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ub Insurance FAQ

  1. What is the Canadian Snowsport Association (CSA)?

The Canadian Snowsport Association (CSA) is Canada’s National Ski Association and member of the International Ski Federation (FIS). The CSA membership consists of ten ski and snowboard disciplines, including Alpine Canada Alpin, whose mandate is the development of elite amateur athletes and the pursuit of excellence at national and international level competitions for all disciplines.  Among many of CSA’s priorities, one of them is managing the Sport Accident, Liability, Directors & Officers and other insurance programs for all ACA and all other federations.

  1. What insurance does AOA membership include?

AOA/Alpine Canada Commercial General Liability (CGL) coverage is available to all levels of ACA and PSO membership while they are engaged in or performing sport-related duties.  This includes training, competing, officiating, as well as volunteering in Sanctioned/Approved activities. The CGL policy protects ACA/PSO members against the risk of sums they may become legally obligated to pay as the result of bodily injury and/or property damage caused participating in club/provincial alpine association or Alpine Canada activities. The coverage includes the cost of investigating, defending and paying for any claim for injury or damage attributed to negligence on the part of the member or club/provincial alpine association or Alpine Canada or an authorized person acting on behalf of the club/provincial alpine association or Alpine Canada.

For the pre-approved venues and activities list, new activity and venue request form and the CGL Quick Sheet, please click here.

  1. What is the Sport Accident Insurance Policy?

Alpine Canada’s Sport Accident Insurance Policy (SAIP) is offered as insurance coverage to Alpine Canada members and is designed to cover costs incurred as a result of accident or injury that are not covered by provincial or private insurance. SAIP coverage is mandatory for FIS registered members.  SAIP is also mandatory for all AOA athletes (who wish to train and race outside of the country in a sanctioned/approved activity.)  To read more details about why the policy is mandatory, please click here for a memo from the Canadian Snowsport Association (CSA).  For specific details on limits of the policy please click on the following link-: SAIP FAQ

There are 5 different classes of SAIP available to AOA members.

Eligibility – all alpine, para-alpine and ski cross member athletes, managers, coaches and discipline officials on record with ACA for purchasing SAIP for the 2023-2024 season. For Special Risk Accident cover, Insured must have permanent residence in Canada and be insured by the government healthcare insurance plan in their home province.

Class 1 – Includes SPECIAL RISK ACCIDENT and OUT OF PROVINCE/OUT OF COUNTRY EMERGENCY MEDICAL  Mandatory for all National, Provincial and Development team athletes and coaches (alpine, para-alpine or ski cross) and for all international FIS/IPC licensed athletes and National Card members who travel out of the country (training or competition) for more than 30 days. Exc. FIS masters & national masters athletes.  Recommended for coaches and discipline officials who travel out of the country for more than 30 days. MAX 60 day  duration (contact ACA to extend duration).  Coverage is for consecutive days out of the country, return to Canada will reset the consecutive days traveled. Individuals can purchase additional out of country coverage up to 90 days.

SAIP Class 1 coverage can be extended to a maximum of 90 days out of the country with the purchase of additional weeks coverage. Additional weeks coverage MUST be requested prior to trip departure.

Class 2 – Includes SPECIAL RISK ACCIDENT and OUT OF PROVINCE/OUT OF COUNTRY EMERGENCY MEDICAL Mandatory for all international FIS/IPC licensed athletes and National Card members (exc. Masters athletes) who travel out of country for up to 30 days.   Recommended for coaches and discipline officials who travel out of the country for up to 30 days. Coverage is for consecutive days out of the country, return to Canada will reset the consecutive days traveled.

Class 3 – Includes SPECIAL RISK ACCIDENT only .  No OUT OF PROVINCE/COUNTRY EMERGENCY MEDICAL coverage.  Mandatory for all Canadian FIS/IPC Licensed athletes (exc. Masters athletes).   Recommended for non-FIS/IPC athletes, coaches and discipline officials who travel outside of their home province but do not travel outside of Canada.

Class 4 – Includes SPECIAL RISK ACCIDENT and OUT OF PROVINCE/OUT OF COUNTRY EMERGENCY MEDICAL Mandatory** for all non-FIS athletes (exc. Masters athletes) who travel to the U.S for training and competition. Recommended for coaches and discipline officials who travel to the U.S.  Coverage is for one (1) single US trip per season, MAX 7 day duration. NOT VALID FOR TRAVEL OUTSIDE OF THE USA.  Individuals who purchase SAIP Class 4 continue to have SAIP Class 3 coverage for the 23-24 season.  A 2nd purchase of any single U.S trip in the same season is not available, upgrade to Class 1 or 2 is required.

Class 5 -Includes SPECIAL RISK ACCIDENT and OUT OF PROVINCE/OUT OF COUNTRY EMERGENCY MEDICAL  Mandatory** for all non-FIS athletes (exc. masters athletes) who travel to the U.S for training and competition. Recommended for coaches and discipline officials who travel to the U.S. Coverage is for one (1) single U.S trip per season, MAX 14 day duration. NOT VALID FOR TRAVEL OUTSIDE OF THE USA.  Individuals who purchase SAIP Class 5 continue to have SAIP Class 3 coverage for the 23-24 season.  A 2nd purchase of any single U.S trip in the same season is not available, upgrade to Class 1 or 2 is required.

Summary below:

Details Coverage Cost
Class 1 Mandatory for those FIS/IPC International athletes who will be of country training or racing for up to 60 days Up to 60 days per trip from July 1, 2023-July 1, 2024 $935.28* or with a FIS International registration
Class 2 Included with FIS/IPC International registration and mandatory for all other athletes training and or racing out of the country more than twice per season Up to 30 days per trip from July 1, 2023-July 1 2024 $407.16*
Class 3 Included with FIS/IPC Canadian registration and recommended for all other athletes who travel out of their home province but not out of the country $76.68
Class 4 For non-FIS age groups, single trip coverage for the US only 7 days $113.40*
Class 5 For non-FIS age groups, single trip coverage for the US only 14 days $132.84*

Register for SAIP when you login to SnowReg and purchase your age category program.  If you have already purchased your program and need to add SAIP please contact AOA (memberservices@alpineontario.ca) for a link for SAIP addon.

This summary does not in and of itself provide coverage and it is subject to the terms and conditions which are set forth in the policy. This summary in intended to provide basick details of coverage that are fully described in Policy No. GTP 9425874B on file with Alpine Canada Alpin. In the event of any discrepancies, the actual policy will prevail.

Athletes who have purchased SAIP 1,2,4 or 5 (out of country policies) are covered for accident or illness incurred whilst abroad and under the supervision of their coach or team leader. This extends past direct on-hill or dryland training however does not include activities identified on the non-approved activities list. i.e. high-risk activities, waterskiing, wakeboarding, skydiving etc.

  1. Who should I speak to if I have questions about the SAIP program?

Please contact Patrick Biggs  at AOA pbiggs@alpineontario.ca

  1. Do I require other trip insurance other than SAIP?

SAIP covers athletes from the day of departure from their home province until their return (within the limits of each Class).  Ski-specific incidents, as well as off hill incidents, are covered.  Specifics can be found by clicking here.  Collect call numbers for claims worldwide can be found here.

ACA does, however, recommend an additional policy if the limits included with the SAIP program are not high enough for a members liking.  As an example, SAIP will only cover Physiotherapy, Athletic Therapy ($40/treatment, max of $1,000).

SAIP insurance does not cover classic travel insurance components such as lost baggage or trip cancellation.  The CSA recommends that if individuals would like a more significant travel policy that they purchase this but often times this level of coverage can be found on all major credit cards.

  1. In the event of a claim, are you required to declare other insurance coverage you may have?

The coverage is excess any other valid and collectable insurance and in the event of a claim, you may be asked for details of any other excess Hospital/Medical or Travel insurance you may carry, including premium Credit Card coverages.

  1. How do I sanction a camp/event/race?

AOA member clubs must have all regular club activities including weekly training, social events and races sanctioned by AOA. Clubs should complete their Club Events Sanctioning on their SnowReg dashboard.  Please update as you add more events to your calendar.  

ACA must approve all out of country camp requests.  Please submit sanction request a minimum of 2 weeks prior to camp for approval.  Click here for the sanction form.

If your club or destination venue requires a physical certificate of insurance for your camp or event, complete this form and ACA will charge you $30 for the service.  Please note that all athletes must have relevant SAIP coverage for the camp sanction to be approved.