Just a heads up to people that AMEX now does travel insurance that includes Potholing in itsadventure travel insurance for Medical and repatriation only (no personal injury compensation). You can also get multi trip annual cover up to 120days per trip if you are over 30. It doesn't cover cave diving, canyonong or solo caving (although its advertising says it does cover cave diving- I've written a letter of complaint about that!)
AMEX Travel Insurance
- Thread starter Imo
- Start date
nickwilliams
Well-known member
Just so people know what's going on, on behalf of BCA I rang AMEX yesterday to discuss this. The lady on the phone was not able to confirm that self rescue would be covered - she said someone would get back to me about this. I pointed out that if BCA are going to recommend the AMEX scheme as covering all the risks we know our members want cover for then we would need something from them in writing to confirm this. I gather that might turn out to be a problem.
I've heard nothing from AMEX as of 24 hours later, but I have also been speaking to Snowcard who seem to have a much better grasp of what we need.
I will report more as soon as I have something definite to say. In the meanwhile, if you are going to buy the AMEX cover for caving I suggest you ring them to confirm that the activity which you are planning will be covered, and make sure you keep notes of who you spoke to and when, and what they said. I'll happily act as an independent repository of those notes if you want to send me an e-mail or a PM recording the conversation.
Nick
(BCA Insurance Manager)
I've heard nothing from AMEX as of 24 hours later, but I have also been speaking to Snowcard who seem to have a much better grasp of what we need.
I will report more as soon as I have something definite to say. In the meanwhile, if you are going to buy the AMEX cover for caving I suggest you ring them to confirm that the activity which you are planning will be covered, and make sure you keep notes of who you spoke to and when, and what they said. I'll happily act as an independent repository of those notes if you want to send me an e-mail or a PM recording the conversation.
Nick
(BCA Insurance Manager)
Judi Durber
Member
Nick,
Did you get my PM?
Did you get my PM?
nickwilliams
Well-known member
Yes, I got the message.
I had a quick look at the site you suggested but could not find any mention of caving insurance. Then I got sidetracked by some paying work and have not had time to go back to it. I'll try to look into it again in the next few days.
I have to say that I don't think BCA is ever going to be in a position where we can vet and comment on every possible provider of travel insurance. I think it's important that we try to ensure that there is at least one provider of insurance who will definitely cover self rescue for expeditions, but it's simply beyond the resources available to us to provide any kind of comprehensive comparison between providers. It also raises an ugly problem of liability if we get it wrong.
Nick.
I had a quick look at the site you suggested but could not find any mention of caving insurance. Then I got sidetracked by some paying work and have not had time to go back to it. I'll try to look into it again in the next few days.
I have to say that I don't think BCA is ever going to be in a position where we can vet and comment on every possible provider of travel insurance. I think it's important that we try to ensure that there is at least one provider of insurance who will definitely cover self rescue for expeditions, but it's simply beyond the resources available to us to provide any kind of comprehensive comparison between providers. It also raises an ugly problem of liability if we get it wrong.
Nick.
Endsleigh also do policies that includes caving: http://www.endsleigh.co.uk/Travel/Documents/SingleTripSportsAndActivities.pdf, it's added as the Category 2 Sports and Adventure option. For an annual multi-trip option (incl. USA) for a 31 year old it came up at ?191. I'm not sure how that directly compares with others, but it is another option to check out.
chockymike
New member
i use these guy's had two claims for lost stuff with no problems,
http://www.dogtag.co.uk/sports.aspx
http://www.dogtag.co.uk/sports.aspx
paul
Moderator
It is also worth finding out EXACTLY what is covered.
Just because 'Potholing' or 'Caving' are mentioned it doesn't mean you are covered for ALL eventualities.
I know of a caver not being allowed on a chartered flight back home due to an injury suffered whilst caving and having to make alternative arrangements. These were NOT covered by the insurer despite mentioning 'Potholing' or 'Caving' were covered in the Policy.
Just because 'Potholing' or 'Caving' are mentioned it doesn't mean you are covered for ALL eventualities.
I know of a caver not being allowed on a chartered flight back home due to an injury suffered whilst caving and having to make alternative arrangements. These were NOT covered by the insurer despite mentioning 'Potholing' or 'Caving' were covered in the Policy.
Are we any closer to recommendations for any insurance company that will cover for original exploratory caving/self rescue and if the sh*t hits the fan, arrange to get rescue assistance brought in? I get the feeling from talking to a few people that snowcard tends to be commonly used, but are people just accepting there is an element of risk that just won't be covered by insurance easily?
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