Take out insurance to avoid winter break going downhill

Research from the UK’s largest travel insurer, AXA, reveals that around 17 per cent of UK adults enjoy a ski or snowboarding holiday. Yet 10 per cent take out no insurance protection, leaving themselves exposed to costs that can run into thousands of pounds.

A further 25 per cent rely on an annual travel policy but only half check that it covers them for winter sports. An upgrade may be required.

Ski injuries can be expensive to put right. In a recent claim, a 19-year-old fractured their vertebrae and needed to be airlifted, treated and repatriated back to the UK. The medical costs amounted to £3,200, air taxi £6,000, nurse escort £500 and ambulance £900.

In a snowboarding accident in the US which broke a holidaymaker’s leg, the piste rescue cost £300, medical costs £14,000 and flights £3,500. However, a claim involving air ambulance even from Austria can reach £25,000 and for those holidaying in Canada and the US even higher.

It’s vital to know what help your insurer can give and important that you contact them for advice and their agreement before incurring costs.

There is considerable ignorance about medical cover:

n Don’t rely on the European Health Insurance card, which provides very limited help in state hospitals.

n Injuries are covered by insurance even though 19 per cent were unaware.

n Help for transport home if injured is included although not known by one-third.

Around 30 per cent of ski goers are likely to make a claim. This may be the result of causing an injury to others, which is so often overlooked. A skier could find themselves personally liable if they are not protected.

When selecting the right policy, check what sports activities are permitted. The Co-op, like many, allow dry-slope skiing, on-piste, cross country, mono, snowboarding and tobaggoning.

Off-piste (unless accompanied by a qualified guide), bobsleighing, luging, heli-skiing and skijoring (skiing whilst attached to the harness of a trained horse) will usually require a specialist policy.

Check if using a ski park – the latest pursuit – is permitted and, if so, if there any restrictions. A ski park is a man-made series of climbs and obstacles where it is advisable to wear a crash helmet.

One way to reduce a premium is to opt out of baggage cover and use the ‘contents outside the home’ section on your house policy.

If skis and boots are lost or damaged, insurance will probably pay for their replacement on a ‘new for old’ basis. By comparison, travel insurance may provide ‘indemnity cover’ which means such clothing and equipment is considered second-hand.

However, before relying on a home policy, consider whether you might want a claim recorded and what excess (the first part of any reimbursement) might be deducted.

Do not rely on an airline if your sports equipment is lost as it reimburses on a weight basis. A good insurer will cover for loss or damage to expensive equipment. However, keep it in sight if taking it by car or ensure it is locked away securely.

It’s tempting for a thief to remove ski gear from a roof rack and insurers will not cover losses from unattended vehicles.

Don’t overlook the single article limit, which can easily be exceeded with a good camera or laptop. This is one way budget insurers can cut cover. They may also exclude such areas as pandemic illness and airline failure (such as collapsed XL and Flyglobespan).

If any equipment is stolen, obtain a police report and reference number to make a claim. NFU Mutual require this to be done within 24 hours. Keep receipts for original and replacement goods.

Delayed baggage can eat into a short break. It should be possible to hire until your skis turn up.

One of the thorniest issues is ‘loss of enjoyment’ if you are, say, bruised and have to stop skiing on medical advice. No policies will cover this, warns Anthony Kaye, managing director of Campbell Irvine, insurance brokers to Trailfinders.

Insurers vary on the use made of the European Health Insurance Card or EHIC (which is free). If you have used it to reduce a claim – such as obtain free or lower priced prescriptions – some will waive or reduce the excess.

American Express, for instance, offers a five per cent discount if you use an EHIC to reduce medical expenses but Esure and Sheila’s Wheels will not refund the excess.

Well written policies will reimburse for closed pistes, which effectively covers the costs of moving and accommodation to slopes where you can ski.

Pre-paid skiing costs (like ski school) can also be recovered. If an avalanche delays arrival or departure, Saga pay up to £300 and for piste closure £30 each day to go to another site or £40 daily if no nearby site is available.

If a holiday should be cancelled or curtailed, perhaps because of redundancy or death of a key family member, check that the cover is adequate.

This is why insurance should be started as soon as any money is expended even if it is just the deposit.

Some package bank accounts and credit card providers include complementary travel cover where winter sports are allowed but check it is sufficiently comprehensive in scope.

If a flight is cancelled, ask the airline for a refund or new ticket. If stranded abroad, the airline should provide meals and refreshments, accommodation, transport between airports and two free telephone calls.

With a package holiday covered by ATOL (Air Travel Organisers’ Licensing), expect the same choice of a refund or a holiday at another time. If non-ATOL and payment has been by credit card, protection is given under the Consumer Credit Act, section 75.

Even if you save on a winter holiday by going to a cheaper destination, like Bulgaria, or opt for a shorter time away, do not skimp on securing full insurance.