Adventure Travel Insurance

[flatfoot]

I just had the thought that Adventure Travel Insurance might be a prudent thing to consider. A quick google reveals a number of providers.

Has anyone used and claimed on this type of insurance? I'm particularly interested if there have been claims for self-guided activities and what the result was ... e.g. injury (e.g. broken ankle) on a multi-day bushwalk.

[Bluegum Mic]

Is it for here or overseas? If here does your private health insurance not cover you? I know I did my knee in the snowies this year and all they wanted to know was if it was a work cover or third party claim. Otherwise they didn't care how I did it. I have top hospital cover and wound up only $70 out of pocket (for post op pain killers and antiniflammatories that I never took). Just a thought as I'm sure your medical bills/ambulance would be covered.
Costs from a rescue might be a something though that adventure insurance would be needed. Certainly if headed o/s then I would get the travel/ adventure insurance.

[Lindsay]

I obtained it through my health insurance for a trip to South America a couple of years ago. As I recall the premiums were a bit higher than normal and varied depending on the actual activities one planned to undertake. As I was only walking ( with a bit of boating) the premuim wasnt too bad. Still good value as it ensured one wouldn't be left festering in a third world hospital for any longer than necessary before being medevaced. In fact, the company I walked with insisted I have this insurance and I had to produce it before the tour started.

Although I never used it there are some places I wouldn't go go without it.

Finding health insurance for adventure activities is a minefield as many of the companies claiming to insure against climbing and other such high risk activities had some very strict clauses which need reading with a magnifying glass.

In the UK, or if you're a British citizen you can insure through BMC (British Mountaineering Council) providing you're a member of course.

The NZAC also have been tusseling with this issue for a number of years and have a good handle on who does and doesn't.

IHI from Denmark are, or were the 'go to' people for expeditions to remote areas, plus they were one of only a few who insure over 8000mts. Some even cut out at 5000mts.

Good luck.

[flatfoot]

This time it's for local. I have private health insurance so I guess that will do. I'll need to check the fine print on my policy. When I bought a spot messenger device I signed up for the extra SAR cover. That only added around USD $20 to my spot subscription. That combination probably means I'm sufficiently covered.

It looks as though you might well be OK with the coverage you have, and by including Spot SAR it gives you greater peace of mind. Hope all goes well and that you won't need either.