UK AXA Travel Insurance no longer covers skydiving

[scientist_chick 0]

I went to renew my annual travel insurance today only to find that AXA no longer covers skydiving, apparently it is one of the exceptions in the company's 'extreme' sports package. Does anyone have any recommendations for an alternative company that offers insurance including repatriation?

I wonder what the implications of this will be for those who currently hold AXA travel insurance policies, will they be covered?

**Moggie Gifts**

[daniel_owen_uk 0]

Endsleigh

Using them for my trip to the states in ouuuu 18 days (not that I am counting).

Linkage http://www.endsleigh.co.uk/web/policies/travel/activity/index.html

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[Mike111 0]

Any reason why they suddenly decided not to cover it?

too expensive?

Cheers,

Mike

[xavenger 0]

Hey scientist_chick

I have an AXA annual travel policy that includes the hazardous sports cover option. I renewed it on the 21st August 2005, so only a few weeks ago.

I have checked with them and luckily for me I am STILL COVERED for skydiving because I renewed just before they made the change to the policy. So, if you renewed your policy before the change then you are still good to go until your current policy runs out.

Unfortunately, it sounds like you renewed just after the change. Buggers!!! I've spent year recommending Axa to people, next year will have to try someone else!

James

[vt1977 0]

Quote

I wonder what the implications of this will be for those who currently hold AXA travel insurance policies, will they be covered?

Since the documents which I have explicitly state that skydiving is covered they cannot change this during the course of the cover period. When I renew they can decline, but AFAIK they have to honour the existing arrangement for the duration of the policy.

Guess I'll be looking for new insurance in March then...

Vicki

[xavenger 0]

I assume they decided not to cover it because there were too many claims. Insurance only works where the value of the claims is less than the revenue generated by the entire group of policy holders. It would only take a handful of serious accidents and subsequent claims for it not to be worth their bother. Eg .. A friend of mine hurt himself in America the other year .. it cost him $180,000

[parapilot 0]

Endsleigh look good. Has enyone had to use them, or seen them in action. I'm gonig on a paragliding trip next month and no one seams to cover that anymore, but Endsleigh do for about 12 quid a week (Europe only)!!!

[scientist_chick 0]

Thanks for your help. I'm thinking of going with Endsleigh as it includes repatriation and that's the expensive bit. I'm just a bit annoyed as I paid £80 last year with AXA and Endsleigh costs £126! It's just another expense to add to my already costly trip....

**Moggie Gifts**

[scientist_chick 0]

Just so everyone knows, I have been ringing round different insurance companies this evening and I found out a few things:

Endsleigh - it seems that Endsleigh do cover extreme sports including skydiving; however, they don't have an annual policy so that means you have to take out a new policy for every trip you go on. It is very reasonably priced though, it cost me £16.50 for a 5-day trip.

AXA - no longer cover skydiving at all (as above).

Sportscover direct - have a Sportsguard annual policy, which includes everything apart from repatriation (which could be incredibly costly should anything happen to you outside of Europe) at a price of £97 for Europe. The company's Ventureguard policy does cover this but at price of £250!!

Harrison Beaumont - I didn't manage to contact them (they shut really early), but I think after this trip they are really the only sensible option as they do specialise in extreme sports insurance.

I hope that we don't all end up having to take out ridiculously expensive insurance policies from now on!!

**Moggie Gifts**

[Scoop 0]

Try a search on google for 'Navigator Travel'.
They gave a price of £60 for 1 weeks worth of jumping in the US - Doesnt cover equipment tho.

[bob.dino 1]

Check out STA Travel's cover. Last time I checked (in 2003), it covered skydiving and was fairly cheap.

[Skycaroline 0]

Quote

Guess I'll be looking for new insurance in March then...

December for me I'll be really sad to lose AXA. They treated me well when I needed them. The lady who dealt with my claim even phoned me 6 weeks later to see if I was recovering well. Can't buy the personal touch!

C.

[cpoxon 0]

Quote

Try a search on google for 'Navigator Travel'.
They gave a price of £60 for 1 weeks worth of jumping in the US

Try specialtyrisk.com

7 days
$1,000,000 medical maximum
$250 deductible
Excluding US
19-29 years of age = $12.64

7 days
$1,000,000 medical maximum
$250 deductible
Excluding US
30-39 years of age = $17.07

7 days
$1,000,000 medical maximum
$250 deductible
Including US
19-29 years of age = $22.78

7 days
$1,000,000 medical maximum
$250 deductible
Including US
30-39 years of age = $29.54

All quotes include the optional Hazardous Sports Coverage which covers skydiving (non-competitive) and, get this, legal BASE jumping! Unsurprisingly, cover including the US is loaded heavier than excluding. Also, in the US, as well as the deductible, you are also liable to 20% of the first $5,000. I use these guys every time I go away now (I purchase per trip policies rather than annual) BUT I've never had to use them, so I can in no way vouch for their service, especially considering they are located in the US, but they do seem cost effective.

Skydiving Fatalities - Cease not to learn 'til thou cease to live

[daniel_owen_uk 0]

Quote

Try a search on google for 'Navigator Travel'.
They gave a price of £60 for 1 weeks worth of jumping in the US - Doesnt cover equipment tho.

£42 for 1 weeks worth of jumping with Ensleigh.

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[mr2mk1g 10]

Just watch for companies who say "yes" when asked about covering skydiving but actually only cover you for one jump. Subsequent jumps would be uninsured.

Also note some companies make a distinction between skydiving and parachuting. I presume this is perhaps re S/L jumps, but your guess would be as good as mine. The insurer will have their own criteria.

I've also noticed an insurer who considered skysurfing as an activity distinct from skydiving so be aware of that if it forms part of your intentions.

Last I looked, Natwest was giving FREE travel insurance if you booked your flights with your Natwest credit card. This DID cover multiple skydiving jumps so long as it is part of a training program - so if you're doing AFF this could actually be the best way to go. Other training programs may be covered but it would be up to you to check that with Natwest before going for it - and get any assurances in writing for god's sake.

[Scoop 0]

I know that Navigator specific asked me if I would be making 'repeated solo freefalls' which did put me at tease. The guy actually seemed quite friendly and knowledgable. But looking at the price. When time comes for me to enjoy myself abroad Ill shop around first!