Insure your travel plans for 'piste of mind' on the slopes
Brits looking to escape the February gloom with a half-term getaway should ensure they have adequate travel insurance in place - especially if they plan to take to the slopes, says moneysupermarket.com.
Research from the UK's leading comparison site reveals that insurance for a family of four travelling to Spain for a week is available for just over £10 with Insurewithease, a really reasonable amount considering that you and your family would be covered for any medical expenses arising from accident or illness up to £5 million. For those looking for a snow-filled adventure there are also competitive family deals available, however, policies covering winter sports can vary from provider to provider, with exclusions and caveats commonplace; it is therefore crucial to check the small print of the insurance policy to make sure that the winter sports cover includes everything you need. A family of four hitting the slopes for a week in Europe can insure themselves for £13 with protectyourbubble.com, covering winter sports equipment, piste closure, and ski pack / pass.
Bob Atkinson, travel expert at moneysupermarket.com said: "Whether you're seeking sunshine in Spain or snow on the slopes, travel insurance is an essential item when planning any holiday and you should not leave home without it. A family holiday can be costly, especially when it involves winter sports like skiing and snowboarding, but foregoing travel cover is simply not an option and scouring the small print really is a must. On top of the usual standard criteria such as cancellation, baggage cover, and medical expenses, some policies may also include extras such as cover for sports equipment, ski pass, or going off-piste. It's crucial you speak to your provider to determine exactly where you stand before jetting off."
Bob Atkinson continued: "Our comparison tables show that purchasing appropriate travel insurance for your holiday need not break the bank, and, with winter sporting holidays carrying big cost implications should you or a member of your family have an accident I strongly advise against travelling with out cover. Air ambulances can cost about £15 per minute, meaning a bill running into the thousands for flights back from the Alps or the Med to the United Kingdom. The cost of being air-lifted from the piste on a mountain in Switzerland to a local hospital can set you back nearly £1000. It's important to check the small print of the ‘medical expenses' wording of your policy to see if you are covered for being removed from the piste by air ambulance, and bought home to the UK.
"Families who travel more than once in a year may also find annual travel insurance the more cost effective option. In addition to your travel insurance, securing your EHIC (European Health Insurance Card) before jetting off is another must. This entitles you to state-provided healthcare in the European country you are visiting - including Switzerland for skiing fanatics, but it should not be considered a replacement for travel cover."
Top tips for ski insurance cover:
Ensure the policy provides at least £1million medical cover in Europe (£2 million in the USA and the rest of the world).
Check what the provider means by off-piste.
Ensure you have at least £1 million personal liability cover.
Check if your ski equipment is covered for damage on the slopes as well as in transit.
Ensure you have adequate baggage and belongings cover for all of your winter sports equipment.
moneysupermarket.com recommends the following levels of cover:
£2 million for medical expenses
£1 million personal liability
£3,000 cancellation - or enough to cover the cost of your holiday
£1,500 for baggage
£250 for cash