Start with the trip
Record every destination and transit country, the total trip length, the event dates and the prepaid costs you could lose. Confirm that the policy is available to residents of your home country and covers the full itinerary.
Describe the activity precisely
A road half marathon, city marathon, mountain ultra and multi-day trail event can create different questions. Note the distance, surface, maximum altitude, remoteness, organised or timed status and whether you are participating as an amateur.
Check each type of cover
Medical treatment, getting you home (repatriation), search and rescue, trip cancellation, race-entry fees and equipment are covered in different sections. A high limit in one section does not make up for something missing from another.
Medical and assistance
- Does participation preserve emergency medical cover?
- Who must be contacted before treatment or transport?
- Are rescue, evacuation and repatriation defined separately?
- What excesses and sub-limits apply?
Cancellation and entry fees
- Which insured events can trigger cancellation?
- How are existing injuries and medical declarations handled?
- Are race fees included, separately limited or excluded?
- Does organiser-provided protection affect the claim?
Equipment
- What is the single-item limit for a watch or specialist equipment?
- Are unattended items or checked baggage subject to extra conditions?
- Is hired equipment covered?
Keep the evidence
Save the policy wording and schedule that apply when you buy. If a provider confirms an ambiguous event or condition in writing, keep that response with the policy documents.