Average cost of winter sports claims almost £500
The latest analysis of insurewithease.com figures reveals that the average cost of a winter sports claim in 2009/10 was £478, but a Winter Sports Travel Insurance policy could be as little as £32.16 for a whole family.*
As skiers prepare for their winter breaks on the slopes, advice from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office reminds winter sports holidaymakers to protect themselves by checking equipment thoroughly, not skiing off-piste, wearing goggles and sunscreen and getting fully insured for all activities planned.
Insurewithease.com claims data shows that Eastern Europe has slipped in just behind Austria and Switzerland as the fifth most popular winter sports destination. France is still the hot favourite for skiing Brits with 47% of winter sports claims being made here. Despite tough economic conditions, those looking for a skiing or snowboarding holiday are still willing to travel long haul, with North America coming in second place with 15%.
When it comes to winter sports claims, 55% are for medical reasons with fractures and broken bones being the biggest cause of a claim at 15%. While the average cost of a claim is £478, a serious leg fracture in US resorts such as Colorado or Lake Tahoe, could cost as much as $43,000(USD), or in Eastern Europe charges could reach £10,000.
“Whether it’s snowboarding, skiing or tobogganing that takes your fancy, we urge travellers to make sure they take the right precautions and get good winter sports travel insurance as well as a ski pass,” says Ian Gilmour, Chief Operating Officer at insurewithease.com. “Interestingly, almost 40% of claims in 2009 were made by people in their 20s and only 5% by people over 50. Those travelling without adequate insurance risk huge medical bills, adding quite a bit onto the cost of their holiday.
“Insurewithease.com offers a range of flexible policies, all in a matter of clicks. Even a short trip can end up costing thousands if someone falls ill or has an accident, so travelling with the right level of cover is crucial for that added peace of mind. If the worst does happen, holidaymakers will want to know that their costs are covered and that they will be taken care of when they need it most.”
Insurewithease.com Winter Sports Travel Insurance
Insurewithease.com provides a full range of ski travel insurance policies catering for families, couples and single holidaymakers. The insurewithease.com policy gives travellers the essential elements of travel insurance cover for their trip, with the flexibility to adjust the policy to fit personal requirements.
Key benefits
- FREE cover for children on single trip policies
- Cover for your own or hired equipment, ski passes and ski packs as well as avalanche and piste closure cover
- Excess waiver available on all policies
- Airspace closure cover available
- Travel dispute cover available
- 24-hour worldwide medical emergency assistance
- Text message service providing policy number and emergency assistance details
*Quote based on a seven day winter sports trip to France for a family of two adults and two children, correct as of 22 November 2010.