J2Ski Forum Posts and Replies by Smokey Barr

A member of my party was injured last year. Called an ambulance, showed his EHIC card, went to hospital, got better, went home.

Granted this wasn't on the slope, but if it had the exact same would have happened. Shipped to the local hospital, got better, go home. No fancy helicopters, no fancy private clinic hospitals, just went to hospital and got fixed.

No need for travel insurance at any time...

As for repatriation... I'll take my chances.

This is similar to the helmet debate. You either want it, or you don't. Some say it's better to be safe than sorry, others will be happy to take the risk, all be it a small one.

The EHIC doesn't work for private hospitals, transportation, etc.

I'm not sure about private hospitals (as long as I'm fixed I couldn't give a toss if I have my own room or not), but it does include transport to the hospital by ambulance. So as long as I can get off the mountain (ski stretcher) I'm sorted.

Of course we are all also forgetting the European Travel Insurance Card, which unless I'm mistaken offers free emergency medical treatment in all 27 European states...

Private travel insurance will also cover personal belongings, but I'm confident I will get my kit to and from the airport in one piece. Yes there is a risk it could get stolen/damaged on the slope, but again I feel the insurance price outweighs the risk.

As for having a drink skiing limit, well, where do you stop? What if I've had a few, and have to run for a bus and in the process knock an old lady down who bangs her head and suffers irreversible brain damage? Was that just an accident, or was the drink to blame?

sheeesh... It's no wonder we live in a bubble wrapped, no blame no claim nanny state!!

Accidents happen. I will be enjoying my holiday with the odd pint on the slopes, and a good few in the evening. I'm sure I, and everyone else will return unharmed and all the better for it.

What did we do before these thieving insurance companies were around anyway??

But your cover is void if you have a beer apparently...

Hang on a minute, who's life have I wrecked??!! Maybe they skied into me!

If an accident was my fault, I would be more than happy to pay compensation. But why should I pay for something that may never happen, and may not be my fault. If someone hurtles into me, I'd expect them or their insurance to pay out.

I have insurance on my scooter because I have to. I have never had to make a claim...

All valid points, but I still won't be getting insurance. I just think the chances of me needing to use it, weighted against it's cost aren't worth it...

I may live to regret it, but haven't until now.

Besides, whats the point. I intended to have a good time in the evenings, and I will be having a few jars during the day on the slope. It appears my insurance would be void if I enjoyed myself this much...

Its obviously up to you but I think skiing without insurance is lunacy.

But is it? Considering how long it takes for alcohol to leave your system (http://www.nhs.uk/chq/Pages/853.aspx?CategoryID=87&SubCategoryID=871) and the fact I have every intention of enjoying my apres, and a few cheeky ones on the slope, my insurance would be useless...