Winter sports enthusiasts should shop around for the most competitive travel insurance to cover risk of accidents and misadventures on and off the piste, writes Clare O'Dea
There are so many cautionary tales about skiing accidents that travel insurance is a priority for winter holidaymakers - but how do you know you are getting the best deal?
Winter sports enthusiasts should realise that they are not obliged to buy cover from the travel agent who sells them the holiday. It is almost always possible to buy cheaper insurance elsewhere.
The most important element of any travel insurance policy is adequate cover for medical expenses in case the worst happens. A good policy will typically cover you for up to €6.35 million (£5 million) in the event of illness or an accident. This should more than cover any treatment required or a flight home if necessary.
Some brokers advise that medical cover of €2.54 million should be enough for almost any eventuality in Europe. Travellers to the United States are advised to opt for a higher level of cover.
Personal accident and death cover is included in most policies and provides a payout in serious cases, such as loss of limb or permanent disability.
In a more litigious culture, personal liability cover is increasingly important - as collisions on the slopes are quite common. This covers the cost of any claims made against you or a member of your party if you are held responsible for any damage to property or personal injury to others. It is usually included as standard on all travel insurance policies. A good policy will cover personal liability up to €2.54 million.
Cancellation and curtailment cover is important, but ensure it is for a meaningful amount. There are restrictions on grounds which can be given for not travelling or ending the holiday early, something worth checking in advance.
The internet is a great resource for good value travel insurance. Getcover.ie and Ryanair.com emerged as the most competitive in the most recent survey by the Consumers' Association of Ireland. Getcover's standard winter sports holiday insurance costs €2.54 per day for Europe.
Apart from life and death issues, there are more mundane problems that can arise on ski holidays, such as theft. Before choosing a policy, skiers should examine the sections regarding equipment, baggage and money cover, and piste closure. Policyholders should not assume that skis will be fully covered, whether owned or rented.
Outdoor adventurers beware - you may not be covered in the event of an accident on an unrecognised run - or if a mishap occurs when taking part in an event out of the ordinary, such as riding a snowmobile.
With baggage, insurance companies rarely supply new-for-old cover, so the total repaid if baggage is lost will not be enough to replace the entire contents. The definition of valuables also varies and policyholders may be better off covering possessions through home contents insurance. Most insurance cover includes a policy excess, so you have to pay the first part of any claim yourself.
If you travel abroad more than a couple of times a year, an annual policy represents much better value than buying cover each time. Rates for annual worldwide travel insurance range from €95 to €155 per year for an individual, and €120 to €177 for a family.
If you are a frequent or long-stay traveller, look for any limit on the total number of days or days per trip covered by the policy. Some insurers have no limit on the total number of days spent abroad.
There is generally a limit of 17 days per year for winter sports cover.
Most insurers include winter holiday cover for no extra charge on annual policies. The number of children covered on family policies for no extra charge ranges from three to all children travelling.
During last winter's skiing season, some 42,000 Irish holidaymakers flew to destinations mainly in France, Italy, Austria and Spain to enjoy the amenities. Even more people are expected to take to the slopes this winter, and travel insurance is one of the best investments they will make.
