Mountaineering Ireland

Home Contact Us Site Map Increase Font Size  
About Mountaineering Ireland
Members & Services
News & Events
Training & Safety
Access & Conservation
Activities
Youth

FAQ

Click here to become a member
 
Click here to find your nearest Club
 

  • subpage3
  • subpage2
Home > FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions
Listed below are a selection of Frequently Asked Questions:

What is the insurance position if a non-member wants to come out with the club? For example, a friend of a member who is visiting town, or a potential member who is simply trying out the activity?

 

Is a club member covered if s/he is engaged in mountaineering activities outside the club?

 

One of our members slipped and broke her elbow while walking in Kerry. She needed an operation to have pins inserted and will be in plaster for 3 months. Is she entitled to anything under our MI insurance cover?

 

I’m planning a walking and climbing trip to Corsica, does my MI insurance cover this?

 

Our club is organising a sponsored walk, many of the participants won't be club members, or MI members, is this covered by our MI insurance?

 

I already have Personal Accident insurance, do I still have to pay for this with my MI membership?

 

Have there been any claims on Mountaineering Ireland's insurance?

 


What is the insurance position if a non-member wants to come out with the club? For example, a friend of a member who is visiting town, or a potential member who is simply trying out the activity?
Our insurers accept that all clubs will at times have a minority of non-insured people out with them.

Any non-members participating in club activities are treated as third parties. Therefore, if they get injured as a result of negligence on the part of your club or its members, they can sue for damages and your club / members will be indemnified through the MI’s Civil Liability policy. If they get injured through no fault or negligence of yours (eg if they trip over something) they have no grounds to sue you and they do not have MI Personal Accident cover, as they have not paid membership fee / insurance.

It’s a good idea to make it clear to non-members that they may participate in your activities, but to keep things simple say that they are not covered by insurance. Some clubs have a policy that new people can come out twice before they are required to join.
 
back to top
 


Is a club member covered if s/he is engaged in mountaineering activities outside the club?
Yes – you are covered for all mountaineering activities, whether or not you are with your club. This does of course exclude professional risk - for example if you were earning money as a professional leader or guide.
 
back to top
 


One of our members slipped and broke her elbow while walking in Kerry. She needed an operation to have pins inserted and will be in plaster for 3 months. Is she entitled to anything under our MI insurance cover?
The MI's Personal Accident policy only covers permanent disability, it does not provide payment for recoverable injuries such as this. However if the casualty can prove negligence on the part of another person(s) she could sue, and providing that party is insured, the MI Civil Liability insurance would provide an indemnity if necessary. Please note that all incidents must be reported to the insurers within 21 days.
 
back to top
 


I’m planning a walking and climbing trip to Corsica, does my MI insurance cover this?
Your MI insurance applies worldwide, but the type of cover does not change. MI insurance is not travel insurance – it doesn’t cover you for cancellation of your trip due to illness, loss of baggage or passport, medical expenses etc. A standard travel policy would provide much of this, but all aspects of that cover would be void if walking and climbing are not covered by the policy.

Therefore it is recommended that you take out specialist travel and activity insurance that will give you cover for your activities, and also for search and rescue. There is no charge for mountain rescue services in Ireland and Great Britain, but in many other countries you will be charged, for example a helicopter rescue and hospital treatment in France could cost €30,000.

MI members are entitled to avail of the BMC’s travel and activity policies (you don’t need to become a BMC member). The BMC offer five levels of cover tailored to the needs of mountaineers. To get BMC insurance you should contact the BMC directly on 0044 870 010 4878 or do it through their website – www.thebmc.co.uk.
 
back to top
 


Our club is organising a sponsored walk, many of the participants won't be club members, or MI members, is this covered by our MI insurance?
Yes - all events organised by insured clubs, from training courses to your annual barbecue, are covered by your Civil Liability policy. Even though there is money involved here, the participants are not paying you to provide the walk, so it is covered. On a completely different note, the MI cautions the use of the mountains for fundraising purposes, on safety and environmental grounds.
 
back to top
 


I already have Personal Accident insurance, do I still have to pay for this with my MI membership?
Yes – it’s not optional, however the good news is that with Personal Accident cover you can have as many policies as you want and claim on them all. This is not the case with most other types of insurance.
 
back to top
 


Have there been any claims on Mountaineering Ireland's insurance?

Yes. Tragically, in recent years there have been a number of member fatalities while hillwalking. Also, there are a small number of outstanding claims related to catastrophic injuries.

 
back to top
Tender for Mourne AONB Stategic Path Review
2 February 2012
MI AGM - Nomination and Motions Reminder
30 January 2012
VEC Activity Instructors Alps work placement
27 January 2012
Be a Contributor - The Vandeleur-Lynams - Hillwalking Guidebook
27 January 2012
Aspirants Weekend - A Success!!
23 January 2012
Shooting Schedule for Glen of Imaal - February 2012
16 January 2012
Joss Lynam Remembered
9 January 2012
The future of Outdoor Recreation in Northern Ireland
6 January 2012
Be a Contributor - The Vandeleur-Lynams - Hillwalking Guidebook
3 January 2012
St Kevin's Way - Coillte Update
19 December 2011
more news >>

Youth Climbing Series (North)
4 February 2012

'Irish Polar Heroes'
6 February 2012

MountainViews Night
17 February 2012

MI's Scottish Winter Meet
17 February 2012

Irish Bouldering Championships 2012
18 February 2012

Home : Contact : About the MCI : Members & Services : News & Events : Training & Safety : Access & Conservation :
Activities : Youth : Site Map
Visitors to this web site are reminded that hill walking, climbing and rambling are activities that can be dangerous and may result in personal injury or death. Participants should be aware of and accept these risks and be responsible for their own actions and involvement.
 
Copyright © 2009 Mountaineering Ireland
Designed By ITS New Media