With many UK holidaymakers seeking comprehensive insurance solutions to cover ski and snowboard trips, rising costs, stricter policy conditions, and climate-related challenges require brokers to be proactive when guiding clients through their options and ensuring they understand the limits of their cover. This article explores key considerations for brokers advising on insurance for winter activities in 2025.
- Medical & Evacuation Costs are on the Rise
The cost of medical treatment abroad, particularly for winter sports injuries, has risen substantially. For instance, a leg fracture could cost more than £7,500 in Europe, whilst airlifting a client from the slopes in the US or Canada can exceed £10,000. Without sufficient coverage, these costs could fall on the client, compounding the emotional distress of being injured abroad and, potentially, resulting in financial difficulties.
Key considerations for brokers:
- Ensure clients understand that standard travel policies may have maximum limits for medical costs and may not cover the full cost of certain treatments or repatriation.
- Highlight the importance of emergency rescue cover; may assume local services are free when, in reality, private medical care is often the only option.
- Discuss whether their chosen policy covers emergency repatriation to the UK and why this may be significant, as the client may not realise that this is excluded.
- Inflation is Driving Up Premiums
The cost of insurance is rising, with insurers reassessing their pricing models to reflect increased claims, medical inflation, and higher operational costs.
Key considerations for brokers:
- Clients may push back on rising premiums, looking to cut costs in the short term. However, brokers should focus on demonstrating value and suitability of coverage rather than product cost. Break down the benefits of comprehensive policies and highlight to clients that not selecting coverage which aligns with their needs it may result in higher costs later down the line should they have a claim rejected or face a risk that breaches the limits of their coverage.
- Offer comparisons to demonstrate how cutting corners on cover (e.g., opting out of winter sports add-ons) could result in significant expenses.
- Stricter Policy Conditions
Winter sports insurance policies are tightening their terms, particularly around:
- Off-piste skiing: Many policies only cover this if it is done with a qualified guide.
- Alcohol exclusions: Any injury sustained while under the influence of alcohol may be excluded.
- Pre-existing conditions: some policies now require the health of the policyholder to be confirmed prior to travel.
Key considerations for brokers:
- Ensure clients disclose all medical conditions and understand the importance of being transparent. Many assume that minor conditions don’t need to be declared, but even relatively common conditions such as asthma could affect claims.
- Explain the nuances of off-piste cover; clients may believe they’re covered anywhere on the mountain, when, in fact, some policies have strict geographical limitations.
- Advise clients on responsible skiing. Alcohol-related exclusions are a growing theme, especially in après-ski hotspots.
- Demand for Comprehensive Winter Sports Cover is Growing
While winter sports insurance was once a niche add-on, demand is growing for policies that automatically including key protections such as:
- Piste closure cover: Compensates clients if lack of snow forces them to travel to another resort.
- Equipment cover: Protects against theft or damage to personal and rented ski gear.
- Personal liability: Covers accidental injuries caused to other on the slopes which can result in costly legal claims.
Key considerations for brokers:
- Consider bundled policies that include all winter sports essentials rather than relying on multiple add-ons, which can lead to gaps in cover.
- If a client is travelling with expensive personal ski gear, recommend a policy that includes high-value item protection.
- Highlight the risks of not having personal liability cover; clients often underestimate the financial exposure that can result if they injure somebody else.
- Climate Change Is Increasing Piste Closure Claims
Unpredictable snowfall has resulted in more clients claiming compensation for piste closures. Some policies include compensation for alternative resort travel, while others are tightening restrictions.
Broker Insight:
- Check the specifics of piste closure cover—some policies only compensate if the resort is fully closed, not if only certain runs are affected.
- Consider policies that cover alternative activities, such as snowshoeing or glacier skiing, if snowfall is poor.
- Set realistic expectations; whilst clients may assume a lack of fresh snow entitles them to a claim, but insurers typically require complete inaccessibility of runs.
For brokers, winter sports insurance is no longer just about ticking a box—it requires a thorough, personalised approach. With costs rising and policies becoming more complex, brokers must proactively educate clients, clarify exclusions, and ensure they have adequate protection and a robust understanding of their coverage and its limits. By staying informed on these trends, brokers can provide the tailored advice that winter travellers need.
