 Poster: A snowHead
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It's that time to consider the annual insurance renewal.
For several years I have used Direct Travel but this year, for the first time, DogTag are actually cheaper!
I know that DogTag have advert on SH's and that I can get a discount via SH's.
Pretty similar offerings, so I am now looking at the 'how they deal with a claim' situation. As there is no point in taking on something a few quid cheaper only to find they are difficult to deal with when called upon.
Does anyone have any positive or negative feedback for either of these companies, particularly when you've had to make a claim?
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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FraserP, Ask Spyderman...
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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?
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Check the policy wording as well, Dogtag have added a very vaguely worded freestyle exclusion which looks like they could even try to worm out of something if you crashed doing a tiny jump on piste on skis but place no restriction on snowboarding other than excluding riding anywhere the local authorities say you shouldn't! Need to check that out before I renew. Oh and when I looked a couple of weeks ago the BASI insurance (available to anyone) which is simply re-badged Dogtag was quite a bit cheaper.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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| Quote: |
other than excluding riding anywhere the local authorities say you shouldn't!
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which when I asked excluded anywhere there was an avalanche warning. Though I didn't really trust the girl who told me that, who wasn't a skier. I did ask them to check with underwriters but never got anything more sensible. It would also exclude skiing on any closed runs, of course - though ALL policies are likely to exclude that - some people are very cavalier about skiing closed runs. I remember on SH a few years ago boasting that he had taken his kids down all the black runs in the 3 Valleys including several that were closed. Dickhead.
I was pleased with the way Snowcard dealt with my claim when I had an accident last year, and I think holidayloverXX also found them good. Snowcard were also good when my daughter in law bust an ACL in Les Gets, years ago and when my OH had to go home in a hurry because a freak tornado badly damaged our roof (I decided to stay on and ski, but they'd have paid for me to go home too if I'd wanted).
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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snowcard were great ehen i broke my collar bone
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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FraserP, +1 for Snowcard, I use them for annual policy, skiing and MTB-ing 
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I got a quote from Fogg that seemed much better value than both Dogtag and DIrect Travel. will check snowcard too thanks
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My experience with Dogtag continues to be excellent, my on-going health declaration has been properly dealt with, within my expectation of the insurance industry.
I have previously had three claims under ski insurance policy's the two with Dogtag were settled with the minimum of fuss and quickly. The other with another firm was only paid when I threatened to personally visit their offices in Farnborough to collect a cheque.
As they say the proof of the pudding etc.
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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.
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| Michelle wrote: |
| FraserP, Ask Spyderman... |
I'm very disappointed with how I've been treated by Dogtag.
Took out annual cover for myself and Kitty January 2013, booked 2 holidays in March 2013, Got diagnosed with Cancer in June, told Dogtag in November, before my first trip in December, they said they wouldn't cover cancellation of the holiday because of my illness and if I went they wouldn't cover anything cancer related. This I can understand but refusing to pay out if I had to cancel the holiday is outrageous. Likewise they refused to cover cancelation of my January trip, fortunately my son and his GF are taking my place.
It's incredible that they won't cover me for bookings that I made before diagnosis. It's legalised theft.
Dogtag have sent me a renewal notice for this year, they can go and get F*cked 
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Spyderman, have you made a proper complaint and contacted the Ombudsman?
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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That sounds disgustingSpyderman, I must admit despite having used them for several years for both winter sports and offshore sailing cover I doubt I will be renewing as there seem to have been a whole load of things creep in that would let them squirm out of paying on a load of predictable happenings.
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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.
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Snowcard were on my list till after a long exchange of emails they confirmed they really did want me as single dad with 2 kids to pay more than they would want from a 'normal' 2 parent 2 kid family. They did sort of suggest I made an extra person up but could see how that would go if I needed to claim!
Dogtag is just getting daft, as I say restrictions on any freestyle type stuff for skiers but not for snowboarders and as to anywhere with an avalanche warning then that is everywhere when there is snow even if the warning is at 1!
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You know it makes sense.
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| Hells Bells wrote: |
| Spyderman, have you made a proper complaint and contacted the Ombudsman? |
No, because I haven't had need to claim, December trip went without a hitch, just took the chance on zero cancer cover. January trip conflicts with my treatment and as my sone is going instead, he's paid me for the accommodation. we were going to self-drive, he's flying and has booked transfers, so I'm not out of pocket at all. I'm voting with my feet,
I was previously with Direct Travel, never had any issues with them including a claim, they'll more than likely be herring my money this year. i realise that no insurance company will now cover me for anything relating to my illness, fully understandable, it's the retrograde conditions imposed by Dogtag that have seriously annoyed me.
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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Spyderman, bloody annoying. I would still be using Direct Travel if they hadn't limited us to 17 days per season instead of 17 days per trip.
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Poster: A snowHead
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Hells Bells, Always puzzles me is how they tell how many trips you've had, assuming each trip was less than 17 days, who's to know.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Spyderman, how about breaking your neck on the 1st day of your trip in January , then needing to claim a refund for the trip you couldn't take in March?
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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?
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Hells Bells, I was only a 2 day trip in January 
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Spyderman, not according to our Eurotunnel tickets it wasn't
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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Just had a look at Direct Travel and outside the ski/board side of things it is clear as mud what sports they cover you for.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Spyderman, So sorry to hear of your problems. I hope everything turns out well.
Surely, once you have taken Travel Insurance, any subsequent trips are covered, should you have to cancel through illness that was not know about when you arranged the insurance?
What reason did they give? The reason I ask is that it may well affect other insurance company policies. What weasley excuse did they cite?
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Just found this one via one of the big sailing insurance companies, they say it is the one they put people onto for yacht racing insurance and it looks to take a sensible approach to winter sports as well https://www.sportscoverdirect.com/
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FraserP, They said they don't offer cover for any cancer related claims. I put my argument about the date of policy cover, booking dates and diagnosis dates, but they were having none of it.
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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.
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Spyderman, I cannot see that sort of exclusion on the policies of DogTag or any other company and I've checked through a few now.
The closest I can see is this on the Dog Tag site:-
"We will advise you what cover we are able to provide after the date of diagnosis. We reserve the right to increase the premium, increase
the excess, exclude the condition or withdraw the cover should the stability of the condition make it necessary. "
Thanks for your input.
For me dealing with any insurance company is like bad day with Del Boy!
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FraserP, Yup just read through my current Dogtag docs and can't find anything in there that would let them do that. Another reason added to the list of things encouraging me to go else where.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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I think that I will be staying with MPI brokers despite the increased cost.
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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.
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Hells Bells, Have a look at the sportscoverdirect one, seems to me like Dogtag were a few years ago and quite a bit cheaper (£170 ish for an annual policy for me and the kids against over £200 renewal.)
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Hells Bells, what's your reasoning?
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You know it makes sense.
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Pedantica, I can't find anything so far that matches the cover I get, and many restrict my skiing days. I have another 25 days booked before the end of the season, and that is before my Christmas trip which will be included in this annual policy.
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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Hells Bells, I wonder if MPI brokers would be amenable to a kind of "loyalty bonus" for a group of returning customers?
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Poster: A snowHead
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pam w, I've contacted them this evening via Facebook, as i did not receive any renewal documents and it appears my policy has expired.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Spyderman, I'm really really surprised that Dogtag would not cover you for needing to cancel after discovery of your cancer :/ that seems totally unreasonable. I cancelled a trip 12 years ago after cervical cancer cells were found and I just wanted to stay home for treatment ASAP. The Doc signed me as unfit to travel and all was covered :/ shame on Dogtag!!!!
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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?
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Hells Bells, Snowcard will cover you for lots of days (and off piste without a guide) if you take their top level cover - though this year MPI offered a better deal.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Spyderman,
That is absolutley disgraceful behaviour from Dog-Tag and I can't believe it to be legal.
I compared their policy to Fogg insurance and they were considerably more expensive anyway so I didn't pursue it - I'm glad I didn't.
Hope everything goes well with your treatment.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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pam w, renewed with MPI in the end after calling them this morning.
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