Travel Insurance News

Travel insurance policies 'may not cover ski trips' - 23/10/2007

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Ski holidays may not be covered by standard travel insurance policies, it has been advised.

Tourists planning to spend some time on the slopes this winter should ensure that any activity they undertake is covered by their travel insurance deal to avoid having to pay unexpected medical costs, esure has stated.

According to the travel insurance provider, 27 per cent of UK consumers are under the mistaken impression that all standard policies cover ski holidays, with five per cent thinking that the European Health Insurance Card would offer full medical cover during their winter sports trip.

The insurer's research discovered that 25 per cent of Britons would go skiing without any travel insurance in place, while 17 per cent would indulge in extreme activities such as ice-lake diving or off-piste snowboarding even if aware that such pursuits were not covered by their deal.

Medical treatment could be costly, warned the company, with helicopter evacuation costing some £1,500 and repatriation costs reaching £4,000 in Europe and £8,000 in the US and Canada.

Jacky Brown, head of travel insurance at esure, said: "Any winter sports holiday comes with a certain element of risk. Whether on a nursery slope or a black run, accidents do happen and it's crucial to have medical cover to avoid footing a hefty bill."

Meanwhile, adventure holidays are increasingly popular among the over-50s, according to Saga.

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