Many winter sports travellers may be underinsured

Go.Compare Travel Insurance has warned that, according to a survey it commissioned, only 13% of UK travellers who have been on a winter sports holiday bought a specialist winter sports insurance policy to cover them.

A further 11% admitted to relying on a standard annual travel insurance policy, without checking whether it included winter sports coverage.

This is despite the same survey – which reviewed 923 single-trip and 923 annual travel insurance policies – finding that only 6% of single-trip policies, and 11% of annual policies, include winter sports cover as standard.

A further 12% of single-trip and 13% of annual policies don’t offer any winter sports coverage, even as an optional extra.

Many policies have limited winter sports coverage

The survey, conducted by Censuswide among a representative sample of 2,001 UK adults between 4 and 7 November 2025, also highlighted that 41% of single-trip and 38% of annual policies don’t replace hired ski equipment if it is damaged or lost.

Additionally, cover for piste closures varies significantly – 4% of single-trip policies provide no compensation if ski areas are closed, while 39% offer £400 or more.

“It isn’t just about whether you’re covered if the piste is closed due to too little or too much snow, or if you lose your ski pass; having a specialist insurance policy in place means you’ll be protected if you injure yourself on the slopes,” said Rhys Jones, spokesperson for Go.Compare Travel Insurance. “While standard travel insurance does cover some medical expenses, getting medical aid to someone injured on a mountain and recovering them is a more complex situation, often involving mountain rescue, and therefore costing more.”

Insurer Faye announced a new partnership with Ski.com earlier this year.