Call for an instant quote 0345 90 80 161
Open Mon to Fri 09:00 - 17:30 | Sat 09:00 - 16:00 (GMT)
10 December 2015 09:28
Appropriate insurance is vital for skiers and snowboarders
One in three British skiing and snowboarding enthusiasts are failing to check they have suitable winter sports travel insurance before heading off to foreign slopes, the results of new research suggest.
And it seems older skiers are much likelier to hit the slopes without the right cover than their younger counterparts.
The research has been carried out by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) and ABTA, who questioned 600 holidaymakers.
It suggests 31% of winter holiday fans are going abroad without checking they have an appropriate insurance policy.
But among holidaymakers aged 65 and above, the proportion who fail to do so is 55%. That is more than double the 24% of 25 to 34 year-olds who are failing to check they are covered for activities such as skiing or snowboarding.
According to the FCO, 45 British holidaymakers have died while on skiing or snowboarding holidays since 2012. Thousands more have sustained injuries either on designated ski and snowboarding slopes, or off-piste.
The FCO's head of consular communications, Michael Vibert, says with millions of Britons expected to visit the ski resorts of Europe and North America over the next few months, it wants to make sure they all enjoy their holidays.
He stresses that it is vital for skiers and snowboarders to follow the advice being issued by ABTA and the FCO, and check their travel insurance policies before going abroad.
ABTA's chief executive, Mark Tanzer, says people going on a winter sports holiday should be aware of the potential risks.
Appropriate insurance, he says, is vital as the cover may have to be used to foot the bill for expensive medical treatment and the cost of getting someone back home in the event of injury.
Having suitable cover, Mr Tanzer adds, will enable people to enjoy their skiing or snowboarding without having to worry about whether they are adequately insured.
25 May 2018
Two popular sunscreens become significantly less effective once the wearer has been in sea water, a watchdog has warned.
[more...]
24 May 2018
A recent report by Cancer Research UK claims young people who are exposed to just one extra junk food TV advert per week consume up to 18,000 extra calories every year.
Eating one egg a day may reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and strokes, according to a new study.
22 May 2018
Theresa May is to give a speech explaining how artificial intelligence will be used to help prevent 22,000 cancer deaths a year by 2033.
19 May 2018
A recent study in Taiwan has revealed that heart attacks occur more frequently in cold weather - with the figure increasing "dramatically" when the temperature drops below 15C (59F).
18 May 2018
A team of scientists have managed to successfully conduct a "memory transplant" between snails by transferring RNA, a form of genetic information, from one snail to another.
17 May 2018
A new study has found that certain types of exercise do not prevent the onset or worsening of dementia and may even contribute to further cognitive impairment.
16 May 2018
The average British child has visited four European cities and been on three long-haul holidays as well as skiing twice - all before their 10th birthday.
15 May 2018
Ethiopian Airlines has unveiled a new "landmark" route from Manchester Airport to the north African city of Ethiopia.
12 May 2018
Health experts have expressed concern at recent outbreaks of measles across England.
Cinema drinks contain "unacceptable" levels of bacteria
10 May 2018
The HPV vaccine offered to teenage girls has proved to be safe and effective in preventing the virus that causes cervical cancer, an independent review has revealed.