Travel insurance vital to avoid winter blues

Tuesday, November 1, 2005

Winter sports enthusiasts are being warned to make sure they have adequate cover for their sporting trips abroad this season.

Bradford and Bingley says that 14 per cent of the 1.2 million people who went to the slopes last year did so without adequate travel insurance.

"Travel policies vary considerably so everyone should carefully check their policy to ensure it gives them the right cover for all the activities they want to pursue," said Dave Foyle, head of general insurance at Bradford and Bingley.

"With the right insurance cover in place holidaymakers will be able to enjoy their winter sports safe in the knowledge that should anything happen they will be properly taken care of."

The company has said that treatment for a broken leg, for instance, could cost from £4,000 in France, to £20,000 in the US.

Once mountain rescue costs and flight costs are taken into account, the final bill could approach £25,000 – a costly accident.

According to the Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA), France is the most popular ski destination for UK holidaymakers.