Britons are being warned against "falling down the slippery slope" of embarking on winter sports holidays without taking out adequate travel insurance.
Post Office travel services says skiers and snowboarders without the necessary travel insurance could face huge medical bills if they should have an accident on the pistes.
The travel insurance provider found that 32 per cent of insurance claims made in 2004/05 were by winter sports enthusiasts visiting French resorts.
Medical costs accounted for a third of the winter sports travel insurance claims made last year, Post Office travel services reveals, adding that the average cost of such a travel insurance claim amounted to £1,200.
Luggage that was lost or stolen accounted for 16 per cent of the travel insurance claims made over the last year, with one travel insurance claim in ten made for a cancellation or non-departure.
Those without travel insurance run the risk of having to pay for expensive hospital costs, repatriation, compensation or lost or broken equipment themselves.
"Although it's great fun, a winter sports holiday does carry more risk than a relaxing beach holiday as accidents can easily happen on the slopes," says Hugh Stacey, the Post Office's head of travel services.
He says travel insurance for winter sporting activities should be in place before people start their journeys, "to avoid any painful and costly surprises this ski season".
The Post Office Ski and Winter Sports travel insurance policy offers cover for injury, damaged or stolen equipment and resort closure, as well as transportation to another resort if there isn't enough snow.
A wide range of winter sports is also included in the travel insurance cover.
Travel insurance warning about slippery slope
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Travel insurance warning about slippery slope
Tue, 24 Jan 2006
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