Skiers told to shop around for insurance
Before hurtling down the slopes skiers have been advised to shop around for the best on their holiday insurance.
Before hurtling down the slopes skiers have been advised to shop around for the best price on their holiday insurance.
According to the British Insurance Brokers' Association (Biba) when purchasing winter sports extension packages it is always worth double checking what benefits different providers are offerings - as well as at what price.
The EHIC entitles the holder to rights to healthcare that become necessary during a temporary visit to EEA (European Economic Area) countries or Switzerland.
However, as many ski slopes are only facilitated by private clinics the ECIH is insufficient and they therefore need a travel insurance policy that will ensure if they hurt themselves on the slopes they have access to good medical care.
But despite the necessity of travel insurance for skiers new research by esure travel insurance has revealed the effects of the credit crunch are causing skiers to make cut backs that could be disastrous in the event of an accident
Its study found that nearly a fifth (18 per cent) would not buy travel insurance cover to save on the total cost of their winter sports holiday, while over a million (65 per cent) would consider shortening their trip to save money, choosing a weekend break or long weekend away rather than a full week.
Graeme Trudgill, technical and corporate affairs executive for Biba, said: "When you come to buy your skiing and winter sports extension, prices can vary."
He explained that some charge 30 per cent more, some charge 50 per cent more, some charge 100 per cent more, making shopping around a financially savvy thing to do.
"Speak to your insurance broker, they will find you somebody who isn’t going to double the price. They'll find someone who is going to do it at a sensible additional premium. So don't pay too much extra is probably my advice on that," added Mr Trudgill.
Figures released by the FCO back up the insurance expert's claims. The government department found that an emergency abroad can be extremely expensive.
If a holidaymaker needed to be returned to the UK it could cost them thousands of pounds, unless they are adequately insured.
For example an air ambulance from the US' east cost could cost between £35,000 and £45,000 while an air ambulance from the Canary Islands could total £12,000 and16,000.
Without the proper travel insurance a cheap holiday on the slopes could end up being very pricey - as well as painful.
