For thrill seekers, adding insurance can be a smart move

Tag : Jerry Can

Speeding high over the Costa Rican jungle on a zip line soundedlike a thrilling way for Jerry Shirley of Denver to see the lushtropical terrain around the coastal town of Jaco. All went welluntil he realized during his fifth ride that the leather gloves hewas given to grip the cable were a sorry excuse for a brakingsystem.
Unable to slow his rapid descent, Shirley slammed into an attendantand a tree at the bottom of the cable, shattering his left leg andankle. It took three operations, 15 pins and screws, and two platesto put Shirley's leg together again.
The decision to ride the zip line aside, Shirley made at least onesmart travel decision: Before leaving the United States, he boughtsupplemental travel insurance, saving himself as much as $2,000 inout-of-pocket expenses.
Shirley's misadventure is a good reminder for all travelers tocheck their insurance policy before trying a high-risk sport oroutdoor adventure trip. Here's a look at what you should consider:
Q. How do I know if my medical and life insurance policies cover mysport?
A. Most medical and life insurance policies have an exclusion clausethat lists the high-risk sports that are not covered. The list ofhigh-risk activities varies by provider and is based on actuarialnumbers and accident statistics.
Motorcycling, skydiving, bungee jumping, white-water rafting,parasailing, and spelunking are among the activities that might notbe covered. Check the exclusion clause on your policy.
Q. What do I need to know about getting travel insurance for ahigh-risk adventure sport?
A. You don't have to cancel your current policy just because it doesnot cover your sport. You can buy supplemental coverage to add toyour existing policy. You can buy year-round supplemental insuranceor a short-term policy to cover the time you will be traveling.
Q. What does insurance for high-risk activities cost?
A. The price for such policies varies, depending on your age and theamount of coverage and services you want.
For example, Travel Insurance Services Inc. offers the VoyagerAnnual Plan, which costs $218 a year for a person younger than 69.
The policy covers activities including motorcycling, skiing, andskydiving, and pays as much as $10,000 in medical bills and as muchas $100,000 for medical evacuation costs per incident, among otherservices.
Q. Are there any other ways to get coverage for high-risk activities?
A. If you participate in a professional or amateur competition, suchas a mountain biking race, the organizers often carry insurance tocover all participants. To be safe, check with the organizer beforeparticipating in any race.
Q. If I hire a professional guide to take me rock climbing, mountainbiking, or to take part in some other adventure sport, will theguide's insurance pay if I get injured?
A. No. Guides for high-risk sports typically require that clientssign a liability waiver. Don't expect the guide's insurance tocover you.
If, however, the guide, through negligence or failure to act,causes your injury, you might be able to sue to recover yourmedical cost.
But don't rely on that. Get the extra coverage before you leavehome, and if something goes wrong, your insurance company can tryto recover your medical costs from your negligent guide.
Q. What do evacuation policies cost?
A. Birmingham, Ala.-based MedjetAssist charges members younger than75 an annual fee of $225. Members injured at least 150 miles fromhome will be evacuated from almost any airport in the world.MedjetAssist offers short-term memberships, such as a seven-daydeal for a fee of $85.
Q. Who sells policies for high-risk, outdoor adventurers?
Travel Insurance Services, which the Sierra Club recommends to itsmembers: 800-37-1387, travelinsure.com .
Adventure Advocates, a nonprofit membership organization:800-211-9002, adventureadvocates.com
Global Travel Shield, underwritten by American Express : 800-332-4899, globaltravelshield.com
MedjetAssist, medical evacuations only: 800-527-7478, www.medjetassist.com