Everything You Need About Winter Sports Life Insurance Policy

Winter is around the corner, and it is a friendly reminder that there's a whole list of activities to keep you entertained and busy throughout the holiday. During this time, you may probably engage in rigorous sporting activities such as skiing, tobogganing, snowmobiling, snowboarding, or ice skating. A lot could happen, including getting injured, whether you’re at home or abroad. Winter sports accidents could be considered high risk, so a winter sports life insurance policy may come in handy when you encounter risks such as injuries. Here, we explore everything you need about winter sports life insurance policy. Keep reading.

Overview

Winter sports are competitive or recreational activities performed on ice or snow. It isn't easy to estimate how many people participate in winter sports every year because this depends on the type of activity and may vary from region to region.

However, statistics reveal that 18.1 million Americans participated in skiing in 2021. Although this is a decline from the previous year, quite a number of people still engage in this thrilling sport.

Along with the good times, winter sports injuries(in unfamiliar territory) are common and can happen to anyone. For example, a UK firm Global link study reveals that tourists are susceptible to injuries that can cost thousands of dollars to treat. Also, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, nearly 200,000 Americans received treatment for winter sport-related injuries in 2018.

These statistics are not meant to discourage you from getting out in the snow and playing your favorite sport. Instead, they are intended to show you that dangers are looming and you may need insurance to protect you and your family from risk.

Even for a low-risk recreational skier, a backcountry descent can come at a high cost.

Shopping For The Best Winter Sports Life Insurance

If you're traveling abroad, your standard travel insurance may cover lost luggage, medical costs, and cancellation. However, a winter sports life insurance cover could include winter sports-related risks such as;

● Loss of your sporting equipment
● Avalanche delay
● Personal liability for third-party injuries
● Mountain rescue
● Piste closure

As with other insurance policies, pay attention to limits to avoid surprises when making a claim.

Things To Keep In Mind When Taking Out Winter Sports Life Insurance

When taking out winter sports life insurance, here are some things to keep in mind.

The amount of deductible

A deductible is what you'll pay out-of-pocket when making a claim. First, you need to determine if the amount is applicable per individual in the case of a joint policy. Also, find out if different events have varying deductibles.

Notably, a higher deductible means lower premiums. You can consider increasing your deductible if you cannot afford to pay a higher deductible.

Coverage exclusions

Typically insurance policies offer different levels of coverage, and therefore, it's essential to check what your coverage provides. Some of the common policy exclusions include;

● Extreme winter sports;

Most policies cover skiing, snowboarding, ski racing, ski touring, and ski seasons. However, some policies may exclude extreme winter sports such as snowmobiling and tobogganing.

If you're going to engage in extreme sports, inform your insurer and find out if they are covered. If not, ask if you can bump up your cover with an add-on.

It would be more adventurous if you were aware of the coverage limits. Check your policy before beating your fellow skiers on the milk run because it may not cover anything outside what's written in black and white.

● Breaking rules

When engaging in extreme sports, especially skiing, some policies will have specific rules on going off-piste, including wearing helmets. So even though you should take precautions, it's crucial to determine whether you'll be covered should anything happen.

When booking your winter sports cover, find out where you can ski. Then, when you finally get to your destination, abide by the rules because some insurers may revoke the cover if you get in an accident in off-piste areas.

● Alcohol and non-prescription drugs

Most policies won't cover accidents that occurred under the influence of alcohol or non-prescription drugs. It's important to remember that the effects of alcohol may last longer, so even if it seems like only one glass of wine or beer went into your system late last night, it could be potent and increase your risk of an accident.

Cost of winter sports life insurance cover

Like other policies, the cost of winter sports life insurance depends on several factors, such as;

● Your preferred destination
● Type of winter sport you wish to engage in
● Your age
● Pre-existing medical conditions
● How long you'll be sporting

Nonetheless, when traveling with your family or a group, you can save on the insurance cost by taking a joint winter sports cover. In addition, some insurance providers may offer discounts for group policies than individual covers for each person.

Further, if you travel a lot, you can save money by getting an annual cover instead of taking out a single-trip policy. Some providers may provide discounts for yearly covers.

Most Important Safeguards

Regardless of winter sports life insurance reasons, as an avid snowboarder or skier, you and your family must be protected in an emergency. Some of the essential safeguards of winter sports insurance include the following;

Comprehensive coverage

If you already have travel insurance, notify your provider that you'll be participating in winter sports. Because standard policies will likely not include winter sports, you may need to add more money to your coverage. If your yearly plan doesn't cover winter sports, add it, as this may be cheaper than purchasing a separate cover.

When flying to snowy areas, you may get stranded for one or two days and probably seek extra accommodation. Because such troubles are likely to occur, check if your policy has such provisions. You must also check if your cover includes additional accommodation and delayed departures.

Additionally, check if government restrictions exist on your preferred destinations because most policies may be void if you travel there. Still, a worldwide travel cover is ideal because it may include many destinations and not just specific countries.

Accident insurance

Often, you may get a few bruises when skiing on soft powder snow or mountains.

However, you could get into an accident - when racing down the piste at high speed and in tight curves- placing a psychological and financial burden on you and your family. For life insurance reasons, it is best always to be prepared.

Accident coverage protects you and may include daily hospital allowance and broken bone benefits.

In addition, most policies have a disability benefit if the accident is very severe and if it causes permanent impairment. Further, life insurance policies typically have the death benefit payable to surviving dependents should the worst happen.

Accident coverage may also cover rescue and salvage costs, especially in the mountains, which can be complex and expensive.

Ski and snowboard coverage

Usually, ski and snowboard insurance are limited to protecting winter sports equipment. However, when signing up for your policy, you must pay attention because carriers may also offer rental coverage.

Depending on the policy, your winter sports insurance covers could cover the following risks;

● Transport damage
● Accidental damage
● Robbery and theft
● Fire, storm, and other natural hazards

Check if your policy allows claims for your sports equipment and other personal items. Also, check if there's a single-item limit. On the same note, some providers may not pay if you lose your equipment due to negligence.

Liability insurance

Things can get chaotic in the mountains, and keeping track is not always easy.

Personal liability insurance protects you from claims for damages by third parties. It mostly pays for justified personal injury, property damage, and financial loss and fends off unjustified claims.

Check if your cover includes personal liability to protect you should you accidentally injure another person on the slopes or cause damage to other people's properties.

Health coverage

Your winter sports life insurance should include health coverage to pay for medical expenses incurred when sporting. Rescue costs can be high, especially if stuck up in the mountain. Don't skimp on rescue and repatriation services when taking out your policy. Ensure your policy covers these two.

Conclusion

If you're an extreme winter sports enthusiast, you may want to smash some trails and experience dangerous rounds. As fun as it may sound, don't forget to read your policy document because not everything you do during the next big dump may be covered. There may be some excursions which you must be aware of. Most insurers often emphasize the need to wear helmets and protective gear. Therefore, get proper equipment because old and faulty items may increase your risk of accidents. Lastly, shop around, compare quotes and get the best deals!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Aleksandra Djurdjevic          

Senior Content Creator

Aleksandra Djurdjevic is a senior writer and editor, covering snowboarding, skiing and trends in outdoor winter activities. She has previously worked as ESL teacher for English Tochka. Aleksandra graduated from the Comparative Literature department at the Faculty of Philosophy in Serbia. Aleksandra’s love for the mountains, getting out in the snow on her board, season after season, seeking wild snow adventures across the globe helps her continue to be a top expert at CSG.