WINTER TRAVEL INSURANCE
Taking a winter break on the snowy slopes sounds like a great idea and is a very popular choice with many holidaymakers. In fact research show that 1.8 million people in the UK alone will be hitting the pistes this year.
However the same research also shows that around 400,000 of those people will fail to take out adequate winter sports travel insurance.
Winter sports insurance is a specific travel insurance policy designed to protect you on your winter holiday. These policies can protect you from some of the dangers and risks associated with participating in winter sports.
There are a huge range of winters sports activities that you can participate in such as; cross-country skiing, tobogganing, ice-skating, Heli-skiing, skidooing, bobsleighing, ice hockey, sledging, snowblading, ice climbing, snow biking or Para-skiing.
As engaging in such extreme winter sports is considered, quite rightly, to be more perilous than a normal holiday a standard travel insurance policy will not cover you.
You can however, often just add winter sports insurance onto your normal travel insurance policy.
But that is not usually the best way of doing it.
For one thing these policies would be very basic and might not provide the level of cover you need. Also they can add a high cost to your premiums, sometimes as much as doubling them, so they may well work out more expensive than a specific winter sports policy.
The best way of getting good, cheap winter sports travel insurance is to go for a specific policy from an independent provider.
However, not all winter sports holiday insurance policies provide the same levels of protection, so it is important to check exactly what is covered in your policy and whether it suits your needs.
Standard winter sports travel insurance policies normally only provide security against injuries and accidents when you are participating in skiing or snowboarding. If you wish to take part in any other extreme winter sports you may have to ask for it to be added to your policy.
When choosing a winter sports insurance policy you should check that the policy would cover for:
- Other Winter Sports – Any other extreme winter sport that you wish to participate in.
- Lost ski passes.
- Unused tuition costs following accident or sickness.
- Piste closure.
- Damage or loss to both your equipment and hire equipment.
- Off-piste skiing.
- Avalanche benefit – Where delays or cancellations to your lessons occur.
- Unused ski pack allowance – Which includes ski/lift passes, ski lessons, etc.
- If piste is green.
- Search and rescue – Including airlifting and expatriation.
Remember that winter sports travel insurance can only protect you if you follow the local advice of experienced guides and local authorities.
You have to obey the rules and try to ensure you have the relevant safety products with you such as shovels, probes, transceivers, first aid kits, etc.
You must not participate in any winter sports in any areas not designated for such activities or that are out of bounds. Also many insurance policies will only pay out if you have a guide or instructor with you at the time of the incident.
As with normal travel insurance policies it is up to you to make sure that you take care of all your equipment and not leave anything unattended. Most insurance policies will not accept a claim for lost skis that were left unattended and unsecured.
In general insurers will also not insure you if you take part in any competitive winter sports events or if you are a professional competitor.
Despite these conditions however buying winter sports insurance is essential.
By going without appropriate winter travel insurance you will be putting yourself and your family at great risk to their health and safety and your finances.