Thousands of British skiers hitting the slopes this winter ski season are unwittingly risking mountainous medical bills, warns the ABI.

This is despite the fact that the costs of treating even a minor ski-related injury can easily cost more than the price of the ski trip. For example:

• £6,000 to treat a ruptured ligament and arrange repatriation back to the UK from France.
• £5,000 for medical treatment for a fractured leg and a nurse-escorted flight back to the UK from an Austrian ski resort.

Skiers on the slopes risk crippling medical bills due to:

• No travel insurance protection. In a recent Government survey1. Nearly a third (31%) of people admitted that they did not take out insurance to cover their winter sports holidays.
• Over-reliance on the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). The EHIC does not pay for private medical treatment, mountain rescue or medical repatriation back to the UK – all of which could easily cost thousands of pounds.
• Too much alcohol. One in five skiers admit drinking too heavily while on skiing breaks, with 40% saying that they have skied nursing a hangover from the night before 2. Accidents caused by too much alcohol are unlikely to be covered by travel insurance.
• Inexperience and tiredness. Ski instructors say that people pushing themselves beyond their abilities and fatigue are the biggest cause of accidents among British skiers.

Nick Kirwan, the ABI’s Assistant Director of Health and Protection, stresses:

“Skiing is exhilarating but can also be dangerous, so it is alarming that nearly a third of people planning winter sports holidays do not intend to take out travel insurance. Skiing injuries can result in financially crippling medical bills, so ensuring that you have travel insurance that covers your ski activities is essential before you set of for the slopes.”

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Notes

1. Enquiries to:
Liz Forster 020 7216 7444 (Mobile: 07717 578 586)
Malcolm Tarling 020 7216 7410 (Mobile: 07776 147 667)
Erfan Hussain 020 7216 7411 (Mobile: 07712 841 184)
Kelly Ostler-Coyle 020 7216 7415 (Mobile: 07968 364 302)

2. 1.Survey from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office of 2,300 people, November 2010. 2.Survey by The Post Office of 1,000 British skiers, November 2010.
3. The ABI is the voice of the UK’s insurance, investment and long-term savings industry. It has over 300 members, which together account for around 90% of premiums in the UK domestic market.
The ABI’s role is to:
- Be the voice of the UK insurance industry, leading debate and speaking up for insurers.
- Represent the UK insurance industry to government, regulators and policy makers in the UK, EU and internationally, driving effective public policy and regulation.
- Advocate high standards of customer service within the industry and provide useful information to the public about insurance.
- Promote the benefits of insurance to the government, regulators, policy makers and the public.

The UK insurance industry is the third largest in the world and the largest in Europe. It is a vital part of the UK economy, managing investments amounting to 24% of the UK’s net worth and contributing the fourth highest corporation tax of any sector. Employing over 275,000 people in the UK alone, the insurance industry is also one of this country’s major exporters, with a fifth of its net premium income coming from overseas business.
Insurance and businesses protect themselves against the everyday risks they face, enabling people to own their own homes, travel overseas, provide for a financially secure future and run businesses. Insurance underpins a healthy and prosperous society, enabling businesses and individuals to thrive, safe in the knowledge that problems can be handled and risks carefully managed. Every day, our members pay out £155 million in benefits to pensioners and long-term savers as well as £58 million in general insurance claims.

4. An ISDN line is available for broadcasts.

5. More news and information from the ABI is available on our web site, www.abi.org.uk.