It is possible to spend a peaceful stay in the mountains. However, good travel insurance is essential, experts advise
Spring break is here! Whether you're heading to the mountains with your kids at home or abroad, you shouldn't forget about insurance. Otherwise, you risk additional expenses up to several hundred thousand crowns. What should you prepare for and what news are waiting for you this year?
In order for you to feel safe in the mountains, travel insurance is primarily used. In case you are indulging in common sports with your family, such as skiing and snowboarding on marked slopes or cross-country skiing, the basic will suffice. For an adult, the average cost per day is about a hundred, for children the costs are roughly half.
"According to our data, the average price of travel insurance has increased by 70 percent from 60 crowns per day to 102 crowns per day since 2015. This increase mirrors the rise in the average wage. At the same time, we register a reduction in the length of the ski stay by one day. In 2015, the average stay was six days, now it is five days on average,"
Karel Šultes, director of the data and analysis department of Klik.cz group, explained to LP-Life.
Meanwhile, in January, a number of insurance companies presented that they are offering additional discounts on insurance. For example, the amount can climb up to half the standard price at Direct insurance and AXA.
The addition consists of risk, i.e., extreme sports. This category includes, for example, ski mountaineering, freeskiing, snowmobile riding or skiing and snowboarding in a snowpark. The cost of insurance can then climb to almost double the basic insurance.
And even though you are insured, also have enough cash with you. Somewhere, especially abroad, you need to pay a certain amount on the spot.
"When traveling abroad, we recommend clients to have at least 100 euros in cash. If they pay a fee on the spot, it's important to ask for a receipt, which we will then reimburse them in the Czech Republic,"
wrote to the editorial office the spokesman of Kooperativa Milan Káňa.
When you are not insured at all
In addition, there are sports that insurance does not cover at all. These include ski cross, ski jumping or cross-country skiing off the marked trails.
If you forgot about travel insurance and had an accident, you have to count on paying a lot for treatment. In Austria, a mountain rescue service costs about 170, a helicopter transport more than 130, and a fracture of limbs and ribs on average just under 50,000 crowns. These are average amounts calculated by our insurance companies.
Liability Insurance
Another significant matter that people are increasingly using is liability insurance. This comes in handy for example when you knock down another skier on the slope. From the insurance, the damaged party is paid for the costs associated with treatment, pain and suffering, compensation for lost wages during work incapacity, and for entrepreneurs lost profit. For permanent consequences, these also include compensation for difficult social application. In addition to medical expenses, this insurance also applies in the situation when you lose borrowed sports equipment.
"If we look at liability insurance, we can see that ten years ago it was included in just half of the travel insurance policies. Today, it is part of the vast majority of travel products. It is important to point out the new obligation, which is to have a confirmation of liability insurance with you,"
reminds Şultes in this context.
In Italy, liability insurance is even mandatory. Skiers without it face a fine of up to 150 euros, which is almost 3,800 crowns in conversion.
Safety on the go
But you should be careful even on the way to the mountains. Skis, snowboards and snowshoes need to be on the roof rack, or securely fastened in the trunk. If not, you risk a fine. For example, in Austria, it can be up to 500 euros, or 12,500 crowns. In the event of sudden braking, your equipment could topple over, sometimes being deadly dangerous. And if the police deem it necessary, they can prohibit you from continuing your journey until the equipment is properly stored.
In higher mountain areas abroad, snow chains are also needed. If they are not part of the equipment, it means a fine of up to 5,000 euros, or 125,000 crowns.
Whether you spend the winter at home or abroad, do not underestimate the dangers waiting for you in the mountains. It is definitely worth getting insurance in advance and arranging such equipment to save further inconvenience.
Sources: author's article, own questioning
