Cheap Ski Insurance
Although it is a surprising fact, statistically skiing is a much safer past time and attracts fewer injures than angling. Figures released by the Swiss ski authorities show that only about 1 per cent of all recreational skiers receive an injury whilst skiing and in fact that it is much more likely that you will be injured during the trips to and from the ski resort than actually on the slopes. Nevertheless, ski insurance should be a major consideration for anyone taking a ski holiday.
Repatriation Cover
Ski insurance should not be confused with other forms of travel or health care cover. It is specifically to provide for emergency medical treatments to injuries, mountain rescue and if necessary, the cost of repatriating the injured skier and these are the very reasons why a specialist policy is so important. Suppose while skiing off piste, you fall and break a leg. As a result, you have to be air lifted down from the mountain by a helicopter rescue team and admitted to the resort hospital for treatment. Because of the severity of the break, you have to be flown back to the UK by an air ambulance – the cost of all this will be many thousands of pounds! The right ski insurance will cover all the aspects of that scenario and policies generally offer other protection including cover for the loss or theft of ski equipment and may provide you with compensation if you are unable to ski because of injury, mechanical breakdown or snow conditions.
Long Stay Ski Insurance
If you book your ski holiday as a package through a travel agency, the chances are that you will be offered ski insurance as part of the deal. There is no compulsion for you to accept this and you should be aware that insurance cover obtained in this way may not always be the best for your individual needs. There are a number of insurance companies who specialise in cheaper ski and winter holiday cover and who will tailor the policy to suit you - particularly if you intend to go on a long stay or an adventure travel ski holiday and if you intend to vary your sporting activity to include sledging or skidooing for instance. If you plan to ski off piste or engage in ‘extreme' skiing, do make sure that your cover includes this, especially if your group intends to ‘go it alone' as many policies insist on a qualified guide being present. Personal liability cover is very important. Most policies will carry this, but do ensure that the amount that you can claim against is realistic.
Ski Policy Exemption Clauses
All ski insurance policies will contain exemption clauses. These differ according to the provider, but all will require a degree of responsibility from the policy holder in respect of the security of equipment on the slopes and the conduct of the skier. While off piste skiing may be covered, your insurance most certainly will be void if you ski in areas that are closed because of adverse conditions or danger from avalanche. Take sensible precautions when leaving equipment outside of mountain restaurants by mixing skis with other members of your group so that any thief is unable to snatch a complete pair. You may like to take a look at our policy wording page for more information about the level of cover you can expect from our ski insurance policy.
Finally, if you are lucky enough to have more than one ski holiday a year, you will find that arranging for annual cover is often a cheaper and easier option.
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