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Get insured before you go on the piste
By Sarah Modlock
A million Brits will head off to the slopes this winter. And experienced skiers and snowboarders should know that a decent insurance policy is one of the most essential pieces of kit. It's not enough to rely on your standard travel policy as this is unlikely to cover all winter sports and may not offer enough protection for accidents or treatment.
But if you thought that the biggest risks were from avalanches and accidents then watch out for the latest phenomenon: ski rage. One in five of us suffers yeti-style tantrums when provoked by fellow skiers, according to research from Lloyds TSB. The most common cause of ski rage is being cut up by another skier (60%), while lift queue-jumping, in second place, enrages 40%. The cocktail of icy conditions, inconsiderate skiers and lack of experience can lead to hot tempers. A fifth said they had exchanged obscenities, while a scary 3% had resorted to physical violence.
Perhaps this helps explain another emerging trend of binge-drinking on the slopes. Skiers and snowboarding are guzzling more than three times their recommended weekly intake of booze, according to the Halifax, with Austria topping the charts. Must be all that yummy Glühwein. The research also found that skiers only sleep for an average of six hours per day - two hours less than the recommended eight hours.
'Our research shows that some skiers even admit to injuring others whilst under the influence of alcohol or recovering from a heavy night,' says Vicky Emmott of the Halifax. Despite this, 84% of skiers (ahem) polled, disagree with the random breathalyser tests introduced across a number of Austrian, French and Italian resorts, where marshals have the power to breathalyse skiers and to remove anyone who fails the breath test from the slopes. In America 'Piste Police' patrol the slopes for unruly or unsportsmanly behaviour and have the power to confiscate lift passes from skiers who don't follow the rules.
Every year, insurers issue the same warnings and reminders about winter sports insurance. At the end of each ski season there are fresh tales of unforseen disaster and the potential for financial ruin. Chances are you spend plenty of time and cash researching and booking your trip and buying kit. Insurance will deliver a great deal in return for a little effort.
- Your usual travel policy is unlikely to cover winter sports as the norm. Check the small print and call your insurer to bump up cover if you need to, particularly if you are planning off-piste activities, tobogganing, cross-country skiing, racing or even snow-boarding.
- Don't leave insurance until the last minute. This could mean you run out time to shop around and end up forgetting to buy or getting a less competitive deal. Travel agent prices can almost always be beaten if you compare prices offered by online insurers.
- Medical cover must be robust. Rescuing skiers and treating injuries in a foreign country can be incredibly expensive. If you need a wheelchair or medical treatment on the way home or require urgent repatriation then the costs could soar. If you are unlucky enough to be hurt then let the hospital staff know you're insured straight away. Keep a note of the insurer's emergency contact number with you so that they can liaise with the hospital as soon as possible. The Ski Club of Great Britain (SCGB) recommends that your policy should include medical cover of at least £1m if you're skiing in Europe or £2m elsewhere.
- Don't rely solely on the European Health Insurance Card (Ehic), which used to be known as the E111 scheme and entitles you to free or reduced-cost medical treatment in the European Economic Area. The hospital may not charge you, or it may charge you less, but it can still discharge you when you're unfit to fly home.
- Another vital component of your skiing insurance is personal liability cover, as you could be sued if you injure another skier. The SCGB says this type of litigation is becoming much more common and recommends cover of at least pounds 1m. The policy should also include legal expenses cover.
- Make sure you know what excess - the part of the claim you must pay before the insurer shells out - applies to your policy.
- Baggage cover may need to be increased and the small print should be studied as it often only allows claims if your skis and belongings are locked away when unattended.
- Cover for missed flights, piste closure and weather-related problems also needs checking - you may only be able to claim in certain conditions or after the problem has continued for a specified duration.
- Make sure your cover fits your destination. Medical treatment for ski injuries in Canada and the USA could cost up to five times more than the hospital bill in Italy and France, based on claims received by Norwich Union.
- If you plan on heading off-piste then check your cover carefully. Some policies don't cover off-piste skiing at all while others insist on a qualified guide being present or at least giving advice beforehand. If you accidentally stray off the marked runs in a whiteout and have a fall, insurers may still provide cover, but you would probably need evidence, for example a record of the weather conditions in the resort that day, to support your case.
Apply here for the European Health Insurance Card at or call 0845 606 2030. But remember, this is in addition to - not instead of - proper insurance. Jump online and you will find cover from as little as £43.00 - about the same price as a couple of rounds of Glühwein.
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