Brits risk unprotected skiing
As the ski season begins AXA Insurance estimates up to one million Brits will be playing financial Russian Roulette on the slopes as they head off without the insurance they need.
Data from the UK's largest travel insurer reveals that around 17% of the UK adult population enjoy a ski or snowboarding holiday yet 10% of these holidaymakers will take out no travel insurance at all leaving themselves exposed to costs running to tens, if not hundreds, of thousands of pounds if the worst should happen. A further 25% will rely on an annual travel policy yet only half of these will actually check that it covers them for winter sports.
Medical misunderstandings
The company found that there is a worrying lack of understanding about insurance among skiers and snowboarders with nearly one in five (19%) believing an insurance policy would not cover them for injuries and one in three believing that no cover would be provided for transport home if injured.
Around 30% of skiers/boarders are likely to make a claim at some point with the majority of these being for injuries. A quarter of skiers/boarders claim to have suffered some sort of injury while on holiday and the cost of treating these can soon escalate - evacuation from the slopes, an operation and an air ambulance home from Austria can easily reach £25k while costs for those holidaying in America and Canada will be even higher.
In addition to personal medical claims, ski insurance will provide cover for injury caused to others - a fact less than half skiers/boarders appreciated. While rare, these claims can reach hundreds of thousands of pounds - something holidaymakers could find themselves personally liable for without the relevant cover.
And a good insurance policy will also provide cover for loss or damage to expensive equipment, reimbursement for closed pistes as well as the regular holiday cover such as cancellation or lost baggage. Additional cover can also be arranged for ‘extra-curricular' activity on the slopes such as skidooing.
Cutting back
Travel data for 2009 shows that people are cutting back on foreign holidays with an overall 15% drop in holidays and the ski season - Q1 and Q4 - showing the biggest drop. Additionally popular ski destinations such as Switzerland, Bulgaria and Canada have all seen a drop of more than 25% from UK holidaymakers last year. AXA insurance is concerned that those who are still holidaying will look at ways to reduce the cost of their holidays.
Amanda Edwards from AXA travel insurance says: "Obviously money is tight for many people at the moment and holidays are expensive. But to cut insurance out is a false economy. Dealing with an injury is stressful enough but having no insurance could mean the damage lasts until long after the plaster cast has been removed.
"Around £50 to cover a family of four for a week's skiing in France is not much more than the price of lunch on the slopes."
Tips for skiers
If you have an annual insurance policy make sure that it covers winter sports or whether an upgrade is needed. And also how many days it covers you to ski - some will have a limited number
Check whether your policy limits are suitable for your needs - for example if you have expensive skis or equipment you may need to upgrade your insurance, or you may find an upper age limit for first time skiers
Make sure you apply due care and attention to your equipment - for example if left in an unattended vehicle you may be uninsured
If you think your ski equipment has been stolen you should get a police report in order to claim - and keep receipts where appropriate for original and replacement goods
If the pistes are closed while you are away you may be able to claim. If this is important to you make sure you have a policy that covers you for this although there will be an upper limit
Skidooing, heliskiing and other activities are increasingly popular for holidaymakers. Before you do any of these check with your insurer whether you will be covered
Off-piste can be fun but it carries a higher risk to skiers. Some insurers will exclude you off-piste, or require that you are accompanied by a qualified guide
Make sure you understand your excess levels and can afford them - they vary from insurer to insurer and some may reach several hundred pounds
If you have arranged your own holiday rather than booking through a tour operator, check you have comprehensive enough cover for things such as delayed departure, or additional accommodation if you are unable to get home when planned