair of clubs.
Additionally, make sure you hold onto any original receipts (or other forms of proof of purchase). Without receipts, you may still be reimbursed but only at the depreciated value of your equipment.
Many insurers will cover golf equipment as st andard, however, the following insurers provide optional golf cover for discerning golfers:
