Insurance for off-piste skiing

09 Aug 2019

PaulRumph

I usually insure with the SCGB but I am 74 and at 75 their normal cover ceases. Does anyone have any ideas/experiences with other insurance providers. I have heard of using the Austrian Ski Club cover in conjuction with standard holiday insurance but that seems a little complicated.

10 Aug 2019

StephenGoulden

The Austrian Alpine Club/UK branch is the preferred insurer for many Eagles. I don't recall an upper age limit on their policies.

11 Aug 2019

PaulRumph

Thanks Stephen, I've had a look at the website now and there is no age limit. I assume you need to have a standard travel insurance to cover flights, accomodation etc.

13 Aug 2019

MarkAdams

That’s what I do but you have to be careful about what the standard insurance policy covers. For example I insure through my bank but if you don’t have the skiing extension to the policy then the  policy won’t cover anything if the holiday is skiing related i.e. no cancellation, loss of property etc.

13 Aug 2019

AndrewKydd

That kind of limit on liability is likely to be an issue generally. If you call on the general insurance (say for missing a flight home) for something that arises from an uninsured activity then they're likely to pass up the opportunity to re-imburse.

Another depressing issue is that, at that age, and if you have medical conditions that need to be declared, the general insurance is likely to cost an arm and a leg and a few other bits as well. It may drive you to consider just bearing those general risks and making do with the AAC policy for the search and rescue.

14 Aug 2019

PaulRumph

Thanks for the warning to check that the AAC and a general holiday policy knit together. I'll also check on costs. Intereting to see how the total will compare with the SCGB. 

22 Nov 2019

HenryBeakbane

Did you find out how the different policies "knit together"? (with reference to the note above about  insurers wriggling out of it)

22 Nov 2019

HenryBeakbane

Age over 65 became a factor for my insurance in 2019. Result was buying double.

I have had the AAC worldwide rescue for many years, because it is good and out of allegiance. But I can not afford to cover all the other costs (beyond EHIC), e.g. loss of all my gear;special travel home etc. So again, I looked for extra holiday insurance. Out of fear that a lower grade insurance policy would not pay out (I have not found any definitive information about this), I got quotes for policies that would cover off-piste and touring.

In past years, some ordinary ski insurance policies allowed off-piste. In 2019 that was specifically excluded. The best deal that I could find for me was the BMC Annual multi trip Alpine & Ski. Two policies, double the cost!

Has anyone definitive information about running 2 insurance policies? (I.e. claiming relevant parts from one of them).

If ESC affiliates to Scottish Mountaineering, will there be any discount or benefit to members for personal insurance policies?

23 Nov 2019

PaulRumph

No I didn't. A mixture of idleness and after speaking to a skiing friend who is just 75. He goes in for exhaustive research and suggested that as I am just under 75 the ski club premier membership insurance was the best value (£266) he found. It allows for up to 40 days skiing. It will be interesting to see what he comes up with next year when he renews his membership. This year I went for the ski club insurance.

02 Dec 2019

SimonWillbourn

I am sure I have read somewhere recently that the Ski Club of GB 'Platinum' annual multi-trip Insurance-inclusive membership is going to be extended to age 80. I have NOT investigated exclusions/excess - mainly because I have some years to go before reaching, I hope, that milestone.