Over 55s least likely to check winter sports cover
Winter sports holidaymakers over the age of 55 are least likely to check whether they have taken out the right insurance for their trip.
Over a third of people (38%) in this age group who take winter sports holidays admit they never check that they are covered for winter sports, significantly above the average of 29%.
According to new research by ABTA, younger travellers take most care with their winter sports holiday cover, with only 14% of 18 to 24 year olds saying that they never check if they have the right insurance.
As 1.75 million Brits prepare to take winter sports holidays this winter, ABTA is encouraging Brits of all ages to stay safe and make sure they have appropriate insurance.
It comes as the Foreign and Commonwealth Office reported 118 hospitalisations and 58 British deaths from skiing and snowboarding holidays between 2012 and 2016, with thousands more having suffered injuries both on- and off-piste.
ABTA said winter sports holidays have experienced a particular growth in popularity among 55 and 64 year olds.
Its research shows 238,000 people in this age range reported taking a ski or snowboarding trip last year, double the number in the previous winter season.
ABTA has teamed up with the FCO and Ski Club to provide helpful advice, from pre-departure to après ski.
"Good preparation is the key to a successful ski holiday," said Nikki White, ABTA director of destinations and sustainability.
"Many holidaymakers wrongly assume they’re automatically covered for winter sports as part of their travel insurance – but it is often not the case, meaning thousands of people could be heading to the slopes without any cover. It is a costly business if you have an accident on the slopes and don’t have the right insurance to cover your medical bills."
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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