How good is trip insurance for trips involving participation in an amateur sporting competition such as cross country skiing? In checking into trip insurance I found the following in the Allianz Travel Insurance policy description: Section 3 General Exclusions "The following activities if you, a traveling companion or a family member participates in them, whether the family member is traveling with you or not:
•participating in or training for any professional or amateur sporting competition"
I think you answered your own question about the Allianz plan you mentioned. I remember seeing the same exclusion for policies I purchased recently. Just make sure you inquire specifically about coverage for hazardous sports. Read the contract/certificate of insurance before you buy (not just the online brochure with highlights). If you don't see it on the site, call, e-mail, or chat a rep and ask for one...they'll e-mail it to you...no problem. The biggest issue with travel insurance is people not understanding their coverage, filing a claim for something not covered, then getting pissed when the carrier says no. Good luck...you'll find one that will work for sure!
Not all policies are the same so read the exclusion list closely. Generally the fewer exclusions the higher the premium will be. The whole idea of travel insurance is to insure your potential losses and you need to be able to identify those potential prior to taking the policy. However, from you question I do not see how cross country skiing on your own or with a group of friends would be an exclusion. The reference was to competition - professional or amateur.
Frank, The Master World Cup Cross Country Ski race is an amateur (we pay to enter and prizes are medals of no significant cash value) event. The 2013 MWC is in Asiago, Italy.
http://www.mwc2013.com/en/
Congratulations on qualifying for the Master's World Cup. I competed in World Master Games in 1998 and it was great fun. I suggest you look around for a policy that does not exclude participation in amateur sports competitions.
At www.insuremytrip.com you can compare lots of policies in one place. Check the details of those.
Surely a race is a competition. I agree with your concern - best to keep looking, I'd say.