Travel Insurance

My additions account at Barclays provides me with Insurance, but this year because I wasn't sure of what to cover, i'll be using first choice insurance

caron-a wrote: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 :?.)

If it's not listed, then there is no cover. Remember there are no "just a little bit" areas with insurance.

davidmpires wrote:My additions account at Barclays provides me with Insurance, but this year because I wasn't sure of what to cover, i'll be using first choice insurance

If you have not yet paid for it, go and find your own, you will pay less and get better cover!

Thanks bandit, but yeah i've paid for my holidays already. Well live and learn next time i'll do a bit research.

bandit wrote:

caron-a wrote: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 :?.)

If it's not listed, then there is no cover. Remember there are no "just a little bit" areas with insurance.

pressumed so. darn it, and there was me all ready to jump off the edge of a cliff :twisted:

caron-a wrote:

bandit wrote:

caron-a wrote: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 :?.)

If it's not listed, then there is no cover. Remember there are no "just a little bit" areas with insurance.

pressumed so. darn it, and there was me all ready to jump off the edge of a cliff :twisted:

:lol:
If there is no listing, or definition provided, it does mean that if you stopped just off the edge of a marked slope to adjust your boots/blow your nose/your choice.......you are off piste :mrgreen:

Don't you just love Insurance Loss Adjusters :lol:

bandit wrote:
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.

In the event of a claim I really doubt that particularly in the event of legal action, there's a number of cases establishing this in fact. Those cases have established that insurers have to accept qualifications like IFMGA even if they used language like "instructor" and that insurers can decline claims regardless of any language if the leader isn't qualified.

The other point, mostly neglected, is that the leader themselves need to be insured and have liability cover. Their insurer will only cover claims if the leader is operating inside the remit of their qualification. This is the root of the problem in the client insurance, the client's insurer wants to claim on the liability cover of the leader's insurance and that's why this language is in client insurance. Ergo, an unqualified leader is an uninsured one as well and it's more common in the mountains than you'd think.

ise wrote:


The other point, mostly neglected, is that the leader themselves need to be insured and have liability cover. Their insurer will only cover claims if the leader is operating inside the remit of their qualification. This is the root of the problem in the client insurance, the client's insurer wants to claim on the liability cover of the leader's insurance and that's why this language is in client insurance. Ergo, an unqualified leader is an uninsured one as well and it's more common in the mountains than you'd think.

So, how is the paying client supposed to ensure that leaders are insured...and with someone who their Insurer would consider "acceptable" in the event of a prang?
We put a lot of trust in the skill of Instructors/Guides. We take a lot on trust, I have never asked to see an Instructor's Insurance if they were taking me off piste.