travel insurance

[normal bloke]

I've gone and insured myself twice (by mistake) for a skiing trip.
Do I keep them both running or cancel one of them?

[Blown2CV]

well you can't claim twice for the same thing, if that's what you are asking. In fact you may be contravening Ts&Cs on both policies by having another policy carrying the same risk.

[normal bloke]

Thanks. That's the sort of info I was looking for.
Whenever I make a claim (which isn't that often), I remember there's always a question similar to...."do you hold any other insurance policies against this risk?...".
I'll cancel one, just in case.

[Jarcy]

Never a problem to have more than one travel insurance policy.
Claim against the most appropriate for your misadventure.
Your only obligation is to mention the other policies that you hold. It's up to the insurance company to chase those others if they want to spread the risk. You deal with just the company that you chose to claim against.

Example: I had 3 travel policies (two were free with bank account / home insurance).
I claimed doctors costs against the policy that would pay out directly to the doctor in Egypt (rather than the other two who would want me to pay and claim once home).
You may chose to claim against the policy with the lowest excess - or the one that pays out the cost in full.

I'm off skiing soon. My bank policy covers skiing but not non-guided off piste. So I also have another policy with the Ski Club of Great Britain. If I break my leg off piste, I'll use that policy to cover the helicopter ride.
However if my wallet is stolen I'll probably use the policy that comes free with my home insurance - smaller excess & higher cash sum covered.

[normal bloke]

Thanks Jarcy.
I started the process of cancelling one of the policies today and the call centre guy couldn't get his head around the fact that I wasn't asking for a refund (£10.95) and that I just wanted to keep things straight and clear with just one policy. I sent the company an email confirming that I had neither travelled nor clasimed upon their policy but this just made mattters worse!....The call centre guy rang back demanding proof of other policies purchased that were bought before his and going on about underwriters ringing me back within 72 hours, etc....
In the end I just said "Fine, I'll keep both policies open then" and put the phone down.

My big worry is being pinged a huge bill for the meat wagon to take me off the mountain and finding that no one wants to pay out....