New research(1) from InsureandGo (www.insureandgo.com), the leading travel insurance company, reveals that a shocking 13% of people who have skied or snowboarded – an estimated 1 million people – have done so whilst drunk. Two per cent of them – the equivalent of 174,000 skiers and snowboarders – admitted to being very drunk – 20,000 more than admitted to this last year.(2)
Perry Wilson, founder of InsureandGo said: “We understand that people are going to have a drink on their holidays, but they still have to be responsible. Being drunk on the slopes is extremely dangerous. If you injure yourself or somebody else as a result of this, you may invalidate your insurance cover, which could mean that as well as nursing broken bones, you may also have to pay for a hefty medical bill yourself.”
Research from InsureandGo reveals that of those people who admit to having skied or snowboarded under the influence of alcohol, 18% said that they have had an accident whilst doing this – equivalent to 186,000 people – with 3% saying it was a serious accident.
The research also found that almost one in five people (19%) aged 25-34 interviewed who have skied or snowboarded before have done so under the influence of alcohol, which is the highest percentage of any age group surveyed.
Commenting on drinking on the slopes, Dr Guy Ratcliffe, Medical Director of the Medical Council on Alcohol, said: "Alcohol makes people less inhibited, which in turn can make them more prepared to take risks. In ski resorts, where people are often drinking at lunchtime and then returning to the slopes, there are obvious dangers that could be caused by over-confident people taking more risks than they usually would. Alcohol can also inhibit your reaction times, so the combination of over-confidence and slower reactions is of real concern in an environment which is already dangerous enough if not properly respected."
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Percentage of skiers and snowboarders who have hit the slopes whilst very drunk |
2% (est. 174,000 people) |
Percentage of skiers and snowboarders who have hit the slopes whilst moderately drunk |
4% (est. 294,000 people) |
Percentage of skiers and snowboarders who have hit the slopes whilst slightly drunk |
7% (est. 563,000 people) |
If you’re skiing or boarding in Europe InsureandGo advise that, while it’s a good idea to get a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), people should not rely on it as it won’t cover costs such as repatriation. Plus, because the agreement varies from country to country, the cover it provides depends on where you are.
InsureandGo’s annual policies include winter sports cover automatically so they’re the perfect solution for those off to the slopes and also planning a break abroad in the summer. Kids under 18 are included free. InsureandGo’s winter sports policies cover off piste skiing and snowboarding automatically as well as activities including tobogganing and ice-skating.
Standard (Silver) Prices
Europe, including 17 days winter sports
Annual, one adult up to three under 18s = £38
Annual, two adults up to six under 18s = £68
Worldwide including US/CAN and 17 days winter sports
Annual, one adult up to three under 18s = £54
Annual, two adults up to six under 18s = £84
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Notes to editors:
(2) Based on an independent online survey conducted by Canvasse Opinion from Experian on behalf of InsureandGo. A total of 1544 responses were obtained across the UK amongst adults aged 18 and over, between 8th – 13th November 2007.
Policy prices correct as at 19 November 2008.
About InsureandGo
InsureandGo (www.insureandgo.com) was established in 2000 and has grown rapidly to become the UK’s largest direct travel insurance specialist. Over two million holidaymakers a year choose to cover their travels with its low cost, high value policies.
All InsureandGo policies cover children under 18 for free and include over 40 adventure sports, while its annual policies include winter sports automatically.