The underwriting considerations are linked to the risk factors involved in these pursuits.
• Adventure racing – severe dehydration, exposure to weather extremes, such as heat stroke; musculoskeletal disorders such as joint, ligament and cartilage injuries and stress due to competitive pressures.
• Bungee jumping – temporary blindness and blurred vision due to frequent bungee jumping.
• Base-jumping – candling (parachute twist resulting in closure of parachute), failure of parachute, problem landings resulting in fractures or more serious conditions.
• Bungee jumping – faulty harness or other equipment, jumpmaster error and crane accidents.
• Canyoning – exposure to weather extremes, musculoskeletal disorders, joint, ligament and cartilage injuries and accidents, drowning, fractures, or more serious conditions resulting from jumping into shallow water.
• White water rafting – poor equipment, inexperienced guides, falling overboard / drowning.
In general terms any rating would depend on the level of experience the applicant has, combined with frequency and extent of participation. Some could be accepted at ordinary rates, such as scuba diving for no more than 20 times per year up to a maximum depth of 40 metres with no internal penetration of wrecks.
However someone who dives 80 times per year to greater depths and internally penetrates wrecks would be rateable anywhere from £1-5 per £1,000 sum assured each year. The underwriter may choose to exclude the pursuit in question from any claims with regards to the additional benefits such as critical illness, total and permanent disability and waiver of premium.
Clearly there is much for the underwriter to consider when assessing an application. This is why it is so critical that they can build a clear picture of the risks involved. As a general rule the more information underwriters have then the better the consideration for terms can be made. The adviser may wish to discuss the applicant's pursuits with the underwriting helpline and obtain the relevant questionnaire before submitting the application.
