Holiday makers urged to check insurance as they return to the slopes this ski season

Aviva data reveals a 138%* increase in winter sports travel claims around February half term

With half term breaks around the corner and winter sports holidays back on the menu, Aviva is urging travellers to ensure they have the right cover.

Aviva data reveals that winter sports travel claims more than doubled between the end of January 2019 and mid-February of the same year, coinciding with the spring half term holiday period.

Winter sports holidays have been largely off limits during the pandemic, but according to Aviva research, around 2.7 million** UK holidaymakers are thinking of hitting the slopes this year. The insurer has put together the following advice for those planning a winter sports break:

• Take out travel insurance as soon as you’ve booked your break. As well as providing protection against Covid-related matters, this helps to protect against any change in circumstances which might mean you aren’t able to travel, such as an injury, illness or a bereavement.
• Ensure you have winter sports cover: You will usually require an additional add-on to your travel insurance for winter sports cover, so make sure this is listed on your policy. The vast majority of Aviva winter sports claims relate to injuries sustained on the slopes. The average cost of a winter sports accident / injury claim is £806*, but medical expenses can run into tens, even hundreds of thousands of pounds, so the right cover is vital.
• Check the rules and restrictions for your destination country: uk and Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) will have the latest foreign travel advice, including details of restrictions or lockdowns and any entry requirements, such as an NHS Covid pass.
• Check your policy for cover in relation to Covid-19. The level of cover varies from one policy to another so it’s important to understand the terms for cancellation, abandonment or medical expenses in relation to Covid-19. (Aviva’s cover is outlined below).
• Read the specific rules for winter sports resorts. Your resort may have additional requirements beyond entry to the country. For example, in Italy, visitors are required to have third-party liability insurance on the slopes (this is covered under Aviva winter sports travel insurance) and masks and social distancing are required in some places.
• Make sure your specific activity is covered: People tend to think about skiing and snowboarding, but if you have plans for other pursuits, make sure they’re covered under your insurance. Winter sports insurance can cover a range of recreations such as dog sledding, glacier walking, sledging and sleigh rides.
• Check for any extra conditions: Some sports will require additional criteria, like being accompanied by a qualified guide for some sports or sticking to recognised paths.
• Go easy on the apres-ski and never take part in activities under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Travel insurance policies usually exclude claims for injury, disability or death caused by misuse of alcohol or drugs – or where a person’s judgement is affected by alcohol or drugs, causing them to take actions they wouldn’t usually take.
• Wear a helmet. Some resorts will insist on this, so it’s important to follow their rules. Even if it’s not mandatory, it’s a good safety precaution, even for the most experienced skiers.
• Check whether your travel insurance includes off-piste activities and if there are any additional rules, such as only skiing with a qualified guide.
• Worth knowing: Some insurance policies (including Aviva winter sports cover) will provide a daily benefit if all pistes at your resort are closed due to of a lack of snow, excessive snow or high winds. Similarly, if you are ill or injured and medically certified as unable to ski / board and cannot use your ski pack, your insurer may pay a proportionate cost of a non-refundable ski pack (e.g. covering the cost of lessons, ski hire and lift pass).

Jon Marsh, MD, Partnerships for Aviva, said: “After so many holidays have been postponed, it’s fantastic to see that people are able to travel again and have plans for the coming year. Travel insurance can cover all manner of scenarios including theft of personal possessions, medical expenses or the unforeseen need to cancel a trip.

“The overwhelming majority of winter sports travel insurance claims relate to injuries sustained while on holiday. These can range from relatively minor sprains and bruises, to claims involving hospital stays and even repatriation by air ambulance, so it’s incredibly important that people have the right cover when taking a winter sports holiday.

“We’d also urge travellers to read through their cover and check any requirements for their resorts before they travel, so they can make their preparations and have full peace of mind during their well-deserved breaks.”

Examples of winter sports claims settled by Aviva include:

• 2020: A fall while skiing led to multiple fractures and organ damage, requiring significant hospital treatment: Costs claimed: £416,000.
• 2019: A holidaymaker fell while skiing in France, hitting their head and sustaining concussion: Costs claimed: £708.
• 2019: A skier needed medical assistance in France after skiing off-piste with a guide and damaging ligaments in their leg: Costs claimed: £289.

Aviva’s travel insurance policies also provide cover and reassurance for the following scenarios in relation to Covid-19:

• Cover for cancellation if you are diagnosed or test positive for Covid-19
• Cover for cancellation if you are advised to self-isolate via the NHS App or Track and Trace
• Cover for cancellation due to lockdown restrictions in the UK, provided these restrictions were not in place at the time of booking your trip or purchasing your policy
• Cover for medical treatment if you are diagnosed with Covid-19 while abroad      
• Cover for additional travel and accommodation costs if you unexpectedly must quarantine or self-isolate abroad due to catching Covid-19, or contact with someone who has tested positive while abroad. This does not include quarantining as an entry requirement at the time of departure.

More information on Aviva’s travel insurance policies can be found at https://www.aviva.co.uk/insurance/travel-insurance/