FCO and ABTA push ski safe campaign
ABTA has launched its winter sports holiday awareness campaign with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office to stop people going on ski trips without the right insurance.
It says 29% of ski or snowboarding holidaymakers will travel without being properly covered this year, putting themselves at risk of high medical bills.
The under 35s, the group most likely to take a winter sports holiday, are also the least likely to take out winter sports insurance with a third (32%) travelling without a policy.
This age group is the least likely to take out insurance for any type of holiday and ABTA research shows that one in five (19%) of 16-24 year olds and almost a quarter (23%) of 25-34 year olds think travel insurance is unnecessary, assuming the UK Government will pay for their treatment if they fall ill overseas.
In addition, a quarter (25%) of 16-24 year olds and 23% 25-34 year olds wrongly believe they don’t need insurance in Europe when they have a European Health Insurance Card.
Although useful to have, EHIC cards have their limitations and will not, for example, cover assistance on the slopes.
ABTA research shows that 18% of people planning a winter holiday this year are considering a winter sports break, an increase from 10% in 2012.
A number of lapsed skiers are also expected to return to the slopes this year. This group is urged to check that their insurance is up to date and that it includes winter sports cover.
ABTA also urged holidaymakers taking ‘winter wonderland’ breaks to Lapland to also be careful about what their insurance will cover.
Reindeer sleigh rides, snowmobiling and ice fishing may not be covered by a standard travel insurance policy.
Martin Redmond, from the Foreign Office’s Know Before You Go Team, said: "The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) provides support for British nationals that get into difficulties overseas.
"However, we cannot pay medical bills if you are hospitalised and we can’t arrange to fly you home. So do your research, get covered and read the small print to help ensure your winter sports break is one to remember for the right reasons."
ABTA has information and tips for holidaymakers at www.abta.com/skisafe
Bev
Editor in chief Bev Fearis has been a travel journalist for 25 years. She started her career at Travel Weekly, where she became deputy news editor, before joining Business Traveller as deputy editor and launching the magazine’s website. She has also written travel features, news and expert comment for the Guardian, Observer, Times, Telegraph, Boundless and other consumer titles and was named one of the top 50 UK travel journalists by the Press Gazette.
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