Travel Insurance - Marathon - General running

smh_poole

30/06/2010 at 20:06

Hi All,

I'm training for Berlin and thought about time I sorted travel insurance.

So far I've had two quotes - Neither of which cover marathons (From Columbus and Liverpool Victoria). Seems a bit silly to me - I bet us runners are in the group of people least likely to need to make a claim...being fit and healthy! Although I do see that there is a small element of risk in running a Marathon.

Can anyone recommend a Travel insurance provider who covers Marathons?

Thank you,

Simon.

Gertie

30/06/2010 at 20:21

Try www.dogtag.co.uk

djwolf

30/06/2010 at 20:24

Alternatively http://www.jsinsurance.co.uk/

djwolf

30/06/2010 at 20:29

http://www.jsinsurance.co.uk/travel_insurance/hazardous_activities/AUL/a.html

Athletics track events (incl long distance running) covered under normal travel policy under the hazardous activities section

Intermanaut

30/06/2010 at 20:34

Direct Travel also covers marathon events. I've been using them for ski & adventure cover for a few years. Their customer service is top-notch. I haven't claimed, but I know people who have. They even paid out when that volcano kicked off.

smh_poole

30/06/2010 at 20:40

Wow, 4 replies within ½ hr, I'm impressed.

Thanks muchly all for the suggestions, I'll get some quotes tommorow.

Running Rodent

30/06/2010 at 22:49

I have an annual policy with Fortis through Swinton. When I asked them to check if I was covered for the Paris marathon the girl on the phone went to find out and came back with 'are you likely to win it?'. When I'd stopped laughing and assured her I wouldn't unless 10,000 people took a wrong turn, she said 'well, that's all right then'. So I think 'recreational' running is OK, as long as you're not an elite, which would be different.

Edited: 30/06/2010 at 22:50

Ultra Kazzaaaaah!!

30/06/2010 at 23:08

Must say I've never given it a thought. I have travel insurance through my bank which I use for all my trips, racing or otherwise.

If it's for Berlin (which I'm doing too) wouldn't a European Health Insurance card cover any medical help you need while you're out there?

Womble

30/06/2010 at 23:58

When I asked about 'racing' overseas I already had ski cover which is apparently more dangerous so I was covered for the less hazardous marathon.

I nearly didn't get my visa for India a few years ago. I put on the form that I was going on holiday. At the embassy I managed to let slip that I was going to be doing a running event and they didn't understand that that was indeed a holiday and no I wasn't likely to win. Perhaps I should have gone back on my return to show them the results - with me in wooden spoon position!

smh_poole

30/06/2010 at 23:58

RR - Interesting point, as one of the people I spoke to mentioned the word 'competitive' although to be honest I didn't listen properly! Then again, another company definatley said Marathons are not covered, but running is, and there was no option to add-on dangerous sports cover.

UK - Yes, the EHIC (Previously E111) will cover you for health care within Europe, but...It won't cover you for emergency transport home, or even assisted medical travel.

Incidentally, I also have travel insurance through my bank, but it doesn't cover the rest of the family...They wanted £44 just to add my wife to the policy, compared to around £15 for a new policy from else where covering both of us!

M.ister W

01/07/2010 at 08:30

Have a look on Money Supermarket. You'll find dirt cheap travel insurance and some of them will cover you for the marathon. I had no trouble finding one that would cover me for Ironman a couple of years ago.

Turbo Tid

01/07/2010 at 20:49

Running Rodent wrote (see)

I have an annual policy with Fortis through Swinton. When I asked them to check if I was covered for the Paris marathon the girl on the phone went to find out and came back with 'are you likely to win it?'. When I'd stopped laughing and assured her I wouldn't unless 10,000 people took a wrong turn, she said 'well, that's all right then'. So I think 'recreational' running is OK, as long as you're not an elite, which would be different.

RR - your post really made me laugh, thanks (nice hamster too!!

Ultra Kazzaaaaah!!

12/07/2010 at 13:43

Good job I checked. My RBS policy doesn't cover marathon running (although it's not listed as an exclusion). I could take out the hazardous activity extension (for £50) but that's only valid for charity events. Will do some more investigating nearer Berlin.

Ultra Kazzaaaaah!!

12/07/2010 at 13:49

Just looked at Direct Travel and they seem pretty reasonable

12/07/2010 at 14:49

I have Ski insurance with Direct Travel and the one time we've had to claim they have been very good. I certainly couldn't praise them enough for their customer service.

smh_poole

15/09/2010 at 21:11

Hey All/Anyone who finds this thread!

Thought I should do the right thing and post back to say I eventually went with Tesco Finance - £11 for my Wife and I for a 3 day single trip policy. I checked that they cover Marathons.

Hope that helps!

Cheers!

Ollie Capel

19/09/2010 at 16:02

Hey,

I am trying to find insurance for Berlin marathon also and checked with Tesco and the man on the phone quoted me £120 for the 3 days that i will be out there. Did you pay for yours online or on the phone?

Ollie

Ultra Kazzaaaaah!!

19/09/2010 at 16:19

Ollie, I got my Berlin insurance through Direct Travel (link above). Cost me £14 but I did get the all-singing, all-dancing policy.

Ollie Capel

19/09/2010 at 16:50

Thank you, I was unsure of who to go for. I will have a look at them now and good luck for next Sunday!!!

Ultra Kazzaaaaah!!

19/09/2010 at 16:55

Ta, you too.

I wasn't sure who to go for either but thought the cover looks good and I'll have my ordinary travel insurance too so it was really the race cover that was needed.