Call for an instant quote 0345 90 80 161
Open Mon to Fri 09:00 - 17:30 | Sat 09:00 - 16:00 (GMT)
27 November 2017 09:23
238,000 over 55s headed out on the slopes last winter
Almost two in five winter sports enthusiasts who are over aged 55 do not check that their travel insurance covers them, new research shows.
According to the travel trade organisation Abta, 38% of ski and snowboarding holidaymakers in this age category may not be covered in the event of an accident.
Comparatively, under a third (29%) of all age ranges do not check they have appropriate travel insurance for winter sports trips.
Wrong to assume automatic cover
Older travellers are increasingly favouring winter sports holidays, with around 238,000 people aged 55-64 estimated to have headed out on the slopes last winter.
This has doubled from the previous year, Abta has said.
With around 1.75 million Britons expected to go on a skiing or snowboarding trip this winter, the travel body is issuing a warning to ensure holidaymakers don't run the risk of being landed with costly medical bills.
Nikki White, Abta's director of destinations and sustainability, warns: "Many holidaymakers wrongly assume they are automatically covered for winter sports as part of their travel insurance but it is often not the case.
"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."
Injuries on the slopes
According to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO), thousands of winter sports enthusiasts are recorded as suffering injuries on the slopes.
Philippa Makepeace, The FCO's head of consular assistance, said: "We'd encourage everyone who is travelling to take just a few minutes to check that they are covered for all the activities they have planned and any medical conditions have been declared.
"This small step can help ensure that you get the support you need should anything go wrong, and avoid potentially huge costs if you are not appropriately covered.
Heading out on the slopes can be fun, and as you get older, its increasingly important to stay active. But it's also important to have plans in place should you sustain an injury on the slopes by taking out winter sports travel insurance.
19 February 2019
Hundreds of passengers have had their travel plans cancelled following the collapse of airline flybmi.
[more...]
16 February 2019
Holidaymakers were left fuming after a "lack of clarity" over Brexit led a Romanian airline to cancel flights from Liverpool's John Lennon Airport.
15 February 2019
British Airways celebrated Valentine's Day with a special flight where all members of the cabin crew were couples who work for the airline.
14 February 2019
The "concerning" level of stigma surrounding the human papilloma virus (HPV) could be putting some women off going for vital check-ups, campaigners are warning.
13 February 2019
Older people living with depression should be given better access to community activities and therapy instead of being prescribed antidepressants, researchers have urged.
12 February 2019
The Government has been criticised for failing to act on warnings about the link between processed meats and cancer, by the scientist who co-authored the original advice.
09 February 2019
A grandfather who has battled three types of cancer is cycling from Twickenham to Tokyo in time for the Rugby World Cup - all in aid of charity.
08 February 2019
Lovers of traditional fish and chips are embracing a more health-conscious version of their favourite food, a new study suggests.
07 February 2019
Two thirds of UK adults don't know they're able to lower their risk of developing dementia, new research has shown.
06 February 2019
More than 600 people a day are quitting their jobs to care for relatives, a charity has warned.
05 February 2019
Millennials in the US face an increasing risk of developing an obesity-related cancer, a new study has revealed.
02 February 2019
More than 100 people sought refuge at a pub high on Bodmin Moor overnight after heavy snowfall hit the A30, leading many stranded motorists to abandon their cars.