Ski Club of Great Britain launch their
‘Get Covered’ campaign

Ski Club warns skiers and boarders to take out appropriate insurance cover for holidays.

Today the Ski Club of Great Britain launches a new ‘Get Covered’ campaign warning of the risks of skiing or snowboarding without the appropriate cover for winter sports.

A recent survey states that 75% of British holidaymakers don’t check the terms and conditions when purchasing travel insurance and 56% fail to buy cover at all*

For ski and snowboard holidays this has serious implications. Not taking out any insurance can result in huge bills for medical expenses, transport from the mountain or repatriation to the UK.**

But what can often catch skiers and snowboarders out is not reading the small print and taking part in, and getting injured in, activities they are not covered for.

“Skiers and snowboarders often get caught out when it comes to insurance. Buying a travel insurance policy is often not enough. The Ski Club urges people to check that they are covered for winter sports and that they read the small print to ensure all activities they will be participating in are covered.” Said Caroline Stuart Taylor, Chief Executive of the Ski Club of Great Britain.

The Ski Club offers the following tips for buying snow sports travel insurance:
If you think you may be taking part in any extra winter activities such as off-piste skiing or snowboarding, tobogganing, ski touring, glacier skiing, heliskiing or even just hitting the snowpark, make sure your policy covers you for this.

Check what the provider means by off-piste. Does it cover off piste without a guide?

If you, or your children, are taking part in fun races with the ski/ snowboard school ensure this is covered in your policy. Many policies do not cover racing, even fun, recreational races.

If you are going on a ski mountaineering, hiking or trekking trip at high altitude check that your policy covers you. Many policies will limit cover to 3000m or less. If you are trekking above this height you will not be covered.

Check that you have legal expenses cover – this will cover your legal costs if someone injures you and you need to take legal action.

Don’t just go for the cheapest travel insurance policy. Cheaper policies, even those specialising in 'wintersports cover' may not actually cover the winter activities you're planning.

The Ski Club of Great Britain offers insurance policies designed by experts especially for snowsports enthusiasts. Policies are available at standard, super and executive level, for single trips and annual multi-trips.

Ski Club of Great Britain policies cover as standard on and off-piste skiing and snowboarding (with or without a guide), snow parks, cross country skiing, glacier skiing, ski touring, recreational racing, snow-shoeing, dog-sledding, ice-skating and tobogganing. Executive policies cover all these activities plus heliskiing, cat skiing, bob sleighing and snow-mobiling. Ski Club Executive policies also offer no excess on any claim.

Go to the insurance section on skiclub.co.uk or call 0845 60 194 22 to take out policies. There is a 5% discount on policies taken out online.

For more information – Betony Garner – PR and Press Manager – 0208 410 2018 / 07740 642 262 Or read the ‘Get Covered’ story on skiclub.co.uk

Notes:
*Age Concern Survey 2008 – ageconcern.co.uk
**If you do have an accident and you are not insured you may end up with a frightening bill.
Potential costs for European accidents:
- Cost of an air ambulance: £5,000 - £10,000
- Repatriation to the UK (with family escort): £200 - £800
- Repatriation to the UK (with stretcher): £3,350 - £3700 (This can increase by
   up to £2,000 if the airline apply a surcharge)

Potential costs for accidents in North America:
- Cost of an air ambulance: £30,000
- Repatriation to the UK with upgraded seats (required for leg injuries):
  £2,000 - £5,000

Ski Club Travel Insurance:
Ski Club of Great Britain Ltd, 57-63 Church Road, Wimbledon, London, SW19 5SB, is an Introducer Appointed Representative of Perkins Slade Ltd, 3 Broadway, Broad Street, Birmingham, B15 1BQ which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority. Perkins Slade Ltd FSA register number is 302886. Ski Club Travel Insurance is underwritten by Mondial Assistance Europe N.V. and administered by Mondial Assistance (UK) Ltd. Mondial are Authorised and Regulated by the Financial Services Authority for conduct of UK business.