Travel Insurance Winter Sports
Get the cover you need for your winter sports holiday by comparing with Savvy.
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If you’re planning a trip to Mount Buller for some snowboarding or a skiing trip in Yuzawa, Japan, it’s important to have adequate cover if the unexpected happens away from home. That’s where winter sports cover comes in handy for your travel insurance policy, serving as a valuable optional extra to afford the protection you’re looking for.
You can compare travel insurance offers from some of Australia’s top travel insurance companies right here with Savvy to help you select not only which is the best for your needs but also a policy with affordable and adequate winter sports cover. Start the process of comparing today to lock in your cover before you know it.
What will be covered under my winter sports travel insurance?
When you add winter sports cover to your travel insurance policy, it offers you protection for a variety of activities and occurrences. These will differ between insurers, as each one is different, but the broad strokes of this cover will be the same. Some of the winter sports which can be covered under your travel insurance policy include the following:
- On-piste skiing
- On-piste cross-country skiing
- On-piste snowboarding
- On-piste snowmobiling
- Sledding and tobogganing
- Off-piste or backcountry skiing (with an instructor)
- Off-piste or backcountry snowboarding (with an instructor)
- Heli-skiing
- Ice skating
All of these must be conducted within the bounds of your ski resort. In some cases, cover for ‘riskier’ sports such as heli-skiing and off-piste activities may cost more than the standard, on-piste activities. In terms of the cover offered by this added extra, you can typically claim for the following events (on top of what’s already covered by your standard travel insurance):
- Medical expenses arising from an accident sustained while partaking in a covered winter sport, ranging from general or emergency treatment to evacuation from your resort
- Cancellation of resort bookings, sessions with an instructor or guided tours due to a covered event
- Damage to your personal equipment, such as a board, skis or boots, and the cost of hiring a replacement
- Damage to, or loss of, personal items whilst participating in your winter sport, such as dropping your phone in the snow
- The excess on a rental vehicle or hired equipment if they’re damaged whilst in your care
- The delay or cancellation of your snow holiday due to bad weather
- Expenses relating to extending your snow holiday or booking in at an alternate resort if the piste is closed due to bad weather, a lack of snow or a power failure
However, there are several instances where you won’t be covered if you make a claim under your travel insurance policy’s winter sports cover, which are important to familiarise yourself with. These include:
- Booking your winter sports holiday in an off-season (such as the summer months)
- Any off-piste activity without a licenced instructor
- Claims arising from not wearing correct safety gear
- Partaking in professional or competitive snow sports
How else should I compare travel insurance with winter sports cover?
There are many aspects to consider when comparing travel insurance policies. Keeping these in mind before settling on which choice is right for you is a great way to maximise your chances of locking in the most suitable insurance deal for your needs. Some of the key factors to think about are:
What is and isn’t covered
Above all else, receiving the coverage you need is the most important part of taking out travel insurance. There’s little point in buying a policy which doesn’t cover the sport you’re planning to partake in whilst at the snow, so taking the time to read the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) for different policies so you won’t be met with any rude surprises when you go to make a claim.
Cost of policy and extra cover
While cheaper doesn’t automatically mean better with travel insurance, it’s still worthwhile comparing different policies based on their cost. You don’t want to pay more for your cover than necessary, so this is an important comparison point. It’s also important to consider the cost of the snow sports cover itself, as some insurers will charge more for added premiums than others.
Claim limits
While you’re covered for things like cancellation, damage or loss of personal items and hire equipment excesses, these are generally capped at a certain claim limit. This is important to consider, as while some insurers may only allow you to claim for replacement equipment up to $500, others may allow you to access $1,500 worth of cover.
Excess requirements
Your travel insurance excess is the lump sum you pay out upon making a claim. This generally ranges from $100 to $250 but may be set at $500 to $1,000 in some cases. Generally, winter sports claims come with higher minimum excesses, so it’s important to compare between providers so you’re comfortable with your excess.
Cover for pre-existing conditions
Many pre-existing conditions can be automatically covered by travel insurance, such as asthma (if you’re under 60), certain types of diabetes and epilepsy. However, for others such as heart disease and cancer, you may have to pay an additional premium to ensure you’re covered. Consider what your policy does and doesn’t cover when it comes to health conditions.
What types of travel insurance can I choose from for winter sports cover?
There are several different categories of travel insurance policy which can be taken out and have winter sports cover added. Each of the below points is important to consider, as all policies will fall under one type of insurance in each of the three:
- International and domestic insurance: are you travelling to Switzerland to ski in the Alps or are you planning a trip closer to home? This will determine whether you take out a domestic or international travel insurance policy. The key difference between these is that while international travel insurance offers medical cover, domestic insurance doesn’t.
- Basic and comprehensive insurance: it’s important to know the differences between these types of insurance. A basic policy would be the cheaper winter sports cover, but it’d mean you may only be insured for medical, personal liability and select personal effect costs. Comprehensive insurance, while more expensive, can also offer cancellation, rental vehicle excess and wider personal effects cover.
- Single-trip, annual or one-way insurance: booking one round-trip starting and ending in Australia? Single-trip insurance will be the best choice for you. Taking multiple ski holidays a year? Annual travel insurance with winter sports cover could be the most affordable. If you’re travelling overseas without an end date planned, one-way insurance has you covered.
Types of travel insurance
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Disclaimer:
We do not compare all travel insurance brands currently operating in the market. Any advice presented above or on other pages is general in nature and does not consider your personal or business objectives, needs or finances. It’s always important to consider whether advice is suitable for you before purchasing an insurance policy.
Savvy earns a commission from our partners each time a customer buys a travel insurance policy via our website. We don’t arrange for products to be purchased from these brands directly, as all purchases are conducted via their websites.
Before purchasing your policy, we recommend you refer to the provider’s PDS for any further information on the terms, inclusions and exclusions.
