Top Insurance for The Dragon Boat Festival In Hong Kong
- Adit Bhatnagar

- May 23, 2025
- 4 min read

The Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival is near, promising a thrilling celebration filled with exciting dragon boat races and parades. However, the festival is much more than just rowboat races in Hong Kong’s waters.
The Dragon Boat Festival honours Qu Yuan, a patriotic poet and hero who was exiled and drowned in the Miluo River after the country fell to enemies. Villagers rowed to save Qu, but in vain. To protect the poet’s body from fish, they made zongzi (sticky rice dumplings) and threw them into the river, leading to the festival traditions of eating zongzi and rowing dragon boats.
Although the Chinese traditional festival turned into more of a modern competition in Hong Kong in 1976. As exciting as the races are, some risks can affect the hosts, participants, and the public. These risks include injuries, property damage, and travel issues.
These unfortunate risks make having the right insurance essential. Several policies can help manage the risks associated with dragon boat festivals, enabling everyone to enjoy the event. Hence, the article will highlight the top insurance for the Dragon Boat Festival in Hong Kong and why they are vital.
Insurance For the Dragon Boat Festival
Event Insurance
The festival primarily revolves around the spiritual traditions and competitive races, which are divided into several different events. The races include professional rowers and friendly competitions. The event hosts are responsible for every detail of the event, from collecting team fees to ensuring there is a place where the audience can enjoy the festival.

The organiser must be aware of common risks when hosting such events. One main risk is event cancellation due to inclement weather. Hong Kong weather is unpredictable, and it can be dangerous to row in rough seas and rain.
If the races are cancelled and cannot be postponed, the host is responsible for returning all fees paid and staff salaries. Additionally, they may lose all deposits paid to vendors and venues.
Event insurance for the Dragon Boat Festival is the ideal coverage for the race events. The insurance will cover the financial loss due to event cancellations. The policy will help hosts recover from cancellations without a considerable financial burden.
Public Liability Insurance
Hosts are responsible for making the event enjoyable and ensuring the safety of participants and the public. Although races in open water reduce the risks of public accidents slightly, there is still a chance that the event may cause injuries or property damage.

If a rowboat crashes into public property, such as a dock or another boat, the event host will be liable, even though it was not their direct fault. Another incident that could occur is decorations falling on the viewing audience and causing injuries. Parties affected by injuries or property damage may sue the hosts for compensation.
Dealing with these unexpected public liability lawsuits can be expensive and complicated. Hence, public liability insurance for the Dragon Boat Festival is vital. The coverage will cover the costs related to public liability accident claims. Event insurance may include this coverage, but some insurers may advise obtaining a separate policy to increase the coverage limit.
The cover is crucial as event hosts can’t predict these accidents, and being protected is always beneficial.
Personal Accident Insurance
Dragon boat racing is an exciting and competitive sport that requires teamwork, strength, and endurance. The thrill of racing can be intense, as participants give their all to outpace their opponents.

However, the competition also demands a lot from the body, making it strenuous for everyone involved. Like any sport, dragon boat racing comes with the risk of injuries. Paddlers can experience muscle strains, cuts, and even accidents on the water. These injuries can occur suddenly, especially during intense races.
Racers must have the right insurance for the Dragon Boat Festival. Some health insurance plans may not cover injuries related to competitive sports. Personal accident insurance can be a wise choice, as it provides additional protection and ensures that racers are covered in the event of any injuries during the competition.
Property All-Risk Insurance
Dragon boat racing involves considerable equipment, primarily the dragon boat, which seats 18 to 20 paddlers, plus a drummer. Teams also need quality paddles, life jackets, and safety gear. Accidents can occur during training or at events, resulting in property damage.

For example, a boat can collide with a dock or another boat, resulting in dents, cracks, and holes. Another example includes if a paddle breaks during training, it must be replaced immediately. Repairing or replacing damaged boats and equipment can be expensive for teams, especially when urgent repairs require specialised expertise.
Property all-risk insurance for the Dragon Boat Festival is crucial to cover the racing property. The policy covers damage to the boat, paddles, and other equipment in the event of accidents or unforeseen events.
This insurance can help teams recover from property damage without financial strain, allowing them to focus on their training and race performance.
Travel Insurance
The Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival attracts many participants. Racers from around the world come to compete, including teams from the United Arab Emirates, Australia, and various Asian countries.

However, travelling for sports can have risks. Some racers might experience cancelled flights or lost luggage. For example, a team might arrive without their paddles, which are essential for racing. This can be very frustrating and may ruin their chances in the competition.
International racers should purchase travel insurance for the Dragon Boat Festival to cover these risks. The policy can cover the financial loss due to cancelled flights or lost gear. Thus, rowers can use the cover to book another flight or quickly purchase a new paddle and enjoy the festival without worrying too much about travel incidents.
Benefits of Insurance for The Dragon Boat Festival
The Dragon Boat Festival is a vibrant celebration, but it can include a wide range of risks and uncontrollable outcomes. This is where insurance plays a crucial role.
Insurance for the Dragon Boat Festival offers financial protection by covering costs from accidents, damages, or lawsuits, reducing the financial burden for hosts and participants. It also assists in challenging situations like adverse weather or third-party lawsuits, ensuring expert help is available with the right policy and insurer.
Lastly, having insurance offers peace of mind. Organisers and participants can enjoy the festivities without worrying about unexpected incidents.
Insurance for the Dragon Boat Festival offers an ideal safety net, enhancing the overall experience of the festival.
To learn more about insurance for the Dragon Boat Festival and cover unpredictable risks, contact Red Asia Insurance.




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