Winter sports travel insurance

As with all travel insurance, there are a few things to check when considering winter sports travel insurance.

Period of cover

You may get inclusive winter sports travel insurance included in an annual travel insurance policy − but your holiday may be for a longer period than the inclusive cover. You may be better off with a single trip insurance policy – or you may be able to change the period of cover.

What activities are covered?

Some activities are automatically covered by winter sports travel insurance and some may be optional, so check before you commit.

With LV= winter sports travel insurance, you’re automatically covered to snowboard and ski ‘off piste', as long as you’re skiing within the ski area boundaries of a recognised ski resort and are following ski patrol guidelines.

Medical costs

A European Health Insurance Card will only provide limited medical expenses cover in European Countries the UK has a reciprocal agreement with, so it’s worth considering travel insurance – not least because if you break a leg on the ski slopes you may need a different mode or style of transportation home.

Injury or illness cover

Check that your holiday costs are covered by your winter sports travel insurance if you have to cancel your journey or can't take part in your chosen sport due to injury or illness.

Equipment cover

Is the hire of alternative equipment included in your winter sports travel insurance if your own equipment is damaged, delayed or lost en route?

Bad or good weather cover

If bad weather closes ski-lifts and ski-schools, are you covered if you move resort? If so, what about any extra transport and accommodation costs? And what winter sports travel insurance cover is there if the weather is ‘good’ and there’s no snow?

Search and rescue

A bit extreme perhaps, but some winter sports travel insurance policies will also cover the costs of search and rescue if you get lost or go missing.

Other things to consider

Check whether personal accident insurance (and compare any potential payout) and public liability insurance (and check the limit) are included.