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Compare ski travel insurance
Lift the exclusion most travel policies have against skiing, but not for unmarked slopes.
Travel Insurance Guides
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You can add ski insurance to get extra coverage for medical care and ski equipment not covered under standard travel insurance. But check the policy’s fine print if you’re planning anything adventurous like heli-skiing or cross-country runs. Also, this add-on may not be necessary for everyone, especially if you have ample health insurance.
What's in this guide?
What is ski travel insurance?
Rather than a standalone policy, ski travel insurance is an optional upgrade you can buy to cover claims related to skiing. Standard travel policies typically exclude risky activities and sports. But insurers know some customers travel just for that thrill on the slopes. Since a ski trip involves more risk for filing a claim, you might see a higher premium than a trip with standard risks.
What does ski insurance cover?
The main benefits you get from adding skiing coverage are medical expenses and medical transportation coverage. Your skiing can get protection in these ways:
- Emergency medical. If the worst happens and you get stuck injured on a dangerous slope, this covers your medical expenses. The coverage includes transportation to the nearest medical facility, even if you need a helicopter evacuation.
- Extreme weather. When the weather causes lengthy delays to or interrupts your trip, relax knowing you can pay for extra hotel stays and transportation. Coverage may apply as a trip interruption or delay when the weather delays your travel carrier like your flight.
- Your own equipment. Protect your investment in those top-notch set of skis if they get lost or stolen on your trip.
- Unused passes or lessons. So you paid up front for a batch of ski lessons? Trip interruption or cancellation coverage can repay nonrefundable passes if you cancel plans for an approved reason.
Ski coverage typically is an add-on, so you also might have this coverage depending on the policy you choose:
- Trip cancellations — You’ll get reimbursed for nonrefundable expenses if you cancel for an approved reason.
- Trip interruptions — You can pay for extra transportation or hotel expenses to get back home or get back to your trip.
- Trip delays — Get a hotel or pay for extra meals if your transportation gets delayed.
- Baggage — Whether your baggage was lost, stolen or delayed, you can replace items you need for your trip.
Compare travel insurance that covers ski trips
How much is ski travel insurance?
A general rule of thumb is that your travel policy will cost 5% to 10% of your trip. You might see a premium closer to the 10% mark for a sport like skiing that insurers consider high risk. But all insurance companies use multiple factors that affect the cost of your policy. Those include:
- The provider you choose. Policies from budget providers may catch your eye. But look for differences in coverage like lower payouts for benefits than other providers.
- Your age. The older you get, the greater the risk you pose for health problems on your trip.
- The trip’s cost. Exploring cross-country runs on a dime or booking an all-inclusive ski resort? A more expensive trip like a resort will cost more to insure.
- The duration of your trip. A longer ski trip means you stay at risk for injuries for a longer time. You might pay more for this lengthy protection.
How do I compare ski travel insurance?
Not all insurance companies provide the same benefits. When you’re looking for the best ski policy for you, consider:
- Annual versus single-trip policies. If you’re a ski or travel enthusiast who makes multiple trips throughout the year, an annual policy could save you money in the long run.
- Owned or rented ski equipment. If you hit the slopes with your own gear, you’ll want a policy with high enough limits to cover all your bells and whistles. If you rent equipment, look for policies that pay for damage to that equipment. Damage waivers from ski rentals typically cover normal wear and tear, not negligence or lost or stolen gear.
- Maximum amount paid. Make sure the coverage amount is suitable for the dangers involved with your trip. For example, if you’re skiing abroad, you might want higher emergency transportation coverage.
- Emergency support. Double-check the kind of emergency customer service you get with the insurance company. The best services help you find medical help or make emergency travel arrangements for you.
What’s not covered with ski insurance?
Every travel insurance policy excludes some activities or events from coverage. These can vary based on the provider, so you should get clear on events you can claim ahead of time. A few common exclusions:
- Skiing outside marked trails. Some policies won’t protect you if you stray from the runs designated by the skiing company, such as cross-country skiing or heli-skiing. Heli-skiing is an extreme form of skiing off the beaten slope where you get transported to the slope by helicopter.
- Speed competitions. Competitions or contests involving fast-paced skiing can skyrocket the number of injuries, leading some insurers to exclude it.
- Skiing under the influence. As with most travel insurance policies, you won’t be covered for any injuries if you’re under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
- Foreseeable events. You could get your claims denied for expenses if you bought a policy knowing a blizzard was closing in.
Does health insurance cover skiing?
Your personal health insurance should cover injuries or illnesses you may get on the slopes if you’re skiing in the US. Your deductible, co-pays and provider network will apply. In this case, you might choose to rely on your health policy or you might buy ski insurance as backup coverage.
However, health insurance won’t cover other problems with your trip due to a ski accident. For example, if you’re stuck in the hospital due to a broken leg and miss your flight home, health insurance wouldn’t cover those extra expenses to rebook your flight. Only travel insurance would help with trip-related expenses.
Bottom line
Although skiing may get excluded from standard travel policies, some companies offer coverage as an upgrade. Many travel insurance providers will cover you as long as you plan to stick to marked runs.
Frequently asked questions about ski travel insurance
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