Travel Insurance

I haven't renewed our annual policy yet ans was looking around and came across this one which seems the right price and covers snow sports!

http://www.dogtag.co.uk/

I looked over the Dogtag Policy recently. I don't think I will be buying it as they offer only 17 days (IIRC) skiing in their basic policy among other limitations. The major stumbling block for me, is the categorisation of skiing activity, which turns me into an extreme skier (yes really). Wonderfully surreal :lol:

I've just renewed my annual policy with insureandgo.com. It was only £72 for a family of 4 including winter sports, so we upgraded to platinum with no excess for £88. With the bronze package they only cover 17 days but with gold or platinum they cover 24.

Last year they paid out for my medical expenses, lift pass, ski hire and lessons - over 1100 euros if I remember rightly. This year they've told me I'm still 100% covered even for my knees. I think that's pretty good.

That does sound a good deal Caron. The real test is when you make a claim do they pay, and your lot did.

One area to check is what is covered when off-piste. Many companies blithely give cover "when accompanied by a guide" Then they don't define the term guide, so you are doubly stuffed. Some cover themselves by deferring to runs that the lift company states as "Open". Do you ever see clearly defined runs through the tress on your piste board?

Worse still, I have witnessed an off-piste incident where the first aiders would not attend with the ackier, because it was "outside the defined area". They were willing to phone for a helicopter, and the people subsequently received a bill for 3000 Euros.

My ski buddy Mel and I have a pact ~ if either of us crunch off-piste, and provided we are unconcious, the other can pull them back onto the piste ~ prior to calling in the Alpingers.

Would be interested to hear about good quality, clearly stated off piste cover.

Oh ~ "IMPORTANT"!!! ALWAYS HAVE THE TEL NO OF THE LIFT COMPANY ON YOUR MOBILE!!! ~~~ Admin Dave, is there any way I can make this loud and clear so that everyone understands it?

Dave Mac
I'm hunting around for next year's cover. A couple of providers that catch my eye are:

http://www.pjhayman.com/index.asp
Because they seem to cover pre-existing conditions and older travellers, with bespoke policies, unlike lots of the budget providers. Plenty of definition in the small print. Range of policies.

And:
http://www.direct-travel.co.uk/
Because they don't load off-piste skiing, or make you add pre-purchased weeks of ski cover onto a budget beach policy. 17 days skiing cover for each ski trip....as many as you want during the policy year.

Both are underwritten by big well known insurers. Both lack the daft definitions on skiing afflicting some of the high st providers.

I too have seen "Must ski with a qualified instructor when off piste". Which means that if you are with a qualified UIAGM mountain guide (truly the only safe option) you are uninsured. Guides don't teach! Utter nonsense. Who writes this drivel!

bandit wrote:
I too have seen "Must ski with a qualified instructor when off piste". Which means that if you are with a qualified UIAGM mountain guide (truly the only safe option) you are uninsured. Guides don't teach! Utter nonsense. Who writes this drivel!

Instructors can take you non glacial terrain in broad terms, there's some caveats, glaciers, crevasses and anything vertical would be off limits. Some ski schools, notably ESF, have some high alpine guides who hold teaching tickets as well and it's not uncommon here in Switzerland either. IFMGA pretty much the monopoly for more extreme environments though.

None of which seems to be known by whoever wrote that :D It's a reasonable general point they're making though, if your leader/instructor isn't qualified then your insurance is invalid.

ise wrote:

bandit wrote:
I too have seen "Must ski with a qualified instructor when off piste". Which means that if you are with a qualified UIAGM mountain guide (truly the only safe option) you are uninsured. Guides don't teach! Utter nonsense. Who writes this drivel!

Instructors can take you non glacial terrain in broad terms, there's some caveats, glaciers, crevasses and anything vertical would be off limits. Some ski schools, notably ESF, have some high alpine guides who hold teaching tickets as well and it's not uncommon here in Switzerland either. IFMGA pretty much the monopoly for more extreme environments though.

None of which seems to be known by whoever wrote that :D It's a reasonable general point they're making though, if your leader/instructor isn't qualified then your insurance is invalid.

Yes, agreed. The problem for some UK insurance sellers seems to be comprehension. As a policy holder you could find yourself in the ridiculous situation of hiring a fully qualified guide (and going uninsured), or taking a ski instructor with less skills and knowledge, satisfying the insurance seller and putting yourself at risk by doing so. Crazy.

Strangely, I've just checked the booklet twice over and can't find the words "off-piste" anywhere. Is this good or bad? Saying that, it won't make any difference for me just yet (unless I happen to stray unwittingly :?.)