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Seasonaires insurance

 Poster: A snowHead
Poster: A snowHead
Fellow snowHead's

After much searching and applying and interviewing i was offered a ski season job today. To say i'm happy doesn't quite cut it, i was bouncing off the walls when i got home. Very Happy So the Swiss alps it is for me this season, not sure which resort yet, it's gonna be one of four.

The package offered is very good with a far better wage than i was offered elsewhere and accommodation, ski pass, ski rental and flights in and out.

The one thing missing is insurance, so the question to those of you who've done this kind of thing before is. Where should i look for a comprehensive travel/winter sports insurance policy which will cover me for all recreational skiing for a season?
Obviously i want it to be cheap to allow for more beer money, but i also want it to save me re-mortgaging if i stack it bad and need to re-assemble my body parts which are strewn about the piste. I am also aware that these two don't really go hand in hand.

So go on snowHead. What you got????

Cheers,
Mike
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 Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
fastandicy, I believe the Ski Club do suitable insurance.
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 Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
fastandicy, one thing to watch is that a lot of season insurance packages do NOT allow you to make any trips back to the UK during the season - something you might want to do. Direct line, I think, do one where you can add that possibility as an extra, for not much money. I don't think the ski club one does.

You'll want to check that it allows off piste skiing without a guide, too (direct line and the ski club both do).
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Also check the actual number of days... sounds daft but my brother in law bought holiday insurance for a 3 month winter skiing holiday and had an accident (on day 4) and then ended up having to argue the toss over days of cover!!
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 Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
fastandicy, Well done on the job. Might see you out there.

This thread was done a few months back on the topic
http://snowheads.com/ski-forum/viewtopic.php?t=52542&highlight=season+insurance
enjoy Little Angel
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 You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
Most of the habitual seasonnaires I know use BMC if they need to provice their own insurance. Not the cheapest, but reliable and comprehensive, is the general verdict.
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 Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
We use Multisport from AGF.. covers all sports all year...€90 for the year for the family.
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 After all it is free Go on u know u want to!
After all it is free Go on u know u want to!
When our daughter was away for the season we went for BMC insurance. It was by far the most comprehensive package, although not the cheapest.
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 You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
fastandicy wrote:
Fellow snowHead's

After much searching and applying and interviewing i was offered a ski season job today. To say i'm happy doesn't quite cut it, i was bouncing off the walls when i got home. Very Happy So the Swiss alps it is for me this season, not sure which resort yet, it's gonna be one of four.

The package offered is very good with a far better wage than i was offered elsewhere and accommodation, ski pass, ski rental and flights in and out.

The one thing missing is insurance

Who's the operator that doesn't provide insurance for their staff - seems a little unusual to me.

pam w wrote:
fastandicy, one thing to watch is that a lot of season insurance packages do NOT allow you to make any trips back to the UK during the season - something you might want to do.

Hmm can't see that many TO's allowing staff time off to go home - not quite the same as being a chef in an private chalet or just a ski-bum wink

pam w wrote:
You'll want to check that it allows off piste skiing without a guide, too (direct line and the ski club both do).

Good point - and some policies have terms that mean they aren't appropriate for workers. I used skiclub last year for the season and whilst i was very happy with the cover it was also probably the most expensive. Didn't have to claim so have no idea of that side.
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 Ski the Net with snowHeads
Ski the Net with snowHeads
Last time I used the ski club insurance, while my wife used the Fogg seasonairs insurance (I needed race training cover). Never had to claim so it's hard to know in reality how each would perform.
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 snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
bertie bassett, plenty of employers out there which provide basics (health cover, limited personal possessions insurance, third party liability etc) but don't stump up for ski insurance, off piste cover, ski breakage etc etc. It's not particularly unusual.
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 And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
Dear all, Thanks for your replies, i'm already looking into a few of the companies. There really are some vast differences in prices so some shopping around to follow and if i find anything outstanding i'll post it up.

pam w, I hadn't thought about that as i'm not likely to be making any trips back but it's always nice to have a contingency incase there's any emergency's so i'll bear it in mind

RPF, I should really have done a forum search first. Bad manners, sorry. I see from the other thread you might be in Verbier this year. I'm likely to be in either Zermatt, Saas fe, Villars or Nendaz. Dunno which yet. Obviously nendaz is jut a chairlift ride away so we there's a 25% chance we might be neighbours in an alpine kinda way.

bertie bassett, It's a smaller TO that specialises in Switzerland. As i said above, i'm happy to swallow the lack of Insurance because they're paying quite a bit more and on the face of it (and having spoken to someone who worked for them before) it was pretty much exactly what i was looking for. The company owner is my direct supervisor and i've got a pretty free rein to do things my way as long as they're done well.


Just to hijack my own thread. I'm not that well versed in Swiss resorts so if i get a choice which of the four which should i be choosing? I'm immediately drawn to Zermatt because the pics i've seen it just looks beautiful and the piste map looks pretty varied. Nendaz on the other hand is linked the 4 valleys which is obviously vast but it looks like it could be a bit of a mission to get over to Zermatt and maybe just one for my weekly day off.

So snowHead's the next questions is where would you go, and why?
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 So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
fastandicy, depends what you are looking for. Verbier/Nendaz would not be my first choice if I were solely skiing pistes. While the piste map looks like a big, interlinked 3 Valleys type affair, it is not like that on the ground. The off piste is another matter - Nendaz offers easy access to some of the world's best skiing.

I think there will be a few SHs in an around Verbier/Nendaz this season in addition to those based there permenantly. I'm staying in Nendaz, I think RPF will be in Le Chable and I suspect there will be others through at points.

On the insurance front the BMC is a good option if you think you will find youself off piste without a guide. I am also considering REGA patronage (30 CHF per year) and am trying to work out exactly what benefits apply to a non-Swiss temporarily living in Switzerland. I'll post up details of what I find out in this thread if people are interested as their website is not entirely clear.
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 You know it makes sense.
You know it makes sense.
I have been paying my CHF 30 to REGA for the past few years. Never had to use their services, but it was explained to me that they would waive any fee not covered by my insurance for emergency rescue, but I would not be covered for repatriation to the UK.
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 Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
In previous seasons, as well as for the odd holiday, I've used Atlas - www.atlasdirect.net - they seem to be cheap and cover everything that I needed.

Steve
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 Poster: A snowHead
Poster: A snowHead
When I worked in Switzerland last year health insurance was compulsory, and it included accident cover which which was good enough for skiing. It paid for a friend to have 3 months in a Swiss hospital!! I don't know what your status is as a temporary worker, but it is worth asking your employer.
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 Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Quote:

I think RPF will be in Le Chable


That is correct. Staying at le Rosbif just signed contract this week.
fastandicy, if your there we will have to meet up.
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 Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
RPF, gorilla, Nendaz is certainly coming up on my list. I do like the idea of having a couple of drinking/skiing buddies pre-arranged. Very Happy

I've had a verbal offer only and i'm not sure which resort i'll be offered or even when i'll find out. It might be when the paperwork comes through, it might be at the ski show in Birmingham in October or it might be when we arrive for the first day in December but i'll update this one when i find out.

I'd be interested to find out what REGA patronage offers. Sounds like it's a carre neige for Switzerland??????
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fastandicy, Snowcard is another option that you might like to add to your comparisons.

They do a range of policies. There are different levels of cover, and I found them to be helpful in providing cover, when everyone else put loads of exclusions on the policy or turned me down flat. They also settled a claim by Mr N very promptly. The off-piste cover looks comprehensive. Not cheap though.
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 Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
I've said it before, and I'll say it again:

If you are in Switzerland I do not think you really need ski insurance. With your E111 card the Swiss reciprocal cover deals with 99% of any medical costs.
If you buy the ski-pass "avec insurance" that will cover any helicopter/pisteurs rescue costs.

The E111 cover has no care one way or the other if you are on or off piste.

Yes, you are still at risk for the cost of repatriation back to the UK if you need it, but given the high cost of a season long policy that is something I would self-insure.
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rungsp, as far as I can see Verbier Securite use a snowcare.ch insurance product:

http://www.verbierbooking.ch/pistes/index.php?id_translation=188&id_men=43&lang_id=3

which has the following benefits:

http://www.snowcare.ch/images/stories/pdf/2008_CGA_Snowcare.pdf

To be clear: this covers you for being scraped off open runs (pistes and areas for freeskiing - I guess this means itineraries in the context of Verbier). You are not covered away from the pistes. Furthermore, I'm pretty sure, but am open to correction, that mountain rescue is chargeable in Switzerland.

On the REGA point - looks like it could be worth it if you are going to be outside of Valais. Inside of Valais the OCVS seem to be the relevant body. I am still getting to grips with how all of this fits together.
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 Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
gorilla, you can buy an Air Glaciers insurance for the season (we do) which will cover your pickup (scrape up!) from on or off piste (and gives you a discount on Heli skiing too!).
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 After all it is free Go on u know u want to!
After all it is free Go on u know u want to!
rungsp, I like the sound of the discount.
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 You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
Give these guys a shout: http://www.mpibrokers.com/ . We use them for all of our staff and the cover is designed for seasonal staff rather than being modified holiday cover or a backpacker type insurance that can get iffy if you are working full time.

Having been repatriated myself last season (following a slip on ice in a car park rather than any great off-piste heroics!) I'd advise against self-insuring for this. Could wipe out your savings and make a serious dent in those of your nearest and dearest too ...
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 Ski the Net with snowHeads
Ski the Net with snowHeads
rungsp, When my daughter had a accident in Switzerland the E111 only covered her when she reached the Interlaken hospital, it did not cover any cost in the resort clinic which are all private concerns or the cost of transportation to Interlaken hospital. The E111 would not cover for the cost of returning you to the UK . It would not cover you for helicopter recovery from the slopes.
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 snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
One thing worth remembering is that your EHIC cards (E111) do have an expiry date so if you are out there for a season and it expires do sort out a replacement early. Somebody I worked with had his expire part way through and needed to see the doc once it had expired and when his replacement was in the post en route from the UK....
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 And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
rungsp, what riverman said. Please don't recommend that seasonal staff use EHIC/local cover because it isn't adequate and causes their managers a right load of hassle when they hurt themselves.
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 So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
I'm afraid Ski Club aren't doing seasonal insurance anymore.
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 You know it makes sense.
You know it makes sense.
ballyhoo wrote:
I'm afraid Ski Club aren't doing seasonal insurance anymore.


Do you know why - no mention of the change on their website and as a customer for last season I would have hoped they would have emailed me to tell me the option was not available for this year.

Oh well saved me £60 or so membership as I didn't really see the benefit of the rest of it despite skiing with some reps last season.
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 Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Just make sure you get one that allows you to go out of bounds because a chopper rode off the mountain can be very very pricey! Like 2k pricey. I normally get mine through endsleigh.

Who are you working for out in Switzerland? Im an odds as to where to go this year! Its getting late!
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 Poster: A snowHead
Poster: A snowHead
I haven't read the other posts but I have always been with the BMC and they have paid out every time I have mangled myself, where ever I have been. They even managed to pay out when I was in Aspen and Aspen Medical centres notoriously only take local insurance..

BMC are expensive, but my health is worth more. They get my vote!
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 Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
ihi.com covers repatriation, and all other medical costs (except those caused by war).
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 Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Liveezy, I'm gonna be working for on the piste www.otp.co.uk

I went for an interview on Sunday and got the contract through today ready to be sent back. I am so so so stoked. It looks like exactly the job i wanted and the owner was a really nice bloke to boot so i'm searching for insurance with a great big grin on my face. Who knew insurance shopping could be such fun Laughing
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Quote:

ballyhoo wrote:
I'm afraid Ski Club aren't doing seasonal insurance anymore.


Do you know why - no mention of the change on their website and as a customer for last season I would have hoped they would have emailed me to tell me the option was not available for this year.

Oh well saved me £60 or so membership as I didn't really see the benefit of the rest of it despite skiing with some reps last season.


Change of underwriters.
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 Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
For me I think its 12 months BMC worldwide multitrip cover (extended to trips longer than 93 days) is about £330 inc membership fee.
It compares well with other products like insure and go or mpi £wise. Its more than my old annual post office insurance (~£60ish) but in fairness that had limited wintersports cover.
It seems comprehensive and transparent without the grey area of off-piste highlighted the last time Season insurance was discussed.
As its multitrip the same policy should cover a southern hemisphere season or other travel and trips home too. (Disclaimer NehNeh This is my reading of it and I'll double check before buying).

I think the cover with the liftpass would do me for most rescue situations but it seems a bit vague so I'll go with Air-Glaciers instead It looks a really great service its great value and the money goes to the rescuers not some lady's front bottom in an office. And if there is discounted heliskiing Very Happy

And as Rungsp said theres always the E111 too.
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