Ski holidays: what insurance cover is needed?
Ski holidays expose you to specific risks. This article explains which insurance policies you should check before you leave:
- accident and health;
- civil liability and equipment;
- assistance and trip cancellation.
Skiing and other winter sports involve risks (falls, collisions, injuries, mountain rescue). In the event of an incident, repatriation, medical treatment and rescue costs can be very high and are not always fully covered by standard insurance policies.
Even if you already have health insurance or cover linked to a bank card, it is wise to check your policies for specific exclusions relating to winter sports.
Before departure, you can take out Travel insurance that includes cancellation cover. This can cover the reimbursement of costs incurred if you have to cancel your trip for reasons such as serious illness or accident, or interrupt your trip before the scheduled end date. This cover generally calculates the reimbursement on a pro rata basis for the unused days.
During your stay, medical, hospitalisation or repatriation costs may be necessary in the event of an accident or illness. Travel insurance with winter sports cover often includes:
- transport to a medical facility or repatriation;
- coverage of medical, surgical and pharmaceutical costs;
- mountain rescue and sled or helicopter descent costs.
There are several ways to insure your ski equipment:
- if you hire skis or a snowboard, hire companies often offer insurance against theft or damage;
- if you own your equipment, specific cover (leisure equipment package) can be added to your Home insurance to cover theft and damage to your sports equipment.
Remember to check the limits and exclusions of the policies carefully.
In the event of damage caused to other persons during your stay (due to an accident on the slopes or elsewhere), your civil liability, included in Home insurance, may cover the costs incurred by third parties.
"Most accidents happen in the late morning, at midday, or in the late afternoon, when concentration is at its lowest due to fatigue."
- Check the coverage provided by your existing insurance policies (travel, health, home, credit card).
- If necessary, take out travel insurance with winter sports coverage and appropriate options.
- Carefully read the policy exclusions, particularly for off-piste activities.
Going on a skiing holiday without checking your insurance cover can lead to financial difficulties in the event of unforeseen circumstances. By combining Travel insurance with appropriate cover for your equipment in your Home insurance, you can go on holiday better prepared and better covered.
Article originally published in February 2023, updated in February 2026.
Do you book your all-expenses-paid holidays through a travel agent? You can take out cancellation insurance when booking your trip.
You can also take out Travel insurance which - depending on the cover you chose - will ensure reimbursement in the event of cancellation due, in particular, to serious illness. This same protection covers you if your holiday is cut short and ensures that you are reimbursed for the rest of your holiday, calculated on a pro rata basis for the remaining days.
If you rent your equipment, the rental companies generally offer insurance against theft and breakage of the rented equipment. Also, find out about the insurance provided by your credit card (Visa or MasterCard) which may also cover the rented equipment.
If you are an experienced skier and have your own skis, there is specific "all risks for recreational equipment outside the home" cover, which enables you to insure your sports equipment. In this case, your ski equipment may be covered against theft or breakage. This cover may be added to your Home insurance policy and you can choose the amount which covers your needs.
Wearing a helmet is not officially compulsory for adults but the law may not be the same in the countries near to Luxembourg.
| GERMANY | AUSTRIA | FRANCE | ITALY | SWITZERLAND |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Not compulsory |
Proposed law making it compulsory for young people, under 15 years of age, to wear helmets. Applied at the discretion of the different Austrian provincial governments. |
Not compulsory |
Compulsory for young people under 18. Possible cancellation of the lift pass and a fine of up to EUR 200. |
Not compulsory |
As you can see, wearing a helmet is not compulsory, but it is strongly recommended because it can prevent most head injuries.
t is fair to question whether the insurance linked to a credit card, whether it is Gold, Visa, or Mastercard, is sufficient to cover the risks associated with a skiing holiday. Indeed, these cards do provide guarantees of assistance and insurance in case of damage or accidents.
For holders of premium cards such as the Gold Mastercard or Visa Premier, the guarantees are generally broader and may cover risks such as accidents on the slopes, loss or theft of ski equipment, and rescue expenses.
Regarding standard bank cards like Visa Classic or Mastercard Standard, they also offer coverage for snow-mountain accidents, but this is generally less extensive than that of premium cards.
It is crucial to carefully read the general terms and conditions of your bank card contract, as each bank may offer different guarantees. Moreover, some guarantees only apply if the stay was paid for with the card in question.
It is also important to note that despite the guarantees offered by your bank card, they may not cover all the risks associated with a ski holiday. For example, the coverage of rescue expenses on the slopes may be limited, and off-piste skiing is often excluded.
If you are not responsible for the accident, it is the other party’s third-party insurance which will cover your costs.
If you are responsible for the accident, your third-party insurance (generally included with your home policy) will cover the loss or damage caused to other people. Depending on the cover options you have chosen, our ‘Travel’ insurance covers you for:
- your travel and return home costs;
- the costs of a pre-scheduled return home;
- reimbursement of your medical, surgical, pharmaceutical and hospitalisation costs;
- reimbursement of the cost of your ski pass.
If a rescue team has to called in, or if a helicopter has to be used to bring you back, the local council will generally ask you to reimburse the cost of the rescue. If you purchased ‘Travel’ insurance cover before your trip, then this - depending on the choice you’ve made - will cover you for:
- transportation or repatriation;
- the cost of descent by sledge or helicopter.
First, check your existing insurance policies: your health insurance often covers medical expenses, your home insurance includes civil liability, and your bank card may offer repatriation assistance. If these guarantees are insufficient or non-existent, take out specific travel insurance that will cover the costs of rescue on the slopes, medical evacuation and bodily injury during your stay.
Compare reimbursement limits for medical expenses and exclusions relating to off-piste skiing. Choose a policy that offers 24-hour assistance and no upfront costs for rescue services in ski areas. Tailor your choice to your skiing habits: basic cover is sufficient for on-piste skiing, while cross-country skiers and those who enjoy a variety of ski resorts will need more extensive cover.
Off-piste skiing requires specialised cover, as most standard policies exclude it. Choose insurance that explicitly includes this activity or take out a policy with specialist organisations such as ski federations. Some premium credit cards cover off-piste skiing, but only if you are accompanied by a qualified instructor in ski areas accessible by ski lifts.