Travel Update

Get Covered in Snow

The nature of a winter sports holiday is risky on many fronts, so if you're planning a ski or snowboarding holiday, you are going to need travel insurance. Whether you're lucky enough to be setting off on an overseas ski holiday or just a weekend break to the mountains, knowing you have adequate cover will offer peace of mind so that you can relax and enjoy the snow.

A standard travel insurance policy will cover you for all the usual stuff, but when it comes to ski and snowboarding holidays, most insurers have some restrictions. These restrictions can be removed by paying an additional premium to include winter sports or alternatively, you can take out a policy with an insurer that specializes in ski holidays.

Here are some important factors to consider:

Medical treatment and evacuation Medical cover is vital. Without sufficient cover, the cost for treating a ski injury can be scarier than the steepest black run. It is important to check that you are covered for both medical treatment and evacuation. A helicopter ride off a snowy mountain in Europe could set you back upwards of A$10,000.

Ski Equipment & Hire Ski equipment is expensive to replace or repair. Having a good level of cover for accidental loss, damage or theft can offer great relief. Most insurers will cover your own ski-equipment under luggage/personal effects provided you have opted to include winter sports. Individuals with their own equipment should look for a policy that not only covers their personal effects, but one that covers the cost to hire replacement equipment so that you don't miss out on precious time on the slopes. If your equipment is worth more than $700, most insurers will cover you but you must specify these individual items.

Piste Closure Piste closure could make for a very disappointing holiday. Look for a policy that covers you for travel to an alternative location or offers compensation when your pre-booked resort is closed.

Bad Weather and Avalanche Closure Mother nature doesn't always go along with our plans and you may find yourself having to cancel pre-paid activities and stuck indoors due to adverse weather conditions. Check that you are covered for travel delays, additional expenses and cancellations.

Ski Pack Reimbursement Some insurers offer reimbursement for unused prepaid ski passes, equipment hire and ski tuition fees if you get sick, are injured or your ski pass is stolen.

Most importantly, understand your policy. Read the small print or contact your insurer to confirm that all planned activities are covered prior to purchasing your policy. Activities such as ski and snowboard jumps, stunts, mountaineering, heli-skiing/boarding, ice hockey, speed skiing, cresta run or the use of bobsleighs are rarely covered.

Artog has done most of the ground work for you and provides a snapshot comparison of insurers offering varying degrees of winter sports or ski insurance policies.

If you want peace of mind and don't want to wipe out your savings with a fall on the slopes, get covered in snow!

Iceland Volcanic Ash Cloud

Whilst the eruption of Ejfjallajokull that covered Europe in ash (causing worldwide air traffic chaos) may have finally stopped, experts believe that it is too early to declare the volcano as dormant. Insurance companies still consider the volcanic eruption as a known or foreseeable risk.

This means, you will NOT be covered for cancellation, rearrangement or additional expenses that arise from the volcanic eruption and associated ash clouds on any policy purchased on or after 16 April 2010*.

In order to address your queries and to help you compare policy coverage, we've compiled the following list** showing each insurer's policy on the eruption:

Insurer	Underwriter	Policy Update	Telephone
Columbus Direct	Lloyds of London	Link not available¹	1300 669 999
Insure4Less	Lloyds of London	view exclusion policy	1300 769 810
i-Trek	AIG Australia	view exclusion policy	1300 884 430
Travel Insurance Web	Lloyds of London	Link not available¹	61 2 9463 3344

¹An exclusion policy update for this insurer has not been provided, however they are underwritten by same company as other insurer so same exclusion policy is likely to apply. Please contact the insurer directly for confirmation.

Whilst we're all stuck with this exclusion, remember that taking out a travel insurance policy still covers you for medical, personal liability and personal effects claims – as well as cancellation not related to the volcano. If anything, recent events highlight the importance of always traveling with coverage.

Artog.com.au allows you to instantly compare travel insurance from multiple insurers and save.

* The date varies slightly between different insurers and may change at any time. For policies taken out prior to the 14th or 16th April, depending upon insurer, you may be covered.

** Artog has used its best endeavours to ensure the accuracy of this information, however please check directly with an insurer before considering or purchasing their policy.