Purchasing travel medical insurance is as necessary as booking the airfares yet may be relegated to last place. For personal and property protection extensive cover is available for singles, duos, families and groups for up to 12 months.

Travelling overseas in a group can significantly reduce the cost of travel insurance. It is important to note, however, that qualifications on pre-existing medical conditions continue to apply to any member of a group and full disclosure should be made prior to purchasing health travel insurance.

The policy should always be read carefully to fully understand any aspects that may void the cover including travelling in high risk areas and travelling against a doctors advice.

Obtaining the Best Level of Cover

When comparing companies to get a travel medical insurance quote for a snow holiday, careful note should be made of the extent of the cover available, the level of reimbursement each area attracts and if an excess applies.

Critical areas for international ski insurance cover include unlimited overseas emergency medical assistance, medical, hospital and dental; emergency rescue; accident resulting in permanent disability; loss of income; accidental death; and Personal Liability.

All domestic and overseas cover should also include luggage and personal effects; bad weather and avalanche; piste closure; equipment hire, cancellation fees and lost deposits; and rental vehicle kilometre excess. Overseas cover should include travel delay and alternative transport, traveller’s cheques, credit cards and travel documents.

Options include International Ski Cover, Australia Only Ski Cover, Single Trip and Multi Trip. Though the base-line overseas travel medical only cover is not available through ski-insurance for the alpine regions, any of the above options will suit travellers looking for cheap travel insurance as each provides comprehensive value at economical prices.

Medical only cover can be sourced through a variety of travel insurers including online travel insurance company, 1 Cover.com.au, who provide protection across all vital emergency areas of hospital care and medical evacuation.

Snow Sports and Exclusions

As the range of snow sports extend beyond the traditional downhill, cross country skiing and tobogganing to include the more extreme snow biking, night skiing, half-pipe snowboarding, helicopter skiing and others it is no longer valid to assume all “snow activities” are covered.

When taking out travel medical insurance for the snow, travellers need to confirm which sports are covered under the policy. While for many the thrill outweighs the potential risk, if an extreme sport is not covered by travel insurance participation should be carefully considered as all emergency and financial responsibility may then rest with the individual.