Winter sports insurance

Hi, My winter sports insurance is up for renewal. I have previosly used "Direct travel insurance" but have got a quote from "Flexicover" which is loads cheaper. Anyone got any experience of them or any better alternative cover providers? :wink:
Cheers Roger

I have used Direct Travel for many years and been happy with all their holiday cover, including the minutiae of their ski cover. But rumour has it (and I haven't checked) that they have reduced the period of cover this year to 17 days in total from any trip not over 17 days, which has an impact on multiple trip skiers.
Have a read through - http://www.j2ski.com/ski-chat-forum/posts/list/8/8958.page from last autumn discussing the minefield of ski insurance cover.
For me it is not just about cost but making sure I am covered for what I want to do - whatever the holiday or business trip I am on.

Oh great, can we revive the epic insurance debate then :D

From Direct Travel's quotation page:

Ski cover is provided for up to 17 days in total on our Winter Sports travel insurance policies

This is a huge change for regular skiers, who purchased from them in the past.

Instead, apparently you can win a holiday or a Kindle, so that's okay then :roll:

As for Flexicover, it's mostly the same flavour:

Winter sports cover may be included up to 17 days during the period of
insurance for each insured person aged up to and including 65 years of age
upon payment of the appropriate premium.

Watch out for their "Automatic Renewal" clause.

There is no cover for skiing outside a resort boundary. Not that they have defined boundary, nor do most resorts.

The Underwriter is Mapfre Asistencia Compania Internacional de
Seguros y Reaseguros Sociedad Anonima

I was already prepared, after 10 years ot more with DT, to move elsewhere. Last season, at the point where you have to phone in to pay a bit extra to extend beyond 17 days, I was given a price almost 3 times more than the previous years. Given that I was on a mobile from Austria, I accepted it. I felt that I was ripped off.

In the light of the reduced level of cover, DT would no longer meet my needs. Although I will only need 20 to 30 days cover this year, I normally need above 40. Hence DT will no longer meet my needs. I would have moved from them anyway.

For two years I have sensed a fair degree of change in the way DT are doing business.

We may need another winter insurance thread, ~ non-DT.

Dave Mac, have you checked out the Austrian Alpine Club cover?

http://www.aacuk.org.uk/membership.aspx

bandit wrote:Oh great, can we revive the epic insurance debate then :D

Oh dear!

I insure with Snocard. They offer a very flexible set of options but they are also quite pricey. I have not looked into any changes they have made for this year. Do be careful as to what is defined as 'off piste'. Take a look at the link provided by OldAndy to see some of the issues.

BMC are supposed to be worth a look too.

bandit wrote:Dave Mac, have you checked out the Austrian Alpine Club cover?

http://www.aacuk.org.uk/membership.aspx

That is interesting. Seems to cover everything, rescue and medical-wise, including heli-rescue. Didn't check the off piste cover, yet.

Doesn't cover travel costs, so would need to find worldwide travel travel insurance, with medi-cover for NZ this year, and the USA next year.

steverandomno wrote:

bandit wrote:Oh great, can we revive the epic insurance debate then :D

Oh dear!

I insure with Snocard. They offer a very flexible set of options but they are also quite pricey. I have not looked into any changes they have made for this year. Do be careful as to what is defined as 'off piste'. Take a look at the link provided by OldAndy to see some of the issues.

BMC are supposed to be worth a look too.

I used to be with Snowcard (same co?) Here is a link to why I'm not with them any more.

http://www.henrysavalanchetalk.com/snowcard-statement

Yes, they are pricey, and if it's the same co. they don't act any better than a budget insurer when you notify them that you are getting a glorified x-ray...privately...to confirm your consultants view. Expect to have to work hard at getting cover reinstated.