2010-2011 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 a trip or become injured while skiing. Our recent experience has been that these situations arise each ski season.
Numerous companies offer travel insurance. This insurance falls into two general categories. The first is
cancellation insurance, which provides coverage in the event an individual cannot make the trip because of
unforeseen circumstances. While the club will attempt to recover as much of the trip cost as possible for
the individual, there is no guarantee that this will be successful. The second is medical insurance, which
generally provides for payment of expenses associated with treatment, medical evacuation and repatriation.
It is necessary to 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 European Trips
The Pentagon Ski Club Council has decided to include medical insurance coverage with our European trips (i.e., our September 2010 Valle Nevado trip and this-winter's trips to Zermatt and Aosta Valley - (more below on Aosta) for all participants as part of the basic trip cost. This is being done 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.
Note: 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 departs, whether for medical or other reasons.
Insurance on Aosta Valley Trip
Ski Europe is the tour operator for our trip to Aosta Valley, Italy. As noted above, a limited coverage insurance plan that covers emergency evacuation and repatriation is included in the trip package for all participants. However, this particular plan includes a specific restriction regarding pre-existing conditions. Participants with pre-existing medical conditions should examine the limitations and consider upgrading to the Full Coverage Plan that will cover pre-existing conditions and includes trip cancellation coverage. Click on the link to examine the Ski Europe Insurance Plan.
Trip Insurance for North American Trips
The Council has also decided not to deal directly with insurance other than for our European (or Southern Hemisphere) trips. This is a necessary step to avoid potential liability issues arising from possible misrepresentation of insurance coverage or omissions in processing insurance payments and applications.
Where to Purchase Trip Cancelation Insurance
Some of 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 for North American trips does not imply that this coverage is endorsed by the club. Our trip leaders will not become involved in arranging insurance coverage:
- Sportours is our tour operator for this-winter's trips to Jackson Hole, Winter Park and Breckenridge. In conjunction with these trips, insurance is available from TravelSafe. Click on one of the listed plans (such as TravelSafe Vacation Plan), then click on the yellow Buy Now link, then on the yellow Enroll Now link in the Consumers section. On the enrollment form, enter a Travel Agency Code of SPONJ01; Effie Rubinstein is our travel agent. Select 'Other - (not listed)' for the Tour Operator.
- Group Trips Unlimited is tour operator for this-winter's trips to Park City and Big Sky. In conjunction with these trips, insurance is available from TravelSafe. Click on one of the listed plans (such as TravelSafe Vacation Plan), then click on the yellow Buy Now link, then on the yellow Enroll Now link in the Consumers section. On the enrollment form, enter a Travel Agency Code of GTUMD01; Judy Miller is our travel agent. Select 'Other - (not listed)' for the Tour Operator.
- Winter Ski and Sport is our tour operator for this-winter's trips to Whistler, Copper Mountain, Steamboat and Taos. In conjunction with these trips, WSS is offering optional pre-trip (medical) trip cancellation and trip interruption insurance coverage. There's also an available (extra cost) "cancel for any reason" option, but it must be purchased within 14 days of when you pay your initial trip deposit (or by August 14, 2010—whichever is later). Click here for a list of frequently asked questions, a summary of the coverage including a link to an online application form, and here to examine the actual 2010-2011 Travel Insured International policy. The insurance costs 5.5% of your total trip cost and can be purchased with a credit card. Dan Ellis is our travel agent.
- Skican is our tour operator for this-winter's trip to Red Mountain. In conjunction with this trip, Skican is offering optional pre-trip (medical) trip cancellation and trip interruption insurance coverage. The insurance (click to see the Certificate of Insurance) must be purchased "when you book your holiday" (i.e., when you sign up for the trip). Pre-existing medical conditions are not covered without written approval. Click here for a summary of the coverage, its cost, and a list of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ). To purchase the insurance, send a $129 check, payable to Skican, to the trip leader together with your initial trip deposit.
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 in fact covered during all the weeks and months prior to the trip.
Alternative Travel Insurance Providers
Members may have existing health insurance that provides coverage for potential problems in the US or Canada. Companies that sell supplemental travel insurance can be found by doing a search on the Internet. One site of particular help might be InsureMyTrip.com. This site provides a comparison of various insurance offerings. Annual travel policies are also available for people who travel extensively.