FAQ
Adventure Basic policies cover up to 4 weeks of Nordic cross country skiing only, that is langlauf style cross country skiing on marked resort trails (not back country ski touring).
Adventure Plus and Max Adventure policies cover up to 4 weeks of winter sports holidays. These policies are intended for persons who go on no more than 4 weeks of winter sports holidays a year. The ‘4 weeks’ does not refer to the number of days skiing but the travelling time on a winter sports holiday.
If you ski for more than 4 weeks in a policy year, you must take the Extreme Adventure 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
Unfortunately we are unable to offer travel insurance quotation for persons aged over 75. For information on obtaining a quotation from an alternative provider, please visit the British Insurance Brokers’ Association website at: www.biba.org.uk
This directory is also useful https://www.moneyhelper.org.uk/en/everyday-money/insurance/travel-insurance-directory?source=mas
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.
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.
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
Electronic/Techno Pack equipment, (see definitions), is covered upto the amount specified on your Insurance Schedule. High value items should be insured separately under a home contents insurance. Theft of unattended electronic/techno pack equipment is excluded.
https://www.snowcard.co.uk/personal-belongings-and-equipment
https://www.snowcard.co.uk/content/mountain-biking-categories
Adventure Plus - Cross-country cycling is defined by the terrain on which it is performed. Cross-country courses and trails consist of a mix of rough forest paths, single or double tracks, smooth fire roads, and even paved paths connecting trails together. Cross-country trails are deemed "easy" or "intermediate" and rely more on physical prowess than technical ability.
Max Adventure - Trail riding mountain bikes are typically ridden on mountain trails, fire roads, logging roads, and other unpaved trails. These types of terrain commonly include rocks, washouts, ruts, loose sand, loose gravel, roots, and steep slopes or ski runs, sometimes accessed using ski lifts.
Extreme Adventure - Trail riding above 3000m
Pro Adventure - Enduro in its most basic definition is a type of mountain bike race where the downhills are timed, and the uphills are mandatory but not timed. Riders are timed in stages that are primarily downhill, with neutral "transfer" stages in between. The transfer stages usually must be completed within a time-limit, but are not part of the accumulated time. Downhill mountain biking (DH) is a genre of mountain biking practiced on steep, rough terrain that often features jumps, drops, rock gardens and other obstacles. Freeride is a discipline of mountain biking closely related to downhill mountain biking, dirt jumping and freestyle BMX. The focus is on tricks, style, and technical trail features.
Please note: e-biking is treated the same as above providing the e-bike is used as per the manufacturers specification and has not been modified. e biking e bikes e-bikes
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
It is a general condition of cover that you follow FCDO or government advice, which is available from www.fco.gov.uk
If FCDO advice is that ‘they advise against all travel’ or ‘they advise against all but essential travel’ then you will not be covered for claims directly or indirectly connected to the reason for the FCDO advice.
Where caution is advised, you must follow more specific suggestions like using the services of professional guides or local agents.
The FCDO often advise against travel to certain areas in a country that they otherwise do not advise against all travel to. Please ensure that you have read the FCDO advice and you understand these restrictions prior to travel.
If in doubt, you should contact the British Embassy at your intended destination for advice. In the event that it becomes too dangerous to visit a country you have booked to go to, in the first instance you must seek either a refund or an alternative holiday from your tour operator. It is normal that where it becomes impossible to provide travel services because of hostilities or negative FCDO advice that tour operators provide such assistance.
Where you make independent travel arrangements or book directly with service providers overseas, you may not have such protection and it is advisable to use a tour operator where there is a higher than normal risk of terrorist activity interfering with your journey.
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.
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.
• You must always take proper care of your belongings and not leave things, particularly valuables, unattended. Leaving something behind is not covered.
• Valuables like cameras, jewellery, money (see definitions) are not covered when unattended except in locked accommodation.
• Fragile items are not covered against accidental damage.
• For equipment, we specifically exclude damage whilst being used for racing or competition.
• Damage in use of mountain bikes and cracking, scratching and denting of canoes or kayaks in use are not covered.
https://www.snowcard.co.uk/personal-belongings-and-equipment