Travel Insurance Liability in Thailand

stressa

I am travelling to Thailand next year. I have booked a 8 day tour with "travel experts" who have booked the tour through another company. The "travel experts" have sent me a 'Liability' form which states "Overland and adventure travel carries an above average risk to life and limb and is by its nature more hazardous that conventional holiday travel". I am in my 60's. I am not bungee jumping, paragliding or backpacking! The tour gives no indication that there is a risk to life and limb. I spoke to the company providing the tour on the ground and they assured me that this did not apply to the tour BUT the "travel experts" say its a generic form and needs to be signed.
My concern is that if I sign it and don't tell my personal travel insurance company that if I did have an accident that my signing would negate my contract with them. Also if I seek clarification from my personal travel insurance company, is this going to affect my premium!!!

Any advice??

coylemj

You don't state exactly what you are signing - is it just that they are covering their asses and that that is a generic waiver form absolving of them of liability?

What is the meat of the statement you are being asked to sign?

stressa

Hi, Thanks for your response. The statement I am concerned about is as follows:

"Overland and adventure travel carries an above average risk to life and limb and is by its nature more hazardous than conventional holiday travel."

I know it is not a "conventional holiday". It is a small guided tour of approx 12 people who are aged 40's to 60's. Sightseeing! So I don't understand why I should have to sign a liability form. I do understand that the tour providers my have limits to their passenger liability insurance, but I have my own multi trip cover. I have difficulty signing, agreeing or accepting the above statement as it may impact on my personal trip cover in the event of a claim.
Any advice welcome! thanks

BuffyBot

I'd basically read it as "Please be advised that bussing around a country, exploring sightst in South East Asia has a slightly bigger element of risk than sitting in a poolside sun lounger in the Costa Del Plonk". I think you're reading too much into it.

killbillvol2

Your multitrip policy document will have a list of higher risk sport and leisure activities (Playing hurling falls into a higher risk category for example! ). Check that list and see if you'll be getting up anything at Level 2 or higher. I seriously doubt that you will be so your cover should be adequate.

coylemj

stressa wrote: »

Hi, Thanks for your response. The statement I am concerned about is as follows:

"Overland and adventure travel carries an above average risk to life and limb and is by its nature more hazardous than conventional holiday travel."

There is nothing wrong with that statement and from the small piece you have quoted, signing it will mean absolutely nothing, it's like being asked to agree that Tuesday follows Monday. If I was asked to sign a statement to the effect that "flying in one of Richard Branson's experimental space planes is hazardous", I would have no hesitation in signing it.

What you need to be concerned about are the exclusions stated in your own policy, not what that travel agent is asking you to sign. They are just covering their asses to stop you from suing them for exposing you to unexpected dangers and risks.

Check your own policy, ensure that this holiday does not involve any activities expressly excluded by your policy, that's all you need to be worried about. Your travel insurance company is never going to see that document so whether you sign it or not will have no effect whatsoever on your cover.

stressa

Thanks to you all for the advice.