As the winter sports season gets into full swing it’s time to dig-out your sallopettes, dust-off your skis and head for the slopes. Nearly one in five adults goes skiing or snowboarding every year, and while the majority return home safely, unfortunately accidents do happen.

Figures show that one in three winter sports enthusiasts will make an insurance claim at some point, so it clearly pays to have the right cover.  However, despite the statistics, 60% of holidaymakers still don’t have adequate insurance.

Considering that a week’s cover in Europe costs as little as £25-50, something doesn’t quite add-up, so we decided to take a closer look at some of the finer points of winter sports insurance:

Medical Cover:  Visitors to Europe often assume that their medical bills will be covered by the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). However, while the EHIC promises discounts of up to 80%, it’s left up to individual hospitals to decide on compensation levels; and could be left seriously out of pocket. It’s also worth noting that Air Ambulance and Helicopter Rescue costs are not covered by the EHIC and can be considerable.

Equipment Cover:  Because winter sports equipment tends to be expensive; it’s important to carefully check your limit of cover. Most policies will have exclusions if your equipment is left unattended (and that includes skis left outside over lunch) and you’ll need to get a police report to make a claim.

Cancellation Cover: Skiing holidays don’t come cheap; so it’s a good idea to have provision for cancellation and curtailment. Look for a policy which offers daily compensation if the slopes are closed as well as refunds on ski hire and lift passes.

Everyday ‘Extras’: If you are planning on trying anything that’s a little out of the ordinary it’s important to carefully read the small print and make sure that you are covered. Activities which are frequently excluded range from the everyday (including skiing off-piste) to the exotic (including snowmobiling).

Despite all of the above it’s easy to arrange comprehensive winter sports insurance at sensible price, and we have access to some great deals. To find out more, or for a quick quote, visit our winter sports insurance page.