Family means 2 adults and dependant kids
Covers all dependent children aged 20 and under
Option for children in higher education
Option for single, long stay or Multi trip policies
Options for Europe and Worldwide cover
Options to allow independent travel for kids
Off piste covered as standard on all policies
Options for covering low and high risk sports
Family ski insurance
Ski insurance is essential, not optional, if you are heading off on a winter sports holiday with your family.
Disturbing figures from insurers highlight that taking risks on the mountains without adequate insurance could cost you a small or come to that a large fortune. Helicopter mountain rescue costs are about £20 a minute flying time and this works out at £500-£1,000 in Europe and £1,000-£2,500 in the US and Canada. Medical treatment of a dislocated shoulder, meanwhile, costs up to £2,000 in Europe and £10,000 in the US, whilst flying you back to Britain from Europe with a fractured hip can cost over £10,000 and double that if you are travelling home from North America.
Many rely on covering their medical costs in Europe by using their State funded European Health Insurance Card (Ehic), but these are not a suitable substitute for ski insurance when travelling on a winter sports trip. The Ehic will not pay to get you down off the mountain, nor will it pay for all your travel transport costs including repatriation to the UK and of course it won't cover you for delays, lost baggage, cancellation or having to cut your holiday short.
Skicover recommends insurance policies that give you at least £5m for medical expenses; £1m personal liability (necessary if you hurt someone else and they sue); £1,000 cancellation (or more as required to cover the total cost of your holiday); £1,500 baggage; £250 for cash; cover for scheduled airline failure and end supplier failure as desirable; and delay cover (eg £20 an hour for the first 12 hours) – useful given recent bad winters, fog, snow and ice disruption.
• Skicover recommends that children wear ski helmets. Parents too!
• Keep a note of your travel policy number, emergency number and Ehic number on you, perhaps in your mobile phone make sure more than one person has these details if travelling in a group or as a family.
• Always abide by local rules regarding closed ski areas. Insurers have the right to withdraw cover if you have an accident when failing to follow local rules or skiing against local guidelines and advice.
• Look after your ski equipment – if you leave it in an unattended vehicle, for example, it may mean you are uninsured, and if your equipment is stolen you need a police report in order to claim, and keep receipts where appropriate.
• If you like arranging your own holiday, rather than booking through a tour operator, look for one of our ski insurance policies that cover supplier failure costs and provides cover for problems such as delayed departure or additional accommodation if you are unable to get home.
• When purchasing an annual policy, check the limit on the winter sports cover – we have options ranging from 14 to 31 days of wintersports cover per year.
• Be aware that insurers can refuse to pay out medical costs if you were "under the influence of alcohol or drugs" when you had an accident. It may make you think twice about having a beer or Glühwein with your lunch at the mountain cafe.
Single trip ski insurance
Annual Multitrip ski insurance
Longstay ski insurance
High risk sports
Gadgets insurance
The fine print
Medical coverage and pre-existing conditions
Limits and exclusions
Photo: Trysil Under licence.