You may never have even heard of winter sports travel insurance, but if you are one who loves winter sports and activities it is definitely something you need to look in to. This type of insurance is specifically designed to cover the needs of individuals who may be searching for snowboarding or ski coverage. If you believe that your regular travel insurance will cover you should anything happen while you are participating in these types of sports, you should check carefully – you may be surprised.
While you naturally hope for the best and think nothing will ever happen to you, that is what most people who become involved in accidents believe as well. Winter sports travel insurance covers you should the unforeseen occur, and something does go wrong that causes you to be injured while participating in risky sports such as skiing and snowboarding. These days, many people over the age of 65 choose to stay active well in to later years, and coverage is essential. In every instance, it is always better to be well prepared; you would rather err on the side of caution than to be sorry later when you have mounting medical bills that your regular travel insurance will not cover.
Winter sports travel insurance often covers other expenses, even those related to loss of equipment like skis and snowboards. All sports contain a certain element of risk, but some put you at potentially greater risk of becoming injured. For example, you would not think that volleyball or badminton pose nearly the dangers of an accident as snowboarding or skiing do. This is why it is important that you know exactly what is covered when you plan a holiday or vacation – you want to be insured no matter what the future holds, though you hope you don’t have to use it.
Sports activities that include a slightly higher element of risk are often much 
more exciting; they give you an adrenalin rush and natural “high.” With skiing or snowboarding, you may decide to try a slope that is more difficult or hazardous than those you normally ski on. What could happen to you? Any number of things – you may lose your balance and fall, hit a tree, even flip over an embankment. Unforeseen accidents cause thousands of injuries every year, and while you hope this never happens to you, it’s better to be well prepared. This is why you may want to research winter sports travel insurance prior to your next vacation.
Some winter sports travel insurance policies also cover your costs in the event that you lose your ski pass or it gets stolen. You may also find that certain policies will cover the costs if you must move to a different resort due to a lack of snow, too much snow or weather conditions that make your activities unsafe.
Whether your passion is skiing, snowboarding, ice skating or tobogganing, there is always a risk involved; the chance that you may break a hip or leg or even worse are greatly elevated when you participate in more dangerous sports. Does this mean you have to give up your fun hobby? Absolutely not – it just means that you should be thoroughly prepared for whatever comes your way, even the most unexpected. Being covered by winter sports travel insurance will help you enjoy your holiday even more, because your mind will be at ease knowing that whatever happens, you won’t be left with enormous medical bills or equipment expenses that your regular travel insurance may not cover.
Mark South
Age Concern Travel Insurance