Life Insurance?

[skegpro]

This is what sun life just asked me.

Sun Life has requested a bit more information:

1) On skiing: is the client was involved in “extreme skiing/snowboarding” (ie, very steep slopes 45 degrees and up on long, steep slopes in mountainous terrain) and intends to resume this in the future?



2) Where does he do his snowmobiling (I mean, where in BC? Or North America? Other?)



3) For #1 and #2 above: are they done/will they be done outside of North America?



4) On snowmobiling: if other fuel is used (ie, snowmobile is not gas-powered but other type of fuel is used)

 

[skegpro]

From manulife..........

Actually the wording is to avoid an argument. We will often use the Avalanche Exclusion where there is extensive Back Country activity but the potential insured is otherwise healthy and not engaging in higher risk activities. We do issue some contracts without an exclusion if we are satisfied that the potential risks are very low. We are the only insurer who can offer the Avalanche Exclusion as a better alternative to the very broad Back Country Exclusion.

The current avalanche danger scale is:



As Parks Canada wrote ‘Parks Canada strongly recommends that the general public avoid areas where the avalanche danger rating is HIGH or EXTREME. Any travel in these areas should be restricted to Simple terrain or kept within the boundaries of a ski resort.’

The avalanche conditions for today (with the scale at the bottom) are below with Glacier, Little Yoho and Banff etc as HIGH.




The exclusion reads ‘“It excludes claims only if the death or injury was contributed to, or caused by, an avalanche while participating in snow sports, including, but not limited to, snowmobiling, downhill or cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, etc. in an area where a high or extreme danger level avalanche warning has been posted.”



Because insurance contracts apply for a long time, we cannot be specific on the source of the information. However the meaning is very clear. DEATH occurs in an areas posed as High or Extreme danger.



Because Avalanches go downhill, we would use the overall rating NOT the rating by area on the mountain (treeline etc.).



In the example your client sent in, if this was the forecast and he died as a result of an avalanche we would not use the Avalanche Exclusion.




If it were this one the Avalanche Exclusion would apply. But remember the client would have to die as a result of the avalanche.



We get into very detailed discussions about this all the time from people who do back country sports, especially snowmobiling. However it is important to remember that, compared to a Back Country Exclusion, the Avalanche exclusion is much narrower and more specific. With a Back Country Exclusion death from any means in the Back Country is not covered.

 

[Lunch_Box]

Define out of bounds...........

Backcountry?

Do they think there is a resort for sledding?

I asked her as it seemed like a grey area to me. I explained that even within the sledding boundaries avalanches can happen and she said as long as its not an area that you shouldn't be riding you will be covered. Each area has set boundaries, so that's what I took it as.

Im also going to start racing motocross again and I would be covered at all events there as well.

 

[06 Dragon]

Just about need a lawyer with you now days to buy insurance. All these small loop holes so they can get out of paying out. Yet they have no problem taking your money for years and years.

 

[acesup800]

Dig out the body and drop it off in the meadows.....

 

[canuck5]

Dig out the body and drop it off in the meadows.....

He died due to covid related activities

 

[smokinD]

All good information shared in this thread by members, and what a person should be looking for in insurance contracts/clauses just in case things go awry.

 

[TDR]

Yeah I just went through this. Read carefully and ask lots of questions. I provided information on AST, gear including inreach etc. they will insure but I found I had to lead them to the water to fully understand.

 

[skegpro]

Well here is what I learnt from my experience.

After getting frustrated with my insurance broker she finally says, well why don't we go back to Manulife and ask them to quote a custom policy with no exclusions across the board.
Ended up talking directly to the underwriters.

They approved it.
Didn't cost me anymore $$$.

Sunlife wouldn't budge and wanted way more $$ once I mentioned my mountain habits.

 

[kovs]

I specifically asked about mtn riding with manulife too and had to answer few questions but all was good

 

[Beels]

I specifically asked about mtn riding with manulife too and had to answer few questions but all was good

That's who I'm with as well. As long as I'm competing any any type of competition, I'm covered.