Ski and Snowboard Travel insurance

What is ski and snowboard travel insurance?

Snow-capped peaks are a playground until something goes wrong. That's where a 'Snow Sports and Activities' option may be appropriate. When the Snow Sports and Activities option is added to one of our policies, our travel insurance provides protection for claims made when you take part in winter sports. This means cover may be provided for injuries, equipment and any time lost because you couldn't get out on the slopes.

There are some important things that you may be covered for, such as damage to your snow gear, and some things that we don't, such as braving it down unmonitored trails. We'll go through most of the things you need to know about, but you'll need to read policy wording before you clip your skis into place.

Do I need ski and snowboard travel insurance?

Every year, tens of thousands of us go overseas to hit the slopes in the colder parts of the world. From ski schools in Canada to the wide-open runs of France, Australians can be found on pistes all around the world.

Zooming down an icy hill on planks is much riskier than lying by the pool in the sun all day. Each ski season, we receive hundreds of claims about broken bones, torn ligaments and dislocations from skiing accidents. Injuries sustained from snow sports can be serious and the cost of staying in hospital in some countries, such as America or Japan, is extortionate. Not to mention all the damaged snow sports equipment and lost ski passes that get reported regularly. With our Snow Sports and Activities option, you can be covered for all of these things and more.

What can the Snow Sports and Activities option cover?

If you're about to go on a skiing or snowboarding trip and you need to book cover, it helps to know exactly what you can claim. Along with all the benefits that come with a regular policy, like cover for overseas medical bills if you hurt yourself, the Snow Sports and Activities option can also protect you for a bunch of ski-specific benefits. When purchasing your travel insurance, you'll need to add the Snow Sports and Activities option to your policy and pay an additional premium to ensure you have protection for the added benefits this option can cover. This includes:

Snow sports and leisure equipment, whilst in use, for up to $700 per item or set

Snow skiing equipment replacement, either hired or your own, that needs to be replaced because of accidental damage, theft or permanent loss

Cover in case you can't use your equipment for more than 24 hours because it's been held in a delay or misdirected

Snow skiing prepaid costs, like ski school, lift passes and ski hire equipment

Piste closure reimbursement if you have pre-booked skiing facilities before your trip and it's completely closed because of adverse snow conditions, including the absence of snow

What snow sports are covered?

Our policy covers common and not-so-common snow activities, on and off-piste. For most of them, you'll need to have booked the activity through a guided tour provider or a licensed operator to be covered. For instance, if you and some friends decided to ride some snowmobiles out-of-bounds without a guide and you have an accident, you won't be covered. The snow sports included are:

Backcountry snow sports, including heli-skiing and cat skiing

Cross country skiing on marked trails; tobogganing (on-piste)

Snowmobiles when provided by the recognised piste authority for transport to and from areas designed for recreational skiing within resort boundaries

Ice/glacier walking (up to 3,000 metres), sleigh riding and dog sledding

Ski and snowboard travel insurance FAQs

What happens if I don’t take snow sports cover?

Your policy won’t cover you for any claims arising from your participation in skiing, snowboarding, dog sledding, tobogganing, etc. We may cover you if you have an accident building a snowman though, depending on where you build it. Cover is available for all other things as per the normal policy wording.

Can I add snow sports cover on later, once I've bought a policy?

Unfortunately, no. You need to add it at the time of purchase. If you’re on a longer trip and are only spending a few days in the snow, you might consider buying another policy just for those days that has snow sports cover on it.
There are some implications to consider when doing this - e.g. if you buy a shorter policy with snow sports and you injure yourself forcing cancellation of the rest of the trip, including pre-booked arrangements that fall within the period of insurance.
Please also note that purchasing once travel has begun also means a 72 hour waiting period is applicable.

Is snow sports cover just for medical expenses?

No. It gives you cover under many other benefits – for example, without snow sports cover, if you broke your leg and had to cancel a flight, a policy without snow sports cover would not cover that. It also gives you cover for some smaller things, such as compensation for piste closure; cancellation cover for snow gear hire, lift passes and ski school; hiring replacement ski gear if yours is lost, stolen or damaged (and the claim is accepted under the usual T&Cs); and for accidental damage to ski gear you hire.

Are there any snow sports that you don’t cover?

We don’t cover the following: racing; bobsleighing/bobsledding; luge; skeleton; tubing; ski acrobatics; ski jumping; skijoring; snow kiting; snow biking; snow rafting; ice hockey; ice climbing; activities on frozen lakes and rivers; any form of power assisted skiing; or any events that occur outside the normal ski season for the resort.

Read the policy wording for full terms, conditions and exclusions and to ensure the product suits your needs.