I have to agree with your last statement Chris. Leading expeds into the Rubh al Khali 20 years ago I was very aware that we were breaking a little virgin ground and were totally alone. There were places we ventured that, had we all broken down (thankfully unlikely) it could have been generations before someone stumbled on us.

Hello Wilco,

So, no more claims of criminal irresponsibility?

Anyway, you seem to know a lot about the world of insurance. Any tips for us where to get the best deal on a pension plan, as we plan to live, albeit uninsured, for quite some time yet?

------------------
Roman (UK)
www.overlandcruiser.info

Well my little question certainly started something off,, who knows this forum might bring about what we need, I have had a reply from Flexicover.com who said that they could not cover a Land/Range Rover etc while one was in it and driving (this is for your vehicle insurance But might cover belongings inside when not with vehicle, as long as they were not in sight and covered up. interesting? need to look into it a bit more, as yet not found out about if they would launch a rescue, But I see the point of some in that if the trek was fool proof would it not be true adventure of such an expedition, I think my biggest fear is leaving behind my Pride and Joy and its bits even if I got airlifted out! Dave

I'm glad this important topic was raised and vigorously responded to - it has been interesting to read your opinions and experiences.

Now for goodness sake, let's get back to 'Morocco' ;-)

CS

I second that Chris!! Enough on the subject, we all get the picture,No more comments on INSURANCE!! Thankyou All who took part>

Like The Man says: Back to Morocco.. One thing I learnt from all this is where to find Fast compressers, thats from Matt Savage,I been searching ebay week after week having seen chris's DVD so one good thing came from it! I may not have the insurance i want But at least I can Inflate my tyres fast,bye for now playmates
Dave

Sorry to add one more message, Fellow Saharans! please do not reply to this message, as enough has been said, But I have been in contact with a company that will provide cover and mount a rescue if needed!(cost? hate to think) waiting for details and Im in communication with company, I will post details when finalised, but Please dont reply, just watch this space or later notice, Dave.

I was going to recommend Campbell Irvine until I saw Chris' point. They were good 2 years ago, but I don't know now.

When I went to Algeria with 2 mates, the only insurance we could find meant I would have to set up a company, insure it, be its guide and then the other 2 could get insurance as customers. I wondered, reading Sam's posts, whether that had been a condition with EA.

when planning to cross Australia on 2 bikes, we considered sat phones, but, after discussion with the outback police, plumped for an EPIRB (emergency position indicating radio beacon). we carried it through Africa, too, on the vague hope that the Tchadian RNLI might respond if required. I've no idea if they would, but it was a psychological crutch and probably as effective as insurance. my impression from my trips is that remote places require self-sufficiency and I'd be inclined, another time, to take a sat phone and have a mate or two in the UK who will do something to help.
does insurance = search? no
rescue? I'd say, probably no.
medical and repatriation? yes, but not without a fight!

incidentally, a mate broke his leg 10-20km from Djanet.
search = me = easy
rescue = locals = free
medical = £150 for 2 days in hosp incl operation
repatriation = £400 c/o Air Algerie
bike repat = £150
the lucky, lucky bastard!

my summary is that insurance is, paradoxically, worth more in the 1st world where you 1) will be sought 2) rescued and 3) expensively rebuilt and repatriated. its not worthless in Africa, but its limited and likely to be small consolation trying to get out of the sand sea.

Thanks, all points noted But I wont say any more
until I have all the facts and assurities, thanks for details, this item certainly does draw attention, sorry chris S, Hopefully I will have my answer soon, But of course even with Fantastic Rescue cover,You have to go as if you dont have it, Im talking vehicle preparation and expect to be on your own!!!

Dave

Actually I meant what I said in my last post above (the first line) - so keep it going. It was not my intention to stop this discussion.

Ch

Hi Chris,
I thought that after your comment lets get back to morocco that you thought enough was enough, well I guess if people want to discuss the item then its not a bad thing, I know that without all the gismo GPS and the like, crossing the Sahara is even more of an adventure without all the things to get us unstuck. But at the end of the day I would like that ace card in my pocket, so when it really goes life and death pear shaped, It would be good to make call from sat phone and get a rescue underway. having said that, there would be a sence of failure and I would much rather be able to fix the problem unless its Serious Medical problem, of course, I recived message today from insurance company who are waiting to hear from underwriters, I will let you know,
Dave

I would agree that emergeny evacuation insurance might not really necessary for something like crossing the Sahara. My buddy and I went from Alaska to Chile and crossed through tons of jungle and never once thought about satellite phones or insurance. That said, for absolute peace of mind of those that are a little bit less adventorous (i.e. my friend Alex)I think renting a Satellite Phone and Emergency Evacuation Insurance at www.internationalsos.com would be the affordable and should bail you out of any jam.

'a little less adventurous'?

It's exactly the same as climbing with or without a rope. The task remains equally difficult (adventurous?), but the result can be different if something goes wrong.

Sam.

If someone wants it totally safe and less adventerous, why not go on a package holiday, I believe SAGA go to Morocco and Tunisia. They're bound to do trips into the desert. I'm sure they would do a nice little safari or camel trek. LB.



[This message has been edited by mcdarbyfeast (edited 09 October 2005).]

Well my answer to that is next time you go to Sahara, dont take any spare parts. dont take spare wheels spare water, dont take jacks or ropes. That is a really good adventure and I would be the first to wish you luck. if you want to go without safety nets thats your choice, others like me enjoy adventure but I like living and if i got a rescue because it went wrong or was taken ill or one of my party, it would be good to live and try again, the world is full of Dead Heroes, not that I wish you to be one,I wish you and all others the best of luck despite what limit you put on safety measures! Dave

Calm down, calm down! It was a throw away remark which was supposed to be funny, which is obviously lost on you as you don't have a sense of humour. You need to chill out or burn out!

With regard to the topic of the thread, I've never said you should go without insurance, spares or supplies. I didn't say never make contingency plans or carry out a risk assessment before you go. At the end of the day, as an adult, you have the choice to go about whatever you do the way you want to and that includes your trip.

I wish you every success. LB.