International Health Insurance
The NZAC does not have a suitable provider for its overseas members for travel insurance. Currently only Australian members may obtain high risk cover for travel to New Zealand via our current insurance agreement. Information may be found by clicking on our Travel Insurance from NZ page.
Below are two companies that may be able to assist overseas members with travel cover for high risk activities.However, the New Zealand Alpine Club Inc. is supplyin information regarding them only as a guide and has no agreement currently in place with with IHI, or Patriot America. You will need to contact the companies yourself to discuss options and then make an informed decision as to whether your requirements will be met by the cover they offer.
1. International Health Insurance - Single Trip Travel Cover
IHI Denmark can provide high risk health insurance travel cover for overseas climbers. It has been used by NZAC members in the past and we have only had good reports, including an endorsement from Lincoln Hall who had taken out cover with IHI after hearing about them through the NZAC. His commments were that:
"IHI were very good in processing his claims and organising the evacuation from Tibet to Nepal (where the Australian Gov. took over), with a cheque waiting for him upon his return home."
A summary of details of what they offer are listed below. Applications should be made directly to IHI by following this link, where you will also find a list of benefits: International Health Insurance
Some points to note, regarding items that are often asked for
by our members when purchasing insurance, but that are not covered under this
policy are:
Search and Rescue
Personal Liability-Death and
Disability
Some policy conditions that may be of note for you are:
2.2 "The right to compensation shall take effect when the
insured leaves his/her country of permanent residence and shall cease upon
return to the country of permanent residence. If the insurance is taken out
after the insured has left the country of permanent residence, there is a
waiting period of 3 days before the insurance takes effect......."
12.5
"Claims shall be reported to the Company immediately and no later than 30 days
after the expiry of the insurance."
13.1 "Where there is cover by another insurance policy, or
heathcare plan, this must be disclosed to the Company when claiming a
reimbursement."
16.5 "The insurance period can be extended up to 48 hours
with no extra premium charge if the return of the insured is delayed without the
insured being responsible for the delay."
Testimonial
A few months back I rang
enquiring about insurance for climbing in Europe. I already had my travel
insurance so you referred me to IHI Direct. The people at IHI were very prompt
and helpful. I organised 20days high risk insurance and was able to do everything via email with receipts by credit
card. Thankfully no claims were made, so I can't comment on that, however I felt
I could have relied on them if needed.
Dave (NZAC member)
2. Patriot America Insurance
Recommended by a member, but they had not made a claim and so we have no feedback to offer. To include high risk acitivites, such as mountaineering you will need to ask to have a 'hazardous sports ride' added to your cover request which will add about 20% to the premium cost.
Printer-friendly version