Compare Ski Travel Insurance Guide - The Definitive Guide for New Zealanders Heading Overseas

Updated 8 June 2023

Summary

Ski travel insurance, also referred to as snow sports cover by some insurers, is a specific type of coverage that caters to the unique risks associated with snow sports.
Ski travel insurance is sold as an add-on benefit to a general travel insurance policy. It provides financial protection for unexpected events related to your overseas ski trip, alongside other benefits for non-snow activities and events. For example, it typically covers accidents or injuries that occur on the slopes, damage or loss to ski equipment, and disruptions like piste closure due to adverse weather conditions. It might also cover additional expenses, such as rescue operation costs, if you get stranded or injured on a mountain.
Ski travel insurance is designed to enhance a standard travel insurance policy; however, buying a dedicated ski travel insurance policy is not always required - some general travel insurance policies include skiing and snowboarding inside ski resort boundaries. so it's important to compare policies in detail.
That being said, general travel insurance won't usually cover off-piste skiing or heli-skiing, and, rather surprisingly, neither will some specialised ski travel insurance policies. To avoid being unprotected, always scrutinise policy details to understand what is and isn't covered before buying any policy.
To help you find a policy with confidence, our research and price comparison looks at a range of quotes from 10+ insurers to help you find a policy for your needs.

To explain things clearly, MoneyHub founder Christopher Walsh looks at policies from Southern Cross and Tower in the video below, which offer different cover and pricing:

Important: Ski travel insurance typically won't cover the following:

When you're skiing or snowboarding off-piste, outside the boundaries of a commercial ski area that's currently open for use.
When you're not adhering to the notices or regulations published by the commercial ski area.
When you're not wearing a helmet while skiing or snowboarding.
When you're skiing or snowboarding professionally.
When you're engaged in a race, including time trials or any other event where timing is involved.
When you're participating in a competition where financial rewards are involved.

Factors Affecting Ski Travel Insurance Policy Cost

Every traveller is unique, and the price for a policy varies. Factors that influence the cost of a ski travel insurance policy:

Age and health of the traveller: Older travellers or those with pre-existing health conditions generally face higher premiums due to increased risk. Our guides to pre-existing conditions and travellers over 70 explain this further.
Destination: The cost of medical care varies worldwide, affecting the price of your policy. Some high-risk skiing destinations might also raise your premium. For example, policies for skiing in the USA cost more than those covering France, all other factors being the same.
Duration of the trip: Longer trips typically lead to higher insurance costs; if you travel overseas more than once a year, it may be worth considering an annual policy as it can work out cheaper (as long as you stay within the per trip day limit).
Coverage options chosen: Adding optional extras to your policy, like off-piste coverage, can increase the premium. Not all insurers offer this, and those who do need it will often see the cost of the policy increase significantly, given the higher risk of injury or accidents.
Existing medical conditions: Conditions that could increase the likelihood of a claim may lead to a higher policy cost. Our guide to pre-existing conditions has more details.
The level of risk involved in the skiing activities planned: High-risk activities like heli-skiing or backcountry skiing often require additional coverage, leading to higher policy costs.

What are the most common claims on ski travel insurance?

Ski travel insurance is designed to cover the specific risks unique to skiing and snowboarding where medical costs for injuries and accidents can be very expensive. Based on industry research (not specific to New Zealand policyholders), the most common claims usually involve:

Medical expenses: As expected, the most common claims are for medical expenses relating to injuries sustained on the slopes. This can include the cost of immediate medical treatment, medication, hospital stays, and medical repatriation if you need to be transported back to New Zealand.
Lost, stolen, or damaged equipment: Skiing and snowboarding equipment is expensive, and it's not uncommon for items to be lost, stolen, or damaged during a trip. Cover can, depending on your policy, include skis, snowboards, boots, helmets, and goggles.
Piste closure: If you cannot ski due to insufficient snow, high winds, or an avalanche leading to piste closure, you may be able to claim for the loss of skiing time, depending on your policy.
Cancellation and Curtailment: If you have to cancel or shorten your trip due to unforeseen circumstances such as illness, injury, or severe weather conditions, you can file a claim to recoup some of the costs.
Rescue Costs: In the event of a severe injury that requires rescue from the mountain, these expenses can be covered under ski insurance. Helicopter rescues, in particular, can be very costly.

Our research is unable to find instances of any issues around claims which we believe is due to the lack of policies being purchased given the niche nature of ski travel insurance. If you're buying a policy, please review what you're buying in detail - word for word. MoneyHub Founder Christopher Walsh explains how to read a ski travel insurance policy in the video below:

Choosing the Right Ski Travel Insurance Policy

Selecting the right ski travel insurance involves careful consideration, and with 20+ different options from specialist insurers, banks (via credit cards), travel agencies and airlines, there's a lot to compare.

Our research team looks at price and cover levels, but we also consider reputation, customer service, and the claim handling process (with information sourced from online reviews, where available). There's no benefit to buying a cheap policy from an insurer who is difficult to contact and slow or silent when paying claims. This January 2023 example of Southern Cross Travel Insurance's backlog of claims is an example of why you need to look at more than price or discounts before buying a policy, given a delay in paying claims can be stressful and cause financial hardship. There's no regulation around how fast travel insurers need to pay claims - this 2023 story about lost bags suggests claims will be paid per the insurer's processing priorities and not within any set number of days or weeks.

Important: Before buying any insurance, we suggest you read the policy details attentively to understand the coverage exclusions and limitations. For instance, some insurers might not cover accidents occurring off-piste or without a guide. Understanding the nuances of each policy ensures you're not caught out later with an injury or financial loss and no cover.

Excesses are also relevant and a driver of policy cost. The "$0 excess" option means you won't have to pay any upfront cost when you make a claim, but this increases the policy cost. Our research suggests the excess options are $0, $100, $200, $300 and $400 among many insurers, but some may limit the excess to $200. Our guide to travel insurance excesses has more details.

Best Ski Travel Insurance Policies - Prices and Comparison

Our research used the following examples:
Consider the following examples of different types of travellers and the unique considerations for each:

Young Solo Traveller (Off-Piste): Jack, a 25-year-old, plans a two-month ski adventure to Canada and the USA. He is a highly skilled skier and intends to explore some off-piste areas. Jack should look for a policy that covers off-piste skiing and provides substantial medical coverage, given North America's cost of healthcare.
Family on Holiday: The O'Connor family, a couple with two children (together aged 42, 42, 8 and 6), plans a week-long ski trip to Japan. As beginners, they'll mostly stay on the regular slopes and take ski lessons. Their policy needs to cover personal liability and medical expenses, with special attention to child coverage.
Senior Couple: John and Mary, a retired couple, both aged 66, are heading to Switzerland for a month, planning to engage in light skiing. Given their age and potential for higher health risks, they need a comprehensive medical coverage policy, including repatriation and rescue services.
Adventure Group: Five friends aged between 30-35 are off to the French Alps for a daring backcountry skiing expedition. Their trip includes high-risk activities, so their policy needs to cover these explicitly. They should also consider higher medical and equipment coverage due to the nature of their activities.

Ski Travel Insurance vs Standard Travel Insurance with Ski or Snow Cover

Depending on whether you're on a snow-specific holiday or skiing as one of many activities, you can save money by getting the most suitable insurance. Some standard travel insurance, e.g. insurance you'd use for an everyday travel, includes snow activities so you can avoid overpaying if the cover is suitable for your plans.

We explain the difference between ski and standard to help make sense of the options in the sections below:

What is Specialised Ski Travel Insurance?

Specialised ski travel insurance is designed specifically for winter sports enthusiasts. It typically provides comprehensive cover for various scenarios common in skiing and snowboarding holidays. Key features may include:

Medical expenses related to ski and snowboarding injuries
Coverage for your ski equipment, whether owned or hired
Reimbursement for unused ski passes and ski hire due to injury or illness
Piste closure cover
Avalanche and severe weather disruption coverage
Mountain rescue services, including helicopter evacuation

Since this type of policy is specialised, it usually costs more than standard travel insurance. However, it typically provides greater protection for the specific risks associated with skiing and snowboarding.

What is Standard Travel Insurance with Ski Cover?

Standard travel insurance with ski or snow cover is essentially a standard travel insurance policy that has been extended to include some aspects of skiing and snowboarding. The core coverage is often similar to standard travel insurance, protecting you from lost luggage, trip cancellation, and medical emergencies.

However, the ski cover extension may provide additional protection for a range of winter sports-related risks, including:

Medical expenses for skiing or snowboarding injuries
Coverage for ski equipment, but usually to a lesser extent than specialised ski insurance
Coverage for ski passes but may be more limited
Piste closure, but sometimes only if all pistes are closed

Know This: Buying a ski cover add-on might be suitable if you're planning a general holiday that includes a bit of skiing or snowboarding, but winter sports aren't the main focus of your trip. It might also be more cost-effective than specialised ski insurance if your needs are more general, e.g., sticking to the pistes and not adventuring into the backcountry.

Other considerations:

The choice between specialised ski travel insurance and standard travel insurance with ski cover depends on your specific needs, activities, and the level of risk you're comfortable with.
If skiing or snowboarding is the main purpose of your trip, and you want the peace of mind that comes from knowing you're covered for a wide range of winter sports-specific scenarios, specialised ski travel insurance might be the best option.
On the other hand, if skiing or snowboarding is just one of many activities you'll enjoy on your holiday, and you're comfortable with a slightly lower level of coverage for these activities, standard travel insurance with ski cover could be a suitable choice.
In either case, always read the policy wording carefully to ensure it covers everything you need. Policyholders get caught out (and suffer financially) when they don't understand the policy and have a claim denied - contact the insurer directly if you have questions or need clarification.

To help explain the finer details, MoneyHub Founder Christopher Walsh compares Ski Travel Insurance vs Standard Travel Insurance (with snow cover) in the video below:

Frequently Asked Questions

The questions below are general in nature and not insurance advice - always read the policy wording carefully to ensure it covers everything you need. Policyholders get caught out (and suffer financially) when they don't understand the policy and have a claim denied - contact the insurer directly if you have questions or need clarification.

Why do I need ski travel insurance?

Ski travel insurance covers specific risks associated with skiing and snowboarding that are typically not covered by regular travel insurance. These risks include injuries on the slopes, equipment damage or loss, and certain unforeseen circumstances, such as piste closures due to bad weather. Having ski travel insurance ensures you are financially protected from such unexpected events during your trip.

What's the difference between off-piste and on-piste skiing regarding insurance?

On-piste skiing refers to skiing within the boundaries of a ski resort, while off-piste skiing involves going outside these designated areas. Off-piste skiing is generally riskier and may result in more serious accidents. As such, not all ski insurance policies cover off-piste skiing or only cover it under specific conditions (e.g., when accompanied by a guide). Therefore, if you plan to ski off-piste, ensure your insurance policy covers this activity.

Can I get a policy that covers both skiing and snowboarding?

Yes, most ski travel insurance policies cover both skiing and snowboarding. However, double-check this with your insurer, particularly if you plan to engage in more extreme forms of these sports (e.g., freestyle skiing, heli-skiing, or snowboarding in a terrain park - you may be covered for one activity but not another).

Does ski travel insurance cover equipment rental?

Yes, most ski travel insurance policies cover equipment rental. This includes coverage for theft, loss, or damage to rented equipment. However, coverage limits may apply, so it's important to check the specifics of your policy.

What does 'piste closure' cover mean?

Piste closure cover is an aspect of ski travel insurance that compensates if you cannot ski due to inadequate snow, high winds, or an avalanche. The cover can compensate for the cost of travelling to an alternative resort or refund part of your package if skiing is impossible.

Are pre-existing medical conditions covered?

The coverage of pre-existing medical conditions varies between insurance providers. Some may cover certain conditions without additional charge, while others may require an extra premium. It's important to declare any pre-existing conditions when taking out your policy to ensure you're fully covered.

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