Are you SURE you’re insured?

When it comes to going abroad, most people are aware of the need for travel insurance. It is now common knowledge that buying travel insurance to protect your possessions, your luggage and your health is an essential item on the pre-holiday check list. And most important it would seem these days, is finding the right kind of travel insurance to suit both you and your trip. The three top reasons according to the U.S Travel Insurance Association for purchasing it are protection against the unexpected, worries about losing the financial investment that goes into planning a trip, and peace of mind. Even if you’ve planned your trip to be fully restorative – sun soaked beaches, long lunches and minimal activity – there is still a whole host of things that could go wrong, such as flight delays or cancellations, baggage loss, or perhaps you need to cancel your trip due to illness. When you compare the cost of your trip to the cost of a policy, suddenly travel insurance seems well worth the investment.

But what if your trip is going to be more active? Perhaps you’re planning on doing some kitesurfing, sailing or water-rafting? If you’re visiting an adventure capital are you likely to make the most of an opportunity to do a bungee jump? In winter, you might be going skiing or snowboarding? The added risks that come with these sports and with all sports in general are why travel insurance on its own is often insufficient. Following being drunk, the next reason given for rejection of a claim was if the policyholder had undertaken a sport or extreme excursion that was not covered. With the rising popularity of adventure sports holidays where travellers can indulge in challenging new activities while keeping fit, the need for an insurance policy more specific and tailored than its average travel counterpart is becoming more apparent. If lying by the pool, book and cocktail in hand remains your perfect holiday then a standard travel insurance policy will be perfect for you and will cover that level of activity. However, if you’re seeking new thrills and are likely to be tempted by the scuba-diving trip, off-piste skiing day or climbing expedition, then don’t risk your health and the value of your trip by only taking out regular insurance.

At SportsCover Direct, we can offer both sports travel insurance for specific sports as well as more general adventure sports and winter sports travel insurance. With over 20 years’ experience in the sporting field, we have a good idea of what is required from making sure your equipment is protected, to medical expenses, to repatriation to the UK in the event of serious accidents. While we all like to shop around for the best deals when it comes to insurance (or anything!) your priority should be making sure you are fully covered for all the activities you are likely to get involved in, rather than just opting for the cheapest quote. We want to make sure we can fulfil the reasons most of you choose travel insurance: protection against the unexpected - our policies can cover the costs of a hospital stay abroad if you sustain a sudden injury while climbing etc; peace of mind – even when active, holidays should be worry-free and we want to make sure you can enjoy new adventures without being hung up on the ifs and buts; losing the financial investment that goes into planning a trip – just like the standard travel insurance policies, we will still cover the costs of delayed flights, lost baggage and illness!

To find out more visit our site so you can be SURE that you’re insured.

https://www.sportscoverdirect.com/

The Dangers of Going Head First - Concussion in Sport

For years and years concussion in sport has almost been a taboo when it comes to injury – it sounds potentially worse than something like a sprained ankle but no one is really sure what it means or what to do if you get it. So what do most people tend to do? Well of course, they play on! Let’s say you’re playing rugby and you’re down on the scoreboard and you experience a blow to the head in a tackle. You feel a little dazed, you’re not too sure what just happened and suddenly the referee is asking if you can play on. You don’t want to let your team mates down so you shake it off and continue the match...

This scenario is far from uncommon and underlines some of the problems surrounding concussion in sport. There is more emphasis on performance than safety when it comes to most sports as demonstrated by the ‘culture of resistance’ which faces young athletes today, and has done so for years. Many players, both young and old, are subjected to the implicit pressures of performance and therefore succumb to returning to play prematurely, or worse, do not report their injury, instead choosing to play through the pain, or confusion. This is inadvertently encouraged by the bravado and competitive camaraderie which surrounds male-dominated, physical and often violent sports such as rugby, American football and ice hockey.

Fortunately, new guidelines have emerged recently stating that when athletes are suspected of having concussion, they should be taken out of action immediately. This reflects the new public focus gained by sport concussion over recent years due to the widespread concern regarding the risk of developing long term mental-impairment. These new guidelines differ from their older counterparts in the sense that they advocate a more individualised assessment and management of injury. Whereas the severity of the concussion at the time was once used as the factor which determined the time frame from return to play, the emphasis is now on minimising any risks that could become apparent in the long term.

This has undoubtedly come around as a result of payouts from sporting bodies like NFL, who agreed to settle players’ concussion suits for $765 million earlier this year. This will compensate more than 5,000 ex-players who have been fighting for settlement for head-related injuries, and more money has also been awarded to fund research into the links between head trauma during sport and the delayed development of conditions such as Alzheimer’s and dementia. Players argued in their law suits that NFL had known for over 75 years that concussion posed long-term health risks, but that they did not warn either them or their coaches of it until June 2010. NFL have dismissed this, saying that players have always known the risks of a violent game, but is this a valid argument?

It is arguably evasive of NFL to use this reason as a scapegoat as players may not always associate the game-to-game violence of a sport with long term implications. If a player experiences an injury during a game, particularly a head injury, his or her decision making ability is impaired. If the referee or coach asks a player if he is okay to carry on, should they trust an affirmative response? Absolutely not, and if an athlete has torn his ACL on the field, you wouldn’t expect him to tape it up and play on. The same applies for concussion, which is an injury that is now being taken as seriously as it should have been for the last decade as people become more aware of the long term consequences.

However, it is not just American football which has a high concussion rate. Other sports such as ice hockey, lacrosse, wrestling, soccer, basketball and rugby are all comparably risky when it comes to head trauma. Protective sports equipment is highly recommended and helmets for example can often guard against other injuries such as skull fractures and face injuries. Alongside this, it is a good idea to have a protective insurance policy that will cover you and your finances in the event of an accident. The potential costs incurred by ongoing head trauma could be crippling, not to mention the legal costs involved in taking a body such as NFL to court...

Whether you’re playing at home or abroad, protect yourself now with one of our specialised, tailored and comprehensive policies and get a quote today:

https://www.sportscoverdirect.com/

The Winter Season Is Fast Approaching!

Looking to hit the slopes this year? With medical costs that have the potential to be financially crippling, it is essential to make sure you are insured while skiing and snowboarding. We offer a range of policies from heli-skiing to cross country skiing to ski racing to snowboard stunting! Check out how we can cover you by visiting the below links. 

https://www.sportscoverdirect.com/insurance/ski_insurance.html/

https://www.sportscoverdirect.com/insurance/snowboard.html/

SportsCover Direct Facebook Competition

Not long to go before we are able to announce the winner of our most recent Facebook Competition! Once we reach 1500 Likes the winner will be picked at random and will receive an email to advise them they are the lucky winner of a brand new iPad Mini!

A HUGE thank you to all of our Facebook followers for your fantastic feedback regarding this competition and GOOD LUCK to you all! If you haven’t heard about our competition and would like to enter please click on the following link and follow the instructions. https://www.facebook.com/SportsCoverDirect/app_143103275748075

What Exactly Was It That Caused The Tyre Chaos At Silverstone

There has been a huge amount of speculation regarding the cause of the five tyre blowouts we saw during the British Grand Prix! (Six if you include Sergio Perez’s blowout in practice). Have a read of the Telegraph Sport to find out more about the possible causes.http://ow.ly/mCZsH

White Water Rafting

White water rafting is a sport that is growing in popularity, for those of you that don’t already know, white water rafting is a challenging adventure sport that uses an inflatable raft to navigate a body of water; usually a river.

White water rafting is typically done on rough or white water to ensure that the passengers of the raft are challenged and receive the adrenaline rush that is associated with adventure sports! Like if this is an adventure sport you have tried or would like to try in the future!

Skydiving Isn't As Dangerous As You Think!

Did you know that although there is a high perception of danger in skydiving, fatalities are rare? There are an estimated 3 million skydiving jumps every year and the fatality count is only 21. 

This means that anyone participating in skydiving has a 0.0007% of being fatally injured. Most of the fatalities that do occur in skydiving are due the skydiver performing an unsafe manoeuvre that results in a high speed impact with the ground. So as long as you stay safe by wearing the correct equipment and listening to your instructor skydiving isn't that dangerous at all!

How Long Will My Extreme Sports Travel Insurance Last?

One of the most common questions we are asked regarding our extreme sports insurance package is, “How long will my extreme sports travel insurance last?” So we thought we would give you a brief explanation, for a more detailed explanation please visit our website https://www.sportscoverdirect.com/

The actual dates that your cover is valid from are shown in the insurance schedule. All of our annual extreme sports travel insurance policies last for an entire year unlike the single trip/extended policies we provide which are only valid for the specified dates.

We advise you to update your sports insurance periodically to be sure that it is adequate and effective. If you would like help or advice regarding extreme sports insurance , then please feel free to have a chat with us by calling 0845 120 6400. We will take the time to provide you with all of the help and guidance you need to ensure you have the correct cover in place!

New Base Jump World Record!

The BASE jump world record has been shattered by an extreme sports star, with a gigantic leap from Mount Everest!  Valery Rozov, 48, jumped from 23,000 ft and glided through the air at speeds of 125mph! This death defying stunt became the highest BASE jump in history! It took him around 4 days just to ascend the mountain, and get to the point where he jumped from! Like this post if you think this is an amazing achievement!

When do you class a sport or activity as being an extreme sport?

This is often debatable, however extreme sports tend to be more solitary and they have a higher level of danger and risk than ordinary sports. Many extreme sports will involve high speeds, heights, physical exertion and a huge adrenaline rush! What’s your favorite extreme sport?

Have You Heard About Our Open Area Sign In?

The open area is a page on our website which allows anyone with the insured’s name and policy number to view essential insurance information quickly and easily! So if the worst happens and you are injured whilst travelling abroad your friends, family, medical officers and anyone else needing proof of your insurance whilst abroad, can access the details they require in order to make sure you are taken care off! To find out more about our open area page visit http://www.sportscoverdirect.com/open/login?came_from=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.sportscoverdirect.com%2Fopen%2F

FREE Buyers Guide To Sports Insurance!

Want to find out more about sports insurance? If so why not download our FREE Buyers Guide To Sports Insurance! Click on the following link to claim your FREE copy of this great ebook! http://www.sportscoverdirect.com/

Ensure You Have The Correct Insurance Before Taking Part In Any Sport

Hi guys, I don't know how many of you have heard of Colin McKay, but if you haven't, he is a professional skateboarder. He started his career in 1992 and during his time he has suffered his fair share of injuries. In fact throughout his career he has suffered from a total of 8 major shoulder injuries as well as other common skating related injuries.

Colin as with any other professional knows the risk of sports like this and so should you. All professional athletes ensure they have the correct level of sports insurance before they take part in their sports for when these injuries do occur. 

Do you have sports insurance in place? If you take part in sport regularly then you should have, but if you don't, make sure you visit us online today to find out about the adventure cover sports insurance we can provide. http://www.sportscoverdirect.com/products. Alternatively, email us on sales@sportscoverdirect.com for further information.

Surfing Fans Beware Be Careful Even In The Most Calmest Of Waves!

Surfing is an extremely popular adventure sport that is enjoyed by many people all over the world, especially those that that are lucky enough to live in sunny climates. Many surfers assume that they are safe in the smaller waves; however they couldn't be more wrong! 

The majority of surfing injuries actually occur in smaller waves and the most common maneuver leading to an injury is the take off! So to all of those looking forward to a summer surfing holiday this year don’t let your guard down be careful even in the calmest of waves!

There’s No Such Thing As A Risk FREE Sport!

There are hundreds of different injuries that can be picked up if you take part in sports, ranging from minor injuries such as muscle strains to the  more major injuries such as broken bones.

Most sport injuries occur during falls, collisions or overexertion, and thankfully fatal injuries are extremely rare! It doesn't make a difference which sports are your preference, whether it is basketball or a more extreme sport like snowboarding, with every sport there is a risk of injury. 

Here at SportsCover Direct we highly recommend sports insurance to anyone participating in any type of sport on a regular basis. Even if you think the sport you play is risk free, it is better to be fully protected rather than leaving yourself liable for expenses should the unexpected happen and an injury occurs!

Remember No sport is risk free! To find out more about sports insurance visit our website at http://www.sportscoverdirect.com or feel free to call us today on 0845 120 6400

Extreme Sports For Charity!

A huge number of people have started taking part in extreme sports activities to raise money for their favorite charities! The most popular forms of extreme sports participated in for charity tends to be bungee jumping and sky diving. 

Those taking part in an extreme sport for the very first time find that committing themselves to participating in either of these sports to raise money for charity, provides them with the extra motivation they need to push themselves to the absolute limit and fight the first time nerves when the time comes!

Sporting charity events such as these offer those with thrill seeking goals, the perfect opportunity to achieve their own personal goals whilst at the same time raising money for a good cause. Taking part in extreme sports for charity has become so popular that there are even companies such as http://www.ukbungee.co.uk/content/5/charity-bungee-jumps that dedicate themselves specifically to charity bungee jumps!

There have been many successful bungee jumps in the UK, including a group of soldiers who managed to raise £3,000 for help the heroes by jumping 200ft from a crane! You can read their story by visiting the following link http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/blyth-pub-locals-make-charity-1404855

Once you have achieved your sporting or thrill seeking goals, especially when it’s for a good cause there’s no better feeling in the World! So if there is an extreme sport (such as bungee jumping or sky diving) you have always wanted to participate in, why not give it a go? and do it for a good cause! Enjoy the thrill of taking part in a new sport whilst at the same time raising money for charity.

Getting Bored Of The Gym Or Basic Team Sports? Cure Your Boredom With Extreme Sports!

For many people in the UK, traditional outdoor sports and activities are not enough anymore! If you find yourself growing board of your daily or weekly sporting activities and are hungry for an adrenaline rush, why not try taking part in a more extreme sport? 

As long as you have the correct extreme sports insurance in place, extreme sports could be a great option for curing your boredom! Extreme sports usually involves danger and exhilaration and are extremely popular among people who like to test themselves and their abilities!

When taking part in extreme sports you will need to use a multitude of skills in order to control the risks associated with them.  Some examples of popular extreme sports include windsurfing, paragliding, mountain biking and more!

Extreme sports have the ability to push you and your body to the absolute limit, but the sense of pride and accomplishment you feel once you have taken part is out of this world! Those that try extreme sports tend to get hooked and never look back! 

SportsCover Direct work in partnership with many companies that provide extreme sports activities and adventure holidays, for both beginner’s and professionals, if you are interested in giving extreme sports a try visit our partners page to see if there are any activities that catch your eye http://www.sportscoverdirect.com/partners

The X Games

Defining an extreme sport or an adventure sport is extremely difficult and the exact origin of the term still remains unclear today. However, the term 'extreme sport' gained its popularity in the 1990s when hundreds of clever marketing companies began to use it to promote the X Games. 

For those of you that don’t already know The X Games is an annual event that focuses on numerous action and adventure sports. The competition plays host to events such as snowboarding, skiing, rally-cross and more extreme sports. Here at SportsCover Direct, we can guarantee that the majority, if not all of the athletes participating in the X Games would have made sure that they had purchased the correct level of extreme sports insurance to ensure they are covered should an injury be sustained.

If you are thinking of taking part in a sporting event this year make sure you do the same and cover yourself for all eventualities! Visit if you would like to find out more about the X Games http://xgames.espn.go.com/

Mountain Biking

Mountain biking is an adventurous sport which can be enjoyed off-road and often over rough terrain. The sport is enjoyed by many of our clients who choose us to cover them, as they are fully aware of the fact that the risk of sustaining an injury is an inherent factor in an adventurous sport such as mountain biking, and it is even more so in more extreme versions of the sport, such as downhill biking.

General mountain biking injuries range from minor wounds, such as cuts and abrasions, to more serious injuries such as head injuries and broken bones. Due to the many risks associated with this sport, we highly recommend that you make sure you purchase all of the correct protective gear and equipment to help minimise the risk of an injury.

Unfortunately even with the correct protective gear we cannot guarantee that an injury will be avoided, therefore before embarking on your next biking adventure you need to consider all of the things you may be financially liable for, should the worst happen and you are injured.

To help protect yourself against the financial cost of any biking injury, visit us online today http://www.sportscoverdirect.com/insurance/mountain-biking.html/

The Most Common Type Of Sports Injury!

Unfortunately all sports come with a high risk of injury, some are serious and some are less serious. One of the most common types of sports injury is the dreaded knee injury. Knee related injuries account for approximately 55% of total sports injuries, and can occur for a number of reasons. Believe it or not improper warm up is the most common cause of a knee injury! Please bare this in mind next time you are taking part in any type of sport and ensure you avoid injury by completing a good warm up routine.