It is estimated that thousands of people hit the ski slopes every year without having the correct travel insurance. Whether that is through solely having general travel insurance or not taking out any cover at all, these people leave themselves open to massive expense should they have an accident whilst on their trip. Even though many people have annual travel insurance policies, either paid for as an extra to their current account with their bank, unless there is a specific ‘winter sports’ or ‘dangerous sports’ clause in the policy, they will be mostly useless when faced with a skiing injury.

Massive Costs

An accident on the slopes without the correct cover will end up costing you far more than you may imagine. An airlift to hospital from a ski slope could cost anything up to £1,500, and repatriation to the UK could be £4,000 from Europe, doubling to £8,000 from the USA. A ride off the slopes on a ‘blood wagon’ usually costs around £200. When considering the cost of a winter sports policy, these numbers are truly sobering.

Be Careful, Be Covered

No matter how competent you may be on the slopes, once you have donned your ski wear, you are at the mercy of the elements. “Accidents do happen, and huge medical bills can easily rack up,” confirmed Mike Pickard, head of travel insurance at esure. “It’s crucial to ensure you’re fully covered with insurance that includes specific winter sports cover.”