In this installment of our learn to ski guide we look at ski insurance.

About one-third of all skiers do not purchase insurance, and thereby open themselves up to the risk of owing literally thousands of dollars of medical and/or rescue bills in the event of an accident.

Unanticipated costs during a ski trip can include things like equipment that’s broken or stolen, piste closure, a lost or stolen suitcase, and the biggies like personal liability and repatriation/restoration costs for accidents where you may be at fault.

That’s why it is recommended that you invest in some insurance that will cover your skiing trip. How can you choose, however, from the tremendous range of polices out there?

The first thing you should take into account is the type of skier you are. If you’re a beginner or inexperienced skier, or someone happy to stick to the piste at all times, you’ll find basic policies will suit your requirements, even the cheapest ones. Starting right around $30, basic insurance policies can be purchased from your insurance broker, your travel agent, and you might be surprised to find this type of insurance offered in the supermarket.

If you’re a more advanced skier, and wish to engage in some off-piste, heli-skiing or cat-skiing, you’ll need to find a policy specific to the activities you wish to do. Premiums can be significantly more expensive in line with the increased risk or danger and you should expect to have to use a specialist insurance provider to be fully covered.

The next thing to consider is how much you’re covered for. Often policies will have different bands of cover, even if the activities covered don’t change. A basic policy, for example, can provide you with $250,000 worth of protection, while a premium policy may pay up to $1,000,000 for medical expenses. While a cheaper policy may save you money initially, it is important to check out how much in excess payments on claims made you could be responsible for, as these costs can be significant.

To ensure that you are covered with a valid policy of insurance, make sure you buy it before you take your trip. An insurance company will protect its interests by making sure you have documentation that proves you had your insurance in place prior to any accident occurring.

Finally, be informed about your coverage by reading the policy thoroughly, particularly the fine print, to make sure it covers what you need it to cover. Read through it thoroughly before signing the contract and ask questions about any aspects of it that you’re unsure about.

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