Hi,
I tried to renew my BMC Insurance policy today only to find significant changes to policy options and prices.
Previously to renew a 'Worldwide Annual Alpine & Ski' policy on the web would cost approx £191.
As of today its £221 but limited to a single trip duration of up to 45 days and up to 90 days in total over the year.
The policy is no longer suitable for what I require.
The old policy would have covered me nicely for an up and coming 3 month trip and another long trip at the end of the year. I would have also been covered for lots of other activities inbetween for the whole year.
Now, I would have to take out 2 x 'Worldwide Alpine & Ski - single trip up to 3 months' policies totaling about £764 and over the year I would not have any insurance cover inbetween.
Opinions?
I am not happy about the changes.
Many others will be affected by the changes.
Can anyone recommend where I can get the equivalent to an old BMC Annual Worldwide Alpine & Ski policy at more affordable prices?
|
 |
 Maybe it is a good omen. A couple of years ago I made a claim but the insurance company they use wouldn't pay out despite the chap at BMC interveining on my behalf. Slainte Lindsay
|
|
 Insurance Premium Tax (IPT) has increased from 5% to 6% or, depending what travel insurance attracts, from 17.5% to 20%.
premium rates have been depressed and it has only been competition that has kept premiums down despite rising claims. now the small players (i.e. cheap) are backing out leaving the big players who are seeking to inprove their margins - and that is to run a business and not to screw every penny out of their customers.
additionally, any policy that is processed now, irrespective of when it commenced, attracts the higher IPT rate irrespective of when it starts so the insurance carrier is paying the higher rate to the government although you you only paid th elower rate. insurance arranged through organistioans ususally is accounted for on "bordereaux" basis i.e. everything gets aggregated up before settlement to the carrier.
claims have gone up because it's your right and expectation to claim any and everything you think you can get away with.
those taking the piss out of insurance are those who feck it up for everyone else.
the basic principle of insurance, and all companies adhere to this, is it a mechanism where the losses of the few can be spread amongst the many. how much are losses. divide that by expected policy holders and stick a 25% profit on top is your premium. claims go up - goodbye cheap premiums.
|
|
.jpg) Have a look at Joining the Austrian Alpine Club. Rescue and repatriation insurance included with membership also reciprocal rights in the huts included cost is £32 if born before 1950 and I think it's about £42 for younger persons.Just check to see if it's suitable.
|
|
 Theres a response to this from the BMC over on UKC http://www.ukclimbing.com/forums/t.php?t=442717 Seems its all Bear Grylls' fault 
|
| Edited: 22/01/11 22:49 |
lol it also demonstrates what strange expectations people have from their insurance too
|
|
Hi, For almost 1 year I am using my travel insurance and have had no problem with their services. I never used BMC. You can try another option for travel insurance. ___________________ http://www.backpackertravelinsurance.com/
|
| Edited: 13/07/11 07:12 |
The Austrian Alpine Club does look good value for what it covers. However, when I looked a few months ago it didn't cover "Ordinary Travel Insurance" stuff, like lost baggage, flight delays, etc. Thus you need to take out an "Ordinary Travel Policy" too, which makes it less attractive. For most people the BMC insurance is still good value. However, there are some cases e.g. Snowboarding and long trips, where the cost has increased considerably.
|
|
 I struggled even to get cover via the BMC policies: their medical screening for pre-existing conditions is rigorous and a tad harsh compared with more mainstream insurers- in my case they wanted to load the single-trip Europe-only premium by around 65%, while Traiflinders [who do sell insurance to those not buying anything else from them] only added 20%. Problem is, mainstream insurers don't deal with stuff like helicopter evacuations and so on.
|
|
 I use Snowcard - you can tailor your policy with them (and get instant online pricing).
|
|
Snowcard were more expensive than the BMC for us this year. This was for a straightforward 2 adults three children climbing/alpine policy.
The AAC worked out about the same as the BMC, once I had factored in getting another policy to cover things like lost luggage.
|
|
You get what you pay for. Price differences reflect difference in cover, the provider's loss experience and preferred demographic to name but a few reasons.
|
|
 You could try 'normal' travel insurance, to cover the loss of baggage, flight delays, etc. As far as I can see AAC doesn't cover that, a 'normal flight, hotel' insurance should cover that. As is not anything to do with further activaties after flights, ect. Worth checking out. Paul.
|
|
What is difficult is getting cover that does not overlap with another. Please be aware of the potential consequences of overlap - like not being covered...
|
|
and do not even consider not declaring a pre-existing health condition as that will nullify the whole policy
|
|
