Do I Need Ski Insurance?

Whether you are a novice or experienced skier, specialist ski travel insurance is an absolute must. Many standard travel insurance policies will not cover you for any mishaps on or off the slopes, so buying ski travel insurance is what you need.

Where can you get it I hear you ask. You can either do a search online using a search engine like Bing.co.uk or you can check out the deals we have with our ski insurers table.

Ultimately you only need to buy a policy to suit your needs. If you're heading for Europe, do not buy a worldwide policy as it will cost you up to three times as much. Likewise, if you're headed to the US, then do not just buy a European cover policy and hope it will suffice.

We have listed below a few reasons why ski insurance is essential:

• Medical emergency and repatriation cover

Accidents can easily happen on the slopes and you need the reassurance of knowing that hospital bills will be paid and that you will get home safely. It is important to note that serious ski accidents do tend to involve costly medical treatment

• Accident and injury compensation

If you do have an accident on your skiing or snowboarding holiday and cannot continue with any activities you may well be out of pocket for pre booked lessons, ski passes and equipment hire. Many specialist ski insurance policies will offer you compensation if this happens

• Ski equipment

Ski and boarding equipment is expensive and can go missing or get damaged. Insurance can cover this and the cost of any missing ski passes

• On and off piste ski cover

Some insurance policies will not cover you should you have an accident off piste so if you enjoy chasing the powder it is worth checking that your insurance covers you for this

• Lost stolen or damaged possessions

On top of the equipment itself skiing requires a serious amount of kit from salapettes, to boots and goggles.  So it is vital to ensure that you are covered for all such losses

• Cancellation, curtailment and trip cancellation

Not something you really want to think about but it can and does happen. Ensure that you are covered and you will have complete peace of mind

• Weather issues

Too little or too much snow can cause problems on ski holidays. Some specialist ski insurance policies will offer compensation to allow you to transfer to a different resort should the weather be a problem

 

In addition to looking for some of these specialist features a good winter sports package should also include standard travel benefits.

Remind Me Again Why I need Ski Insurance?

So, if you are thinking of not insuring yourself properly for that ski trip consider the following-there are significantly higher risks on a ski holiday than on a beach holiday or city break and the medical costs are high e.g. in Europe a broken leg could incur £3,500 to £7,000 in medical costs but in the states the same injury could cost you between £13,000 and £16,000. 

And many Brits think they can turn to their European Health Insurance cards(EHIC’s) for cover  which entitles holders to free or discounted medical treatment on the same terms as all nationals in eu states but it excludes air ambulances, often vital if you are injured high on the slopes.

The main thing is to check that your policy is right for you, for example you may be a beginner with a policy that insures you for skiing off piste but does not insure you for tobogganing, so ensure that you shape it to your needs.

Click here to compare ski travel insurance

By Will Smith