Insurance tips

Hollard Travel Insurance

does not limit cover or

charge a higher premium

as a result of heavier than

usual snowfall. “Skiing,

in general, is a high-risk

benefit.” She says Hollard’s

statistics, compared with

the rest of the world, show

more claims are submitted

by South African skiers.

“We have already taken

this into account in the

design of our products,”

says md of Oojah Travel

Protection, administrators

of Hollard Travel Insurance,

Uriah Jansen.

TIC includes automatic

cover for skiing accidents

in all leisure policies. “Offpiste skiing is also covered

on a TIC policy, provided

you are with a guide,”

says Simmy Micheli, sales

and marketing manager

of Travel Insurance

Consultants.

Skiing on-piste at a resort

is not deemed to be an

extreme or dangerous

sport and is listed as

part of Hollard’s general

sports activities. “Cover

is provided on all our

products at no additional

cost,” Uriah says. Offpiste skiing, however,

is considered to be an

extreme sport and is not

covered due to the risks

involved.

Uriah suggests that

travellers considering a

skiing trip should:

Check if the policy

automatically includes

cover or whether an

additional premium is

needed.

Check with the insurer

that black slope skiing

is covered if that is the

traveller’s intention.

Check that the policy

provides cover for an

unused ski pass (ski lifts

and equipment rental)

due to the closure of

ski lifts as result of

adverse weather.

Check that the policy

provides cover for loss or

damage of ski equipment

while in use as these can

be expensive to repair/

replace.

Uriah also advises that

most resorts sell rescue

cover, where searchand-rescue services are

provided by specialists

in the area. “Most travel

insurance policies exclude

these costs.

“We recommend that

travellers purchase this

from the resort to ensure

they have cover for all

eventualities.”