Where to Ski And Snowboard - ‘No snow’ insurance claims soar

‘No snow’ insurance claims soar

3rd April 2015, by Abi Butcher

Warm with no snow: Tignes in late November 2014

A massive number of “no snow” claims have been made by skiers so far this season, following a winter of very average snow conditions.

Almost half (44%) of winter sports claims have been made for no snow already this year, compared to seven per cent of all claims during the 2013/14, according to Alphatravelinsurance.co.uk.

The news comes as no surprise on the back of a season that has recorded poor snowfall and warm temperatures across many parts of Europe and North America.

But the good news is that the average cost per claim fell this season — £81.50 compared to £109.76 over the 2013/2014 season - a reduction of 26%.

Alphatravelinsurance.co.uk has warned that personal damages could rise next season as the popularity of safety gadgets such as avalanche airbags give skiers a false sense of security with many taking unnecessary risks while going off-piste.

The company said it has received “several reported incidents of safety gadgets causing harm instead of protecting its user”.

It claims that in one case reported this year, a skier was caught in an avalanche while skiing off-piste. Although he was prepared and was wearing an avalanche airbag, the deployment sent him hurtling into a tree.

Chantelle Dadd brand manager of Alphatravelinsurance.co.uk said: “Attitudes in the holiday industry are changing, with the onus being put back onto the customer when it comes to safety.

“With that in mind, injuries that involve another person carry a risk of being part of a liability claim later on, with the injured person(s) able to make a claim within three years after the incident, and children being able to do so until the age of 21. The rising popularity of personal injury lawyers reflects the way in which our culture is changing, showing that incidents while on holiday can extend beyond your own personal claim for medical expenses, often incurring hundreds of thousands of pounds, if not more.”