FCO warns of winter sports costs for uninsured

The Foreign Office is urging agents to warn winter sports clients of the potential dangers of travelling without insurance.

New research carried out by the FCO shows that almost a third of Brits don't buy cover when heading for the slopes.

And 61% of those questioned said they did not know that many policies do not cover accidents that happen off-piste or when an excessive amount of alcohol has been consumed.

There was also much confusion about what the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) entitled holders too with only 53% of people surveyed getting it right.

The card, which replaced the E111 in 2006, does not pay for helicopter ambulance, medical repatriation and transport off the slopes with a ski patrol.

With no travel insurance, anyone needing these services would end up paying thousands of euros personally for them.

FCO spokesman Phil Lord said: "We strongly advise those hitting the slopes this winter to take out comprehensive travel insurance.

"Many skiers will be unaware that their insurance may not cover them if they've been drinking alcohol or for skiing off-piste. Medical treatment and repatriation can leave you thousands of pounds out of pocket - it's just not worth the risk."

Consular staff in winter sports regions abroad report heavy drinking as a major factor in people getting into difficulties on the mountains.

Said Dr Laurence Bristow-Smith of the British Consul General in Milan: "Many British visitors on a skiing holiday are not familiar with a mountain environment - freezing temperatures, snow and ice and slippery terrain. Many of them are not aware that alcohol can have a different effect when consumed at altitude.

"We've provided support in a couple of consular cases where fatal accidents in the mountains were a direct result of drinking too much alcohol. In one case the insurance company refused to pay out as the policy holder ‘had put himself in unnecessary danger and was under the influence of alcohol'.

"This meant that repatriation costs, amounting to thousands of Euros, had to be met by the family."

The FCO will launch a safety campaign in some of Europe's major winter sport resorts early next month.

With permission from Travelmole