1. What insurance does your AOA/ACA 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 Alpine Canada and its provincial clubs and 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, click here.

2. What is the Sport Accident Insurance Policy?

ACA SAIP

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 (including Masters).  SAIP is also mandatory for all AOA athletes (who wish to train or race outside of the country in a sanctioned/approved activity).

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 2024-2025 season. For Special Risk Accident coverage, insured must have permanent residence in Canada and be insured by the government healthcare insurance plan in their home province.

Class 1A – Includes SPECIAL RISK ACCIDENT and OUT OF PROVINCE/OUT OF COUNTRY EMERGENCY MEDICAL.  Mandatory for FIS Licensed National/Development/Provincial Team Athletes and International Athletes* who travel out of country for more than 30 consecutive days up to 120 consecutive days. Recommended for coaches and discipline officials who travel out of the country for more than 30 consecutive days up to 120 consecutive days. MAX 120-day duration. Coverage is for consecutive days out of country, return to Canada will reset the consecutive days traveled.

* Canadian FIS licensed athletes who are participating in an international program outside of Canada and electing to start in FIS competitions.

Class 1B: Includes SPECIAL RISK ACCIDENT and OUT OF PROVINCE/OUT OF COUNTRY EMERGENCY MEDICAL.  Mandatory for FIS Licensed National/Development/Provincial Team Athletes and International Athletes* who travel out of country for more than 30 consecutive days up to 210 consecutive days. Recommended for coaches and discipline officials who travel out of the country for more than 30 consecutive days up to 210 consecutive days. MAX 210-day duration. In order to be eligible, an active Government Health Insurance Plan (GHIP) must be kept for the duration of the trip. Coverage is for consecutive days out of country, return to Canada will reset the consecutive days traveled.

* Canadian FIS licensed athletes who are participating in an international program outside of Canada and electing to start in FIS competitions.

Class 2 – Includes SPECIAL RISK ACCIDENT and OUT OF PROVINCE/OUT OF COUNTRY EMERGENCY MEDICAL. Mandatory for all other FIS Licensed Athletes and Non-FIS Athletes who travel out of country for up to 30 consecutive 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 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 FIS Athletes (including Masters) who travel outside of home Province but who do not travel out of Canada. Highly recommended for non-FIS athletes, coaches and officials who travel outside of their home province but not outside Canada.

Class 4 – Includes SPECIAL RISK ACCIDENT and OUT OF PROVINCE/OUT OF COUNTRY EMERGENCY MEDICAL Mandatory for non-FIS Athletes who travel to the U.S. only, for a maximum trip duration of 7 days. Recommended for coaches and discipline officials who travel to the U.S. Coverage is for one (1) single U.S trip per season, MAX 7-day duration. NOT VALID FOR TRAVEL OUTSIDE OF THE USA.  It is mandatory to purchase SAIP 3 to buy SAIP 4 or 5 add-ons. Individuals who purchase SAIP Class 4 continue to have SAIP Class 3 coverage for the 24-25 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 non-FIS Athletes who travel to the U.S. only, for a maximum trip duration of 14 days. Recommended for coaches and discipline officials who travel to the U.S. Coverage is for a one (1) single U.S trip per season, MAX 14-day duration. NOT VALID FOR TRAVEL OUTSIDE OF THE USA.  It is mandatory to purchase SAIP 3 to buy SAIP 4 or 5 add-ons. 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:

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 email 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 basic details of coverage that are fully described in Alpine Canada’s Policy with Zurich Insurance Company Ltd. In the event of any discrepancies, the actual policy will prevail.

Athletes who have purchased SAIP 1A, 1B, 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.

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

Please contact Patrick Biggs  at AOA pbiggs@alpineontario.ca

5. 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.

ACA does, however, recommend an additional policy if the limits included with the SAIP program are not high enough for a members liking.

SAIP insurance does not cover classic travel insurance components such as lost baggage or trip cancellation.  Alpine Canada 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.

6. Steps to file a SAIP claim link

 7. 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.

 8. 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.  Note that all athletes must have relevant SAIP coverage for the camp sanction to be approved.