FAQ
We do not have an exclusion for off piste skiing or a requirement that you are only covered off piste with a guide.
If you are ski touring/mountaineering or heli-skiing (including snowcat skiing) you must take the appropriate higher level of cover.
Please also note that whilst Snowcard policies do not exclude off piste activity, we do expect clients to act responsibly and to follow resort rules and regulations, respect safety warnings and to only venture off piste without a guide if experienced and equipped for off piste skiing/boarding. You should not enter 'out of bounds' areas at all or ski outside of marked resort boundaries unless the area has been designated by the resort authorities as open and suitable for recreational off piste skiers/boarders.
If you feel your activities might not be covered please refer full details of your trip before purchasing cover so we can confirm if our policies will be suitable for you.
If in doubt about the safety of particular runs or ski areas, you should seek the advice of the piste authorities and follow their recommendations.
WARNING! Younger skiers and boarders or inexperienced boarders are statistically at greater risk of injury, particularly off piste or in snow parks.
Please seek professional guidance or instruction to ensure your skill levels help you avoid injury.
As children under 18 can not make a contract of insurance, policies need to be set up under an adult's account.
You will need to set up the account in your name. When you set up the policy, select the <18 age band and when prompted, enter your child’s name and age in the placeholders for the insured traveller. The account is held in your name as the contracting adult but your child will be the insured person.
To upgrade a policy, login to your online account, select 'current policies' and then 'upgrades'.
Please also refer to https://www.snowcard.co.uk/content/policy-amendments
Our insurers' underwriting license only allows us to insure residents of the UK travelling from and returning to the UK - the whole trip must be insured on one policy to be covered and must be purchased before UK departure.
Definitions:
Home: The address where you live in the United Kingdom. You must have your main home in the United Kingdom, the Channel Islands or Isle of Man.
Resident : A person who permanently resides in an eligible UK country and is registered with a medical practitioner in their home UK country.
Permanent Residency: Any individual that has been legally resident in an eligible UK country for no less than 183 days and is registered with a medical practitioner.
You should be registered with the NHS and qualify for repatriation back into the UK in the event of an emergency medical repatriation. Repatriation can only be to the UK so you must qualify for entry in to the NHS care system.
Annual multi trip policies cover your holidays during a 12 month period subject to limits and restrictions https://www.snowcard.co.uk/content/single-trip-limits-annual-policies
Winter sports can also be included https://www.snowcard.co.uk/content/winter-sports-cover-multi-trip-policies
Renewal reminders are sent 4 weeks before the policy is due to expire.
If the renewal date falls mid trip, you should move the start date of the next policy forward to the trip departure date. This is because there may have been changes to your policy, the claims handlers or the insurers and this must not occur mid trip. If in doubt about what to do at renewal, contact Snowcard for guidance [email protected]
Failure to make sure your policy start date matches the departure date of a trip under these circumstances could prejudice a claim.
It is your responsibility to check your annual policy cover before any trip starts to ensure it will cover your activities. If you need to upgrade your cover, you can manage this via your online account.
Note: policies can only be set up before UK departure, including renewals.
There is no return of premium after the 14 day cooling off period even if you have no further trips planned or if the renewal date is brought forward.
March 2026
https://www.snowcard.co.uk/customer-advice-us-and-israel-conflict-iran
Until further notice there is no cover for travel to Bahrain, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Syria, United Arab Emirates and Yemen.
This applies to all single trip and annual multi trip policies - if you have plans to visit any of these countries, you should contact your travel service providers for help and guidance.
You must not travel against the advice of the FCDO.
For travellers to Cyprus, Egypt and Turkey, FCDO advice may change at short notice, you should stay in close contact with your travel service providers.
For persons already travelling:
Snowcard Insurance does not provide cover relating to acts of war which are specifically excluded by the policy general conditions (see below).
Travellers should liaise with their airlines, the Civil Aviation Authority have provide advice via this link https://www.caa.co.uk/newsroom/news/middle-east-passenger-travel-advice-1-march-2026/
Your airline is responsible for your flights back to the UK. As the situation is affecting a large number of travellers across the Far and Middle Eastern regions, you should be provided with regular updates by your travel service providers.
If you have any concerns or require special assistance, you should contact the FCDO who are providing advice to UK travellers stranded overseas; Telephone: UK +44 (0)20 7008 5000
Applicable to policies purchased after 1st August 2026
Adventure policies cover up to 2 weeks of winter sports holidays.
Adventure Plus policies cover up to 4 weeks of winter sports holidays.
If you ski for more than 4 weeks in a policy year, you must take the Adventure Max policy, which does not limit the number of winter sports holidays although there is a 31 day single trip limit which can be extended up to 90 days. The maximum number of winter sports days in any 12 month period is 90 days.
https://www.snowcard.co.uk/content/winter-sports-cover-multi-trip-policies
For annual multi trip policies - If, once you have left the United Kingdom and before the end of the period of cover, you decide you want to extend your policy, the single trip limit can be extended to 45, 60 or 90 days subject to the payment of an additional premium.
In the event of a trip being planned that should start within, though end outside of the policy period (the Policy expiry date), cover may be extended, so long as Insurers are advised prior to the commencement of the trip. Any extension in cover will be subject to the payment of an additional premium.
Account is taken of age and current market value. The insurers will assess your claim based on the age and current market value of your belongings.
https://www.snowcard.co.uk/personal-belongings-and-equipment
Emergency medical treatment following decompression illness or sickness is included under the Medical and accidental expenses section of the policy
https://www.snowcard.co.uk/medical-and-accident-expenses
Yes, the costs of helicopter or ground based rescue is covered within the Medical and accidental expenses section of the policy (see condition 6).
Your Snowcard gives evidence of medical and rescue insurance.
The 24 emergency number should be called as soon as practical by you or someone acting for you.
Rescue and medical fees can be guaranteed and paid directly for you if necessary. The emergency assistance service (see your eSnowcard) must be contacted as soon as possible.
Rescue must be because of an medical emergency situation covered by the policy.
- Scuba diving to 40 meters
- Scuba diving over 40 meters
- Cave Diving
Live aboard holidays are included in all levels.
All Snowcard Policy levels include search and rescue under the Medical and Accident section of the policy unto £100,000 (see condition 06.)
https://www.snowcard.co.uk/content/search-and-rescue-cover
Similar conditions apply as for theft from vehicles, particularly in respect of valuables. Whilst you cannot lock a tent, losses can be prevented by placing items of value in a locked car whilst you are out during the day time.
We do not expect you to pack away all of your belongings but do not leave any items of value lying around in view if at all avoidable. You must report any theft to the police within 24 hours of discovery. If there has been no evidence of a theft, they may be reluctant to provide a police report which could prejudice your claim.
https://www.snowcard.co.uk/personal-belongings-and-equipment
Only during the daytime and if the vehicle is locked.
Theft of valuables and Electronic/Techno Pack Equipment (as defined in the policy, eg. money, jewellery, camera equipment, electronic equipment etc) is not covered unless from a locked room or building. If you have to leave your vehicle unattended overnight, remove your belongings and take them in to the building you are staying in.
On outward or return journeys, if you stay in a motel on an overnight trip, we do not expect you to unload the whole car but any valuables should be removed.
https://www.snowcard.co.uk/personal-belongings-and-equipment
As from vehicles and tents, if at all possible, you should lock unused equipment in your car. If this is not possible, cover is not excluded but the problem with police reports is an ever present reality. Keep an eye on your equipment at all times and do not leave it unattended if at all possible.
In the event of a claim you will require a police report documenting the loss or theft.
https://www.snowcard.co.uk/personal-belongings-and-equipment
Your ski equipment is covered if you leave it outside a restaurant/bar whilst you stop for a break. If you leave your skis outside, unattended and unlocked overnight, you may not have your claim paid. It is advisable to use ski locker rooms at your accommodation.
Do not leave skis unattended in public areas for extended periods of time without locking them away. A useful loss prevention measure is to split your skis with another member of your group to deter theft. Report thefts to the police immediately and obtain a report. Claims are subject to a satisfactory police report.
https://www.snowcard.co.uk/personal-belongings-and-equipment
All Snowcard policy levels include £2 million personal liability (also called third party liability) cover as standard.
Personal liability cover is included under the Medical and Accident Expenses section of cover. Confirmation is provided on your insurance policy schedule issued when you purchase your insurance.
In Italy, it is a condition of using ski slopes that you hold personal liability insurance. Snowcard policies comply with this regulation.
Note: There is no cover for third party motor liability or liability for operating motorised vehicles such as jet skis, skidoos, motor bikes or hire cars.
https://www.snowcard.co.uk/medical-and-accident-expenses