Hi KJB, welcome to the community.  According to the clinical trials done on both Fosamax and Boniva these drugs reduced fractures of the spine, hip, wrist, rib etc.  Here's a link on Fosamax and on Boniva that mentions this.  You can search either of these documents with the words, vertebral, hip, spine etc to take you to the paragraph on the studies on vertebral and non-vertebral fracture effects.

Are you sure your insurance will cover Boniva?  What I've been hearing from many, and this might not apply to you, is that the insurance companies are only covering the generic version of osteoporosis meds and the only one that comes in generic is Fosamax.

You do have a right to appeal you insurances decision and see if you can't get them to continue to cover Actonel.  Look for the Appeal section in your insurance handbook, or call them and ask how you appeal a drug decision, and how to get the forms.  You'll need your Drs help with this since forms will have to be filled out explaining why you can only take Actonel.  Also talk to your Dr. to see if they can fill these forms out as soon as you receive them.

Good luck with this and make sure you complete all the steps necessary to appeal this decision.  You may also have to try more than once, so don't give up, if you can't take one of the alternate meds.