Ski insurance: luxury or necessity?

If you are thinking of heading off for an activity holiday on the slopes, thinking about insurance is a necessity.

We don’t mean to scare you before your holiday: of course, thousands of people take to the pistes each year, all over the world, without encountering any problems. However, skiing does have its risks and you don’t have to be super-adventurous or reckless for something bad to happen. It is important therefore to make sure you are fully covered by your insurance before you go.

If you are skiing anywhere in the EEC, it might be that the majority of any potential treatment costs would be covered under free European Health Insurance; however there are limits to this and the government advises that you take out private insurance along side its cover. This is particularly appropriate if you intend to undertake special activities while abroad, including skiing.

In any case, it is not just you, personally, which you should be cautious about on your trip. If you are a keen skier and own all of your own equipment, you will be aware of the fact that skiing as a hobby is certainly not cheap. If you are hiring your skis, poles and boots then it might be that you only discover just how expensive skiing can be if you have an accident and break or lose them.

Standard policies are unlikely cover personal possessions of the value of ski equipment. What’s more, they may become invalid entirely by your participation in potentially dangerous activities, such as skiing.

Finally, it is important to note that skiing insurance doesn’t just cover you for activities related directly to winter sports. Most policies also include all the benefits of normal travel insurance, such as missed departures and delayed baggage.

All in all, taking out a tailored winter sports insurance policy when you go skiing, although it might add a few pounds to your up-front holiday costs could save you a great deal in the long run.

Check out the websites of the AA, Go Travel Insurance and 1stop Travel Insurance for comprehensive cover.

About the Author:
If you have been saving up to go abroad in your gap year, you do not want to have to pay a fortune for backpackers travel insurance. etravelinsurance.co.uk offer special rates to provide cheap insurance to protect you and your valuables while you are away. Visit etravelinsurance.co.uk for your student travel insurance.