Q1: Will a standard travel insurance policy offer winter sports cover such as; skiing, snowboarding, terrain parks?
Answer: C
Winter sports activities will not be covered under as part of a standard travel insurance policy; however, most companies will offer additional cover as an ‘add on’ or ‘policy extension’. A word of warning, even if you have a ‘winter sport extension’ you may still need to buy further top up cover if you are taking part in any type of extreme winter sport such as heli-skiing. Furthermore, a winter sports add on will also cover lost or stolen equipment, hired equipment, search and rescue, lack of snow/too much snow, ski passes etc. Having said that, cover levels will differ between policies so be sure to check the policy wording carefully to make sure it is suitable for your needs. Read more.
Q2: What does off-piste mean?
Answer: A
Off-piste refers to skiing outside of the designated ski runs. Not all winter sports add on’s will cover off-piste activities and some will stipulate that you must be with a guide – so definitely worth checking if this is on your agenda. Read more.
Q3: If you have a valid European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) or Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC), do you still need to buy travel insurance?
Answer: A
Yes! The EHIC, or GHIC as it is now known, will entitle you to receive the same healthcare as locals when travelling within the EU. It will not however cover you for the cost of emergency repatriation or search and rescue costs, which if needed, can rapidly mount up to tens of thousands of pounds. Read more.
Q4: Would your travel insurance cover you if you had an accident whilst under the influence of alcohol and needed medical attention?
Answer: C
Most travel insurance policies will have an alcohol clause in the policy wording stating that if your blood alcohol levels are over a certain amount, your claim may be denied. Worth bearing in mind if you are enjoying a tipple after a day on the slopes as higher altitudes can have an affect on how alcohol affects you. Read more.
Q5: Should you protect last minute holidays with travel insurance?
Answer: A
Yes, travel insurance should still be purchased for last minute holidays. Even though it is unlikely you will need to make a claim for cancellation, things can still go wrong whilst you’re away i.e. medical expenses, lost passports, needing to come home early – all of which would leave you out of pocket if you didn’t have the right policy in place.