Six per cent. That’s how many single-trip travel insurance policies in the UK cover winter sports as standard, according to an independent analysis that lays bare a coverage gap affecting thousands of skiers each season.
The rest, 94 out of every 100 policies require travellers to pay extra for a winter sports extension or exclude the activity entirely.
Gigasure, a UK travel insurer, issued the warning after the analysis revealed that just 6% of single-trip policies and 11% of annual multi-trip policies include winter sports cover without additional premiums. For many British holidaymakers booking ski trips to the Alps or beyond, the realisation comes too late when a claim gets rejected and medical bills start mounting.
“Many UK travellers wrongly believe winter sports are covered under standard travel insurance, while others rely on annual policies without checking whether winter sports are included,” said Gary Murphy, a travel insurance expert at Gigasure.
The stakes are high. Winter sports carry elevated injury risks compared to beach holidays or city breaks, and the associated claims can run into thousands of pounds. Yet the assumption persists that standard travel insurance will cover a broken leg on the slopes.
Most policies require travellers to purchase a winter sports extension—an add-on that does more than simply tick a box. “Adding winter sports extension usually does two things: it extends cover to allow you to engage in winter sports and it adds additional benefits such as cover for winter sports equipment, loss of ski pass, avalanche, piste closure and being ill or injured and unable to ski,” Murphy explained.
But even securing that extension doesn’t guarantee comprehensive protection. Age limits complicate matters—some policies impose a maximum age of 65 for winter sports cover, leaving older skiers scrambling for alternatives. The destination matters. Trip duration matters. The type of activity matters most of all.
“Activity type is also critical,” Murphy noted. “Travellers need to consider what winter sport activities they plan to participate in. If you are intending to go off piste, you should check whether this is covered by your policy as some will only cover you if you are with a qualified guide. If engaging in ski racing or extreme snow sports you will likely need to get a specialist policy.”
That distinction between on-piste recreational skiing and off-piste backcountry riding has tripped up countless claimants. A policy might cover the former but explicitly exclude the latter unless a certified guide accompanies the skier—a detail buried deep in the terms and conditions.
Equipment coverage presents another pitfall. Skis, snowboards, boots, helmets—the gear adds up quickly, often totalling several thousand pounds. Gigasure reminded travellers to verify that coverage limits match the actual value of their kit, including hired equipment that they might be held liable for if damaged or lost.
Annual multi-trip policies introduce yet another layer of complexity. Whilst they offer convenience for frequent travellers, they typically cap the total number of days permitted for winter sports activities within a 12-month period. Single-trip policies with winter sports extensions, by contrast, usually provide coverage for the entire duration of the trip without such restrictions.
Even when proper coverage is in place, claims can still be rejected if policyholders fail to meet specific conditions. Insurers commonly require travellers to follow local authority warnings, wear appropriate safety equipment, take reasonable care of belongings, and avoid skiing when conditions are deemed unsafe. Ignore those requirements, and the policy becomes worthless.
The financial exposure extends beyond medical expenses. Ski holidays involve multiple expensive components: flights, accommodation, lift passes, equipment hire, lessons. Cancellation cover should protect the full cost of each element, but only if the policy explicitly states as much.
Murphy urged travellers to wade through the documentation, tedious as it may be. “Insurance policy wordings with insurance can often be long and complex so take the time to understand what you are covered for, along with your obligations and responsibilities. Start by reading the Insurance Product Information Document (IPID), and Certificate of insurance, and then look at the policy wording for full details.”
The Insurance Product Information Document—a standardised summary required by regulators—offers a starting point, condensing key details into a digestible format. But the full policy wording contains the actual terms that will determine whether a claim succeeds or fails.
For travellers with pre-existing medical conditions, the disclosure requirements add another hurdle. Failing to declare a condition, even one that seems unrelated to skiing, can void the entire policy. The insurer’s underwriters need that information to assess risk accurately—and withholding it, whether deliberately or through oversight, gives them grounds to reject claims.
“Taking a moment to check what your policy includes, adding the appropriate winter sports extension and declaring any medical conditions can make the difference between a straightforward claim and a financial headache running into the thousands,” Murphy said.
The thousands he mentions aren’t hypothetical. Medical evacuation from a mountain resort, emergency treatment abroad, repatriation flights—the costs escalate rapidly when things go wrong. Without proper coverage, those bills land squarely on the injured skier.
The industry-wide pattern revealed by the independent analysis suggests the problem isn’t confined to a handful of insurers. It’s structural. Standard travel insurance policies are designed around typical holiday risks: lost luggage, flight cancellations, minor illness. Winter sports sit outside that risk profile, triggering higher premiums and tighter terms.
Which means the onus falls on travellers to bridge the gap themselves—to read the small print, ask the right questions, and pay for the coverage they actually need rather than assuming it’s already in place.
Murphy’s final point carried a note of pragmatism. “When the risks are higher, understanding your insurance is essential. Leaving with you with peace of mind to head off on the slopes, with the peace of mind of knowing that you are covered, should you need it.”
For the 94% of single-trip policyholders whose standard coverage won’t extend to the ski slopes, that understanding needs to happen before they board the plane—not after the accident, when it’s already too late.
