Be Safe On The Slopes

If you are heading off on a skiing holiday at some point, you will need a travel insurance policy specifically designed to protect you against the particular risks associated with winter sports. Whilst insurance policies for skiers are intended for emergency medical situations, mountain rescue or repatriation, they are not meant to provide catch-all health insurance. Before you go abroad therefore you should be clear that you know exactly what is covered by your own policy and what is excluded.

When you speak to your travel agent in booking your holiday they will probably offer you a ski insurance policy as part of their package. But you should bear in mind that there are insurers which specialise in winter sports insurance and which sell products on the market that may suit you better. The best way to begin is by looking online to find a good range of quotes quickly and easily.

Remember that you’re under no obligation at all to buy ski insurance from the travel agent you book your holiday with. Ski insurance is a specialist field, so you’ll find it pays to look around to ensure you get the best possible cover for all those winter sports activities that you might want to try, such as snowboarding, heliskiing, off-piste skiing, dog-sledding and tobogganing.

There are certain things you can do whilst skiing to minimise risk and reduce the likelihood that you will have to make any claim. If you leave your skis unattended outside bars during breaks for instance then you should try to exchange one of your skis with a friend in order to deter thieves from stealing a pair of mismatched skis that would be practically worthless.

Many insurance providers now recognise off-piste skiing as a vital part of a ski holiday and even go so far as to allow it. But you should firstly check the small print of your policy to see whether or not you will be covered if you try it without a qualified guide. Furthermore, skiing in avalanche zones and areas marked as �out of bounds’ will automatically invalidate even the most specialist level ski insurance.

Check the small print too to see the terms for when snow conditions in your resort are poor. If the resort is near a glacier they may pay for alternative arrangements that will enable you to ski there. There are always lots of factors that may prevent you from being able to ski, such as a piste closure or your own injury or illness.

If you plan to go on more than one skiing holiday during the season, you might find it cheaper to buy an annual insurance policy. This will also reduce the hassle of having to find a new policy each and every time you go away.

By taking care to note the small details of the insurance policies offered to you, you’ll be able to make good savings and ensure you have all the cover you need.