Travel Insurance

[Flyingwysiwyg]

Hello fellow technicians,

 

I have just gone to renew my travel insurance and it's opened a huge can of worms that until now have laid dormant.

 

Evidently the underwriters of my existing (or I should say recently expired policy) have now decided on a miriad of exclusions on "Manual" work, not to mention a height restriction of 3 Metres..........Not useful for a jobbing lampy!

 

Does anyone have any suggestions of people they use for Worldwide travel insurance who may be more sympathetic to this industry and who do a travel policy as well as gear / PLI.

 

I have got Torribles looking into it for me (they already do my PLI, ELI and kit), but I thought some of you chaps may have some reccomendations?

 

I have done a search, but it turned up little or nothing.

 

Many Thanks,

 

Simon.

[Jivemaster]

Look carefully at all the risks and see who covers each of them.

 

If your work is all insured then do you need work risks insured again by your travel insurance people. You will be travelling to and from work in various countries using commercial transport or hire vans. Especially remember that travel insurers probably know nothing about the life and work of a lampie or any other member of techincal crew.

[Pete McCrea]

Googel Doodsons, and try them - they have understanding of our industry, and have sorted working travel Insurance for me in the past.

[stringman]

I agree with Pete

 

I use Doodsons for my PLI but use a company called travel insurance direct for my travel insurance

My business travel insurance covers the whole family for holidays and all the standard stuff but has the added business aspects of samples, laptops and if I am injured will cover the cost of a replacement tech

 

Although it is based on a holiday policy it also covers you in the UK if you are in a prebooked hotel for 2 or more nights ( guess thats to make sure you are travelling and not commuting)

although my is only european cover it si still cheaper that a standard annual family holiday policy ( and the company pays it!!)

 

hope this helps

[timperrett]

As Pete suggested, try Doodson Broking Group (Doodson's Website Link Here). I have my travel insurance as well as P&PLI with them. For me, it is about £150 a year but it does cover a huge range of circumstances and is media/entertainment/presentation/exhibition/etc specific - so covers working at height and other things that are industry specific.

 

You are probably aware of the following as you are already on the look out for the right insurance, but for others who are not so experienced in these matters...here is a brief note from my own research and experience over the years of travelling and working abroad on touring and one-off shows...

 

Always remember that 'work' travel insurance is different to 'business' travel insurance. Much like applying for a visa - 'work' usually = manual labour, earning a direct income - short/immediate financial gain; whereas 'business' usually = having meetings, visiting a trade show or conference as a delegate, networking - doing things that might earn you money in the longer term.

 

Hope that helps

 

tp

[Flyingwysiwyg]

Chaps,

 

Thank you for your replies so far.

 

I will give Doodsons a call on Monday am.

 

This does flag up issues that some people may not be aware of. My old policy used to cover me for "Manual Work" as well as the standard issue "clerical", and the policy provider was aware of my field of work. This year they have changed the level of cover, and it's not enough.

 

I'm quite sure there are many techs out there who think they are covered should the worst happen, but in fact will not be. Standard "holiday insurance" style packages have a world of caveats to look out for.

 

Once again folks, many thanks for your help.

 

Simon.

[Flyingwysiwyg]

Hi Folks,

 

Just for anyone else on a search for this, I contacted Doodsons, and their policy is far the best out of many others I tried. Sorted now, thanks so much for all your help on this.

 

Simon.