by ninjapuppet » Thu 10 Nov, 2011 12:40 am
Didnt see this post earlier, but I'm going to be working as an actuary soon so I've done some research in this area.
The only Australian company who offer mountaineering insurance is insure4less and their rates are pretty cheap. You buy a basic travel insurance package (between $50-65 for my 2 weeks to NZ) then you email them to add on an alpine package which is 100% of the basic package so total price comes to about $100-130 for 2 weeks in NZ. just 4 months ago it the alpine package was only 75% but they had a few large claims over $100,000 and so now its 100% premium. Its generally ok for NZ, but for other countries, please note their terms and conditions, eg, height limits, etc etc
By way of comparison, NZAC also resell mountaineering insurnace but it was about $100 for the basic package + 130 alpine cilmbing add on + 40 admin fee (read: commission) = $270 for 2 weeks.
BUPA and a few others in Europe / US offer insurance too but were significantly more expensive than insure4less. I would look into them if you are hardcore and going into really high mountains, but for NZ I'd stick with insure4less if you are risk averse enough to buy insurance. I always buy it because when hiring a car, it covers my excess, and I like to know that my gear is covered in case it gets pinched. The main reason I get insurance is because bad weather can hit any time in the alpine regions and its just so easy to miss your connecting bus back to christchurch, booked hotels, and flight back to Australia so Insurance can cover all this.
With the ACC Azza was referring to in NZ, it only covers you for neccessary treatment whilst you are in NZ. whilst I think this is fantastic if you are rescued and hospitalised over there, it wont cover you if you need any rehab back in Australia. Aujayeb, being a doctor you know well and truly what medical costs can run into down the track; medicare or no medicare the costs can still be very significant long after the accident.