Product category:
General insurance
News Release from: esure | Subject: Insurance
Edited by the Insidemoneytalk Editorial
Team on 24 October 2007
Stay safe and insured on and off piste
this winter
One in four Brits take to the slopes without travel insurance
27% of Brits mistakenly believe that all annual travel policies cover ski holidays as standard A fifth would try out adventure sports that were excluded from their policy With over 3 million* Brits looking to hit the slopes this winter season**, skiing won't be the only activity on the agenda
This article was originally published on Insidemoneytalk on 24 Feb 2006 at 8.00am (UK)
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Many winter sports holidays now involve high-adrenaline and adventurous options that aren't often covered by travel insurance policies, leaving holidaymakers exposed to the risk of having to pay medical costs in the event of an accident.According to new research by esure Travel Insurance, a fifth (17%) of UK adults would try out more extreme sports - such as ice-lake diving, off-piste snowboarding and tobogganing - even if they knew that they wouldn't be covered by their travel insurance and would have to foot the bill if they were injured.Treatment could run into thousands of pounds with a helicopter evacuation alone costing around £1500 and repatriation costs topping £4000 from Europe and £8000 from the USA and Canada***.Although there is a one in seven chance of ending up seeking medical care during a skiing holiday according to the research, a quarter (25%) of Brits will take to the pistes with no insurance at all this winter.
Of those, 5% of Brits polled wrongly believed that they could rely solely on their European Health Insurance card (formally the E111) for full medical cover whilst skiing in Europe.There is also confusion about what is and isn't covered by annual travel insurance policies as one in four people (27%) have the misconception that winter sports is always included as standard - even though this is rarely the case.
It is therefore likely that even fewer people will have ample medical cover whilst on piste - as many will be unaware of the exclusion for winter sports activities.Understanding what's covered and who to call in the event of an emergency could prove difficult for many travellers too with one in five (21%) admitting that they never take their travel insurance documentation with them on holiday for easy reference.Jacky Brown, Head of Travel Insurance at esure, said: 'Any winter sports holiday comes with a certain element of risk.
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Whether on a nursey slope or a black run, accidents do happen and its crucial to have medical cover to avoid footing a hefty bill.
With the rise in high-adrenaline, adventure sports - such as heli-skiing and ice-lake diving - it's also important to check the insurance small print before booking and be mindful of any exclusions.
Call your insurer if you're unsure whether or not you'll be covered.
Tips for holidaymakers looking to head to the slopes this season:1.
Don't forget to buy travel insurance: make sure the policy includes wintersports cover - never assume it comes as standard - and don't rely on the limited cover provided by a free European Health Insurance card.2.
Check what's covered: before booking any activity at a ski resort - such asglacier-walking, ski mobiling or cross country skiing - check your insurance to make sure the activity isn't excluded.3.
Read the small print: make sure you're clued up before you're on the slopes.
There are often restrictions for pursuits such as off-piste skiing, and some insurers may only offer cover within a certain number of metres from a run or authorised skiing areas.4.
Take your insurance documents with you: having telephone numbers and policyparticulars at hand is crucial before booking higher-risk activities at a resort or in the event of an injury.5.
Covered for no snow?: last year's winter season started late and many early-birds were faced with grassy slopes so checking compensation limits for a snow- free ski holiday may be worth while.esure Travel Insurance offers both single trip and annual cover which include the following as standard:Kids go free - parents can add their children onto their policy free of charge.
Emergency assistance - 24-hour worldwide telephone access to medical emergency assistance.Personal luggage cover up to £1500 - for either damage or loss.Cover for loss of personal effects - including passports, driving license and money up to £500.Cancellation or curtailment - including missed or delayed departure.Medical expenses covered up to £10 million.
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