Buying Online
Q. I’m travelling today. Can I get instant cover and policy documents?
A. As soon as your credit or debit card details have gone through okay, confirmation
of your cover is provided on screen, and to the email address you have given. You
can also choose to get a text with cover details to your mobile. Provided you have
your unique insurance ID number, 24 hour emergency contact number and claims number,
you have all the basic information you need.
Q. Can I travel without my documents?
A. Yes you can. Your policy number is all that is needed for proof of insurance
when travelling. It is however, recommended that you take your documents with you
for information and also for when you are asked for brief details of your policy
cover. Your Policy Schedule has your BMC Insurance Card attached. This plastic card
can be kept in your pocket and has the important telephone numbers you might need
in an emergency.
Q. When does my cover begin?
A. If you are buying a Single Trip policy, your cover begins instantly. If you are
buying an Annual Multi-Trip policy, you can choose when your cover begins (up to
45 days in the future). If you have already booked a holiday, and have no other
travel insurance arrangements in force, you should ensure your policy starts immediately,
so you are covered for cancellation.
Q. Can I change my policy details?
A. Yes you can. If you need to update information about yourself, such as a change
of name, address or telephone number just contact the BMC office. We can re-issue
an updated policy schedule if this is required. If you need to add or upgrade sports
and activities cover, BMC will just need to issue a new policy and schedule. Just
call on 0161 445 6111 to make these changes.
Q. How do I renew my Annual Multi-Trip policy?
A. BMC will remind you about 3 weeks before your policy expires, and offer you the
opportunity to buy another policy by post, telephone or internet.
Q. What do the
symbols mean?
A. Click on the
symbols in the online application for more information about specific options.
Q. I'm not a member, does this matter?
A. You do need to be a BMC member to take out our travel insurance, but it’s easy to join as part of your insurance application.
Q. What is an affiliated member? Does it include the MCofS and MI?
A. Yes. Types of affiliated BMC members include: members of clubs affiliated to
the BMC who have paid their club membership subscription, members of the MCofS and
MI and their affiliate clubs, and associate or trade members and their staff.
Q. Are my card details safe?
A. Yes. The final stage of the buying process takes place over a secure connection
to Sagepay, our online payment provider.
Q. I'm claiming concessions rate for membership – do you need proof right now?
A. No. But proof will be needed in the event of an insurance claim. If proof is
insufficient your insurance will be void.
Q. How can I take out more than one policy?
A. You can only apply for one policy at a time (or one family or couples policy).
If you’re taking out insurance for a large group it may be easier to ring the BMC
office.
Q. How soon will the insurance take effect?
A. Your credit card is debited immediately, and we’ll endeavour to process the insurance
the next working day. You’re covered as soon as your credit card payment is authorised
online and you receive the confirmation email. Full policy details will be posted.
Q. I haven’t received my confirmation email…
A. Please check your spam filters. If you haven’t received an email within 12 hours,
please contact the office.
Q. What’s my policy number?
A. Your policy number and documents are posted out on the same or next working day. We cannot presently issue a policy number online. However in the event of a claim in the meantime, you can simply use the unique insurance ID number (in your confirmation email) for assistance.
Q. I'm at the airport now – will I be covered?
A. Yes, as long as you complete the application and pay for your policy before you leave the UK.
Q. I'm already abroad – can I buy or renew cover?
A. No. The exception is for annual policies, these can be renewed whilst still abroad as long as you complete the application and pay before the original policy has expired so that there is no gap in cover.
Q. I live overseas. Can I buy BMC Travel Insurance?
A. No, only residents of United Kingdom, Republic of Ireland and Jersey can buy
insurance from the BMC.
Q. Is it cheaper to buy online?
A. Yes. The policies cost less online. Should you choose to purchase by telephone
the same policy will cost more. This reflects the higher costs of providing the
telephone service.
What does it cover?
Q. How many days am I actually covered per year under the Annual Multi-Trip policy?
A. The Annual Multi-Trip policy covers you for individual trips of up to 45 consecutive days. You can take as many individual trips as you like providing you don't spend more than 90 days abroad in any insurance period. If you select the Extended Period cover option, you will be covered for up to 90 consecutive days. You can take as many individual trips as you like providing you don't spend more than 180 days abroad in any insurance period.
Q. Do the limits under the policy apply per person or per policy?
A. Each of you is covered separately up to the limits shown in the policy schedule. The policy limits apply in the same way as they would if you had each taken separate policies.
Q. Am I covered for holidays in the United Kingdom?
A. Yes, provided you spend at least one night in accommodation you booked before your departure, or if the sole purpose of the trip is to take part in a sport or leisure activity for which you have bought cover. Whichever policy you buy, some benefits are not payable for holidays in the UK. Please see the Policy Summary document and Policy Document for full details.
Q. Who underwrites BMC Travel & Activity Insurance?
A. BMC Travel & Activity Insurance is underwritten by ACE European Group Ltd. The ACE Group of Companies is one of the world’s largest providers of insurance and reinsurance. Since its inception in 1985, ACE has expanded rapidly and now operates in 50 countries around the world.
Q. What happens if my journey home is delayed beyond the insurance period?
A. If your journey home is delayed beyond your control and you do not get back into the country until after your policy has expired, your cover will continue (up to 14 days) until for example, your airline or ferry operator can get you home.
Q. Is off-piste skiing covered?
A. Yes. As long as you have bought cover under the ‘Alpine & Ski’ extension, there is no exclusion for off piste skiing or a requirement that you are only covered off piste with a guide. For instance ‘Ski Mountaineering’ which is the combination of alpine mountaineering taking in assents of peaks with skiing and ski touring is covered. Back country skiing, Cat-skiing and Heli-Skiing are also covered.
Q. Is ski-racing (and other competitive disciplines) covered?
A. No. Competitive winter sports are not covered under any BMC policy.
Q. Will this policy cover a business trip, working or volunteering holiday?
A. No, BMC Travel and Activity Insurance exclusively covers leisure trips. No cover is available for any business trips, working holidays, or trips that include voluntary/casual work. The only exception is for hill walking, climbing, mountaineering and ski guides and instructors where the ‘Professional’ cover option has been bought.
Q. What about British Foreign and Commonwealth Office advice?
A. The British Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) provides practical advice and assistance and support to British nationals who travel abroad. Sometimes the FCO will advise against “all but essential travel” to certain areas, regions or whole countries. Cover is included for these areas. However, in more extreme circumstances the FCO will advise against “all travel”. There is no cover for travel to/through areas where the FCO advise against “all travel”. If you enter such an area, then all cover under the policy will cease, but cover will be resumed once you leave that area.
Q. If I have BMC Travel & Activity Insurance, do I still need to carry a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC)?
A. Yes. The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) allows you to get state-provided healthcare in all European Economic Area (EEA) countries and Switzerland at a reduced cost or sometimes free of charge. If you use your EHIC to reduce the cost of a medical claim, then the excess (£100) will not be deducted from your claim.
Which Policy is for me?
Q. Which cover option should I choose? Single Trip or Annual Multi-Trip travel?
A. If you're likely to be going on trips more than once a year, you may well find
that an Annual Multi-Trip policy is more convenient and cost effective than taking
out a separate policy each time you travel. Just calculate the cost of buying a
number of Single Trip policies and compare it with the cost of Annual Multi-Trip.
Other factors to consider are, for instance, that it takes time to repeatedly buy
new policies and it may slip your mind if you’re booking a late deal.
Q. How long can a single trip last?
A. For short-term single trip policies there is an 87-day limit per individual trip
covered, beyond this we issue longer-term single trip policies of between 3 and
12 months.
Q. I'm going on a long trip but only going rock climbing for one week, can I take
out cover just for that week?
A. No. You must take out cover for the entire trip, taking into account all activities
likely to be undertaken. So, if you were travelling for one year, but doing just
one climb in Thailand and spending the rest of the time on the beach, you’d still
need ‘Rock’ cover for the entire time.
Q. How do I choose my period of cover?
A. Your insurance policy must cover the whole of your round trip. Cover would normally
start on the day that you leave your home address in the UK and must remain in place
until you return home.
Q. I work as an instructor / guide. Can I buy cover?
A. Yes, the BMC has made special provision for hill walking, climbing, mountaineering
and ski guides and instructors. You will need the 'Professional' cover option which
extends the cover benefits to the policyholder during their work time. This is with
the exception of 'Personal Liability'. During work time liability should be covered
by a separate employer's liability or professional indemnity policy.
Q. Do I need to add exended baggage cover to my travel insurance?
A. BMC policies cover a total of £2,000 of baggage, with a single item limit of
£350, and a limit in respect of valuables of £350 total. Extended baggage cover
covers £3,000 of baggage, but the limit on any single item remains at £350 and the
limit in respect of valuables remains at £350 total.
Changing your mind
Q. I no longer want the policy – can I alter it or cancel it?
A. Yes. If the cover does not meet your requirements you may return it to the BMC
within 14 days of purchase. A full refund will be made provided you have not travelled,
made, or are intending to make, a claim. If you need to alter your policy before
departure then contact the office. There may be a small administration charge.
Q. Who are the underwriters?
A. ACE Travel Insurance
PO BOX 1018
Ashdown House
125 High Street
Crawley
West Sussex RH10 1DQ