Ski insurance for beginners

Sorry if I've posted this in the wrong place, but I need some advice please!

I'm going on my first ever ski trip in January, and I'm really worried about getting travel insurance. I usually just use the cover through my bank, but they don't cover skiing.

Can anyone recommend someone decent? I don't want to fall and hurt myself (because I probably will), only to find that my insurance isn't worth the paper it's written on!!!

:?:

Dogtag are worth a look:

http://www.dogtag.co.uk/home.aspx

You can build up a quote on their site.

Are you sure. My Bank (BS) give a standard travel insurance but if you ring them you can upgrade for winter sports cover

Upgrade through you bank. Just ring them.

It's still worth getting and carrying an EU Health Insurance Card - we found that this can streamline processing at the A&E reception. Switzerland has reciprocal arrangements, so it can be useful there as well. It doesn't remove the need for extended insurance to cover helicopter evacuation, repatriation flights etc. as well as the obvious damage and loss, but it is worth having, and it costs nothing.

Re insurance: do read the small print and check that what is important to you is covered. Personally, I don't trust cheap extensions to 'free' insurance - I think you get what you pay for. After a bad experience on a claim with The AA, I switched to Direct Travel.

I agree with the EHIC card. I always carry it in my wallet. As for the "free" bank insurance I could not disagree more. 2 seasons ago I got carried off on the blood wagon. Th "free insurance" paid up within 2 weeks of me getting back and did not even want the invoices I had collected. Maybe I was just lucky. So read all the stuff before you sign up

Winter sports insurance needs to be thought about carefully. I have witnessed really experienced skiers who did not think too deeply about the different aspects. One friend was given a bill for a £3000 helicopter fee ~ he was skiing on an established off piste run, but one which the lift company declared as "outside the area". He was saved by a friendly instructor who vouched that the ski school used the run.

The start point should be asking the bank what the charge would be for adding winter sports.

Then go to moneysupermarket.com/travel insurance/quote. Complete the details, and you will find that for Europe you ought to be able to get a weeks winter sports insurance for between £10/£15. I am not validating any of the companies proposed, but it will give a price indicator.

There will be decisions to be made ~ the amount of excess you are willing to pay, the cover value, the repatriation details.

One often overlooked issue, which generally does not to affect a beginner is that of skiing off piste. Many insurances will only allow cover, when skiing with a qualified guide. I will only insure where this is not a restraint ~ but how many people ignore this issue, then go dipping off piste?

I don't give any credence to insuring skis. I keep several pairs of skis in Austria, and in other countries mostly take some with me. Few people ski on new equipment every year, and yet, by the time the skis are 3/4 years old, you may only expect about 20/30% of the initial cost ~ oh, and after 4 years, do you still have the receipt???
The exception is when I plan to hire skis, then I will consider ski cover. You need to way this up, c/w the €2/day insurance cost with the hire company.

Finally, do declare any medical conditions you may have had, however seemingly irrelevant. It is a frequent get out method for insurance companies.

Thank you so much for all the advice! I really appreciate your help.

I just wanted to give you an update - I am now insured and ready for my trip!

I took your advice and did loads of research on Saturday - and ordered my EHIC (I feel like an expert now!) I ended up buying a proper winter sports policy from a company called Holidaysafe.

They had good reviews and I was happy with the price - I even paid an excess waiver just in case I do fall (thanks for the tip Dave Mac).

Thanks again everyone and have a great Christmas! :D