Insurance ( lack )

We have just have a wonderful week of skiing in Val d'lsere, lots of snow, but poor visibility most of the time, and lots of the runs were closed some days, so it was a matter of finding open runs and any safe off piste (with guide) mainly close to runs and in the trees, as the avalanche risk was very high.

Unfortunately one of a party had a little fall and broke her leg. We got her off the mountain and to the medical centre, followed by having the leg operated on.

On speaking to the rep it turns out there were three people who had accidents that week, that did not have insurance.

We had enough problems without worrying about the cost, just trying to to sort things out and make sure she was taken care of.

We worked out the cost of getting of the mountain, medical treatment, taxis to the hospital, operation, taxi back, drugs, alterations for flights and taxi to the airport. 1550 euros.

Our insurance cost for the year with multi trip policy is £170.00 for a family and ski club membership.

Moral of the story take out insurance

Have started to use the Austrian Alpine club who seem to be very efficient; with card posted out to France in 3 days. One of the few providers that actually cover the range of activities that I participate in.

Having said that previously when have needed to use insurance(Dog Tag)have found myself just paying out of my pocket. Unfortunately all insurance companies expectantly want you to get a much for free as possible which was not consistent with the surgery choices I wanted. All things equal probably best to have something just don't expect it to be 100% useful.

We're now insured annually with the ski club of GB, specifically as they allow off piste. And I don't mean a kilometre off piste. We wouldn't do that without a guide but we will venture a few meters to maybe a 100m off piste as long as we can see a clear route back. We have insured with Dogtag previously but only for winter holidays.

Going on holiday without insurance is insane whether it's a week lying on the beach in Spain or a skiing week in the alps. I really don't understand it.

Totally agree, crazy to ignore holiday insurance. My partner broke his back boarding in Sweden, with insurance and EHIC card it cost us approx £15 which is what Swedens own citizens pay, I dread to think what the cost would have run to without, no doubt I'd need to remortgage!

Having been insured with Direct Travel for years I have had to look for a new insurer as they seem to have gone under.

It is remarkable how many insurers exclude off piste without a guide or instructor. At first this sounds sensible (going off into avalanche terrain is plain daft without local knowledge and safety kit) until you realise that their definition of off piste isn't just what the Americans call back country, but also means skiing just beyond the of edge of the piste on the bumps the instructors take you over or cutting 20 yards off the marked piste to your chalet.
How many of us have found ourselves off piste when the visibility is poor by accident? Is that covered?

I think it's pretty clear. If you not on the piste, you are off piste in the eyes of an insurer. The Ski Club of GB insurance covers for off piste, as does Dogtag. I've haven't researched any others. It's critical to read the small print in any insurance policy....

Need to get mine. Keep forgetting and I go away Sunday never know which is best so normally end up going with more than. iv claimed with them once, it's not ski related but they paid up quick with no problems. So I could only hope they do they same if an injury was to happen.

Just insured with Ski Club, seemed to be the best price around. Thanks for info guys id not heard of them before.