Understanding a policy

These are just some of the main things you may want to consider when choosing a travel insurance policy. It’s essential to read the combined Financial Services Guide and Product Disclosure Statement (including Policy Wording) CAREFULLY to decide if the cover is right for you.

Medical emergencies & evacuation while overseas

This is one of the most important reasons for buying travel insurance as overseas medical expenses can get pricey in ski resorts where you may have to travel to the nearest town for medical attention.

Skiing and snowboarding can be dangerous on and off the slopes: out of control people that appear out of nowhere, trees that don’t move and “snow snakes” that trip you over – just a few of the things than can cut short your trip and send you to the nearest hospital or medical centre.

Hospital costs in the USA can approach $10,000 per day, while medical evacuations to Australia can easily exceed $100,000. The cost of a travel insurance policy suddenly seems like small change, and is infinitely better than having to re-mortgage your house to bring loved ones home.

Bad weather, resort closure and travel delay

We love it when it snows, particularly if it is followed by a blue-bird day. However, if the weather is really bad and the entire resort has to close, then your insurance policy should pay you. Plus, it should pay for reasonable extra travel and accommodation if an avalanche or bad weather delays your arrival or departure from the resort.

Prepaid ski lessons, equipment hire & ski school costs

If you are seriously injured or ill and can not ski or board for 24 hours, your insurance should pay for any non-refundable, pre-paid ski equipment hire, lift passes and ski-school lessons.

Luggage and ski equipment hire

If your personal belongings, luggage or equipment is lost in transit, doesn’t arrive when you do, or is stolen or broken, there should be cover to pay for the hire of alternative gear so you can get on the slopes faster.

If you don’t own your own gear and need to hire your equipment (skis, snowboards and bindings; poles; helmets; ski or snowboard boots or ice skates), you should make sure that you’re covered if you accidentally lose it, break it, damage it or someone steals it.

Cancellation

This section of a policy covers you for cancellation costs if you if have to cancel your trip under certain circumstances. For example, if you are injured or sick and cannot go on your snow holiday, there is cover for your prepaid travel and accommodation and any fees your travel agent may charge you to cancel your trip on your behalf.

The important thing to remember here is that for this section of the policy to be useful, you have to buy the policy when you start booking tickets and not the week before you leave.

Personal liability

Getting sued is perhaps not the best way to remember your snow holiday. If you accidentally run into someone on the slopes and they are injured; you fall against an expensive car and scratch it; your kids step on someone’s hand while in their ski boots or you forget to keep your pole tips in front of you and poke someone in the eye, the liability section of your insurance policy should cover your legal costs (which can be substantial).