Mountain biking (except off-road)

does it mention gravel riding on offroad?

Snowcard are also pretty comprehensive if you choose the right level of cover.

As a rule of thumb, if it's cheap, then mountain biking almost certainly isn't covered due to the prevelence of injury.

I used dogtag and they paid out when I crashed at whistler.

I queried this and got a predictably nonsensical response.

What was the response? Do they mean riding unsanctioned trails?

We used Staysure last year and paid around £20 for the mountain biking-specific add-on for a family of 4 (something like off-road on sanctioned trails, not racing). They then paid out when my son had to be driven up to Avoriaz with a broken collarbone. They were really good to deal with and even allowed a claim for unused lift tickets.

I’ve just been through this and gone with Pedal Cover.

From what I can see they do cover everything I need, although I’m sure I will have missed something in their small print.

(Is it you that’s just back from Les Arcs on the Bird FB group?)

We’ve paid for the hazardous activity cover extension to Insure and Go. But I have to say I’m still ensure on the wording and exclusions.

The thing that worries is, is the lack of search and rescue cover.  If I need a helicopter to get off the mountain bike trail, I am unsure if I am covered! Going to have to call them tomorrow.

We've had this before because me and Mrs OD are sport Billys - making sure we have sufficient cover for mountain biking (just XC tho), rock climbing (actually on rocks!), surfing, horse riding (Mrs OD not me) - then getting onto ski and snowboarding - chuck in cover for Canada and USA.

Obsessive reading of small print and belt and braces on cover for us

I’ve had a discussion on FB earlier today about Insure & Go and took this screenshot from their website…

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And also these bits

"Please also note: YOU ARE NOT COVERED if the main purpose of your trip is to take part in an activity unless it is listed as an activity holiday in the table on the following page."

and

"The activities in this section are only covered when professionally organised or you are accompanied by an experienced or suitably qualified instructor or guide, or you are suitably qualified or can demonstrate that you have relevant and appropriate experience."

Not sure it would be a straightforward claim with them?

We are members of the Austrian Alpine Club, costs about £110 per year for a family.  Their insurance cover is only for extraction/medical/3rd party but they cover all mtb, hiking, alpine sports summer and winter up to 5000mtr.

We have cheap general cover through a bank account for other stuff.

Much cheaper than snowcard or dogtag if you are doing more than one trip.

Also get regular club mags, meet ups and we've been members for a few years so are eligible for subsided training courses.

Agreed that Insure and Go are useless, and have used such exclusions and poor wording for years.

We use Big Cat, and eldest_oab made a claim after punching the ground (instead of landing a bike) and splitting his hand open, needing 20 stitches. Easy process.

https://www.bigcattravelinsurance.com/

I took out the extension for Extreme Sports from Insure and Go. It was the next one up from the Standard policy. I phoned and asked if it covered Mountain biking and helicoptor recovery which they said it did. Luckily never needed.

The  main problem when you want to make a claim isn't the company you have taken the policy out with or the company that's underwriting it. It's the claim management companies who try every way to wangle out of the claim.

Unfortunately most of them use CSA.  I've looked at most of the policy wordings for incase of emergency and what you need to do in the event of one and the wording is the same as ours. We have an annual policy with Yellow Jersey.

Last year Kevin had to be rescued by helicopter after an incident whilst we were in the Alps. We didn't call the helicopter. It was determined on site that it was the only safe way to get him rescued from where he had landed and the nature of his injuries

However according  to CSA we should have had prior authorisation before he allowed them to do this. We thought we had followed the policy wording by informing then ASAP after the event. They disagreed

We complained and eventually they paid  helicopter rescue bill even though they knocked back our complaint. Eventually the underwriters agreed and upheld our complaint and that we had followed and interpreted the policy wording correctly

We have tried to find an insurer this year that gives the level of cover required that does not use CSA but as of yet can't find one.

https://www.google.com/search?hl=en-GB&gl=uk&q=Claims+Settlements+Agencies+Ltd,+308+London+Rd,+Hadleigh,+Benfleet+SS7+2DD&ludocid=1354486224220055231&lsig=AB86z5VsfyjcaMxUIzPhmPbjIIbW&ibp=gwp%3B0,7&hl=en&gl=GB#lkt=LocalPoiReviews&lpg=cid:CgIgAQ%3D%3D

Alpine Club insurance T&C here. It's 6000mtrs so covers Mt Blanc. Doesn't seem to use CSA.

ALPENVEREIN.AT "https://www.alpenverein.at/a-bas01_wGlobal/wGlobal/scripts/accessDocument.php?forceDownload=0&document=/portal_wAssets/docs/service/versicherung/AWS-Folder_E_2023_ebook.pdf"

Thanks we looked into it however couldn't get an answer as to what they consider an emergency as their info says they only pay out Eur 750 if you don't contact them first.

In addition if you do have a problem or complaint I don't think the Ombudsman can be used for an insurance policy that's not purchased from a UK company so in the end we ruled them out

I read that as only if you are transferring a deceased or post emergency transfer?

This is our policy wording I've put In  bold the bit we believed applied to us and we adhered however they disagreed. Not what you want to hear when you have a big bill that needs paying

24-hour emergency medical service
Please tell us immediately about any serious illness or accident abroad where you have to go into hospital or you may have to return home early or extend your stay because of any illness or injury. If you are unable to do this because the condition is life, limb, sight or organ threatening, you should contact us as soon as you can. You must also tell us if your medical expenses are over £500. If you are claiming for a
minor illness or accident you should, where possible, pay the costs initially and reclaim the money from us later. You can call 24 hours a day
365 days a year or email..

Note
Failure to contact the medical emergency assistance service may result in your claim being reduced or declined

I had also heard that having two insurance policies was quite risky, as they will play each other off as too whose problem it is. Hummm, glad it’s not just me finding this impossible. I’ve emailed Insure and Go for clarification on the helicopter rescue.

Really not great Tracy that you had to fight the helicopter bill. I mean it’s totally reasonable that you have no signal or crazy that you have to say to the emergency services, sorry, just on hold to see if my partner can be removed from this mountain….

Here is a curveball. I have been insured via the German Alpine Club for years which gives search and rescue cover (not medical) for any leisure activity in the outdoors anywhere in the world for a year for about £50ish. The Austrian Alpine Club have a similar scheme but also with a UK based arm of the club. Check the details below. 62 euros annual fee and with the cover you might need for skiing, climbing, caving, MTBs, hiking etc. worldwide plus loads of other benefits too.

https://www.alpenverein.at/britannia/membership/Membership.php

I have always just relied on this insurance for holidays in the Alps in conjunction with my EHIC card for medical stuff. OK my bike and possessions aren't covered but then I don't have insurance for them here in the UK either!

A summary of the cover you get with membership here (looks like some medical expenses too)

ALPENVEREIN.AT "https://www.alpenverein.at/portal_wAssets/docs/service/versicherung/AWS-Folder_E_2023_ebook.pdf"

I’ve emailed Insure and Go for clarification on the helicopter rescue.

As I see it the issue with Insure and Go is the 2 bits I posted above. You’re not covered if you go on a mountain biking holiday, you may be covered if you happen to go mountain biking whilst on holiday but you’ll have to convince them that you have relevant experience.

I’m pretty sure I have suitable experience but I wouldn’t want to have to try and convince an insurance company that I do!

Phil5556, I do agree with you. I’m seriously considering cancelling our policy, sucking up the cost and going elsewhere.

What was the response?

In regard to your question about mountain biking, it is mainly covered for mountain biking on recognised routes, not off-road in areas that could be considered dangerous.

Apparently a trail in a bike park doesn't count as "recognised".

I could get the hazardous activity add-on, but it still wouldn't cover my wife's triathloning trips.

I'd rather be covered by a policy that positively covers the activities that we're doing, rather than arguing around stupid and subjective wording.

Just FYI, Yellow Jersey are checking with the underwriter if climbing including via ferrata and kayaking includes inland sea kayaking. For goodness sake, why are things so vague.

I've been looking at BMC insurance, their Alpine includes non-racing mtb (and @pdw triathlon).  And importantly for @tracey's point, they state for policies bought after 2023:

- Contact the relevant local emergency services first
- Once this has been arranged, contact the Assistance Line so that they can get involved once you have been taken to an appropriate medical facility.

Suggests they have it the correct way round.

I’ve been looking at BMC insurance

Cover does look good, but expensive (£580 annual for a family vs £250 with Yellow Jersey).

Disappointing to hear about Tracey's experience with Yellow Jersey.