Once youve decided to go skiing and booked you tickets, the next thing you need to organise is your travel insurance. Given the risks inherent to winter sports, just like other sporting activities, it is unlikely that standard travel insurance policies will offer you adequate cover. It is important, therefore, that you purchase a policy tailored to your needs.
What should your winter sports insurance policy cover?
There are so many companies offering winter sports insurance that it is easy to become confused. Read on to find out the basic benefits your policy should offer, but remember always to check in detail before you buy that you will be protected at all times on your trip.
All winter sports policies should offer personal accident cover as a priority. If you are skiing in Europe and have a European Health Insurance Card then you may be able to receive some treatment for free or at a discount, however, the cover offered under the European scheme is not extensive enough to look after you fully while on the slopes and it is essential that you purchase private insurance.
Your personal possessions, including poles, boots and skis, even if they are not your own, should be protected against loss or damage under your policy.
You should also check to make sure that cancellation or curtailment of your trip and piste closure are covered under your policy.
Check what is not included under your policy.
A lot of insurance policies which may look to have the same benefits may in fact differ greatly in their cover on the basis of what they exclude.
If you are an extreme skier you must read the policy information carefully to ensure that it will not be invalidated if you decide to go off-piste. Skiiers of all levels should make sure that you will protected during all activities in which you intend to participate.
Some exclusions will be largely standard; for example, most insurers will require that at all times you ski safely, wearing all the appropriate protective equipment; that you take notice of all local authority warnings. It makes sense that you should not recklessly expose yourself to hazard at any time during your trip.
AA Travel Insurance, Go Travel Insurance and 1 Stop Travel Insurance are three reputable insurers offering comprehensive winter sports cover. Visit their websites to see if their policies meet your needs and to receive a free quotation.
For great deals on travel insurance including annual travel insurance with discounts for couples & families, visit AA Travel Insurance.