UK travellers underestimate cost of mountainside rescues

A survey commissioned by insurance company battleface has found that while most Brits understand the importance of insurance for winter sports holidays, many still neglect to purchase specific insurance coverage.

The study was carried out by Opinium Research and surveyed the views of 1,003 UK adults between 9 and 17 September to find out their opinions on winter sports holidays.

Among respondents who did take out specific insurance, the most important aspects of this insurance included:

• Ski-related injury cover (48 per cent)

• Medical treatment cover (45 per cent)

• Health and safety (37 per cent)

• Cancellation cover (27 per cent)

• The overall price (26 per cent).

Underestimating the cost of mountain rescues

However, despite the prioritisation of injury cover in the event of skiing accidents being a high priority for many, respondents were found to significantly underestimate the actual cost involved.

When asked to estimate the cost of airlifting a person, the average estimate was just over £3,000 per person, significantly lower than the actual figure of £10,000 per person.

Despite this, half of all respondents (56 per cent) erroneously believed that they were aware of the true cost of being airlifted. Thirty-two per cent admitted they were not aware, and over one in ten (12 per cent) admitted that they had not considered this potential cost at all.

“With many skiing and snowboarding enthusiasts hoping to be more adventurous than before on their next trip, it is worrying that many people have not taken out specific winter sports cover. Accidents unfortunately do happen on the slopes, and the underestimation of the cost of airlifting shows just how important it is to be adequately protected on your holidays,” commented Katie Crowe, Director of Communications for battleface.