Travel coverage for Special Olympics athletes travelling to World Games

FWD provided travel insurance for more than 100 Special Olympics athletes from both Hong Kong and Singapore during the 2019 Abu Dhabi Special Olympics World Games. We believe this is a step in the right direction to empower people with intellectual disabilities to live fulfilled lives as these young athletes often have difficulties getting to the Games due to limited access to insurance because of pre-existing condition exclusions.

Kurtis Jon Siu is one such athlete who travelled to Abu Dhabi in March. He is an accomplished athlete, having competed as a figure skater in three Winter World Games and in the Special Olympics as a figure skater and golfer, before turning to running five years ago. But he is frustrated that insurance companies neglect to cover him because he is autistic and has motor delay.

Julian Lipman, FWD’s Group Chief of Staff, said: “We’re looking to do more and want to have an industry wide call to action. FWD encourages the industry to do the same by working with our underwriters to find ways to bridge the gap. Our Community Care initiative has always been to support and create social inclusion for people with disabilities.”

“While there is much more to be done, we believe this is a step in the right direction to empower people with intellectual disabilities to live fulfilled lives.”