INTRODUCTION AND DEFINITIONS

To be read in conjunction with every Section of cover.

In consideration of the Insured paying the premium, Professional Travel Insurance Company Limited (hereinafter referred to as 'we', 'our' or 'us') will pay, indemnify or reimburse the Insured (hereinafter referred to as 'you', 'your' or 'yourself') all of the following Benefits, up to the maximum limit of cover and subject to the applicable Excess per loss and per person, for loss incurred whilst on a Trip during the Period of Insurance and within the Territorial Limits. Cover under every Section is subject to all the general exclusions and conditions, as well as the specific exclusions referred to in each Section. Words in the masculine gender shall also include the feminine.

'Insured' means those persons shown on the Certificate.

'Additional Sports Equipment' means articles of equipment used for the sole use in the sport as declared to Columbus Direct Travel Insurance.

'Benefits' means those amounts payable in respect of covered claims up to but not exceeding the maximum limits described in the Certificate's summary of cover and limits.

'Business Equipment' means any equipment, as declared to Columbus Direct Travel Insurance and used for the sole purpose of your business Trip.

'Date of Issue' means the date shown on the Certificate as to when it was issued.

'Territorial Limits' means those geographical areas or countries shown on the Certificate.

'Excess' means that part of each and every claim which is your responsibility.

'Trip' (Super, Standard, Globetrotter and Ski policies only) means a period of travel undertaken by you which commences and ends at your Home or business (except one way Trips which end when you first leave the immigration control in the country of your final ticketed and declared destination), where the destination is within the Territorial Limits and where you lodge or plan to lodge for at least one night.

'Trip' (Frequent Traveller policies only) means a period of travel undertaken by you which commences and ends at your Home or business where the destination is outside a 25 mile radius of your Home or business and does not exceed 60 nights, where the destination is within the Territorial Limits and where you lodge or plan to lodge for at least one night in Pre-Booked Accommodation. Travel to and from your usual place of work shall not be considered a Trip. If the period of travel exceeds or was intended to exceed 60 nights, then the entire period of travel (including the first 60 nights) will not be covered hereunder.

'Trip' (UK policies only) means a period of travel undertaken by you which commences and ends at your Home or business, where the destination is outside a 25 mile radius of your Home or business but is within the Territorial Limits and where you lodge or plan to lodge at least one night in Pre-Booked Accommodation.

'Period of Insurance' (Super, Standard, Globetrotter and Ski policies only) under Section 1 (Cancellation) means insurance is effective from the time and Date of Issue of the Certificate and terminates on commencement of the planned Trip.

Period of Insurance, in respect of all other Sections, means insurance commences when you leave your Home or business (whichever is the later) to commence the Trip and shall cease upon whichever occurs first of the following:

the expiry of the period of cover;

your return Home as planned, at the end of the Trip;

your first return Home prior to the planned return at the end of the Trip.

In respect of one way Trips only, the Period of Insurance will cease upon whichever occurs first of the following:

the expiry of the period of cover, or

when you first leave immigration control in the country of your final ticketed and declared destination.

The Period of Insurance is automatically extended for the minimum period necessary in the event that you are unavoidably delayed due to the failure of public transport, or as a result of a medical condition which has been notified to the Medical Assistance Company.
'Period of Insurance' (Frequent Traveller policies only) under Section 1 (Cancellation) means insurance is effective for each Trip from the later of either the time and Date of Issue of the Certificate or the time and date at which each Trip is booked, and terminates upon whichever occurs first of the following:

the commencement of each Trip, or

the expiry of the period of cover.

Period of Insurance, in respect of all other Sections, means insurance commences when you leave your Home or business (whichever is the later) to commence each Trip and shall cease upon whichever occurs first of the following:

the expiry of the period of cover;

your return Home as planned, at the end of each Trip;

your first return to your country of residence prior to the planned return at the end of each Trip;

your period of travel exceeding 60 nights on each Trip.

The Period of Insurance is automatically extended for the minimum period necessary in the event that you are unavoidably delayed due to the failure of public transport, or as a result of a medical condition which has been notified to the Medical Assistance Company.
'Period of Insurance' (UK policies only) under Section 1 (Cancellation) means insurance is effective from the time and Date of Issue of the Certificate and terminates on commencement of the planned Trip.
Period of Insurance, in respect of all other Sections, means insurance commences when you leave your Home or business (whichever is the later) to commence the Trip and shall cease upon whichever occurs first of the following:

the expiry of the period of cover;

your return Home as planned at the end of a Trip, or

your first return Home prior to the planned return at the end of a Trip.

The Period of Insurance is automatically extended for the minimum period necessary in the event that you are unavoidably delayed due to the failure of public transport, or as a result of a medical condition which has been notified to the Medical Assistance Company.

'Pre-booked Accommodation' means a hotel, hostel, bed and breakfast, rented holiday home, camping or caravan site, for which an invoice, bill, receipt or voucher can be produced.

'Relative' means spouse, fiancé(e), parent, parent-in-law, brother, brother-in-law, sister, sister-in-law, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, child or grandchild.

'Replacement Business Colleague' means a person working for the same company and in the same office as yourself and nominated in order to continue the proper functioning of your business Trip.

'Travelling Companion' means the person with whom you have booked to travel on the planned Trip. In the case of a tour, Travelling Companion shall mean the person(s) shown on your booking form.

'Close Business Associate' means a person working for the same company and in the same office as yourself or your Travelling Companion and whose absence from work, along with yourself or your Travelling Companion would prevent the proper functioning of the company as confirmed by an officer of the company.

'Medical Assistance Company' means the assistance company named on the Certificate.

'Claims Handler' means the loss adjusters named on the Certificate.

'Home' means your place of residence as declared to Columbus Direct Travel Insurance.

'Loss' (under Section 6) means death, Loss of One or More Limbs or Both Eyes, or Permanent Disability.

'Accident' means a sudden, unexpected, unusual, specific, violent, external event which occurs at a single identifiable time and place and independently of all other causes results directly, immediately and solely in physical bodily injury which results in a Loss. In no event shall the contracting of any disease and/or illness (including but not limited to heart attack, stroke or cancer), nor the injection or ingestion of any substance, be considered an Accident. An event which directly or indirectly exacerbates a previously existing physical bodily injury shall not be considered an Accident

'Loss of One or More Limbs' means Loss by physical severance of a hand at or above the wrist or a foot at or above the ankle.

'Loss of Both Eyes' means the complete and irrecoverable Loss of sight of both eyes.

'Permanent Disability' means disability caused by or resulting directly from an Accident which, from the moment of such Accident, entirely prevented you from attending to any business or occupation in any capacity for 12 consecutive months and, in the opinion of our medical and vocational advisors, it is reasonable that it should continue beyond such time so as to prevent you from being able to attend to any business or occupation of any or every kind in any capacity.

'Valuables' means cameras, photographic apparatus, video equipment, stamps, documents, dentures, hearing aids, furs, binoculars, tape recorders, cassettes and players, radios, compact discs and players, computers and accessories, mobile telephones, video games and TV sets.

'Ski Equipment' means skis, ski sticks, ski bindings, ski boots and snowboards.

COVER

What to do in an emergency

In the event of death, medical expenses in excess of £500, curtailment, accidental injury or illness likely to result in hospitalisation, repatriation or any alteration in travel plans for which a claim will be made, notification must be given to the Medical Assistance Company, as specified in this policy, within 24 hours and liability shall only attach for expenses agreed by them. Failure to notify the Medical Assistance Company will prejudice us and result in our non-acceptance of liability for such claims.
Should you require medical treatment in Australia, you must enrol with MEDICARE. It is not necessary to enrol on arrival as you can do this on the first occasion you receive treatment. In-patient and out-patient treatment at a public hospital is then available free of charge. Should you be admitted to hospital, then immediate contact must be made with the Medical Assistance Company and their authority obtained in respect of any treatment NOT available under MEDICARE, before such treatment is provided.

SECTION 1 - CANCELLATION

We will reimburse you for your proportion of the irrecoverable loss of travel and accommodation deposits or charges (paid in advance or irrevocably contracted and which are forfeited) in the event that you cancel the planned Trip as a result of an event listed as an 'unforeseen occurrence' happening during the Period of Insurance to you or your Travelling Companion (provided that your Travelling Companion cancels his Trip).
In the event you cancel your Trip in accordance with the conditions above and such Trip was for the sole purpose of carrying out your business and the cost of such Trip is otherwise not recoverable, we will reimburse up to the specified limit of cover the cost of a replacement colleague.
Specific Exclusions to Section 1: 1, 2, 7 and 8.

SECTION 2 - CURTAILMENT

Please see above - What to do in an Emergency

We will reimburse you for transportation expenses to your Home and a pro-rata amount of the total pre-paid or irrevocably contracted cost for each complete day of the Trip foregone (excluding prepaid costs for transportation to return Home), in the event that you curtail the Trip by returning to your Home earlier than the planned date of return as a result of an event listed as an 'unforeseen occurrence' happening during the Period of Insurance to you or your Travelling Companion (provided that your Travelling Companion curtails his Trip).
In the event you curtail your Trip in accordance with the conditions above and such Trip was for the specific purpose of carrying out your business we will reimburse up to the specified limit of cover the cost of a replacement colleague.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION CONCERNING CURTAILMENT

Curtailment for medical reasons must be authorised by the Medical Assistance Company, following confirmation from the treating doctor that it is medically necessary that you or your Travelling Companion curtail the Trip.

Specific Exclusions to Section 2: 1, 2, 7 and 8.

List of Unforeseen Occurrences:

the death, accidental injury or serious illness occurring during the Period of Insurance of (i) you (ii) your Travelling Companion (iii) a Relative of yourself or your Travelling Companion (iv) a Close Business Associate of yourself or your Travelling Companion or (v) the person with whom you had arranged to stay whilst on the Trip (note: injury or illness must be supported by medical confirmation and clinical reports);

(Super, Standard, Globetrotter, UK and Ski policies only) the pregnancy, occurring after the Date of Issue of the Certificate, of yourself or your Travelling Companion and birth is expected within three months of the booked departure or return date, or complications of such pregnancy occurring prior to the sixth month if there have not been any complications in any previous pregnancy;

(Frequent Traveller policies only) the pregnancy, occurring after the date of booking a Trip, of yourself or your Travelling Companion and birth is expected within three months of the booked departure or return date, or complications of such pregnancy occurring prior to the sixth month if there have not been any complications in any previous pregnancy;

the summons for jury service, attendance under subpoena as a witness in a court of law, redundancy which qualifies for payment under the Redundancy Payments Act of 1965 (as amended), compulsory quarantine restriction or prevention of travel by British government restriction, provided that no circumstances which could reasonably have been expected to give rise to the cancellation or curtailment of the Trip were known at the date of booking the Trip;

presence being required by the Police following burglary at your Home or usual place of business in the British Isles;

serious fire, storm or flood damage to your Home or usual place of business in the British Isles;

emergency and unavoidable requirements of duty in the armed forces, police, fire or medical services, proof of which is supplied by a senior member of the relevant organisation.

SECTION 3 - MEDICAL AND OTHER REPATRIATION EXPENSES

(Super, Standard, Globetrotter, Ski and Frequent Traveller policies only)
Please refer to page 3 - What to do in an Emergency
In the event that you sustain accidental injury or illness, we will reimburse you for:

reasonable emergency medical, hospital and physician expenses necessarily incurred by yourself whilst on the Trip (emergency dental treatment is covered only for the immediate relief of pain and up to £200, subject to an excess of £50);

reasonable travelling costs incurred to obtain such treatment in '(a)' if emergency treatment is not available at your location, as determined by the Medical Assistance Company;

reasonable additional accommodation costs (bed and breakfast only) for any person required on medical advice to remain with you whilst you are hospitalised and reasonable additional transportation costs for such person who has remained with you;

reasonable additional accommodation costs (bed and breakfast only) incurred by you as a result of you receiving medical advice that your return journey Home is impossible due to medical reasons, subject to the maximum benefit of £1,000, provided that the claim is supported by medical confirmation;

(British Citizens only) reasonable repatriation costs to your Home using the medically appropriate means, as determined by the Medical Assistance Company;

(Non British Citizens only) reasonable repatriation costs to your Home or original country of domicile as declared, providing an additional premium has been paid if required, using the medically appropriate means, as determined by the Medical Assistance Company. No further medical costs are covered hereunder upon completion of repatriation;

(British Citizens only) the cost of transport of your body or ashes to the British Isles in the event of your death or the cost of burial or cremation in the country where your death occurs, subject to the maximum benefit of £3,000;

(Non British Citizens only) the cost of transport of your body or ashes to the British Isles or original country of domicile as declared, providing an additional premium has been paid if required, in the event of death or the cost of burial or cremation in the country where your death occurs, subject to the maximum benefit of £3,000;

reasonable transportation and accommodation (bed and breakfast only) costs for one Relative to travel from Home and return Home with you, in the event that the Relative has applied for and received prior written approval from the Medical Assistance Company. Approval will only be granted on medical or compassionate grounds. The decision of the Medical Assistance Company is absolute.

Conditions of Payment for Medical and Other Repatriation Expenses

In the event of repatriation, any value remaining in unused original return travel tickets which is recoverable shall be deducted from the amount of the claim.

Additional hotel and transportation costs shall be based on the average cost of those incurred on the Trip prior to the originally planned return date.

Payment for the additional cost of private hospital room accommodation shall only be made if the medical practitioner treating you deems such accommodation to be medically necessary.

The excess applicable under this Section shall be waived if you use a Form E111 or another reciprocal health agreement to reduce the amount of your claim.

In the event of repatriation to your original country of domicile, upon completion of such repatriation, no further Benefits or medical costs shall be covered thereafter.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION CONCERNING REPATRIATION AND IN-PATIENT TREATMENT

We reserve the right to:

repatriate you when, in the opinion of the treating doctor and the Medical Assistance Company, you are fit to travel;

avoid further liability in the event that you refuse repatriation when, in the opinion of the treating doctor and the Medical Assistance Company, you are fit to travel;

transfer you to the hospital, clinic or location of our choice when, in the opinion of the treating doctor and the Medical Assistance Company, you are fit to be transferred.

Specific Exclusions to Section 3: 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 30.

SECTION 4 - HOSPITAL SUNDRIES ALLOWANCE

(Super, Standard, Globetrotter, Ski and Frequent Traveller policies only)
We will pay you the amount shown on the Certificate for each complete 24 hour period during which you are an in-patient in a hospital, as a direct result of an accidental injury or illness which is covered under Section 3.

SECTION 5 (i) - TRAVEL DELAY

(Super, Standard, Globetrotter, Ski and Frequent Traveller policies only)
In the event of a delay of a flight or English Channel crossing, we will pay you the benefit in (a) or (b):

the amount shown on the Certificate for the first full 12 hours of delay and £10 for each subsequent 12 hour period of delay;

if you elect to cancel the whole travel itinerary following a delay of at least 24 hours of the first outward flight or outward English Channel crossing, we will reimburse you for any travel or accommodation deposits or charges paid in advance or irrevocably contracted and which are forfeited.

SECTION 5 (ii) - TRAVEL DELAY

(UK policies only)

In the event of a delay of a flight or a sea crossing, we will pay you the benefit in (a) or (b):

the amount shown on the Certificate for the first full 12 hours of delay and £10 for each subsequent 12 hour period of delay;

if you elect to cancel the whole travel itinerary following a delay of at least 24 hours of the first outward flight or outward sea crossing, we will reimburse you for any travel or accommodation deposits or charges paid in advance or irrevocably contracted and which are forfeited.

Conditions of Payment for Travel Delay

You must obtain written confirmation from the carrier of the length of delay as measured from the time of departure in the booking confirmation.

Payment shall not be made under both Sections 5(a) and 5(b).

Specific Exclusions to Section 5: 9.

SECTION 6 - PERSONAL ACCIDENT

We will pay you or your estate for Loss resulting from an Accident sustained by you. Loss must occur within 180 days of the date of the Accident.

Conditions of Payment for Personal Accident

Payment is limited to 50% of the sum insured if you are under 18 years of age at death.

No Benefits shall be paid for more than one Loss suffered.

The Permanent Disability benefit will be paid following 12 months of proven Permanent Disability.

The Permanent Disability benefit is limited to 50% if you were not continuously gainfully employed for the six months prior to the departure date of the Trip on which the Accident occurred.

SECTION 7 - MISSED DEPARTURE

(Super, Standard, Globetrotter, Ski and Frequent Traveller policies only)
We will reimburse you for additional accommodation and transportation expenses necessarily incurred to reach the booked destination, in the event you arrive at the departure point of your Home or the international departure point for returning to your Home too late to commence the booked Trip as a result of (i) the failure of public transport services, or (ii) an Accident or mechanical failure involving the car in which you were travelling.
Specific Exclusions to Section 7: 10 and 11.

SECTION 8 - PERSONAL BAGGAGE AND PROPERTY

We will reimburse you, up to the limit of cover, for the value of personal property taken or purchased on the Trip by you, which is accidentally lost, stolen or damaged.
Claims shall be subject to the following maximum payments as shown on the Certificate:

any one article, pair, set or collection;

Valuables;

loss, theft or damage occurring on a beach.

The maximum payment for any one article, pair, set or collection which is not supported by evidence of the original purchase of said property shall be £50, up to a total maximum of £250 for all such items.
The maximum payment for eyeglasses/contact lenses (including sunglasses) shall be £50.
Conditions of Payment for lost, stolen or damaged Personal Baggage and Property

In the event of damage, payment will be for the intrinsic value of each item or the cost of repair, whichever is less.

Any reimbursement received by you from an airline, transportation provider, hotel, home contents insurer or any other recovery source shall be deducted from the amount of your claim under Section 8.

Payment for lost or stolen articles shall be subject to a deduction for wear and tear of the article(s).

In the event that you take personal baggage and property on a Trip with a total value in excess of the limit of cover shown on the Certificate, any loss will be adjusted down in value as follows: the loss multiplied by the limit of cover and then divided by the total value of personal baggage and property taken on the Trip. (Any article not covered under this policy shall not be considered as part of the loss or part of the total value).

Damaged articles must be retained by you and, if requested, submitted to the Claims Handler so as to substantiate the claim. Failure to do so may result in non-payment.

Baggage Delay

If your baggage is temporarily lost in transit (except on an inbound journey to your country of residence) and not restored to you within 12 hours, we will reimburse you for the emergency purchase of essential replacement items.

Conditions of Payment for Baggage Delay

Proof of purchase of replacement items must be provided.

You must obtain written confirmation from the carrier of the number of hours delay.

If the baggage proves to be permanently lost, any amount payable for Baggage Delay shall be deducted from the amount claimed for loss.

Additional Sports Equipment

We will reimburse you up to the limit of cover for the value of any sporting equipment in respect of the sporting activity as specified to Columbus Direct Travel Insurance which is accidentally lost, stolen or damaged.

Business Equipment

We will reimburse you up to the limit of cover for the value of any specified business equipment used for the sole purpose of carrying out your business which is accidentally lost, stolen or damaged.
Specific Exclusions to Section 8: 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21 and 22.

SECTION 9 - MONEY AND DOCUMENTS

We will reimburse you for the accidental loss or theft of bank and currency notes (excluding travellers cheques, unless the issuer does not provide a replacement service), coins, travel and admission tickets, accommodation and meal vouchers, and petrol coupons, if held for private purposes. The maximum payment for bank/currency notes and coins will be up to the sum shown on the Certificate.

Replacement Business Documents

We will reimburse you up to the limit of cover for the cost of replacement business documents that are accidentally lost, stolen or damaged providing they are necessary for the carrying out of your business on your Trip.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION CONCERNING MONEY AND DOCUMENTS

Payment under Section 9 shall be included within the maximum payment shown on the Certificate under Section 8 for loss, theft or damage occurring on a beach.
Specific Exclusions to Section 9: 17, 18, 19, 21, 22 and 23.

SECTION 10 - LOSS OF PASSPORT

(Super, Standard, Globetrotter, Ski and Frequent Traveller policies only)
We will reimburse you for the cost of temporary travel documents and for reasonable travel and accommodation expenses necessarily incurred in obtaining temporary travel documents, if your passport is lost or stolen.
Specific Exclusions to Section 10: 18, 19, 21 and 22.

SECTION 11 - HIJACK

We will pay you for each full 24 hour period you are detained as a result of hijack of the aircraft or sea vessel in which you are travelling.

Condition of Payment for Hijack

You can claim under either Section 5 or 11 (but not more than one of these Sections) for the same incident.

SECTION 12 - PERSONAL LIABILITY

We will indemnify you for your legal liability for accidental injury to third parties and/or accidental damage to their property. This cover is applicable only in respect of liability under the law of the country in which the event giving rise to the claim occurred, or under English law.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION CONCERNING PERSONAL LIABILITY

It is warranted that no liability shall be admitted and no admission, arrangement, offer, promise or payment shall be made by you without our written consent. We shall be entitled, if we so desire, to take over and conduct (in your name) your defence of any claim or to prosecute for your own benefit any claims for indemnity, damages or otherwise against any third party. We shall have full discretion in the conduct of any negotiations, proceedings, or the settlement of any claims. You shall, wherever possible, give all such information and assistance as we require.
Specific Exclusions to Section 12: 24, 25 and 26

SECTION 13 - LEGAL EXPENSES

We will reimburse you for legal costs incurred by you in pursuit of legal proceedings against third parties (excluding any member of your family and/or your Travelling Companion) for any compensation owed to you, arising directly from physical bodily injury to you.
You must comply with the following procedures:

notify us within 30 days of the incident giving rise to the claim;

apply to us for a written acknowledgement of the existence of a potentially viable claim;

if an acknowledgement is granted as per (b) above, we shall initially pay up to 5% of the limit of cover for legal costs incurred by you to determine the probability of success in obtaining reasonable compensation (this shall include an assessment of the legal liability of the potential defendant and the ability to collect damages from the potential defendant).

IMPORTANT INFORMATION CONCERNING LEGAL EXPENSES

We shall not be responsible for any legal expenses incurred prior to issuing you with written acknowledgement of the existence of a potentially viable claim under this Section.

In the event that you are awarded legal costs as part of any judgement or settlement, we shall be entitled to repayment by you of any sums paid under this Section.

In the event that you are awarded compensation (by judgement or settlement), we shall be entitled to recover from you, two-thirds of any sum paid to you under any Section of this policy on account of the same incident for which compensation is received.

We retain the right to oversee all conduct and expenditure by your appointed legal advisors and to halt further payment under this Section, in the event that at any stage we conclude that you will be unable to obtain reasonable compensation.

SECTION 14 - ASSISTANCE SERVICES

We shall arrange for the Medical Assistance Company to provide to you:

Medical assistance for claims covered under Section 3 (not applicable to UK policies)

Assistance with finding local providers of medical services.

If medically necessary, a doctor, nurse or medical team to visit you.

2. Assistance for Children

If you are on a Trip and any of your children under the age of 19 are taken ill or suffer accidental injury whilst they are at Home, we shall arrange transportation and hospitalisation convenient to the child's Home, the cost of such transportation and hospitalisation will be your responsibility.

3. Advance for Bail Bonds (not applicable to UK policies)

If you are imprisoned by the local judicial authorities whilst on a Trip, the Medical Assistance Company shall provide an advance for a bail bond up to £1,500.

4. Miscellaneous Assistance

Transmission of emergency messages to your Home.

Arrangement of home emergency assistance upon your return Home, the cost to be your responsibility.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION CONCERNING BAIL BONDS

Any advance under Section 14 (3) must be repaid to the Medical Assistance Company within three months of the date of bail remittance. Immediate reimbursement will be required following your non attendance in a court of law as a result of which the bail bond will not be refunded due to such non attendance, or when the authority requiring such bond has refunded you.

WINTER SPORTS COVER (Ski and Frequent Traveller with Ski policies only)

Winter Sports Cover (Frequent Traveller with Ski only) shall be limited to a maximum of 21 total days in the annual policy period for each person who pays the requisite additional premium for Winter Sports Cover.
Where the words ski(s) or skiing are used, they also mean snowboard(s) or snowboarding.
General Exclusions 1 shall not include:

all forms of skiing and all forms of winter sports.

General Exclusions 1 shall include:

ski jumping, ski flying, heli-skiing outside Europe, ski acrobatics, ski stunting, freestyle skiing, ski racing and training, ski bob racing, parapenting, ice hockey, mountaineering (except incidental to skiing) and the use of skeletons and bobsleighs.

SECTION 15 - PISTE CLOSURE

In the event that you are not allowed to ski for a period in excess of 12 hours, due to conditions at the winter sports resort (if due to weather conditions, then only during the months that constitute the local regular ski season), we will pay you for each 24 hour period in which you are unable to ski due to piste closure.

SECTION 16 - SKI HIRE

We will reimburse you for each 24 hour period during which Ski Equipment is hired by you, due to the loss or damage of your Ski Equipment or due to a delay in transit of your Ski Equipment on the outbound journey, for at least 12 hours.

Conditions of Payment for Ski Hire

You must obtain:

proof of Ski Equipment hire;

written confirmation from the carrier of the number of hours of delay (if applicable).

SECTION 17 - SKI PACK

We will reimburse you for each 24 hour period in which any ski pass, ski hire or ski tuition fee is necessarily unused due to the following:

your accidental injury or sickness (you must supply medical confirmation of your inability to ski);

loss or theft of your ski pass (you must supply a police report).

SECTION 18 - SKI EQUIPMENT COVER

We will reimburse you for the value of Ski Equipment owned or hired on the Trip by you, which is accidentally lost, stolen or damaged.
Payment for Ski Equipment which is owned by you shall be made as follows (or the lesser of the cost of repair in the event of damage). For equipment:

up to 1 year old: 90% of purchase price

up to 2 years old: 70% of purchase price

up to 3 years old: 50% of purchase price

up to 4 years old: 30% of purchase price

up to 5 years old: 20% of purchase price

over 5 years old: Nil

Payment for Ski Equipment which is hired by you shall be based upon the amount of your liability for such loss or damage.

Conditions of Payment for lost, stolen or damaged Ski Equipment

Any reimbursement received by you from any source or recovery shall be deducted from the amount claimed under Section 18.

Claims for lost or stolen Ski Equipment must be supported by evidence of the original purchase of such property.

Specific Exclusions to Section 18: 18, 19, 20, 21 and 22.

GENERAL EXCLUSIONS

1. any claim arising from any of the following sport(s) or recreational activity(ies) unless declared to Columbus Direct Travel Insurance, agreed to by us on the Certificate and an additional premium paid if required: abseiling, American football, boxing, bungee jumping, cycle touring, hang gliding, high diving, horse jumping and trekking, hunting, jetboating, jetskiing, martial arts, micro-lighting, motorcycle touring, mountaineering, parascending, parachuting, paragliding, parasailing, piloting or passenger in a light aircraft/helicopter, polo, potholing, rock climbing, scuba diving, all forms of skiing, trekking, white water rafting, all forms of winter sports;

2. any claim which results from your exposure to a known peril. You must exercise reasonable care to prevent illness, accidental injury, loss or damage and exercise all reasonable care for the safety and supervision of your property as if uninsured;

3. any claim which arises on a Trip where you are travelling with an organised sports team, unless declared to Columbus Direct Travel Insurance, agreed to by us on the Certificate and additional premium paid, if required;

4. any claim which arises directly or indirectly from depression, stress, anxiety, mental disorder, suicide, intentional self-inflicted injury, the use of drugs (other than as medically prescribed but excluding drug addiction) and alcohol use;

5. any accidental injury, illness, death, loss, expenses or other liability attributable to, or any consequence arising from any sexually transmitted disease, HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus), the fear of HIV and/or any HIV-related illness including AIDS and/or any mutant derivative or variations thereof however caused;

6. any claim which arises directly or indirectly from you being engaged in any manual employment after the commencement of the Trip;

7. any claims arising from the loss or destruction of, or damage to any property whatsoever or any loss or expense whatsoever resulting or arising therefrom, or any consequential loss directly or indirectly caused by or contributed to, by or arising from:

ionising radiation or contamination by radioactivity from any nuclear fuel or from any nuclear waste from the combustion of nuclear fuel, or

the radioactive toxic explosive or other hazardous properties of any explosive nuclear assembly or nuclear component thereof;

8. any claims directly or indirectly occasioned by, happening through or in consequence of war, invasion, acts of foreign enemies, hostilities (whether war be declared or not), civil war, military or usurped power or confiscation by or under the order of any government or public local authority;

9. any claims directly or indirectly occasioned by any criminal or illegal act committed by you or your Travelling Companion;

10. any claims directly or indirectly resulting from aviation other than as a fare-paying passenger on a properly licensed multi-engined passenger-carrying aircraft operated by a company licensed for the transportation of passengers by the duly constituted governmental authority having jurisdiction over civil aviation in the country of registry of such airline;

11. any claims covered by an employer's insurance for the benefit of any employee;

12. any loss which is in consequence of an incident covered herein (including any claim for loss of enjoyment). Claims shall only be paid for those losses which are specifically stated under the terms of cover;

13. any loss which has not been conclusively proven and the amount thereof substantiated;

14. any claims resulting directly or indirectly from the financial failure of a tour operator, travel agent, airline or carrier;

15. any loss, injury, damage, illness, death or legal liability arising directly or indirectly from, or consisting of the following: the failure or fear of failure or inability of any equipment or any computer program to recognise or correctly interpret or process any date as its true calendar date, or to continue to function correctly beyond that date.

SPECIFIC EXCLUSIONS

1. directly or indirectly from the failure to notify the travel agent, tour operator or provider of transport or accommodation IMMEDIATELY after it is found necessary to cancel or curtail the Trip;

2(a) (Super, Standard, Globetrotter, UK and Ski policies only) directly or indirectly as a result of a medical condition of your Travelling Companion, a Relative or Close Business Associate of you or your Travelling Companion or the person with whom you have arranged to stay on the Trip, which has been suffered or for which medication, advice or treatment has been received within six months prior to the time of policy application;

2(b) (Frequent Traveller policies only) directly or indirectly as a result of a medical condition of your Travelling Companion, a Relative or Close Business Associate of you or your Travelling Companion or the person with whom you have arranged to stay whilst on the Trip, which has been suffered or for which medication, advice or treatment has been received:

within six months prior to the time and date of policy application, and/or

within six months prior to the time and date of the booking of a Trip;

3. for medical, hospital, surgical, dental or other treatment costs which, in the opinion of the medical practitioner treating you, can reasonably be delayed until your return to your Home;

4. for medical, hospital, surgical, dental or other treatment charges not incurred during the Period of Insurance or incurred upon your return to your Home;

5. for medical, hospital, surgical, dental or other treatment costs in excess of the reasonable cost for such treatment in the locale where treatment occurs;

6(a) (Super, Standard, Globetrotter, UK and Ski policies only) for medical, hospital and physician expenses from pregnancy, other than complications of pregnancy occurring prior to the sixth month if pregnancy occurred after the Date of Issue and you have not had complications in any previous pregnancy.
If pregnancy is known and declared at policy application to Columbus Direct Travel Insurance, agreed to by us on the Certificate and additional premium paid if required, then this policy will cover you for complications of pregnancy occurring prior to the sixth month as long as you have not had complications in any previous pregnancy;

6(b) (Frequent Traveller policies only) for medical, hospital and physician expenses from pregnancy, other than complications of pregnancy occurring prior to the sixth month if pregnancy occurred after the date of booking the Trip and you have not had complications in any previous pregnancy.
If pregnancy is known at the date of booking the Trip and declared to Columbus Direct Travel Insurance, agreed to by us on the Certificate and additional premium paid if required, then this policy will cover you for complications of pregnancy occurring prior to the sixth month as long as you have not had complications in any previous pregnancy;

7. (i) where at the time of taking out this insurance, the person whose condition gives rise to the claim is an in-patient in (or awaiting admission or booked to be admitted to) a hospital, hospice or nursing home;
(ii) where at the departure date, you or your Travelling Companion are travelling against the advice of a medical practitioner or travelling for the purpose of obtaining medical treatment;

8(a) (Super, Standard, Globetrotter, UK and Ski policies only) directly or indirectly as a result of a medical condition which has been suffered by you or for which medication, advice or treatment has been given to you within 12 months prior to the time of policy application, unless declared to Columbus Direct Travel Insurance, agreed to by us on the Certificate and additional premium paid if required;
8(b) (Frequent Traveller policies only) directly or indirectly as a result of a medical condition which has been suffered by you or for which medication, advice or treatment has been given to you:

within 12 months prior to the time and date of policy application, unless declared to Columbus Direct Travel Insurance, agreed to by us on the Certificate and additional premium paid if required, and

after the time of policy application and prior to the time and date of the booking of a Trip, unless declared to Columbus Direct Travel Insurance, agreed to by us on the Certificate and additional premium paid if required;

9. from delay caused by strike or industrial action which was existing at the Date of Issue or the date of booking the Trip, whichever is the later

10. from the failure of public transport services caused by strike, riot or civil commotion for which warning had been given prior to you travelling to the departure point;

11. as a result of you not having taken reasonable steps to complete the journey to the departure point on time;

12. for loss, theft or damage to watches, jewellery, precious metals or stones, Ski Equipment, cigarettes, cigars, tobacco and wine, beer or spirits;

13. for damage caused by staining of items;

14. for loss or theft of bank or currency notes, coins, cheques, travellers cheques, postal or money orders, travel and admission tickets, accommodation and meal vouchers, petrol coupons or credit vouchers;

15. for loss or damage to articles hired or not owned by you;

16. for damage to sports gear whilst in use;

17. for loss, theft or damage to fragile items, bank or currency notes, coins and Valuables which at the time of such loss, theft or damage were located either in checked-in luggage or in luggage compartments/racks not immediately adjacent to you, on any form of public transport;

18. from loss or damage due to delay or from confiscation or detention by customs, police or other authority;

19. for theft or loss which is not reported to any appropriate police authority within 24 hours of discovery and an official report obtained (and specifically for claims arising against or in public transport and hotels, any claim for loss or damage not reported in writing to such carrier or hotel within 24 hours of discovery, and an official report obtained);

20. for damage to luggage while in the custody of an airline;

21. for loss or theft of items:

left unattended by you unless located in locked accommodation and where an appropriately sized safety deposit box was not available for use by you, or

left in the custody of a person who does not have an official responsibility for the safekeeping of the property, or

of Ski Equipment left unattended by you unless locked with an appropriate locking device at a place designated as suitable for the securing of Ski Equipment;

22. for loss, theft or damage of items from vehicles left unattended, unless the items were taken or damaged while in a locked boot between 8am to 8pm and there is evidence of forced entry which is confirmed by a police report;

23. for shortages of money due to error, omission or depreciation in value;

24. directly or indirectly from, happening through or in consequence of:

legal liability as an employer, legal liability under contract or liability to a member of your family or Travelling Companion;

animals belonging to you, or in your care, custody or control;

wilful, malicious or unlawful acts;

pursuit of trade, business or profession;

the influence of intoxicating liquor or drugs or the use of firearms;

ownership or occupation of land or buildings;

25. directly or indirectly from, happening through or in consequence of ownership, possession or use of any vehicle, automobile, aircraft, watercraft or any mechanically propelled conveyance;

26. for legal costs resulting from any criminal proceedings;

27. for travel and accommodation expenses incurred in pursuit of a legal action;

28. where we consider your prospects of success in obtaining reasonable compensation to be insufficient;

29. pursuant to a contingent fee agreement between you and your legal representatives;

30. for emergency medical, hospital and physician expenses which are not recognised by us as being part of necessary or legitimate treatment.

CONDITIONS

1. No refund of premium will be allowed once coverage under any Section has commenced, but if you are not satisfied with the terms of this insurance you may, within 14 days of issue of the Certificate, cancel this insurance by returning it to: Columbus Direct Travel Insurance, 17 Devonshire Square, London EC2M 4SQ. In the event of Certificates issued within 14 days of the date of travel, the inspection period will be restricted to the days prior to travel. If the original Certificate is not returned to Columbus Direct Travel Insurance within this inspection period, you shall be deemed to have read and accepted all of the terms, conditions, limitations and exclusions of this insurance policy. We will accept no liability arising as a result of your failure to purchase the insurance policy with sufficient time prior to departure to read and understand the full terms, conditions, limitations and exclusions.

2. Both we and you are entitled to choose the law applicable to the insurance policy. We propose English Law and in the absence of any agreement to the contrary, English Law will apply.

3. Except with our written consent, no person is entitled to admit liability on our behalf, nor to make any representations or other undertakings purporting to be binding upon us.

4. Each person individually named on the Certificate shall be deemed to be insured separately.

5. This insurance policy does not cover any claim which, but for the existence of this insurance, would be covered under any other insurance policy(ies), including any amounts recovered by you from private health insurance, E111 payments, any reciprocal health agreements, airlines, hotels, home contents insurers or any other recovery by yourself which is the basis of a claim.

6. We may, at our own expense, take proceedings in your name to recover compensation or secure an indemnity from any third party, insurance company, reciprocal health agreement, airline or hotel. Any monies so recovered or secured shall belong to us.

7. If you or your representative make any claim, statement or application knowing the same to be false or fraudulent in any manner, then this insurance shall become void and claims hereunder shall be forfeited and we reserve the right to seek prosecution.

8. All certificates, medical reports, information and evidence required by us for the purpose of making a claim shall be furnished at your or your legal representatives expense.

9. (Frequent Traveller policies only) You will be allowed a grace period of 31 days for the payment of any premium becoming due after the first premium. During this period, the insurance will remain in force. If the premium has not been paid and collected by the end of the grace period, your insurance will terminate with effect from the date when such payment first became due.

10. (Frequent Traveller policies only) Renewal of the insurance policy shall be at our sole option and discretion. Insurance will not be renewed after your 70th birthday.

11. Written notice of a claim shall be given to us after your return and without unnecessary delay.