|
|
Backpacker & Sporting Travel Insurance
If you are planning to go either backpacking or on an activity holiday,
you may need specialist insurance.
If you have an existing policy, read the small print to see if you
are covered. Ensure that activities, especially sports, are covered.
Sporting accidents can be very costly, especially winter sports.
An operation on torn ligaments in Switzerland can set you back around
£8,000.
Most policies will exclude accidents caused by motorized transport,
particularly jet skis and motorbikes. You may be covered if you
are driving a hire car but you still need to check before you go.
If skiing, look closely at any policy you are offered. See that
you are covered for lost equipment and ski passes, ski hire, and
compensation for days the runs are closed.
As recent accidents have shown, venturing off-piste can be a serious
problem. If you are going to do this, make sure beforehand that
you are covered. Some policies do allow off-piste skiing and snowboarding
but only under the supervision of an accredited local guide.
You should also ensure there is adequate cover if you are forced
to stay on in the resort because of avalanches or because you are
snowed in.
For other holiday sports make sure that your sport is covered.
So long as it is a normal part of your holiday and you are with
a qualified person, whether you go whitewater rafting, jet skiing,
bungee jumping, wind surfing, you will probably be able to get insurance,
although you may well have to pay extra for it.
For more hazardous activities such as high-altitude mountaineering,
special policies are needed. These are usually available from the
travel organizer.
|
