Sports, Sales & Safety:

The Overlap Between Business and Leisure Travel

Modern business travel has changed. Where once a trip might have involved a flight, a taxi, and a day of meetings before flying home, today’s itineraries often blend work with networking events, team-building activities, and leisure time.

This shift is particularly relevant to SMEs, where business trips are seen as investments in relationships and brand building, helping you get closer to your clients. Employees may take part in:

• A round of golf with a key client.
• A guided city cycle tour with a potential partner.
• A skiing afternoon during a conference in the Alps.
• Sailing or water sports at a corporate retreat.

These activities can be highly effective for building trust and rapport, but they also carry a level of physical risk. Without adequate insurance, an incident during such an activity could result in medical bills, missed meetings, and logistical headaches for both the employee and the business.

The Hidden Risks of Business Activities

While sports and recreational activities may seem harmless, even what you may consider to be low-risk activities, like hiking or cycling, can result in injuries. The implications for SMEs include:

1. Medical Costs Abroad In countries without reciprocal healthcare agreements, even minor injuries can incur significant costs. Medical costs abroad have increased dramatically in the past few years.
2. Loss of Productivity If an employee is injured, they may not be able to attend key meetings or complete their trip objectives.
3. Reputational Impact Cancelling important engagements due to an accident can damage professional relationships, the very thing Business Activities are designed to foster.
4. Financial Loss Rebooking flights, replacing damaged equipment, or paying for additional accommodation can quickly add up.

These risks are compounded if the activity falls outside the scope of standard travel insurance — which is often the case with sports or physically demanding leisure pursuits.

Why Standard Business Travel Insurance Often Falls Short

Many standard business travel insurance policies exclude cover for a wide range of leisure sports and activities, especially those deemed “hazardous” or “high-risk.” This could include:

• Winter sports like skiing and snowboarding.
• Water sports such as jet skiing or sailing.
• Mountain activities like hiking at altitude or climbing.

Even seemingly safe pursuits — such as cycling in a busy city — may not be covered unless specifically included. For SMEs, sending employees on trips without activity cover is a gamble. We previously covered the activities that are covered by Voyager Protect here: What Sports & Activities are available on Voyager Protect?

How VoyagerProtect Bridges the Gap

VoyagerProtect is a business travel insurance policy designed for UK SMEs and other businesses that recognises modern business trips often include both work and recreational activities.

1. Wide Range of Activities Covered as Standard VoyagerProtect includes over 100 sports and activities as part of its standard cover. This means employees can take part in most common leisure and sporting activities without the need for additional policies.
2. Leisure Time Covered Within Business Trips Business trips don’t always run 24/7. VoyagerProtect extends protection to leisure time during the trip, so whether an employee is on the golf course, exploring a city by bike, or joining a group hike, they remain covered.
3. Medical and Repatriation Support If an activity results in injury, VoyagerProtect provides emergency medical cover and, where necessary, repatriation to the UK — ensuring the employee receives appropriate care and can return home safely.
4. Equipment Cover For activities requiring specialised gear — such as skis or golf clubs — VoyagerProtect can cover loss, theft, or damage to equipment, ensuring the trip can continue with minimal disruption. Please note, for Skis and other ski equipment to be covered, the Winter Sports option must be taken.
5. Replacement Personnel Cover If an injured employee is unable to continue the business portion of their trip, VoyagerProtect can cover the cost of sending a replacement colleague to fulfil the original objectives, reducing the impact on the business.

Case Scenarios for SMEs

Case 1: Golf in Spain

A UK SME sends its sales manager to a conference in Barcelona, with a client golf day scheduled for the afternoon. During the game, the manager sprains an ankle and needs medical attention.

Without activity cover: The medical costs may not be covered, especially if golf is excluded under the policy.

With VoyagerProtect: Medical expenses are covered, and the manager can access 24/7 Emergency Assistance to navigate local healthcare.

Case 2: Skiing in Austria

A team-building trip includes a half-day on the slopes. An employee falls and fractures a wrist.

Without Winter Sports cover: Winter sports are often excluded, meaning the business or employee pays out of pocket.

With VoyagerProtect: With the Winter Sports option added, piste rescue, emergency medical treatment and any other necessary transport are covered, protecting both the employee and the business from unexpected expenses.

Case 3: Cycling in Amsterdam

An SME’s account manager joins a client cycling tour in Amsterdam and suffers a minor collision, damaging both the bike and their laptop.

With VoyagerProtect: Both the medical needs and the damaged business equipment are covered, meaning minimal disruption to the trip.

Why This Matters for SME Risk Management

SMEs face tighter budgets and leaner teams than large corporations. This means that disruptions to business travel — whether due to injury or lost equipment — can have outsized effects. Including activity cover in your business travel protection strategy:

1. Reduces financial exposure.
2. Maintains business continuity.
3. Improves employee confidence and satisfaction during travel.

Practical Steps for SMEs

1. Audit Your Business Travel Needs - Look at the types of activities employees take part in during trips. This should include planned events and common leisure pursuits.
2. Educate Employees - Make sure staff understand what is and isn’t covered under the company’s travel policy.
3. Choose a Flexible Policy - Opt for a provider like Voyager Protect, which includes a broad range of activities and covers leisure time during business trips.
4. Encourage Safe Participation - While insurance provides a safety net, it’s important to promote safe practices and risk awareness among employees.

Conclusion:

Building Safer, More Effective Business Trips Including activity cover in business travel insurance isn’t just about risk management — it’s about enabling employees to make the most of their trips. Whether it’s closing a deal over 18 holes, networking on the ski slopes, or building team spirit on a kayak adventure, activities can be powerful business tools. With VoyagerProtect, SMEs can embrace the benefits of sports and leisure in business travel without exposing themselves or their people to unnecessary risk. Find out more about VoyagerProtect at www.voyagerprotect.com and ensure your next business trip is protected from every angle — from the boardroom to the golf course.

For a quote on your Business Travel Insurance:

Request a Quote or call 01483 806 822