The one good thing about this winter is that skiing resorts are doing brisk business: plenty of the white stuff.
If you are intending to take to the slopes in the near future, may we remind you to check that you have the right cover on your travel insurance? Most policies extend to include skiing - but do make sure you ticked the box when you took out the insurance.
Travel insurance for skiers should include medical cover for the region you are visiting, and cover for damage to or loss of equipment, as well as closure of slopes and cancellations. If you are skiing in the USA, the rates will usually be higher to reflect the local cost of medical procedures and repatriation. Again, check that your policy covers this. Bluefin travel policies allow you to specify your destination and pay a premium accordingly.
One issue that we would like to flag up for our customers is the issue of skiing after consuming alcohol: don’t do it! Many insurers will refuse claims if someone has an accident after drinking, and there are no specific rules about what is considered to be excessive consumption. This could result in the unfortunate skier having to foot the bill for all medical costs, as well as the cost of rescue and return home.
Skiing with a hangover could also invalidate your insurance policy. If you drink a lot in the evening, you could still be under the influence of alcohol when you start skiing the next morning. Drinking even a modest amount of alcohol at altitude can adversely affect a skier’s judgement, and may lead to an accident which would not be covered by an insurer. You would also run the risk of prosecution for skiing in a dangerous or reckless manner, particularly in the USA and Canada.
We hope you have a happy – and sober! – trip. Please try to come back with a nice tan and no plaster casts!
