I'm looking for insurance to cover our upcoming trip on the Inca Trail (max altitude 4200m). I've looked at BMC, Snowcard, Insureandgo, dogtag and Endsleigh so far. Most seem to be about the #120 mark for my wife and I. Dogtag are noticeably cheaper at #86, although I need to double check the level of cover. Are there any other companies that anyone can recommend? Cheers
Guy PS. I'm also monitoring the other thread about using AAC in combination with a "normal" insurance policy.
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| Edited: 05/03/09 18:33 |
  This is I think all detailed in the Lonely Planet guidebook, and other Inca Trail guidebooks commonly available too as well. Try checking out the insurance front on the LP website forum too, The Thorn Tree.
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| Edited: 06/03/09 06:42 |
 Insureandgo cover trekking to 6000m (I think coverall do also) - I don't know whether they would cover helicopter rescue as well as repatriation. In the past I have taken out annual insurance supplied by trekking company, but rates have increased substantially this year.
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Helicopter rescue not covered with insureandgo: "Thank you for contacting Insureandgo Insurance Services Ltd. The Annual Gold Policy does cover Trekking (over 2000 meters but under 6000 meters) but Personal Accident and Personal Liability are not included (See Sections D and H respectively of the attached Policy Wording Booklet). In the event that you are injured you may claim for whatever was Medically Necessary at the time. Search and Rescue is not covered under general Exclusions on Page 9.." They do say you can phone and discuss - so maybe for additional premium you can get full cover. Your trekking company may insist that you have rescue cover.
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| Edited: 06/03/09 15:07 |
Thanks for the info. So from my understanding, "search and rescue" covers things like being lost. Rescue required for medical reasons (e.g. being blown off a cliff, needing to be rushed down because of Altitude Sickness) would be covered.
I figure the chance of getting lost on the Inca Trail is pretty low I also figure that the risk of being sued for damages whilst walking the Inca Trail are also pretty low (exclusion for personal liability) and from reading my Home Insurance I think that covers me in any case. For the two of us for 15 days insureandgo (silver cover) is looking pretty good at #51.63 (excludes possessions which we have covered under our Home Insurance). etravleinsunrance.co.uk was a bit more expensive (#64.60), with much higher medical excess of #500 but included a "search and rescue" of #1500. They cover up to 4000m as standard, but can usually add the Inca Trail without extra cost. But boy do you need to be careful with this. Dogtag base was looking ok until I noticed the cancellation amount was limited to a poultry #500. As you suggest I'll double check whether the Travel Agency has any specific requirements for insurance.
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| Edited: 06/03/09 18:18 |
Ive used tesco in the past,they insure trekking up to 5000+ meters and include helicopter rescue in case of medical emergency.They are competitively priced.
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if you join the BMC on direct debit its around 15 quid then they will insure a trek up kilimanjaro over 10 days for 44 quid !!! very good price for extreme altitude.
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Yeah, with hindsight I should have gone with BMC when I went up Kili earlier this year but at the time I wasn't expecting to persuade the wife to do the Inca Trial for our summer holiday Julian, thanks for the tip on Tesco - never would have thought they would have covered trekking up to that altitude. Unfortunately, they don't do single trips for over 14 days.
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Just re-read my post - should have said that looks like helicopter rescue will be covered. You are right about difficulty in making comparisons.
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I suggest you talk to your normal independant insurance broker. We have done this and found that a normal 12 month world wide package covered us for "normal" trekking routes. We even hammered it home to them what we were doing, asked about helicopter repatriation, this though was limited to 5000m, normal height ceiling for helicopters. They were happy to clarify with the insurers and got written confirmation. We got a good deal this way, though have not had to use it in anger! used for Nepal, and Peru trekking.
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| Edited: 17/03/09 22:29 |
I used http://www.travelinsuranceweb.com/ they have a walking high altitude clause you can add. 20% off via www.quidco.com. The chance of getting lost on the Inca trail is pretty dam slim, the trail is easily visible even in the mist and you have to walk it with a guide. Enjoy Dead Womens pass its a killer!
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Dazz, that's a good idea but didn't work for me  I have 'free' annual travel insurance with my Lloyds TSB bank account. From memory I think they provide up to 2500m as standard and could only increase to 3500m. A week ago, I went with insureandgo as they were the cheapest with what looks like the right level of cover (the travel agency did not require search&rescue). http://www.travelinsuranceweb.com/ looks like they might be a bit cheaper but not worth the hassle of switching. Yes, Dead Womens Pass is a lovely evocative name
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