More and more holidaymakers these days are heading off to the snow to enjoy an invigorating winter break. However, it is likely that almost a quarter of them will neglect to take out an adequate winter travel insurance policy. By failing to do so, they can leave themselves and their families exposed to potential health and safety risks, not to mention unnecessary financial liability. Here are a few pointers to help ensure that you are not one of them and you are adequately covered for your next ski holiday.
First of all, for those who hold a European Union passport and carry a European Health Insurance Card, basic medical costs come free as long as they are in any European Economic Area country. But keep in mind that it will only cover medical costs, and it may not cover the full cost of all treatments. That said, it is a vital part of your travel cover if you are heading overseas.
Sometimes, standard travel cover is not enough - don't be fooled into thinking that you are always fully covered by a policy that comes with your credit card, bank account or your standard annual insurance. Very few of them actually include winter or extreme sports cover, so be sure to check the fine print. Even if the fine print doesn't specifically rule out winter sports claims, your cover level may not always be sufficient. Find out about the minimum commonly recommended coverage figures as well.
Shop around. Consumers need to understand where to look for cheap travel insurance and what to look for. Too many winter sports travellers are buying standard travel insurance at the last minute without knowing what cover they actually need and without paying attention to what is excluded from the policy. You could even go for a tailored policy from a specialist provider as many standard winter sports travel insurance only cover mishaps that occur as result of the more widespread pursuits, such as skiing and snowboarding.
Be aware that there are many things that can go awry even before you set a ski-booted foot on the snow. Winter, by its very nature, brings with it all kinds of inclement weather conditions, and travel arrangements can go wrong at any time. Flights can be cancelled or delayed and even getting to the airport can become a problem. A cheap travel insurance policy can cover some of the incidents but not all of them.
Travel insurance is a must have item on your winter break. Costs of medical treatments in a foreign country can soar into the thousands if you are not adequately covered. That is why making sure that you have the right travel cover if you engage in skiing and other more extreme winter sports is vital.
First of all, for those who hold a European Union passport and carry a European Health Insurance Card, basic medical costs come free as long as they are in any European Economic Area country. But keep in mind that it will only cover medical costs, and it may not cover the full cost of all treatments. That said, it is a vital part of your travel cover if you are heading overseas.
Sometimes, standard travel cover is not enough - don't be fooled into thinking that you are always fully covered by a policy that comes with your credit card, bank account or your standard annual insurance. Very few of them actually include winter or extreme sports cover, so be sure to check the fine print. Even if the fine print doesn't specifically rule out winter sports claims, your cover level may not always be sufficient. Find out about the minimum commonly recommended coverage figures as well.
Shop around. Consumers need to understand where to look for cheap travel insurance and what to look for. Too many winter sports travellers are buying standard travel insurance at the last minute without knowing what cover they actually need and without paying attention to what is excluded from the policy. You could even go for a tailored policy from a specialist provider as many standard winter sports travel insurance only cover mishaps that occur as result of the more widespread pursuits, such as skiing and snowboarding.
Be aware that there are many things that can go awry even before you set a ski-booted foot on the snow. Winter, by its very nature, brings with it all kinds of inclement weather conditions, and travel arrangements can go wrong at any time. Flights can be cancelled or delayed and even getting to the airport can become a problem. A cheap travel insurance policy can cover some of the incidents but not all of them.
Travel insurance is a must have item on your winter break. Costs of medical treatments in a foreign country can soar into the thousands if you are not adequately covered. That is why making sure that you have the right travel cover if you engage in skiing and other more extreme winter sports is vital.
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