Skiing is an exciting sport but it may involve certain risks. The main ones are falls, collisions with other skiers, knee injuries, ski lift accidents and exposure to bad weather. It is important to take the precautions which are necessary to minimise these risks, such as using protective equipment or taking courses to improve your skills. It is also important to obey the safety regulations when on the slopes, and not to underestimate the snow and ice conditions. If - despite these precautions - an accident does occur, what should you do and how can you be appropriately insured?
Do you book your all-expenses-paid holidays through a travel agent? You can take out cancellation insurance when booking your trip.
You can also take out Travel insurance which - depending on the cover you chose - will ensure reimbursement in the event of cancellation due, in particular, to serious illness. This same protection covers you if your holiday is cut short and ensures that you are reimbursed for the rest of your holiday, calculated on a pro rata basis for the remaining days.
If you rent your equipment, the rental companies generally offer insurance against theft and breakage of the rented equipment. Also, find out about the insurance provided by your credit card (Visa or MasterCard) which may also cover the rented equipment.
If you are an experienced skier and have your own skis, there is specific "all risks for recreational equipment outside the home" cover, which enables you to insure your sports equipment. In this case, your ski equipment may be covered against theft or breakage. This cover may be added to your Home insurance policy and you can choose the amount which covers your needs.
Wearing a helmet is not officially compulsory for adults but the law may not be the same in the countries near to Luxembourg.
| GERMANY | AUSTRIA | FRANCE | ITALY | SWITZERLAND |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Not compulsory |
Proposed law making it compulsory for young people, under 15 years of age, to wear helmets. Applied at the discretion of the different Austrian provincial governments. |
Not compulsory |
Compulsory for young people under 18. Possible cancellation of the lift pass and a fine of up to EUR 200. |
Not compulsory |
As you can see, wearing a helmet is not compulsory, but it is strongly recommended because it can prevent most head injuries.
"Most accidents happen in the late morning, at midday, or in the late afternoon, when concentration is at its lowest due to fatigue."
It is fair to question whether the insurance linked to a credit card, whether it is Gold, Visa, or Mastercard, is sufficient to cover the risks associated with a skiing holiday. Indeed, these cards do provide guarantees of assistance and insurance in case of damage or accidents.
For holders of premium cards such as the Gold Mastercard or Visa Premier, the guarantees are generally broader and may cover risks such as accidents on the slopes, loss or theft of ski equipment, and rescue expenses.
Regarding standard bank cards like Visa Classic or Mastercard Standard, they also offer coverage for snow-mountain accidents, but this is generally less extensive than that of premium cards.
It is crucial to carefully read the general terms and conditions of your bank card contract, as each bank may offer different guarantees. Moreover, some guarantees only apply if the stay was paid for with the card in question.
It is also important to note that despite the guarantees offered by your bank card, they may not cover all the risks associated with a ski holiday. For example, the coverage of rescue expenses on the slopes may be limited, and off-piste skiing is often excluded.
If you are not responsible for the accident, it is the other party’s third-party insurance which will cover your costs.
If you are responsible for the accident, your third-party insurance (generally included with your home policy) will cover the loss or damage caused to other people. Depending on the cover options you have chosen, our ‘Travel’ insurance covers you for:
- your travel and return home costs;
- the costs of a pre-scheduled return home;
- reimbursement of your medical, surgical, pharmaceutical and hospitalisation costs;
- reimbursement of the cost of your ski pass.
If a rescue team has to called in, or if a helicopter has to be used to bring you back, the local council will generally ask you to reimburse the cost of the rescue. If you purchased ‘Travel’ insurance cover before your trip, then this - depending on the choice you’ve made - will cover you for:
- transportation or repatriation;
- the cost of descent by sledge or helicopter.
In some cases, the costs incurred as a result of a skiing accident may unfortunately be considerable. You can take out ‘B-Safe’ personal accident insurance, which covers you and your close family in the event of death or disability. This also covers you in the case of sports which are considered risky or dangerous for non-professionals.
In order to set off with a more secure frame of mind, take a closer look at your insurance cover before you leave for the slopes. Every insurance policy can be tailored to your needs, so don't hesitate to ask your broker if you need help.