Planning a skiing or snowboarding holiday? Winter sports can bring additional risks that aren’t necessarily covered by standard travel insurance, so it’s important to check that your policy includes the cover and activity level you need before you head to the slopes.
With Covered2Go, Winter Sports Cover is added to an eligible Single Trip or Annual Multi-Trip policy alongside the appropriate Sports & Activities level. Here’s how it works, what it may cover and some of the things to check before you travel.
For general guidance on arranging travel insurance, you can also read the UK Government’s foreign travel insurance guidance.
Do You Need Winter Sports Travel Insurance?
If you’re planning to ski, snowboard or take part in other winter activities, you should check that they are specifically covered by your travel insurance.
Winter sports can involve risks that don’t apply to an ordinary sightseeing holiday, such as damage to ski or snowboard equipment, equipment delays, piste closures and injuries while taking part in an insured activity.
With Covered2Go: Winter Sports Cover is not a standalone policy. It works alongside your main Single Trip or Annual Multi-Trip policy and the appropriate Sports & Activities level.
How Does Covered2Go Winter Sports Cover Work?
When arranging your policy, you’ll need to make sure your winter-sports plans are covered in three areas:
Choose your main policy
Choose an eligible Single Trip or Annual Multi-Trip policy and the level of cover that meets your needs.
Add Winter Sports Cover
Select Winter Sports Cover when arranging your policy so the extension is shown on your Certificate of Insurance.
Check your activity level
Make sure every activity you plan to take part in is included at the appropriate Sports & Activities level.
Covered2Go’s Winter Sports extension applies when Sports & Activities Level 3 or Level 4 is selected. Conventional skiing and snowboarding are currently listed at Level 3, while some higher-risk winter activities are listed at Level 4.
Always check the current Policy Wording for your specific activity, as special conditions and exclusions may apply.
What Can Winter Sports Cover Include?
Depending on the cover level selected, the Covered2Go Winter Sports extension can include benefits for:
Winter sports equipment
Eligible cover for your own or hired winter sports equipment if it is lost, stolen or damaged during the trip.
Replacement equipment hire
Eligible hire costs where your equipment is lost, stolen, damaged or delayed for more than 12 hours on your outward journey.
Winter sports pack
Eligible unused ski school, resort or lift-pass and equipment-hire costs in the circumstances set out in the policy.
Piste closure
Eligible cover where on-piste skiing at your pre-booked resort is unavailable due to lack of snow, excessive snow or avalanche conditions.
Benefit limits vary depending on whether you choose Silver, Gold or Platinum cover.
You can see the current limits and full details on our Winter Sports Travel Insurance page.
What About Medical Expenses, Cancellation and Other Cover?
Your main Covered2Go travel insurance policy provides the wider benefits available with your chosen cover level. These are separate from the additional benefits provided by the Winter Sports extension.
Depending on your policy, wider benefits may include:
- Emergency medical expenses
- Eligible search and rescue costs
- Cancellation and curtailment
- Baggage and personal belongings
- Certain travel-disruption benefits
The relevant policy section, benefit limits, excesses, conditions and exclusions will apply to any claim.
What About Off-Piste Skiing?
Off-piste skiing generally means skiing away from marked or groomed pistes.
Under the current Covered2Go Policy Wording, off-piste skiing is excluded unless you are skiing within the ski-area boundaries of a recognised ski resort and following ski-patrol guidelines.
Check before you ski: activities such as backcountry skiing, terrain-park skiing and other higher-risk winter activities may have different activity levels, special conditions or exclusions. Always check your Policy Wording and Certificate of Insurance before taking part.
You should also follow resort regulations and ski-patrol guidance, use appropriate safety equipment and avoid closed or restricted areas.
What Might Not Be Covered?
Every policy has limits, conditions and exclusions. Depending on your activity and circumstances, cover may not apply where:
- The required Winter Sports Cover or activity level has not been selected
- You take part in an excluded activity or competition
- You enter areas closed or restricted by the resort or ski patrol
- You don’t follow applicable safety requirements or resort regulations
- Required evidence or documentation for a claim cannot be provided
The Policy Wording also specifically excludes competition, freestyle skiing or snowboarding, ski or snowboard jumping, ski-flying, acrobatics, stunting, racing and national-squad training.
For full details, read the Covered2Go Policy Wording.
Examples of Situations That May Lead to a Winter Sports Claim
Depending on the circumstances and cover selected, winter-sports-related claims could arise from situations such as:
- An injury while taking part in an insured skiing or snowboarding activity
- Loss, theft or damage to eligible ski or snowboard equipment
- Equipment being delayed on the outward journey
- An eligible illness or injury affecting prepaid winter-sports activities
- Eligible piste closure at a pre-booked resort
Whether a claim is covered will always depend on the applicable policy section, the circumstances and the supporting evidence provided.
Tips for Choosing Winter Sports Travel Insurance
✓ Check every activity you’re planning
Make sure each sport or activity is included at the appropriate Sports & Activities level.
✓ Add Winter Sports Cover
Check that Winter Sports Cover and the correct activity level are shown on your Certificate of Insurance.
✓ Compare cover levels
Check the benefit limits available with Silver, Gold and Platinum and choose a level that meets your needs.
✓ Check your geographical area
Make sure every country on your itinerary is included within the geographical area on your policy.
✓ Keep your evidence
Receipts, reports and confirmation from the resort, airline, hire company or other relevant provider may be needed if you make a claim.
For additional practical advice before travelling, you can read ABTA’s winter sports holiday guidance.
Ready to Hit the Slopes?
A skiing or snowboarding holiday can involve risks that an ordinary trip may not, so it’s important to arrange the right combination of travel insurance, Winter Sports Cover and Sports & Activities level for the activities you’re planning.
Check your policy documents before travelling and make sure your destinations, activities and optional cover are shown correctly.
Planning a Winter Sports Holiday?
Compare Covered2Go cover levels, add Winter Sports Cover and make sure your planned activities are included at the appropriate level.
Cover is subject to eligibility, the premium paid, benefit limits, excesses, activity levels, terms, conditions and exclusions. Please read the Policy Wording carefully to ensure the cover meets your needs.
