Winter sports and insurance: What skiers and snowboarders should pay attention to

Winter sports and insurance: What skiers and snowboarders should pay attention to

According to a report by www.abendblatt.de, winter sports enthusiasts should check their insurance coverage before their skiing or snowboarding vacation. In Italy in particular, private liability insurance has been mandatory since 2022. Without appropriate proof, skiers risk a fine of 150 euros.

It is important to request proof of insurance from your provider at an early stage, as it must contain information about the insured persons, the insurer and the insured sum and must be written in both German and Italian. In addition, slope operators in Italy must offer guests without insurance the option to take out insurance on site.

In addition to liability insurance, ski vacationers should also check their international health insurance, which can cover potentially higher treatment costs abroad. Statutory health insurance, for example, usually only covers medically necessary helicopter operations. If no other insurer provides coverage, private accident insurance can cover the costs of rescue, search and rescue services after a skiing accident.

The introduction of compulsory private liability insurance in Italy and the recommendation to take care of proof of insurance at an early stage could have an impact on the travel insurance market. In particular, providers of insurance for winter sports enthusiasts could see an increase in demand. It is advisable for consumers to check the insurance regulations for winter sports holidays and, if necessary, take out additional insurance cover in order to minimize financial risks in the event of an accident. This new legal framework in Italy could also lead to other ski regions introducing similar regulations, which could have an impact on the entire industry.