Travel Insurance Advice for horse riding

[CaroM]

Hi! I'm planning a trip to Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan at the end of the summer and I'm struggling to find appropriate travel insurance. I'm a UK resident and both countries are currently on the FCDO "avoid all but essential travel" list, making most insurances (including the one I have already with my bank) void. I've come across Battleface, and while they do cover countries on the FCDO list and most activities (hiking up to 4500m etc.) they don't cover horseriding! I've even emailed to confirm and they said that they are unable to add that activity onto the policy even for an extra fee. Does anyone know of other 'high-risk' insurance companies that would cover this activity?

[Christian77]

I can't afford comprehensive annual medical travel insurance, so I get "evacuation" insurance. At its core it is a rescue service and a medical evacuation flight from under your horse (for example) to an airport to a hospital in your home country (once and if you are stabilized). But it doesn't cover local hospital fees, or hospital fees in your home country (however that may vary). In Tajikistan I can either easily afford medical treatment (broken leg), or the treatment doesn't exist (locals go to hospitals in Russia or Turkey or Dubai if they have the money).

I go with Global Rescue because they target people doing dangerous outdoors activities. And yes, they cover horse-related accidents.

As for comprehensive travel and medical insurance, I have no opinions on services and companies (aside from believing that medical insurance is only as good as the healthcare system of the country you are in). But I did look at World Nomads out of curiosity. They don't cover horses, but they do cover camels, motorbikes and dune buggies and a bunch of other sketchy stuff. I guess the insurance companies have seen the stats on horse accidents and don't like it.

[steven]

This is interesting. I'd love to know what you end up doing CaroM. Could be really useful for future travelers.

[ccc]

Does anyone know of other 'high-risk' insurance companies that would cover this activity?

Here:

https://www.globaltravelinsurance.co.uk ... (GTIS).pdf

or here:

https://www.insureandgo.com/travel-insu ... rse-riding

Good luck.

[CaroM]

Thanks for the responses guys! Unfortunately, all those insurances (World Nomad, Insure and Go, Allianz assistance) are NOT valid for UK residents when travelling against FCDO advice. As Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan are both on the "avoid all but essential travel" list due to the pandemic, only 'specialist' insurance allows you to still take cover despite the FCDO advice. However, I have since found two companies that WILL insure UK travellers visiting countries on the FCDO avoid non-essential travel lists. They are Campbell Irvine and Big Cat Travel Insurance. Campbell Irvine requires that travellers depart from and return to the UK whereas Big Cat allows you to take out insurance when already travelling. Both have options to include all activities you would need such as high-altitude hiking and horseriding. However, it's important to note that their cover will exclude any claims arising out of or in connection with the reasons for which the FCDO is advising against travel such as Covid-19. So in the case of Kyrgyzstan/Tajikistan, they will not cover for covid-19 related claims (whereas Battle face will) but will cover for everything else (car accident, falling off a horse, search and rescue etc.) As I am mostly looking for travel insurance for these types of accidents, this is the best coverage I have found so far that is still valid when travelling against government advice

[Hannaha]

Hello,
With the French riding federation you can take a license as a trail rider for example.
In the price of the license is included a special insurance for riders.
You can ask the federation in your country if they do the same thing.
Riders who compete internationally have the same license.
It's just a question of which countries and under which conditions they cover.
Kind regards.

[ccc]

However, it's important to note that their cover will exclude any claims arising out of or in connection with the reasons for which the FCDO is advising against travel such as Covid-19. So in the case of Kyrgyzstan/Tajikistan, they will not cover for covid-19 related claims (whereas Battle face will) but will cover for everything else (car accident, falling off a horse, search and rescue etc.) As I am mostly looking for travel insurance for these types of accidents, this is the best coverage I have found so far that is still valid when travelling against government advice

Perhaps is difficult to find a perfect insurance. Sometimes will be good to have 2 different insurance, one for Covid-19 and another for accidents covered horse riding.