by Few holidays can match the exhilaration of the week on the pistes, but some are just as dangerous. There’s always a moment of quiet relief when you take off your ski boots at the end of the last run, knowing you’ve survived unscathed.
But what happens when your luck runs out and you’re stuck in a rescue sledge going to the hospital? If that statement triggers a nervous reaction, it’s time to check if you have the right travel insurance and – if so – that you have the right policy – that’s not hedged with exclusions or limits.
Don’t take it for granted. For starters, most travel insurance policies automatically exclude all winter sports because the risks of injury are so high and both medical evacuation from the slopes and treatment costs are so expensive.
And the policies that offer cover vary widely – from specialist policies aimed specifically at skiers and snowboarders, or standard travel policies that include winter sports through an additional premium – in terms of what they insure and how much help they provide. finance they provide.
There are no easy shortcuts. You should always check the fine print on travel insurance – it might sound boring, but it’s not worth buying if you don’t. And, because the injury risks are so high, winter sports policies are more important than ever. Here are some points to look out for.
What does winter sports insurance cover?
I have focused below mainly on the aspects specific to winter sports policies. Other aspects of normal travel insurance – such as cover for missed departures, personal liability and travel supplier failure – will be included but are also important to check.
Am I covered for off-piste skiing?
If you have any intention of skiing the marked pistes, check this part of the policy especially carefully. Most policies now cover it, but there may be an extra charge and almost all have certain conditions – such as being accompanied by a qualified guide. Some allow more freedom, but still set some parameters. For example, Ski Clubs of Great Britain policies state: “Skiing or boarding with a guide is not a condition of cover, but you must follow the International Ski Federation code or holiday regulations and we recommend that you do not provide a guide. enter rural areas without obtaining local advice and appropriate rescue equipment.”
Does drinking alcohol invalidate my insurance?
This has been a controversial issue on all travel insurance policies for a long time. Every example I’ve ever looked at has a clause in the small print that doesn’t include coverage for accidents when you’re “under the influence of alcohol”. The problem is that the specification is so vague – there are no prescribed limits of the sort you find under drink driving laws, for example. It is also uncertain whether a hospital treating your injury would have the time or inclination to perform a blood alcohol test after the accident.
The risks of drinking and skiing are so great, of course, that it would be hard to argue against an insurance company that refused to pay a claim if the medical report found that there was alcohol in your bloodstream. So if you like to vin chaud or a beer at lunch while skiing – remember it could invalidate your insurance if you have an accident afterwards.
Does winter sports insurance also cover my equipment?
There is usually a £500 limit on loss or damage to the skis or snowboard itself, although many policies will not cover them if they are left outside a mountain restaurant – which in my experience is unavoidable. Rental equipment limits are generally lower at around £250.
Am I covered for accidents in a snow park?
Be aware of exclusions that invalidate snow park accidents (designated areas for freestyle skiing or snowboarding), especially if you or your children enjoy a few jumps. If necessary, call the insurer to check coverage. About 87 percent of policies do not cover injuries sustained in a snow park. The same applies to races organized by ski schools.
Should I wear a helmet?
Helmets are now a requirement in some policies and provide coverage for injuries if you ski without one. Few people take such risks nowadays, but on a hot spring day it can be tempting to pull it off – so beware of the consequences.
Am I covered for other activities at the resort?
If you want to enjoy other dangerous activities while on holiday – such as parasailing or ice skating for example – double check that they are specifically covered.
How can I get winter sports insurance for over 60s?
Premiums will always reflect age and it will be harder for you to get ski cover after you turn 65.
What protection does an EHIC card give me?
It’s worth getting an up-to-date GHIC card – the post-Brexit replacement for the EHIC card – before you travel. It does not replace insurance – cover is usually limited to emergency treatment in public hospitals, but many insurers now require you to have one.
What if I lose my lift pass?
£500 is a typical limit to cover this and should be plenty, even if you manage to lose your card on the first day of the holiday.
Can I make a claim if the slopes are closed due to weather?
Most winter sports policies offer a daily compensation payment if all the pistes are closed for a certain amount of time due to too much or too little snow. But the daily payouts are not very exciting, usually around £50. Around 75 per cent of policies will also cover extra travel and accommodation – usually up to £300 – if your trip is delayed by an avalanche.
Are medical expenses covered?
The vast majority of policies offer comprehensive coverage for medical treatment – a typical limit of £5 million is more than enough to put your mind at ease. Note that rescue cover – to take you from the airport to the hospital – may be limited to a much lower amount.
Can I make a claim if my ski holiday is cancelled?
Claim limits are between £500-£15,000 – make sure you have enough to cover the value of your holiday.
I ski more than once a winter, can I get cover?
If you travel to the slopes more than three times a year, you’ll probably find the cheapest cover by buying a multi-trip policy, which covers all your holidays throughout the year and those offered as add-ons (see above ). often the best value of all. Most multi-trip policies cover you for 17 days of skiing in one year. If you need more you can always buy a one-off policy for an extra short trip, for example. Great Britain Ski Club offers policies covering up to 45 days a year.
What are the best winter sports insurance policies?
People have different needs when it comes to ski holiday policies, so you should always check that your needs are met. A good place to start looking for a reasonable policy is Which?. He has analyzed the cover offered by 53 different policies. The highest rated policies are add-ons to bank accounts or home insurance.
The best are Barclays Travel Pack Worldwide Insurance, which is an annual multi-trip policy added to a Barclays current account for £14.50 per month, including RAC breakdown cover in the UK and Europe, and the travel insurance add-on winter sports available. for NFU Mutual’s Home and Lifestyle policy. Both were given an overall score of 78 per cent, based on the Which? rating system. Its highest-rated stand-alone policy is Staysure’s Signature cover, which scored 76 per cent overall.
In general, that cost depends on the length and level of cover, along with age and any health conditions you may have. The only way to be sure you are getting good value is to compare the prices of two or three policies that suit your needs.
* Default matrix (defaqto.com) helped provide some of the data in this feature.
