Don't Risk It With Extreme Sports Says MediCare International

LONDON, ENGLAND, January 19, 2011

The results of an online poll conducted by leading private healthcare insurance provider, MediCare International shows that close to half of travellers are likely to be involved in 'extreme sports' whilst abroad. The term 'extreme sports' has become a buzzword for non-conventional solitary sports, usually with a perceived higher element of risk. Activities such as quad biking, skydiving, hang gliding, jet skiing, windsurfing, kayaking and rock climbing have become increasingly popular since the early 1990s. The survey of close to 1,000 people looking to take out travel insurance confirmed the increased popularity of extreme sports, together with the need for individuals to check the small print when it comes to taking out insurance.

Generally today people have more leisure time coupled with a greater disposable income - people holiday worldwide to exotic places and work abroad on a regular basis. While the majority of leisure pursuits will not affect an insurance application, participating in what are considered extreme sports could affect your international medical insurance. Activities such as bungee jumping, mountain boarding, paragliding, quad biking, sand boarding and skydiving, are often excluded from policies because of a perceived greater risk of injury. Whilst dangerous in comparison to some, correctly supervised and with the right training, there is no reason why they should not be enjoyed to the full.

Indeed, according to Sport England, the ultimate sporting challenge is no longer scoring the winning goal at Wembley. It is about conquering personal goals, such as skateboarding down a volcano, jumping off a tall building or scaling a great mountain.

The triathlon, whether the gruelling Ironman version, a non-stop 3.9km swim, followed by a 180km bike ride and full marathon, or the more manageable version "sprint" distance of 750m swim, 20km cycle and 5km run — is the fastest-growing sport in Britain.

Over the past five years the British Triathlon Association (BTA) has doubled its membership to 7,000, while entries to competitive races have tripled to 100,000. There are now more events in Britain than days in the year. The London Triathlon, has become the largest of its kind in the world, with almost 10,000 competitors, up from 1,000 in 2001.

With this huge growth in extreme sports in mind, it pays to pay close attention to your international medical insurance as more and more people push themselves to extreme sporting endeavors. Even if you are not going on an extreme sports holiday, make sure your international health policy covers you for events you may wish to try perhaps as part of a normal holiday.

It's another of those "small print" items it pays to check before you take out your insurance. If you have an interest in sports, there's a good chance you will want to try some of these more exotic activities whist living abroad. MediCare International's policies set new standards in the healthcare industry as they only exclude racing and sports at a professional level.

David Pryor, Senior Executive Director, MediCare International comments: "Our online survey confirmed our belief that 'extreme sports' have become more commonplace, and that we should continue to ensure all our policyholders are covered for all amateur sporting eventualities. Our aim is to give clients the highest standards available, without any limit to the number or range of sports an amateur expatriate may wish to try. MediCare International has established an industry benchmark in the fact that we will offer cover to clients of any age and in any occupation who may want to push themselves to new extremes in their leisure time, whether paragliding or bungee jumping, so they can relax in the knowledge that an organisation with over 25 years experience is ready to support them."

With over 25 years experience of supporting the international business community worldwide and clients from 86 nationalities in 114 countries, MediCare International - website http://www.medicare.co.uk - is a major provider of health insurance for expats across the world.

For details of MediCare's International health insurance plans visit http://www.medicare.co.uk, email medicare@medicare.co.uk or call +44 (0) 20 7204 3700.

For further information on MediCare International, please contact:

Guy Stephenson/Jenny Duffy
Nacelle Limited
Tel: +44 (0)20 8333 9125


Note to Editors
MediCare International has been speaking fluent healthcare for over 25 years ensuring simple, quick access to the best health facilities for expatriates of all nationalities living or working abroad and protection against the costs of inpatient and outpatient medical treatment. Currently, MediCare International has clients in 114 countries worldwide of 86 different nationalities.
MediCare specialises in designing flexible medical insurance cover backed up with the assurance of 24-hour emergency medical assistance for clients and their families. Help, advice and support are only a telephone call away where trained professionals can authorise treatment/settle bills direct with medical facilities, or arrange medical evacuation when necessary - wherever you are in the world. Most medical bills are refunded within 10 days, making this one of the fastest settlement times in the industry.
MediCare International were one of the first insurers to offer genuine chronic care costs cover, so clients with long term medication costs can rest assured knowing they will be covered.
Cover under group plans is also available to most local nationals. Discounted group rates start with just 3 lives and full medical history disregarded exemptions are available on groups of 10 and over, making Medicare one of the most competitive staff cover providers.