Insurance for ski touring is a regular WhatsApp topic with lots of fine print inclusions and exclusions. The general insurance advice page on the ESC website has been recently updated and sets out the club’s position on insurance, including the minimum search & rescue, personal accident, medical and 3rd party insurance required to allow participation in Club activities.
While we are on insurance matters – just a word of warning.
The AAC (AWS) insurance is used by many members as a basic search & rescue insurance (up to € 25,000) covering medical treatment and repatriation (up to € 10,000). AAC (AWS) do require notification of incident and injury prior to inpatient treatment, to avoid capping costs at € 750. Many insurers have similar clauses, but I just want to alert members that this past year AAC(AWS) have been rigorous in implementing this rule, even in emergency rescue situations where it has been impractical and unreasonable (e.g. where the victim is airlifted direct to definitive care without any opportunity or capacity to liaise first with the insurer). Representations from the ESC to the AAC regarding the unreasonable implementation of this rule have failed to elicit any change in interpretation.
Other insurers may adopt a similar stance and is a good reason why insurance details should be shared across all members of a touring/mountaineering party (standard practice on all club tours but should also apply to informal M2M meet ups) so as to allow early notification.
I’ve just renewed my annual multi-trip insurance. For the last 20 years or so, I’ve used the BMC as they have covered my pre-existing medical condition with no problems (although sometimes with an additional premium, and sometimes at no extra cost depending on which insurer they’re using)
Things have changed. There is no longer a helpline to call to declare your medical condition. Instead, there is a statement to which you must agree otherwise you will not be eligible for the insurance - note: not merely EXCLUDING your condition, but making you ineligible for the insurance at all. The statement is incredibly badly worded (as is the policy as a whole), and I’ve been in touch with Jim at the BMC to discuss.
No luck getting clarity, so I’ve today spent a considerable amount of additional money taking out alternative cover. I’ve taken out Snowcard cover, which is at least super clear: they don’t cover pre-existing conditions at all and suggest you take out a parallel policy to cover this. So I’ve also taken out an annual policy with Able2Travel, including the additional winter sports pack.
The theory is that cancellation or medical treatment relating to my pre-existing medical condition would mean a claim under the Able2Travel policy, with everything else under Snowcard.
So: read the BMC policy carefully if you’re thinking of using them to make sure it’s right for you.
I think it’s worth reminding folk that the AAC (AWS) insurance should be supplemented by ‘normal’ travel insurance to cover for medical treatment, etc. Personally I take travel insurance with ski cover to cover for lost or stolen equipment, etc…
I have taken out BMC insurance, again, to cover my ski tour this year. Though I am 71, seems a reasonable premium. ! half the price of Snowcard quote! (Check box > membership of MS for Mountaineering Scotland)
AAC (Austrian Alpine Club) insurance for Arctic Scandinavia. Please be aware that AAC insurance does not cover Arctic or Antarctic areas, with the exception of Rescue (Section 1) in parts of Finland, Norway and Sweden that can be reached overland - so Lofoten and Lyngen are covered for rescue, Uloya not. But there is no cover in these areas for Repatriation and Medical (Section 2) costs. The AWS brochure (checked for veracity with Knox the insurers*) is here:
Dave Smith, veteran of N Norway, tells us that rescue is free in Norway and a GHIC should cover medical costs. But that still leaves repatriation uncovered.
*Text of email from Knox:
Dear Mr. Kydd,
thank you for your email.
The side note regarding the mainland of Finland, Sweden and Norway refers only to rescue.
Medical treatment and repatriation are excluded at any time.
If your have any more questions please feel free to ask!
Have a look at Ski Club of GB platinum membership. Comprehensive touring cover. In my own experience, a reasonable cost to cover pre-existing conditions.
Has anyone just relied on the GHIC card for other medical emergencies (not accident related - as Snowcard seem a good option for that aspect). BMC and SCGB aren’t options for me. AAC also seems to cover illness as far as I can tell on their policy if south of the Arctic Circle. Any other ideas welcome.
Hi Brenda, I have previously presented the GHIC alongside UK passport on a couple of occasions for walk-in admissions to A&E in Switzerland. It as an administrative formality which grants access to necessary state healthcare on the same basis as a resident of that country in the EEA. For example, I believe I had to subsequently reimburse a small deductible (under 100 francs) to the NHS / hospital. However, it is no replacement for medical travel insurance – it does not cover repatriation back to the UK in the event of more serious medical emergencies, for instance.
Thanks. Useful to know it worked. I may have to rely on it as I am struggling to get medical insurance. Interestingly repatriation costs aren’t as expensive as I thought they might be.