Off to the Slopes? – Don't forget your Skiing Travel Insurance

Are you a risk taker on the slope? Have you ever been drunk and still hurtled down a mountain? Well a snap shot survey* carried out by travel insurance specialist InsureandGo has revealed some interesting information about the UK's skiers and snowboarders.

Snowboarders are clearly seen as more adventurous with 87% of respondents believing they take more risks on and off piste. However, an equal number of skiers and boarders suffered an injury and while all occurred on the slope, 86% were the result of a fall and 14% following a collision.

When they suffered an injury, 43% were only prevented from skiing or boarding for a few hours. But more worrying was the next group at 36% that were out of action for over 5 days.

Perry Wilson, InsureandGo's operations director, said: "You've paid your money for your trip, your accommodation, your equipment, your ski pass and all the other incidentals and then you get injured which puts you out of action for what is pretty much the whole of your time away. If you don't have insurance not only will you have to pay a hefty bill for any medical treatment but you will not get back any money for all these items as well. All in all it will add up to an expensive way to spend a week when you won't even be able to enjoy the pursuit that's the sole reason for the holiday in the first place."

8% of those questioned did not take out insurance preferring instead to rely on an E111 to cover them in a medical emergency. However InsureandGo warns that relying on an E111 isn't a good idea if you want to ensure you get treated quickly.

Perry said: Because of the different regulations per country you may find that you have to be treated at a specific medical centre which may not be the nearest to your resort. A nightmare if you've broken your leg and have to cover the cost for transport to and from a state hospital which could be hundreds of miles away.

The 19% of those who owned up to skiing or boarding drunk had better be careful as this may invalidate their cover. And if you come across any Germans on the slope give them a wide berth as according to those questioned they're the nationality that takes the least care on the slopes.

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For further information, or to interview Perry, please contact Stephanie on 01376 556 390.