Insurance

Having sufficient insurance cover for your trip is almost as important as having a valid passport! Your insurance policy is there to cover any unexpected, undesirable and even unaffordable costs, like lost baggage or injury. We ask you to provide us with your policy details (submitted via an online survey) so that we can help you in the event that they're needed in an emergency.

DISCOUNTED INSURANCE (UK RESIDENTS)

We've teamed up with British company ERV Insurance who are offering a 15% discount on their Winter Sports Insurance policies to all UK residents taking a Nonstop course. To get a quote, simply click on the picture opposite and enter our exclusive promotional code “NONSTOP15”

They offer a range of policies so it is important that you read the details and check you will be covered for your course. For example, if you plan on entering the terrain park, or going off-piste without a guide, you should consider the Pro cover.

WORLD NOMADS

For those of you not from the UK... we've researched a lot of insurance policies and it seems that many companies don't cover off-piste skiing/snowboarding in North America. Clearly, if you're going on a Nonstop course you'll be skiing/riding powder within, and outside, the resort boundaries (e.g. cat skiing).

However, World Nomads' Third Level Adventure Sports policy is more comprehensive.

Travel insurance from Worldnomads.com

Please note: We are not recommending any particular provider or policy and we ask that you check their website and thoroughly research their cover ensuring that you buy a policy that adequately covers you.

INSURANCE PROVIDERS

Here are a few travel insurance providers who have been popular with our past clients. Further down this page we've listed some things to consider but it has to be down to you to research individual policies and select one that provides suitable cover for your needs.

Choosing Insurance - Some Things to Consider

Whatever you decide, please be sure the policy you are purchasing covers you sufficiently for your course. It is down to you as the consumer to research individual policies, find one that provides adequate cover for your needs and select one of your own accord. If you are aware of what is and what is not covered, you will avoid problems and undue stress should you need to make a claim. Here’s hoping it will never come to that!

Here are a few questions past Nonstop participants have found helpful when researching the insurance policies on the market.

OFF-PISTE COVER

Frustratingly not all insurance companies have the same definition for "off-piste" which means that you must do thorough research to ensure that you're covered. On a Nonstop course you'll be skiing/riding throughout the resort both on groomed and on ungroomed slopes (which may or may not have trail names). Some of those areas will be in amongst the trees. Additionally, for some activities such as our avalanche awareness courses, our ski touring, and our winter camping, you'll be skiing/snowboarding with a guide in the "backcountry" which is ungroomed and unpatrolled terrain outside of the resort boundaries.

In some countries (e.g. UK) if the policy stipulates that off-piste skiing/snowboarding with an instructor/guide is covered, then the cover may be sufficient because in Canada, "off-piste" is the area outside the resort boundaries, not covered by ski patrol. When you do go outside these boundaries on a Nonstop activity you will be with a guide, therefore covered. If you choose to go out-of-bounds without a guide, you could invalidate the policy and not be covered.

In other countries (e.g. Australia) we've found that different companies have different definitions of "off-piste" so it is essential that you describe what you will be doing and get a written confirmation of what their policy covers. This should include a written definition of how your insurance company defines “off piste” and any other activities they have as exclusions.

DO YOU NEED PROFESSIONAL WORKER'S COVER?

In short, no. While training with us you are not yet classed as instructors and when taking part in shadowing days, the work is unpaid and therefore not professional. A winter sports policy not covering paid work is sufficient.

WHAT WILL YOU RECEIVE IF YOU LOSE YOUR EQUIPMENT?

It’s important to take into consideration two factors. One, what is the total amount paid out in the event of loss of baggage (e.g. £2000) and two, what is the single item cover amount? Your skis are considered one item and if they are worth £500 and your single item cover is only £250 you will be in for a shock when you claim for the full amount! The total amount is what the company will go up to, comprised of the combined amount of all single items claimed for.

WHAT IS THE CANCELLATION COVER?

It is worth noting how much you will get back should you have to cancel your course (before it has started). Some will pay 50% some will pay 100%. Make sure you understand exactly how much your policy will cover and in what scenarios.

It is important that all our participants understand that Nonstop cannot provide any refunds in the event of an injury that prevents them completing their course.

HOW MUCH WILL YOU GET BACK SHOULD YOU GET INJURED WHILE ABROAD AND NOT BE ABLE TO COMPLETE THE COURSE?

This part is vital and needs careful consideration. One company we asked said they would pay £75 per day! Sounds good hey? But they followed it up by saying £75 a day up to £450. So basically you get money for a total of six days. If you get hurt on the first day that leaves ten weeks you will not receive money for. Some companies will cover you for more than this but it will come at a cost. The more cover you want, the more you will have to pay for it.

NEXT STEP - PLEASE PROVIDE US WITH YOUR POLICY DETAILS

Once you've purchased your insurance, please use your Unique Customer Reference (at the top of your confirmation email) to fill in the insurance survey here.