Travel insurance when skiing or participating in winter sports
Simple and flexible travel insurance for skiers and snowboarders. Buy at home or while traveling, and claim online from anywhere in the world.
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Why consider travel insurance when skiing or snowboarding?
Big dumps, fresh tracks and bluebird days will make for an epic snow trip, but accidents can happen on and off the piste, even for the most experienced sliders. If you’re learning on your first trip or you’re a ski bum chasing seasons, World Nomads travel insurance can help you and your family when the unexpected hits your next winter adventure.
World Nomads loves the snow
As passionate ski bums, we’ve designed our plans to offer cover options our Nomads love the most*:
- Skiing and boarding within resorts
- Cross-country skiing on marked trails
- Terrain parks, heli-skiing & heli-boarding (some plans only, check yours carefully)
- Snowmobiling, ice skating, snow rafting & more.
*All plans are different and may require an upgrade for skiing or snowboarding cover to apply. Conditions and exclusions apply. Read the policy wording carefully to choose the right plan and/or adventure sport option for your trip.
What does World Nomads travel insurance cover?
- Skiing, snowboarding and other winter sports accidents
- Piste closures
- Cancelled and delayed flights
- Cover for natural disasters (for example if an avalanche occurs)
- Medical evacuation and repatriation when required
- Cover for high value specified items (ski/winter equipment such as snowboard, skis or helmet)
- Cover for lost, stolen, or damaged equipment.
For more information on what you may be covered for you can read our Helpdesk article on coverage when skiing and doing other winter sports. Make sure you add in your country of residence in the country picker for the most up to date information.
Coverage for some Coronavirus (COVID-19)-related events
With Coronavirus causing travel disruptions globally, it’s important that you follow any government guidelines when planning your trip overseas.
The level of cover you’ll have for any Coronavirus-related events under our Standard and Explorer plans will depend on your Country of Residence and the plan you’ve selected. To find out more, read our What’s Covered for Coronavirus article, which goes into more detail on all the benefits, including benefit limits, terms and conditions, and exclusions.
Our 24/7 Emergency Assistance Team can direct you to nearby appropriate care, talk to doctors, need help with a foreign language, help out with admin and arrange for payment of expenses if necessary. If your situation is life-threatening, seek medical help immediately and let us know when you can so we can help with medical assistance and keeping your friends and family informed.
What could affect the cost of my travel insurance?
There are several factors that may affect how much you’ll end up paying for your travel insurance. Depending on what your plans are, where you are going, and how much cover and optional extras, the prices may vary due to some of these key factors:
- Any existing medical conditions
- You and your travel partner’s age as well as your dependents ages
- Optional extras cover such as adding specific adventure activities & sports
- The length of your trip
- Any high value items you want to add. You must list all high value items on your policy when you buy it.
- The number of destinations you plan to visit.
Make sure that you’ve selected the right travel insurance plan for your specific needs. With World Nomads you can get a quote, make a claim, or extend your policy instantly online, anytime, from anywhere.
What’s not covered
While there are several things we can offer coverage for, there are also things we just won’t cover. These include, but are not limited to:
- Any competition, free-style skiing / free-style snowboarding, ski/ snowboard jumping, ski-flying, ski / snowboard acrobatics, ski / snowboard stunting, or ski racing or national squad training, the use of skeletons
- Working as a ski, snowboard or diving instructor or guide
- Any of your ski or winter sports items lost, stolen or damaged that are unsupervised or unattended
- If you travel against medical advice or neglect to adhere to government ‘Do Not Travel’ warnings issued prior to departure
- Any adventure activities or sports that aren’t covered by our policies
- Any pre-existing medical conditions
- Any costs related to illegal activities or being under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
Key insurance tips for your ski and winter sports trip
Whether you’re a pro skier or planning your first ever winter trip overseas, these insurance tips may be helpful when planning your next winter getaway:
- Be aware of skiing or snowboarding no go zones: don’t decide to go into back country areas without taking local advice and appropriate rescue equipment. You should follow the International Ski Federation code or the resort regulations.
- Proof of purchase: yep, any claim you make will need supporting documentation such as receipts of your purchases. Keep these with you in printed or digital form if you intend to make a claim.
- It pays to be prepared: check the weather, check your equipment, and check the credentials of your ski instructor – if any seem unreliable then reconsider if it’s a smart move to go.
- Don’t get in over your head: be responsible when choosing a skiing or snowboarding destination or winter sports activity. Does it suit your experience level? Are you using an accredited tour operator?
- Keep an eye on your ski gear: don’t leave your expensive ski and winter sports gear or any other baggage unattended - those 'I spaced out” moments might not qualify for coverage.
- Be responsible: choose a ski tour operator that promotes responsible tourism, works as part of the local community, as well as actively helps to conserve the environment.
Travel insurance doesn't cover everything. All the information we provide is a brief summary. It does not include all terms, conditions, limitations, exclusions and termination provisions of the plans described. Please carefully read your policy wording for a full description of coverage. If you have any questions, please get in touch.
FAQ
Here are our most frequently asked questions about ski and snowboarding. You can also find the answers to other questions in our Helpdesk or you can ask our customer service team.
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What’s covered when skiing or boarding?
We’ve tried to give you the freedom to learn or hone your snow skills by helping cover some of those nasty accidents. For further info, click here.
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How do I get to the medical centre if I’m injured on the mountain?
Contact ski patrol to get immediate local assistance if you’re on the hill. If you’re already in the village, contact our emergency assistance team so that they can direct you to the nearest medical facility, help arrange treatment or emergency transport if required. For further info, click here.
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What if the airline damages my board/skis?
If your gear is damaged by the airline, World Nomads can help cover some of the cost to replace them. For further info, click here.
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Does my travel insurance cover medical costs upfront or do I have to pay and claim later?
If you’re hospitalized because of an accident, the insurer may help cover these costs upfront. For further info, click here.
Travel Insurance Benefits: how we can take care of you*
Trip Cancellation
Been working hard for your trip?
We'll work hard to protect it.
Trip Protection
- Unexpectedly hospitalised?
- Ski buddy unfit to travel?
- Close relative suddenly dies?
We’ve got your back.
Emergency Medical Expenses
Feeling fit and healthy? What if you get sick or injured?
Take the pain out of medical or dental costs.
Emergency Medical Insurance
- Slipped on ice?
- Tore your ACL or MCL?
- Popped a shoulder?
We’ve got your back.
Emergency Medical Transportation
Know where the nearest hospital is?
Don’t stress, we’ll get you there quickly.
Evacuation and Repatriation
- Road or air ambulance?
- Flight assistance?
- Medivac needed home?
Help starts here.
Protect your gear
Love photography, filming or sport?
Cover your bags, tech or gear.
Protect your gear
- Go Pro stolen?
- Bags lost in transit?
- Luggage delayed?
Help starts here.
- Emergency Overseas Medical & Dental Expenses
- Emergency Medical Evacuation & Repatriation
- Trip Cancellation or Interruption
- 24-Hour Assistance Services
- Baggage
- And more (depending on your country of residence)
24/7 emergency assistance
Whether you need medical assistance or emergency evacuation, our teams are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year before and during your trip.
Are you in need of emergency assistance right now?
Contact the teamWherever you are, we’re here 24/7 to help you in any emergency.
Emergency Assistance, World Nomads
Travel insurance. Simple & flexible.
Travel insurance for independent travelers and intrepid families. Nobody wants to think about all the things that could go wrong on their trip, but these things can and do happen. So be prepared and get your travel insurance today.
Coronavirus (COVID-19) and travel - Need to know before you buy
Some but not all of our policies provide cover for some coronavirus-related events – select your Country of Residence to find out more. Cover is not available for loss arising from: government intervention including travel bans, border closures or broadly imposed quarantine requirements; events for which the Government (see your policy) has issued a ‘Do Not Travel’ warning or its equivalent, for your destination(s); or failure to follow advice from official bodies. Your ability to travel may be affected by travel restrictions. Check your cover and the latest government advice and our travel insurance alerts.