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2023-2024 Trip Insurance Information Skiing involves considerable expense and the inherent risk of injury. We strongly encourage our members to evaluate their individual need for insurance in the event they have to cancel from a trip or become injured while skiing. Our experience has been that these situations arise each ski season. Numerous companies offer travel insurance. This insurance falls into two general categories:
You must read the details associated with each insurance package to determine exactly what is being covered and the amounts and limitations of that coverage. Medical Insurance for Trips Outside the U.S. Most of our skiing and non-skiing trips heading outside the U.S. include basic emergency medical & evacuation/ repatriation insurance coverage, for all participants, as part of the basic trip cost. Note that this is emergency medical coverage only. It is not cancellation coverage and will not provide any relief if you have to cancel from the trip before it begins, whether for medical or other reasons. The following 2024 trips have the Basic Plan, provided through Myra Altschuler of Travel Protectors LLC, included as part of the trip:
This is being done primarily to deal with the potentially difficult situation where a member is not able to board the airplane to return with the group. A severe injury requiring hospitalization could result in one of our members being alone in a foreign hospital after the group has returned home. This is the point at which having medical insurance that includes evacuation and repatriation becomes invaluable. The insurance company may provide support to assist the member while hospitalized and assist in arranging the trip home. This may include a medical escort if that is necessary. Such insurance would also normally provide coverage for the expense of medical treatment which could be significant. Cancellation Insurance Upgrades
Special Note on Trips to Canada We're including insurance coverage for our ski trips to Canada. Previously, the prevailing wisdom had been that emergency medical insurance wasn't needed in Canada, the thought being that evacuation/repatriation risks were much less than in Europe and that your normal medical insurance would provide adequate protection. However, experience has shown that medical services within Canada typically require paying on-the-spot and then seeking reimbursement from your insurance company once you return home. This could be an onerous and time-consuming process and may result in your paying substantial out-of-pocket unreimbursed costs. The insurance we're including should ease the financial and administrative burden. It may also be upgraded to include trip cancellation benefits as mentioned above. Trip Insurance for Domestic Trips The club's Council has also decided not to deal directly with insurance for our trips within the U.S. This is necessary to avoid potential liability issues arising from possible misrepresentation of insurance coverage or omissions in processing insurance payments and applications for individuals.Our tour operators offer, as a convenience to trip participants, various types of insurance coverage. The fact that this coverage is being offered by the tour operators does not imply that this coverage is endorsed by the club. Our trip leaders will not become involved in arranging insurance coverage or in processing any potential claims:
Pre-Existing Conditions Coverage for pre-existing conditions can be particularly tricky. It is best to purchase insurance at the same time you initially sign up for a trip, not only to have the best chance of covering pre-existing conditions, but also so that you are covered during the weeks and months prior to the trip. The key thing to remember when dealing with insurance issues is to read the details of the policy. You should request these from the company providing the insurance. |