Maggie on safari... the Land Rover that’s not for turning
TRAVELLERS looking for excitement rather than just lazing on a beach with a good book need to pack more comprehensive insurance. They need to ensure all their activities are covered.
Noel Peries and his wife Marilu shopped around before buying travel insurance for their adventure trip – a 12-month drive through 15 countries in Africa in a 1991 Land Rover Defender called Maggie (named after Margaret Thatcher because of her famous statement in the 1980s ‘The lady’s not for turning’).
IT project manager Noel, 41, and American human rights lawyer Marilu lived in London while they saved up for the adventure – which they embarked upon at the start of this year.
Marilu says: ‘Conventional annual travel policies cover you for a maximum 30 to 45 days abroad a year. We needed insurance that would cover us for a year of travelling through many countries, doing unconventional activities such as overlanding, going on safari and scuba diving.’
The couple bought a £343 long-stay plan from Alpha Insurance, with no excess and a couple of add-ons for adventurous activities.
She adds: ‘We made sure our gadgets are also fully covered as we are blogging about our trip and would be lost without our laptops and cameras.’
The couple started their adventure in Botswana, where they first met in 2010, and have not had to claim so far. They are now in South Africa.
Graeme Trudgill of the British Insurance Brokers’ Association says: ‘Standard policies do cover some adventurous activities but there will be exclusions – from kite skiing and martial arts to mountain climbing that requires ropes and outward-bound courses. Brokers can insure almost anything so don’t worry as there should be a policy for you.’
He advises checking policy terms closely. A cursory glance might suggest a policyholder can go scuba diving, sailing or bungee-jumping without worry.
But with scuba diving, there might be a limit to the depth you can dive without extra cover (usually no deeper than 30 metres) – and the policyholder may not be allowed to fly within 24 hours of their last dive.
With sailing, cover might only be valid if the boat keeps within 12 miles of the shore. For bungee enthusiasts, an insurer might only permit a limited number of jumps, typically three.
Gemma Sonfield, head of travel at comparison website comparethemarket, suggests it can pay to opt for backpacker cover, which typically covers longer travel periods as well as adventurous activities – even if holidaymakers do not see their trip fitting this bill.
She says: ‘Many travellers use a trip of a lifetime to try out unusual hobbies and the majority of backpacker policies include an option to cover these activities as standard, as long as you let your insurer know ahead of time. They also often cost no more than a standard singletrip policy.’ The website found an individual with no pre-existing conditions could get backpacker cover for as little as £32 – the same as for a single-trip plan.
TOP TIPS
Have a clear idea in advance what adventurous activities you want to do.
Consider backpacker insurance that often includes adventurous activities as standard. But check for maximum age restrictions.
Once away, if an activity beckons that the policy excludes, call the insurer or broker. It may agree cover then and there – possibly for an extra fee.
Don’t rely on a bungee jump or other activity company’s insurance – it may merely be a disclaimer covering them rather than participants.
To find a suitable travel insurance policy try a comparison website or find a specialist broker through the British Insurance Brokers’ Association at biba.org.uk or phone 0370 950 1790.