Ski insurance
Travel insurance for skiing
If you’re planning a skiing trip this year, specialist skiing insurance is a must
If you’re planning a skiing trip this year, specialist skiing insurance is a must
Skiing holiday insurance is cover specially designed for ski trips. It includes protection for your equipment, medical treatment in case you’re injured, and specific costs like getting an injured skier off a mountain and safely home.
Ski holiday insurance is vital, as a standard travel policy won’t be enough to cover any number of situations you might run into on the slopes.
For example, medical costs from skiing injuries are not often covered under standard insurance, as it’s seen by insurers as extra-high risk.
Likewise, your ski equipment won’t come under standard personal possession cover – so if it’s lost, damaged or stolen you’ll need specialist cover to be able to claim.
According to MoneySuperMarket data correct as of September 2019
Ski insurance should cover you for the standard things normal travel insurance offers. This can include policies that cover delays and cancellations, medical costs (including pre-existing conditions), and personal possessions.
However it also includes ski-related policies such as:
Depending on the provider and policy you take out, you may or may not be covered for other types of skiing including:
When it comes to ski holidays, people tend to be more concerned with injuries than theft. However, the theft of skiing equipment is a much more serious problem than you realise. According to the Ski Club of Great Britain, theft affected as many as 14% of skiers in 2016.
According to MoneySuperMarket data correct as of September 2019
The same findings from Ski Club of Great Britain stated that more than a quarter of skiers (28%) confessed to not taking precautions when leaving skis unattended, which increases the risk of having your equipment stolen. And 61% of skiers don’t mark their equipment, making it more difficult to identify lost or stolen ski gear that has been recovered.
Although purchasing ski insurance won’t prevent theft, it will keep you covered for all eventualities – providing you have the right policy and you haven’t fallen foul of any exclusions.
If you’re planning to visit ski resorts in Europe, you should remember your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) – or the new Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC), which replaces the EHIC.
Although the UK is no longer part of the EU, the EHIC and GHIC will continue to be accepted for emergency healthcare in State-run hospitals. The GHIC will replace the EHIC, as existing EHIC cards start to expire.
However the EHIC/GHIC won’t cover you for things like rescue and repatriation, nor will it be of much use outside of Europe – where medical treatment can cost thousands or tens of thousands.
This is why it can be so important to take out a ski holiday travel insurance policy – this way you’ll have peace of mind in case things don’t go to plan.
You can get ski or any other winter sports insurance for a single trip if you’re only going for a one-off adventure. However, if you’re a more frequent traveller you might benefit from a multi-trip or annual policy.
This is because, depending on the provider and policy you choose, you may be able to save money by purchasing a long-term policy.
As with most travel insurance policies, you should also bear in mind where you’re travelling. Different policies offer cover for:
According to MoneySuperMarket data correct as of September 2019
A European policy would be enough for a holiday to France or Switzerland, but if you’re planning on skiing in Canada you’ll need something more comprehensive.
However you should always check with providers if they have restrictions on certain countries, while the government also provides foreign travel advice.
Aside from certain types of skiing that may not be covered, you may also find that ski holiday insurance also excludes cover for:
According to MoneySuperMarket data correct as of September 2019
The cost of winter sports insurance, which generally includes cover for skiing, can depend on numerous factors.
Your age: Winter sports cover, like most travel insurance, is generally more expensive the older you are. This is largely because the chances of you having a pre-existing medical condition goes up as you get older, though you’re also more likely to sustain an injury
Travel frequency: If you travel often, you’re likely to pay more for cover – whether it’s insuring each trip individually or all together under a multi-trip policy. However if you plan on booking more than three trips in a year, even if only one involves skiing, you could still benefit from taking out a multi-trip policy
Destination: Travelling to countries such as the USA, Canada and New Zealand often costs more in travel insurance. This is due to higher medical costs, as well as potential repatriation and rescue expenses
The question of whether to rent your skiing equipment or bring your own generally comes down to cost. According to recent data from Intersport, the average return airline baggage fee for snow sport equipment is actually greater than the average rental price for skis and poles in France. This means that hiring equipment at your destination might make more sense.
You should buy ski holiday insurance, like any other kind of travel insurance, as soon as you’ve booked your holiday.
This is because it can be useful if you need to cancel your holiday before you leave, and with travel insurance in place early you’ll be able to claim back the cost of your trip if you cancel due to:
A skiing trip should be fun and exciting, but to make sure you stay safe and sound, follow these tips:
According to MoneySuperMarket data correct as of September 2019 Comparing quotes on MoneySuperMarket is an easy way to find a better deal on ski holiday travel insurance. All you need to do is tell us a little about your holiday plans, like where you’re going and what activities you’re planning, and you’ll be given a list of quotes tailored to you. Then you can browse through and compare them by the overall cost, the level of cover you’ll get, and the excess you’ll need to pay for a claim. Once you’ve found the right deal, you’ll be able to click through to the insurer and finalise your deal – then you can start thinking about those snowy slopes. However you should remember that the cheapest quote you find isn’t necessarily the best – go for a balance between cost and coverage so you get the best value for money without being over- or under-insured.Compare ski travel insurance