What to know about winter holidays and travel insurance
With many people jetting off on winter holidays, there’s one thing every skier and snowboarder should check before taking off - Travel Insurance that actually covers winter sports.
Why do I need insurance?
Some travellers assume that standard travel insurance, or a European Health Insurance Card, will be enough if something goes wrong on the slopes. But that’s not always the case.
Without the right cover, even a minor accident can become a major financial headache. Mountain rescues, medical treatment, hospital stays, transport, and even legal or medical repatriation costs in severe cases are all your financial responsibility if you don’t have the right insurance.
In severe cases where medical repatriation is needed, not only would you be left with the hefty bill, but you’d also need to arrange the logistics of repatriation, which can be complex. Having the right travel insurance takes that burden off your shoulders, working with hospitals, transport providers, and medical teams to organise repatriation and cover the cost.
What are the other benefits of travel insurance?
As well as medical expenses, a policy with Swinton Travel can cover:
- Cancellations: we provide holiday cancellation insurance as a result of an illness, incident, or event covered by your policy. You will be able to claim for the amount shown on your insurance schedule.
- Baggage, personal effects & money: If accidentally lost, damaged, or stolen whilst on your trip, we pay you up to the amount shown on your insurance schedule.
- Delays: We can provide financial cover should you experience delays whilst on your trip. This includes missed departure, travel delays, and disruptions.
- Personal liability: Should you be at fault in an incident, for example, if you cause damage to property or injure someone, you will be covered for up to £2 million pounds in legal fees.
- Theft: If your baggage, valuables, personal money and important documents, or cash are stolen, for example, you will be covered for the amount detailed on your insurance schedule.
- Personal belongings: The sum of money you wish to cover your personal belongings for can be chosen to suit you.
- Gadgets: Should your gadgets be lost, damaged, or stolen, you will be covered up to £150 if you are Economy level and £250 on Premier level.
- Passports: If your passport is lost, damaged, or stolen, you will be covered up to £150 if you are on Economy level and £250 on Premier level.
Why should I consider winter sports cover?
It’s not just about getting insurance – you’ll need to make sure you have the right level of cover. Standard travel insurance policies usually exclude winter sports, so you should consider a dedicated policy to stay protected.
By purchasing additional cover for winter sports, you’ll be able to receive financial protection for claims relating to winter sports. Our cover includes:
- Ski equipment: protection if your skis, snowboards, or accessories are lost, stolen, or damaged.
- Owned equipment: up to £500
- Hired equipment: up to £250
- Hire of replacements: up to £250 (£25 per day) if your own equipment is lost, stolen, or delayed in transit.
- Ski Pack: reimbursement of prepaid costs such as lift passes, ski school fees, and equipment hire. You’re protected up to £250 if you can’t use your ski pack due to illness, injury, or other covered reasons.
- Lost Lift pass: compensation of up to £500 if your ski lift ticket has been misplaced, stolen, or accidentally destroyed.
- Piste closure: financial support if adverse weather or lack of snow ski runs to close. You’ll be covered up to £150 (£30 per day).
- Avalanche or Landslide cover: Up to £300 if avalanches or landslides prevent access to your resort or delay your return journey.
It’s important to remember that not all policies are created equal. If you plan to ski or snowboard, check that your insurance also includes:
- Mountain rescue cover: including off-piste activities
- Medical expenses: both at the resort and for repatriation if needed
- Accidents in resort: including lift incidents or collisions.
What activities are covered?
With a Swinton Travel policy, the following activities are among those covered if our winter sports extension is purchased:
- Airboarding
- Glacier skiing/walking
- Ice Fishing
- Skiing (including Alpine, Big Foot, Cross Country)
- Sledging/tobogganing
- Snowboarding
- Snow Biking
Enjoy your holiday
Before you hit the slopes, take a few moments to review your travel insurance. The right cover isn’t a luxury, it’s peace of mind that can help ensure your winter sports holiday stays fun, safe, and worry-free.
It’s important to check the specifics with your travel insurance provider. Cover is available only if the Winter sports section is shown as purchased in your policy certificate and the additional premium has been paid.
Correct at the time of publication. Information in this article has been gathered from various sources, therefore Swinton Pet cannot be held responsible for any view or opinion expressed herein.