Professional Ski Insurance

Were you born to be on the slopes? Have you been shoop shooping downhill in the Alps as long as you can remember? Whether it’s slaloms in Switzerland, downhills in Chamonix or Alpine racing in Aspen, hip hooray for professional skiers planning a getaway... there’s finally a ski insurance policy for you!

Until now you may have been finding it challenging to find cover. As a rule, most travel insurance policies do not cover for professional sports or racing, however we’ve found ski insurance specifically designed to protects the pros!

If you’re travelling internationally to compete in a competition, as an individual or a team, it’s a requirement to have overseas cover in order to obtain your competition license.

• Are you are a professional skier or snowboarder and a member of the Ski & Snowboard Australia (SSA)?
• Are you a member of the International Ski Federation (FIS)?
• Do you have an International Competition Licence (ICL) from SSA for the event you’re competing in?
• Are you under 65 years of age?

If you’ve answered yes to all of the above then professional ski insurance from ski-insurance.com.au may be the cover for you.

What’s Covered By Professional Ski Insurance?

An avalanche is snow place to be, so before you eat some powder it’s important to consider:

Medical assistance & hospital expenses: The cost of a ski injury can be scarier than the steepest black run. Your professional ski policy will cover hospital and medical costs you incur while you’re travelling.

Emergency rescue: In a medical emergency your policy will heli-rescue you off the mountain to the nearest hospital, or, depending upon the seriousness of the injury, fly you back home.

Equipment: Professional Ski equipment is expensive to replace or repair. Should yours be damaged or stolen you’ll be covered up to a maximum of $5,000 for skis or snowboards.

Trip cancellation: A natural disaster or a sudden bout of illness stopping the race in its tracks is a complete bummer. But have peace of mind knowing you're covered for transport and accommodation expenses if you have to cancel your trip because of illness, accidents, or other unforeseen circumstances such as a sudden natural disaster.

Piste closure: A pro's worst nightmare, no snow! At least you can count on travel insurance to pay up to $100 per 24 hour period if there is not enough snow, if bad weather stopping the lifts, or for power failure. You’ll either be covered for the cost to get you to an alternative resort or reimburse you for passes for another day.

Ski pack: If you’re too sick or injured to ski, any pre-paid ski passes, ski-hire, tuition fees or lift passes will be reimbursed. You’ll need to get a doctor’s note though!

Bad weather & avalanche cover: We're not sure what's worse, no snow, or too much of it!? Either way, you’re covered up to $750 for any out of pocket travel and accommodation expenses if bad weather stops you skiing for more than 12 hours.

Permanent disability: No one wants a serious injury on the slopes. Your travel insurance policy will pay a lump sum up to $25,000 if you are injured and become permanently disabled (e.g losing your sight or use of hand or foot) during your ski trip. Conditions apply.

Loss of income: If your injury stops you from being able to work, you are covered for loss of income up to $400 per week for a period of up to 26 weeks. You only have provision to claim if the injury stops you from working for more than 30 days after you return to Australia.

Accidental death: A lump sum paid up to $25,000 if you are injured on your ski holiday and you die because of that injury within 12 months of returning home, or if your body cannot be found after 12 months and you are presumed deceased.

What Is Not Covered?

You don’t want to be a dope on the slope, so if you’re planning on getting gnarly, ensure your planned snow fun activities are covered! You will not be covered for:

Risky business: Bobsleighing, snow rafting, para-penting, heliskiing, ski acrobatics (except as part of a Competition that requires you to leave ground level), skiing Back-country (except as part of training, training at the site of a Competition or a Competition), skijoreing, any form of power assisted skiing or use of mechanised snow-mobiles (except as provided by the recognised piste authorities for transport to and from areas designed for recreational skiing or a Competition.

Piste closure: You are unable to claim for closed pistes in ski resorts that do not have skiing facilities greater than 1000 metres above sea level.

General wear and tear: A scratch here and there to your ski equipment after competing is not covered by professional ski insurance.

Travelling out of season: An early or late snow dump can be awesome but many insurers don’t cover you when you travel out of season. Be sure to check the dates with your insurer. 

Out of bounds: A few specialist insurers will cover you off-piste, provided you stay within resort boundaries. But ducking under the resort boundary ropes for some backcountry skiing will not be covered.

Under the influence: Après is part of the fun on a winter holiday, but remember claims won’t be paid if an accident is deemed to be the result of excessive alcohol or caused while under the influence of drugs. Pass the butterscotch snaps please! Ready to bring home the medals and prize money, do so knowing you’re properly protected on the slopes.

What are you waiting for…Compare professional ski insurance policies today. On your marks, get set, snow!

Disclaimer: All cover levels correct at time of writing March 2015. You should refer to the Product Disclosure Statement to understand the times when you are covered and when you are not before purchasing.