| Would your travel insurance policy cover you if you | | | | a certain engine size, and not including any type of |
| fell off an elephant while on holiday in Phuket? Well, | | | | racing. Your travel insurance policy will not cover for |
| maybe - but there could be a reduction in the | | | | professional sporting activities and you cannot work |
| available benefits. However, if you were on a holiday | | | | (paid or unpaid) as a guide or instructor to others. |
| which included trekking by camel or elephant you | | | | Most travel insurance policies will contain a clause in |
| would not be covered because the activity would be | | | | their General Exclusions section regarding 'willful |
| classified as 'non-incidental.' Confused yet? The | | | | exposure to danger or peril' (unless in an attempt to |
| subject of travel insurance for 'hazardous activities' | | | | save human life). The onus is on you to exercise |
| can be very complicated! | | | | reasonable care to prevent illness, injury, or loss or |
| Many travel insurance policies automatically cover for | | | | damage to your property. In other words - you |
| 'incidental' activities. The term 'incidental basis' means | | | | should always act as if you are not insured and not |
| that your participation in an activity is on a casual, | | | | tempt fate! |
| fortuitous, occasional, or minor basis. In contrast, | | | | When it comes to winter sports, you do not normally |
| sports tours or activity holidays; for example, a | | | | have automatic coverage with your travel insurance |
| week's white water rafting on the Colorado River is | | | | policy and will need to pay an additional premium. |
| considered non-incidental. | | | | Most winter sports policies do not cover for anything |
| The term 'hazardous activity' for insurance purposes | | | | other than normal skiing and boarding activities. |
| generally means any activity where it is recognized | | | | Dangerous activities such as ski jumping, heli-skiing, ski |
| that there is an increased risk of injury or it can be | | | | acrobatics, freestyle skiing, ski racing or training, ice |
| reasonably expected to exacerbate an existing | | | | hockey, and bobsledding would be excluded unless |
| medical condition. | | | | pre-approved. Exclusions would also apply to offpiste |
| You should be covered to participate in an activity | | | | skiing in areas designated as unsafe by the resort |
| such as canoeing, hot air ballooning, camel riding, jet | | | | management. |
| skiing, deep sea fishing, horse riding or snorkeling on a | | | | Travel insurance policies can vary a lot so if you |
| limited basis but not in excess, i.e. a planned | | | | should be offered free insurance or ludicrously cheap |
| adventure holiday where you would be participating in | | | | insurance it would be wise to check and see what it |
| the activity on a daily basis. | | | | actually covers! You may find, for instance, that |
| For incidental activities which are considered more | | | | there will be no liability cover under certain |
| dangerous, such as abseiling or playing amateur | | | | circumstances or for certain activities. You may be |
| rugby, claims resulting from these activities could | | | | covered for some potentially hazardous activities - |
| mean a reduction in the amount of personal accident | | | | but only if you remain within certain limited guidelines |
| benefit and an increase in the 'excess' for medical | | | | for that activity. |
| expenses. | | | | It is up to the underwriter whether they decide to |
| Another group might include activities considered | | | | provide cover for any unusual type of risk. You |
| dangerous which you would participate in on a regular | | | | would need to contact the travel insurance company |
| basis, i.e. 'non-incidental.' Claims relating to these | | | | in advance to discuss any potentially hazardous |
| activities are also likely to be subject to a reduction in | | | | activities. In some cases, you may be able to obtain |
| the amount of personal accident cover and an | | | | cover, but only after payment of an additional |
| increase in the excess for medical expenses. These | | | | premium or an amendment to the policy. If in doubt - |
| activities might include cycling (touring), pony trekking, | | | | always ask first. It will be difficult, it not impossible, to |
| safaris, and sailing holidays. | | | | find a company which will add cover for a hazardous |
| Sports, which include racing of any type (except on | | | | activity to your policy once you are on holiday. If you |
| foot), would usually have to be approved in advance. | | | | should find yourself in this position, it would be wise |
| The same would apply to activities such as: | | | | to avoid the activity - or attempt to purchase |
| mountaineering (while using ropes), potholing, | | | | insurance where you are. |
| hang-gliding, caving, micro-lighting, motor racing, and | | | | Are you less confused now? Imagine you are on |
| parachuting (other than a solo or tandem jump) in | | | | holiday in Egypt. You decide to go on a camel ride. |
| excess of one jump and bungee jumping (in excess | | | | You fall off and break your leg. Would your travel |
| of one jump). Motorcycling may be covered provided | | | | insurance cover you? Depending on your particular |
| an additional premium is paid, but is often subject to | | | | policy, the insurance should cover you - because your |
| restrictions such as riding your own motorcycle up to | | | | participation in the activity was on an incidental basis! |