A brief overview ...

Last-minute injury, professional worries, uncertain weather... we've all found ourselves crossing our fingers that we'll be able to take part in a race we've been planning for months. But should you take out the cancellation insurance offered when you register? We conducted a survey of the Léman Running community and analysed the practices of the main registration platforms in Switzerland and elsewhere.

The results of our survey: 73 % say no

Out of 101 voters in our Facebook group

• 27 % have already subscribed cancellation insurance.
• 73 % have never done so.

Main reasons for saying no :

• «It's too complicated to get even a partial refund. - David
• «I tick no systematically». - Chantal
• «I take the risk, and in the worst case I lose the money. - Maria
• «Too expensive. And I'm rather optimistic. - Judith
• «If I can't go, it's a donation to the organiser. - Céline J.

Main reasons for saying yes:

• «For the big races. When you register 6 months in advance, it's reassuring. - Christophe
• «For the Geneva half, it was expensive, and I was afraid of an injury. - Céline B.
• «I've already been reimbursed, but I need a certificate. - Happy
• «Given the price of ultras, it's more prudent.» - Julien

What cancellation insurance covers (in general)

• Refund of the registration fee in the event of :
  • illness or injury (certificate required),
  • accident or hospitalisation,
  • unforeseen professional obligations,
  • death of a close relative or personal disaster.
• Declaration period: between 24 hours and 15 days, depending on the conditions.
• File required: confirmation of enrolment + medical certificate.

What insurance does not cover

• Cancellation of the race by the organisers (even in the event of a pandemic).
• A simple change of mind, the weather, or a comfortable withdrawal.
• Incomplete file or late declaration.
• Some insurance policies only cover events in Switzerland.

Don't forget to check whether your personal accident insurance (private or professional) already covers the impossibility of taking part in a competition due to a health problem.

Comparison by race or timekeeper

Event / Platform	Type of reimbursement	Main conditions	Claims deadline
MSO	Bank transfer subject to conditions	Medical or professional certificate required	Within 24 hours of the race
Datasport	Gift voucher or commission-based transfer	Medical certificate within 48 hours	Up to 15 days
Trail des Forts	Partial refund (excluding charges)	Stamped medical certificate required	As per race regulations
UTMB	Compulsory rescue/repatriation insurance	Includes training and reconnaissance	49 € / year
Milan Marathon	Reimbursement without receipts, with fixed charges	Simple cancellation by form	Up to 15 days before the event
New York Marathon	Reimbursement only via third-party insurance	Very restrictive, certificate required	According to CGA partners
London Marathon	No traditional repayment	Resale possible via the official platform	Before the deadline

Focus: What the General Terms and Conditions say

«Refunds are only possible if the medical certificate is signed and stamped by a doctor within 48 hours of the incident.» - Trail des Forts
«The insurance does not cover cancellation of the event, even in the event of a pandemic. - regulations for certain swiss platforms

How much does it really cost?

In general, cancellation insurance costs around 10 % of the race number price. For a race costing CHF 80, that works out at around CHF 8. For an ultra at CHF 160, the cost rarely exceeds CHF 16, with a few exceptions. This cost remains relatively stable, whatever the event, with the occasional CHF surcharge depending on the platform.

The organisers' point of view

Some organisers don't like to handle claims themselves. Insurance allows them to delegate to a specialist company, without getting into personal discussions. Others see it as a marketing leverage Offering optional insurance can reassure runners and boost registrations, especially when the race is expensive or registration is very early.

Quote from an industry professional

«Cancellation insurance can save you a lot of money, as long as you read the terms and conditions carefully. You need to be reactive and provide the supporting documents in good time. Don't forget to check that your personal accident insurance doesn't already cover this type of situation. - Sports insurance broker (name withheld for reasons of commercial neutrality)

Quick checklist: should I subscribe?

You can consider insurance if :

• Registration costs more than CHF 100; ;
• You register more than 6 months in advance; ;
• Are you recovering from an injury or are you fragile? ;
• You run abroad; ;
• You have unpredictable work commitments.

You can do without it if :

• The registration fee is less than CHF 50 ;
• You often run locally; ;
• You prefer to sell or transfer your race number if you need to.

What if you can't run?

1. Check that you have taken out insurance when you registered; ;
2. Gather the necessary documents quickly (medical certificate, proof of employment, etc.); ;
3. Contact the insurer or organisation within the specified time; ;
4. If you don't have insurance: see if you can sell your number or postpone your race; ;
5. Keep a written record of all exchanges.

©Wildstrubel by UTMB

Practical alternatives if you are unable to attend

• Resale of race number :
  • Lausanne Marathon: transfer for CHF 5.
  • Sierre-Zinal: CHF 10 for the buyer, CHF 20 for the seller.
• Carried forward to the following year : accepted by certain organisers with proof of entitlement.
• Personal travel or accident insurance can cover certain situations (hospitalisation, serious accident).

So, useful or not?

Taking out cancellation insurance is like taking out car or home insurance: you hope you'll never need it, but when the unexpected happens, you're glad you have it.

The question is particularly relevant when you register several months in advance, with no certainty about your state of health or fitness on the big day. And with registrations coming in earlier and earlier, some riders now prefer to play it safe.

Before taking out a policy, it's worth asking yourself a few specific questions:

1. Is this a priority objective for my season?
2. Are bibs expensive?
3. What are the exact conditions for reimbursement (certificate, percentage, time limits)?
4. Is the refund total or partial?
5. Do I have the experience to prepare successfully without injury?

Example of the Milan Marathon: for 10 euros of insurance, reimbursement is possible without justification. If the request is made before 6 February, it is 100 % for the race number. Between 7 February and 30 March, it's 75 %, excluding administration costs. All you have to do is send an email and fill in a form. Simple and effective.

In short, think carefully. It may not be essential for every race. But for an ultra or a major marathon, it's a real peace of mind.

Concrete examples

• Injury 5 days before a semi at CHF 75: reimbursement possible if insurance taken out with certificate. Otherwise, total loss.
• Unexpected business travel 2 days before an ultra: some companies accept proof of travel for reimbursement.
• Storm = race cancelled: no insurance will pay (except organiser's policy).

Article written for the Léman Running community based on real feedback from members.