Chemmy Alcott Joins Foreign Office and ABTA In “Check Insurance” Warning

Four-time Winter Olympian and friend of J2Ski.com Chemmy Alcott has joined the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) and ABTA in recommending more Brits ensure they have insurance on the slopes this winter, and that if they do have insurance, they check it's adequate for their needs.

"With the winter season about to begin and millions of British nationals setting off to resorts across Europe and North America, we want to ensure that everyone enjoys their time in the mountains. ABTA's research suggests that almost a third of Britons are travelling without checking their insurance, so it's important to take note of our advice and #SkiSafe this season," said Michael Vibert, Head of Consular Communications, Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) are perhaps slightly optimistic in their figure of "millions" of Britons expected to hit the slopes this winter, but whatever the number, they're highlighting the findings of a new survey from ABTA which has found that nearly a third (31%) of travellers do not check whether they have the correct insurance to cover winter sports, such as skiing and snowboarding, before jetting off.

Those in the over 65 age bracket are most likely to travel without appropriate insurance, with more than half (55%) of this age group failing to check if they're covered for winter sports before they travel – well above the 31% average.

The younger end of the market, those aged 25-34, were found to be the most safety conscious in the study of 600 people, with less than a quarter (24%) travelling without ensuring they have suitable winter sports insurance.

There have been 45 British deaths from skiing and snowboarding holidays reported to the FCO in the last three years, with thousands more having suffered injuries both on- and off-piste.

To help raise awareness of the importance of being prepared, the FCO have teamed up with ABTA and former British Olympic skier Chemmy Alcott to provide this travel advice from pre-departure to après ski.

Chemmy Alcott's top ten tips for a safe trip this winter:

Pre-departure

• Take out comprehensive travel insurance with winter sports cover and check what it covers
• If heading to Europe, travel with a free European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) to get free necessary treatment at public hospitals
• Make sure your passport is valid before you travel
• Check the FCO's travel advice for the country you are visiting
• Keep up to date with the local weather conditions before you go and while you're in resort
In resort
• Stick with your mates when walking back to your hotel or chalet and follow the signed paths
• Only ski off-piste if you are a confident skier, aware of the risks and are with a qualified guid
• Wear a helmet
• Remember the effects of drinking alcohol increase at altitude – your judgment, coordination and reaction times may be affected
• Make sure you and your friends know that in an emergency, the number to call is 112 in Europe and 911 in USA

ABTA has advice for people heading on a winter sports holiday at http://abta.com/news-and-views/campaign-zone/winter-sports-tips

We have on J2ski a wide range of snowsport issues and subjects, ranging from resort info to having to be seen in the latest ski jacket.

Snowsport insurance is a rare discussion on J2ski, and yet, it must arguably be, among the most important of considerations. The last time I can remember the issue being discussed was a couple of years back, when j2skiers piled into a member who was quite relaxed about not being insured. Quite irresponsible. In one way, it was reassuring, in that J2skiers were predominantly strongly pro-insurance.

One statistic which I would query is the high percentage of over 65s, that are uninsured. A sample size of 600 is not really statistically reliable, but nevertheless, it is surprising. Generally, more experienced skiers have encountered many more ski incidents than those in the 20s and 30s.

One insurance issue that is frequently mentioned is off piste skiing. Many policies, probably most, state in order to remain insured, you must be accompanied by a qualified guide, or in some cases, by a ski instructor.

Yeah, right, that's going to happen. If you ski the wrong side of the boundary marker, you are off piste. I have skied the same area for 46 years, and I often dip into the trees at the side of the piste, or even nip onto one of the many little known routes through fields and farms, back to the village. Even in other resorts, I would be breaking the rules, especially if I am following Frau Mac, who has a yearning to get lost in the trees....

Avoidance of ski insurance is daft. Year on year competition has brought prices down. The cost of not being insured can be seriously wounding.

My current insurer is lead/owned by a skier. As such, they recognise the off piste issue, and reduce the qualification to one of recognising capabilty. I do not get financially penalised for skiing off piste.

There are other insurance issues. Should you have a medical or impairment issue, it is important to declare the issue. In recent years, I have done so, without being financially penalised, but the medical issue was examined, and acknowledged.

The cost of being insured, compared with the total winter ski coat is a peanut. The cost of not being insured can be life changing.

Also, on the J2ski page, alongside the ads, why not have a window with a Rules of Conduct. The rules are inadequate, but they are a good start. Every J2skier should be aware of them.