Before you go ride, race, or participate in extreme sports, my first recommendation for anyone with an active health, life and or disability insurance policy, is to call all of your insurance companies and follow the simple steps in this article. Don't worry, you will not raise any red flags and they can't cancel you or rate you up. You simply need to know these answers up front so you can locate any gaps in your coverage. If you follow these simple steps, you will have a better understanding of what is covered and what is not...
SIMPLE INSURANCE GUIDE FOR RIDING AND RACING
Be prepared. Have your insurance policy numbers ready, and a pen and paper. If you have the capability, be on a recorded telephone line so you can save the call. There are plenty of apps out there that you can download on your smart phone that can accomplish this.
- You need to ask the insurance representative for a reference number for the call, log the time & date, and get the representatives name so that you can have supporting documentation for the future to reference should they try to deny a claim that they said would be covered.
- If you acquire your insurance through your employee benefits program at work, you need to follow these steps each year because typically employee benefit programs at work change during open enrollment year to year.
First question you should always ask each insurance company:
- If I get hurt while [enter your exact hobbies & occupations - example: riding or racing a motorcycle, on a closed course] are there any exclusions or limitations that would deny any claims payments?
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Health insurance questions:
- If I get hurt while [enter your exact hobbies & occupations - example: riding or racing a motorcycle, on a closed course] are there any exclusions or limitations that would deny any claims payments?
- How much is covered for a ground and or air ambulance services? [Sometimes there is a $1000 max payout after your deductible or no coverage at all.]
- Are repatriation services covered to fly me home on a medical jet or commercial flight if I am unable to drive?
- Are emergency organ transportation services covered if I need an organ flown to me for emergency surgery?
- What is my deductible for the year?
- What is my co-insurance percentage?
- What is my max out of pocket for the year?
- Do I have an office visit co-payment benefit?
- What are the network restrictions?
- Are there any services built in that will tow my truck and trailer back home if I am unable to drive?
Life insurance questions:
- If I were to be killed while [enter your exact hobbies & occupations - example: riding or racing a motorcycle, on a closed course] will my life insurance pay the benefit to my family/beneficiary?
Supplemental accident insurance questions:
- If I get hurt while [enter your exact hobbies & occupations - example: riding or racing a motorcycle, on a closed course] will my policy pay me cash to help cover losses like my deductible that are not covered by my health insurance?
Disability insurance questions:
- If I get hurt while [enter your exact hobbies & occupations - example: riding or racing a motorcycle, on a closed course] will my Disability insurance cover 67% of my income while I am off work and unable to make a paycheck?
Remember: For every company that says "yes, you are covered", you need to ask them for a reference number for the call, log the time, date and the representative's name so that you can have supporting documentation for the future should they try to deny a claim.
If you followed this simple insurance guide before riding and racing, and you have a policy that doesn't have adequate coverage, please contact us or get a quote and we will help accommodate your insurance needs.
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