Insure your winter sports break

You should check the policy details and ensure you are covered for skiing or boarding, piste closure, ski equipment, medical costs including rescue and repatriation, luggage and your liability to others. Always compare policies on a like for like basis checking the small print. Watch out for standard policy exclusions. Most policies will not cover you for pre-existing medical conditions or any claim as result of being under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Things you should know before you ski:

• Medical & Legal Expenses: Most policy limits for any medical treatment or legal expenses are usually more than high enough. Medical treatment abroad is very expensive, especially in the US where a broken leg can cost in the region of £25,000. Your policy should include a minimum of £2 million for medical expenses and £1 million for personal liability.
• European Health Insurance Card (EHIC): If you are travelling to Europe remember your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), this entitles you to emergency treatment on the same terms as a national in all EU countries. It is important the winter sports enthusiasts do not rely on this card as a substitute for travel insurance. The EHIC does not cover medical treatment in private clinics which is where you are likely to be treated in a ski resort. It will also not cover you for any recovery or repatriation costs.
• Rescue and repatriation: Each year almost fifty thousand skiers and snow boarders are rescued from the French Alps. A helicopter rescue trip can set you back around £4,000. Flying injured skiers home also costs a lot of money as many airlines required passengers with leg injuries to lie down occupying more than one seat. Be sure to check that you will be covered should you need to be rescued from the mountain and flown back to the UK.
• Annual Travel Insurance: If you intend to go on holiday more than once a year an annual travel insurance policy could well work out more cost effective. Some annual polices automatically include winter sports cover.
• Activities: Winter sports policies tend to include skiing and snow boarding as standard but they may have restrictions on other mountain activities (heli-skiing, glacier skiing, para-skiing, tobogganing, skidoos, ski racing, bobsleighs, mountain climbing). Check your policy covers you before participating in any extra activities. Most insurers will also exclude competitive skiing racing.
• Off Piste: If you are planning on heading off piste double check you will be covered. Some policies will only cover you if you are accompanied by a qualified guide or instructor. Always take care when skiing off piste taking safety equipment with you and check where it is safe to go. If you are skiing off-piste in the United States confirm the insurers specific terms of cover and note that the resort must have clearly labelled the slope as one fit to ski, otherwise you may not be covered.
• Piste Closure: Check the insurers terms regarding piste closure and how many pistes have to be shut before you can claim benefits. Some policies will only pay out if all the pistes are closed. Some insurers will include the cost of transport to another resort if your resort if closed.
• Baggage & Equipment: Skiing kit will increase the cost of your baggage so check the cover limits your insurer offers. Your home contents insurance may cover some of your belongings as well, if you have selected the all risk or personal possessions option.
• Ski Pack: If you are unable to ski due to illness or injury, any lessons, your ski equipment and ski pass should be covered on your policy. Some insurers will include the loss of your ski pass.