Spend some time entering your details and your travel plans. You’ll get access to a variety of quotes so that you can find the right one to suit your personal needs.
Compare the UK’s most reputable policies and prices to find the right winter sports and ski insurance plan for you.
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Often referred to as ‘adventure sports’ or simply ‘winter sports, there are certain activities that require a specific type of insurance policy. If you would like to participate in winter sports activities while on holiday, you should look into winter sports travel insurance.
While many of the basic areas are covered, you will also get additional coverage for the kinds of situations you might perhaps encounter during adventure sports.
Alongside skiing and snowboarding trips, other winter sports include:
While in some respects a winter sports insurance plan can be compared to a standard travel insurance plan (i.e you’ll make a choice between single-trip insurance and multi-trip insurance), you’ll also be covered for things specific to winter sports and ski travel.
These include:
If you have to hire alternative equipment after your equipment is broken or is stolen, your insurer will pay out.
If your piste has to close, you may be able to claim for the cost of part of your trip. You might find that some insurers set time limitations, so check your policy details for confirmation.
This will provide you with cover if you have an accident and injure yourself while out on the ski slope. You may be particularly vulnerable to this if you’re involved in adventure sports, so it’s important to think about.
If your skis, snowboards, helmets or other equipment are stolen, damaged or lost then an equipment replacement policy will cover the cost. Check your policy details to see what equipment you are covered for.
If you have a pre-existing medical condition which you share with your insurance company upon application, you will be able to claim if you need to.
If you plan on taking part in activities off-piste or away from the slopes, many insurance companies will still provide cover with specific off-piste ski insurance policies. This may come with a caveat like taking a qualified instructor with you.
If you lose your ski pass, this will help you with the cost of a replacement ski pass so that your trip can continue.
If your winter trip is delayed because of an avalanche, your insurance provider can cover you for any delay or cancellation costs.
There are exclusions named on every travel insurance policy, but as some policies differ you should look at your own policy details to check what is excluded. If you think there are certain exclusions that could leave you vulnerable or out of pocket, you should compare more insurance quotes.
The average winter sports and ski travel insurance policy will cover you for standard activities, but if you’re participating in some of the more extreme ‘competitive’ winter sports then you should seek specialist insurance policies like ski or snowboarding travel insurance. Extreme winter sports include but are not limited to: heli skiing, glacier climbing, ice diving and snow kayaking.
If you make a claim for an injury and it’s found that you were not wearing the proper protective equipment (i.e. helmet or goggles) then your insurer might not provide cover.
As is the case for many travel insurance policies, if your belongings are lost, damaged or stolen and it’s found that you left them unattended (perhaps in a public space) then you will likely not receive cover.
Most insurance companies will reject your claim if you lose your possessions, injure somebody or damage their property while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Like most travel insurance policies, the cost of a winter sports insurance plan depends on a few different factors. It depends on: how old you are, how often you travel, and where you’re going. Compare quotes to get an idea of how much the insurance policies generally cost.
Your insurance provider will ask you some questions so that they can produce a quote that suits you. It’s important that you are as accurate as possible when you’re providing this information. It includes the above factors (your age, how often you travel, and where you’re going) plus some other factors that help move the process along.
Here are some questions that your insurer may ask:
To reduce the risk of infection, non-essential and international travel is not permitted before 17th May 2021. This is the earliest, with dates subject to change following any further government confirmation.
Whatever your age, you’re facing significant risks taking part in adventure sports. As there are risks involved with all kinds of travel, we recommend that you take out ski travel insurance to ensure you’re covered.
Much like standard travel insurance, the availability of insurance for certain destinations depends largely on the destination you choose. Medical costs in one destination may well differ to those in another destination.
Generally speaking, you’ll be able to take out insurance for European destinations (such as popular winter sports locations like Norway) as well as worldwide destinations.
We recommend that you take out winter sports insurance as soon as your trip is booked, because then you will be covered for the period of time between buying insurance and leaving for your trip. If your flight is cancelled long before you depart, having taken out insurance right away will ensure you’re fully covered.
As we’ve said, while fun winter sports trips can be dangerous if you’re not careful. There are a few things you can do to avoid injury while you’re out on the slopes:
If you plan on taking numerous winter sports and ski breaks throughout the year, you can and should take out multi-trip travel insurance. There are no limits to the number of trips you can go on, so you’ll make real savings with just one annual payment (you may also make monthly payments).
On the other hand, if you’re only going on 1-2 winter sports trips per year, then seek out single-trip insurance.
*Based on a couple aged 30 with no pre-existing medical conditions, taking annual multi-trip cover for Europe. Cover starts on 4th March 2022 and ends on 3rd March 2023. Prices correct as of 3rd March 2022.
If you're struggling to find suitable cover, the Money and Pension Service (MaPs) also provides a list of specialist insurers on the MaPs directory website – or you can call the British Insurance Brokers Association on 0370 950 1790. https://www.moneyhelper.org.uk/en/everyday-money/insurance/travel-insurance-directory