Winter Sports Travel Insurance A Must For Piste Of Mind

Written by Editorial Team

13 February 2010 / by Rachael Stiles

Britons who are heading away for a week of winter sports during half term should make sure they take adequate travel insurance with them, moneysupermarket.com has warned.

With a week of European family travel insurance available at competitive prices, including winter sports cover, moneysupermarket encourages travellers to protect themselves, especially if they’ll be taking to the slopes.

The comparison website stresses the cost of travel insurance can be “really reasonable” when the amount of cover included is taken into account, such as medical expenses cover which can run into the millions for accidents or illness.

Winter sports travel insurance can add important extra cover to a policy, it explains, because it encompasses injury resulting from high risk activities such as skiing or snowboarding, in addition to sports equipment, piste closure and ski packs or passes.

But, like all insurance policies, winter sports travel insurance will vary from one provider to another, so moneysupermarket urges travellers to compare travel insurance quotes to make sure the policy offers all the cover they need.

When shopping around for the best cover, the website suggests following a few guidelines, such as ensuring the policy offers at least £1million of medical cover for Europe, or £2million for the rest of the world, check the provider’s definition of ‘off piste’, ensuring at least £1million of personal liability cover is included, ski equipment is protected both on the mountain and in transit, and ensuring that the policy has adequate baggage and belongings cover to protect sports equipment.

Bob Atkinson, travel expert at moneysupermarket.com said: “Whether you’re seeking sunshine in Spain or snow on the slopes, travel insurance is an essential item when planning any holiday and you should not leave home without it.

“A family holiday can be costly, especially when it involves winter sports like skiing and snowboarding, but foregoing travel cover is simply not an option and scouring the small print really is a must.”

Mr Atkinson adds that with air ambulances from a mountain in the Alps back to the UK costing up to £1,000, it is important to check the wording of the policy document to ensure adequate cover is supplied.

He also suggests that families who travel more than one a year might find that annual travel insurance offers better value for money.

© Fair Investment Company Ltd