Travel Insurance & Running

[Brummy John]

I just rang direct line for a quote on family travel insurance for the year.

The sales person informed me:

1. The policy does not cover running trips or running holidays.

So for example if I book to go on a running holiday (e.g. world masters in prague) then can't go because a relative is ill I am not covered. If I go and am mugged (nothing to do with running) I am not covered. If the flight is cancelled and I need to get another flight (running not the cause ) I am not covered.

2. The policy covers listed sporst activities. If I go on a family holiday to Greece (not a running holiday), go jogging (not a race) and get injured then that is not covered.

I was gob smacked that they cover paragliding but not 'jogging'.

Anyone else know (I mean really, really know) what their travel insurance policy covers and whether it covers (i) running on a non-running holiday; and (ii) running holiday risks not caused by running (e.g. flight cancellations on a running holiday)?

The moral is DONT GET TRAVEL INSURANCE FROM DIRECT LINE.

[david]

I'm extremely cynical about most travel insurance. Once you start reading the small print you realise that if you do anything other than lie on a sun lounger you probably aren't covered.

[IanDarkpeak]

I'm extremely cynical about most travel insurance. Once you start reading the small print you realise that if you do anything other than lie on a sun lounger you probably aren't covered.

My annual travel insurance covers me for a multitude of out door sports (although not teaching, seperate insurance for that).

Inc Off piste skiing
Dinghy and yacht racing (over seas) no pun intended
Climbing
Mountaineering
Cycling
etc
Not checked running but it will be on there.
Go to a secialist insurer and tell them what you want rather than trying to pick up an off the shelf insurance.

A few years ago I was organising a trip up Mont Blanc and my then travel insurer said I wouldn't be covered if ropes were used as this apparently implies it to be more of a risk, so I said ok I'll solo everything and if I fall I'll get my next of kin to give him a bell. He soon changed the policy wording for me...

[IainR]

Most travel insurances don't. A reason we joined the BMC. I generally take out the cheap ryan air type insurance, but also take out BMC cover for any climbing/running/skiing/cycling trip.

[marrow]

Bad news if somethink goes wrong without proper insurance. A colleague of mine went abroad with his wife. She fell downstairs and broke a leg. They had no cover, so had a quick fix at the local hospital then flew home. She died from an embolism when they got back. It may have happened anyway, but I think not. BMC or Snowcard cover all the risks a runner wants covered, with various levels depending on what else you might want to do.

[Brummy John]

Any other recommendations for overseas running insurance?

The BMC looked good at £16 but they only insure you if you are a member and membership costs about £27 extra!

[idler]

Snowcard and Dogtag might be worth looking at?

[MOUNTAIN MAN]

Gotravel cover running (sprint or long distance) in their category 1 level of hazardous activities as well as the usual standard travel items. My annual policy was about £42-50 but no doubt they do single trips as well. You can take it out on-line.

[Fleeter]

Any other recommendations for overseas running insurance?

The BMC looked good at £16 but they only insure you if you are a member and membership costs about £27 extra!

well worth joining though

[Brummy John]

I rang UK athletics today and they recommended Oval Insurance .

The quote for a 4 night/5 day trip to Austria (Kaisermarathon, with 2 big climbs, finishing at 5,800ft) for 1 person was £15.74 and for 6 it was about 6X that.

It covers death/injury during the race and apparently also cancellation if you are injured and can't go. It doesn't cover an airline going bump (they said that is a common exclusion).

This is a summary of the cover.

Works out about 1/3 the price of BMC for a non-member and as UKA have used them for 15 years I would hope they wouldn't mess a member about.