Heading on a ski trip? Five key things to consider when choosing your travel insurance

February signals the start of ski holidays for schoolchildren, and many families and groups of friends are setting off for the mountains. However, due to the inherent risks associated with ski trips, the Head of Insurance Product at LHV Kindlustus, Alver Kivirüüt, shares his expert advice on what to look out for when selecting the right insurance for your ski holiday.

Take out insurance early enough

Always purchase travel insurance as soon as possible after paying for your trip, as travel disruption cover only becomes effective 72 hours after the policy is signed. This means that if you buy insurance the day before your trip and fall ill or encounter an unexpected issue, the insurance will not yet be in effect, and unfortunately, you will not be able to claim for any travel expenses.

Choose a sufficient medical assistance insurance amount

As the saying goes, accidents never give an advance warning. Unfortunately, ski resorts tend to see more accidents than typical holiday destinations. In cases where medical transportation or emergency flights are required, the European Health Insurance Card will not cover you. This is why it is crucial to select a travel insurance policy with sufficient medical cover. We recommend a minimum coverage of 500,000 euros to ensure you are covered for potentially more expensive private medical services in popular ski destinations like France, Switzerland, Austria, and others. In our experience, even a seemingly simple ankle injury can lead to treatment costs of up to 30,000 euros.

Add sports cover for high-risk activities

Certain sports and activities during your trip may be classified as high-risk, and in such cases, medical assistance insurance only applies if the policy includes sports cover. For example, skiing, snowboarding, mountain biking, rock climbing, and participation in professional sports competitions or training are all considered high-risk. With sports cover included, your policy will also cover expenses that may arise if, for example, bad weather causes the closure of ski slopes, or if your sports equipment is stolen or suddenly damaged.

Liability insurance to cover damages to others

Accidents on the slopes not only pose a risk to your own health but also to other people or their property. In such cases, liability insurance is there to help. For example, if you collide with another skier or snowboarder and cause them injury, or if you accidentally damage rented ski equipment, liability insurance will cover the damage to both property and personal injury caused to a third party. It also covers any legal expenses you may incur.

Do not underestimate baggage cover

If you are taking skis or other equipment on your trip, it is advisable to get baggage cover with higher coverage than you would for a typical holiday—especially if you are flying with layovers. We have seen many people undervalue their baggage and opt for lower insurance coverage. Keep in mind that baggage cover also includes your hand luggage and its contents, including electronics. Many people assume there is no need to insure their hand luggage, as it is less likely to be lost during a flight. However, baggage cover not only includes your belongings during the flight but also when you are moving around in hotels or other locations.