Machu Picchu & S America Planning + India?

[Jacques Vert]

I've been looking at travel insurance for this trip.

Reading through the T & C's for Columbus Direct, I noticed that it mentions "hiking, trekking or camping above 2,500m", but there is no definition of hiking, trekking or camping. Having dealt with insurance companies previously, I decided to ask for clarification of this clause.

I pointed out that we would be visiting Machu Picchu and the Colca Canyon, travelling by bus/car and undertaking normal sightseeing activities. I was expecting that there would be some limit as to how far one could walk before it was considered a hike or trek. This is the answer I received:

Our underwriters have advised that Machu Picchu and Colca Canyon would be considered hiking as they require considerable amounts of off-road walking across country and climbing.

In terms of policy coverage, this would mean that sports pack B is required in order to be covered for these two events.

Problem is, Sports Pack B effectively doubles the premium!

Guess I'll be looking elsewhere. Something for others to watch out for.

Further to my previous post, I provide the following data points:

I subsequently got another quote from Qantas Assure through their online website (policy is provided by QBE). I noticed there is no mention of altitude in the policy T&Cs although there is a box to tick for "trekking". After enquiring online and by email, I established that trekking is covered (at least on an annual multi-trip policy) providing I am not "mountaineering" with ropes, etc. as well as the usual stuff about alcohol, etc. Again there is no definition of "trekking" but as it is included in the coverage I guess it doesn't really matter.

More importantly from my perspective, there was no additional premium!

So in summary, the Qantas Assure policy provides world-wide coverage (including the USA & Australia), and covers visiting/trekking at MP and the Colca Canyon (but not mountaineering) for two adults (of our age) for $675 for 12 months.

The Columbus Direct policy, worldwide excluding USA, and adding on Sports Pack B so as to allow visiting Machu Picchu,for 2 adults of our age for 12 months, priced at $1,138 (and that was after the 20% AFF Gold member discount).

Of course there are other differences between the coverage of the two policies and there are many other options out there.

So it pays to shop around and to thoroughly read the T&C's so as to find the policy that best suits your particular circumstances.

JV

 

[Jacques Vert]

More on travel insurance for MP.

I decided to challenge that ridiculous ruling from Coumbus Direct so I sent an email containing the following extract:

We will travel to Machu Picchu on the bus and to the Colca Canyon by car. Of course once at the site we will walk around and view the sights as does everyone else.

Surely there is some allowance for short walks, etc before it becomes considered a "hike"?

I received the following reply about a week later:

Our underwriters have explained that the advice from the previous email would apply generally to Machu Pichu and Colca Canyon trips. On the basis of the extra information you gave about your travel plans, they have agreed that in this specific case cover can be provided as standard. This means that you would not need to add sports pack B to the policy in order for cover to apply.

Don't know how they consider this "extra information" as it was included in my initial query. I amazed that they refer to this as a "specific case".

So it's worth checking the T&C's and following through you get what you think you are paying for and are not being ripped off.

For the record, by the time I received their reply I had already made alternative arrangements.

 

[Jacques Vert]

Thanks to everyone for your input and advice.

We head off tomorrow:

Canyons, Mountains & Vineyards