Travel insurer that doesn't think orienteering is dangerous

[Spookster]

Am about to renew my travel insurance (annual, multi-trip, worldwide), and my current insurer considers orienteering to be a "dangerous sport", so doesn't cover it (unless I pay a ridiculous amount extra). Which travel insurers could you recommend that don't think orienteering is dangerous!

[Mrs H]

The Post Office specifically DOES cover orienteering at no extra charge and so does Lloyds Bank which is what I have as part of my banking package and that is actually provided by AXA.

[AndyC]

You know I can but see this as positive for the image of the sport

[Oldman]

World-first.co.uk cover orienteering as standard in their activity pack 1 (see extract below).

ADDITIONAL SPORTS AND ACTIVITIES: Unlike other policies we cover many sports and activities as standard, no additional premium is required for activities listed in Activity Pack 1. We have categorised the activities that are not covered as standard into seven further bands. If you do not see your chosen activity, do not worry, we may cover it, but you must contact us so we can discuss the activity and what, if any additional premium is necessary. (All of the activities are covered on a non-professional and non-competitive basis, unless otherwise stated. Any claims which arise whilst undertaking any of these activities for any purpose other than leisure (examples of non-leisure purposes include racing, timed events, professional, display events, photo shoots, etc...) will not be covered under this policy. If you are unsure please do not hesitate to contact us and we can discuss your individual requirements.

Like many insurers they only cover leisure and not competitive, but since the list also includes marathons and amateur athletic tracks events, I doubt they'd regard orienteering in public holiday events as "competitive" but you'd need to specifically check. They also include cross-country running as an Activity Pack 2 requiring an additional premium, so perhaps their idea of orienteering is faulty?

Welcome to the helpful world of insurance

[JK]

I have used EHIC Plus for a few years. I am sure their list includes Orienteering as OK.

Ski-O wasn't specifically included in their Winter Sports cover either but I phoned them and got an assurance that it was (but not I believe in standard).

JK

[Stodgetta]

http://www.dogtag.co.uk/

[m4rk]

I get ski club of great britain insurance (you don't have to be a member to buy the insurance - http://www.skiclub.co.uk/skiclub/insurance/skiinsurance.aspx).

Not only does it cover orienteering but it also covers skiing on and off piste (most policies with winter sports cover don't give you off piste cover as standard)

[Duncan]

I get travel insurance from the British Mountaineering Council (BMC): https://thebmc.co.uk/modules/insurance/Policies.aspx. Orienteering is included in their "Rock" package. Although I could believe this may seem expensive if you aren't going to take advantage of other things in there (like rock climbing up to 5000m....).

[Clive Coles]

Just a word of caution ~ it is not just a question of cost and what on the surface appears to cover sports such as orienteering. You must look at the very small print and if possible find someone who has actually made a successful claim.

Travel Insurance is full of "get out" clauses ~ the companies are great at marketing their offerings and collecting their premiums ( especially automatically on renewal), but when you really need the cover will they pay out without without a fight ?

I have twice taken a Travel insurer to the Financial Ombudsman, on a non-orienteering related matter, and had my claim upheld. But in each case settlement of the claim was delayed by over 12 months.

I wonder if anyone suggesting a policy on this thread has any experience of that company honouring a claim. It pays to shop around and ask questions

[Paul Frost]

Snowcard class it low down the list of risk.

[Oldman]

I have made a successful claim at World-First but not for an orienteering incident.

[Electrocuted]

Columbus travel cover orienteering as standard as well as many other sports other travel agents deem dangerous. They seem reasonably priced. I only ever buy their basic policy as I have insurance through my bank account so only buy it to top up on sports that the bank policy doesn't cover.

[Clive Coles]

When looking for an Insurance policy i tend to use Review Centre to get an idea how likely it is that they will pay a claim. Some reviews are good ~ others are "don't touch with a barge pole" http://www.reviewcentre.com/reviews153412.html.

[Gross]

Interesting comments... particularly from Spookster.

Some years ago under the SOT banner I question BOF if their promoted travel insurance provider actually covered competitive orienteering (for a group going to WMOC). I never did get an answer from BOF but the insurers said 'no'.

I suspect a lot of orienteers travel abroad assuming they are covered - read the 'big' print & they are not....

But you would have thought the BOF Chairman's first loyalty is to a product supporting BOF....

[Spookster]

Interesting comments... particularly from Spookster.

Some years ago under the SOT banner I question BOF if their promoted travel insurance provider actually covered competitive orienteering (for a group going to WMOC). I never did get an answer from BOF but the insurers said 'no'.

I suspect a lot of orienteers travel abroad assuming they are covered - read the 'big' print & they are not....

But you would have thought the BOF Chairman's first loyalty is to a product supporting BOF....

HMCA (the BO promoted travel insurance provider) does cover orienteering (see page 36).

Thanks everyone for your other suggestions and comments.