Why Winter Sports Insurance?
A winter sports insurance is additional coverage to your travel insurance that protects you against the specific risks of skiing and snowboarding. Standard travel insurance covers winter sports not – you need separate winter sports cover.
The costs of a ski accident can €4,000 or more amounts. A helicopter rescue can easily cost €3,000, and in private clinics in Austria or Switzerland the medical costs are much higher than in the Netherlands. Your Dutch health insurance only reimburses the Dutch rate.
In addition, winter sports insurance covers you for theft or damage to your vehicle ski equipment, unused ski passes and ski lessons, and replacement equipment if your belongings are stolen.
How much does a skiing accident cost?
Without winter sports insurance, you pay these costs yourself:
Helicopter rescue
Rescue from the slopes by helicopter
Private clinic
Hospital in Austria/Switzerland
Plaster flight
Returned to the Netherlands early
⚠️ Total: A Skiing Accident Can Cost €4,000+!
Your Dutch health insurance only reimburses this Dutch rate. You pay the difference yourself – unless you have winter sports insurance with medical coverage.
What does winter sports insurance cover?
Helicopter rescue
Transport from the slopes by helicopter or 'banana' in the event of an accident.
ski equipment
Theft, loss or damage to skis, snowboard, helmet, clothing.
Ski pass & Ski lessons
Reimbursement for unused days in the event of illness or accident.
Substitute Rent
Rental costs for replacement skis if your belongings are stolen.
Plaster flight
Early return to the Netherlands in case of serious injury.
Medical Expenses
In addition to health insurance: difference between foreign and Dutch rates.
🎿 Ski equipment: Up to €5,000 Reimbursement
The maximum reimbursement for winter sports equipment varies per insurer:
- → Basic: €300 - €750 per event
- → Extensive: €1,000 - €2,500 per person
- → Premium: €2,500 - €5,000 per person
- → Rented equipment: Also insured
- → Deductible: Usually €50 for equipment
Tip: Insure yourself extra if your ski equipment is worth more than €1,000.
⛑️ Ski helmet Mandatory From 2025/2026!
From the winter season 2025/2026, a ski helmet is mandatory for everyone on the slopes:
🇦🇹 Austria
Helmet compulsory for children up to 15 years old, from 2025/2026 onwards for everyone
🇮🇹 Italy
Helmet compulsory for children up to 18 years + third party liability insurance mandatory
🇵🇱 Poland
Helmet compulsory for children up to 16 years old
🇸🇮 Slovenia
Helmet compulsory for children up to 14 years old
⚠️ This applies to skiers, snowboarders, sledders and tobogganers!
🇮🇹 Italy: Liability insurance Mandatory!
Since January 2022, liability insurance (AVP) has been mandatory on the slopes in Italy:
- ⚠️ Mandatory for everyone: Skiers and snowboarders, all ages
- ⚠️ Without insurance: Fine + ski pass can be confiscated
- ✓ AVP via insurer: Take digital evidence with you on the slopes
- ✓ Exit locally: Can also be done when collecting a ski pass
💡 Do you have AVP (Private Liability Insurance)? Request a Confirmation of Cover.
🏔️ Off-Piste Skiing: What is Insured?
Off-piste skiing is covered by many insurers, but... only under conditions:
- ✓ With guidance: Certified guide or ski instructor required
- ✓ No prohibited areas: Obey warnings and prohibition signs
- ✓ Avalanche code: With code 3 or higher there is often no coverage
- ✗ Without guidance: Often NOT insured!
- ✗ Heli-skiing: Usually excluded
⚠️ Always check the conditions! Search and rescue costs can be €4,000+.
💰 Premium indication Winter sports insurance
Winter sports is additional coverage to your travel insurance:
| Type | Coverage | Premium |
|---|---|---|
| Short term 1 week | Winter sports + luggage | €10-€25 |
| Short term 2 weeks | Winter sports + luggage | €20-€45 |
| Ongoing surcharge | Winter sports module | +10% premium |
| Continuously complete | Winter sports + medical | €8-€20/month |
| Increase equipment | Up to €5,000 coverage | +€2-€5/month |
* Always include medical expenses – helicopter rescue costs €3,000+!
🏥 Medical Costs: Crucial for Winter Sports!
Your health insurance only covers it Dutch rate. In winter sports countries the costs are often much higher:
- → Private clinic: In Austria/Switzerland often private clinics with higher rates
- → Helicopter: Rescue from slopes €3,000+, not always covered by health insurance
- → Plaster flight: Return trip with plaster €1,500+
- → Deductible: Often included in winter sports insurance
Advice: Always take out coverage for medical expenses abroad in addition to your winter sports coverage!
⚠️ Please note: Normal Travel Insurance Does Not Cover Winter Sports!
You are without additional winter sports coverage not insured for:
- ✗ Helicopter rescue and 'banana' from the slopes
- ✗ Damage or theft of ski equipment
- ✗ Unused ski pass and ski lessons
- ✗ Higher medical costs in winter sports countries
Winter sports insurers
We compare the best winter sports insurers:
💡 Tips for your Winter Sports Insurance
- ✓ Always cover medical costs: Helicopter rescue €3,000+, not covered as standard
- ✓ Check equipment coverage: Increase if your skis are worth more than €1,000
- ✓ Italy: AVP mandatory: Take digital evidence with you on the slopes
- ✓ Wear a helmet: Mandatory from 2025/2026, prevents serious injuries
- ✓ Off-piste only with guide: Without guidance, often not insured
- ✓ Continuously cheaper: If you go on winter sports more than once a year
- ✓ Save receipts: For ski equipment damage claims
- ✓ Put ski lock on skis: Or swap skis with a traveling companion to prevent theft
📊 With vs. Without winter sports coverage
| Situation | With Cover | Without |
|---|---|---|
| Helicopter rescue (€3,000) | ✓ Reimbursed | ✗ Pay yourself |
| Skis stolen (€800) | ✓ Reimbursed | ✗ Pay yourself |
| Ski pass not used (€300) | ✓ Reimbursed | ✗ Pay yourself |
| Private clinic Austria | ✓ Difference reimbursed* | ✗ Pay yourself |
| Plaster flight to NL | ✓ Reimbursed | ✗ Pay yourself |
| Replacement rental skis | ✓ Reimbursed | ✗ Pay yourself |
* With additional coverage for medical costs
🚗 Going on a winter sports holiday by car?
Don't forget to insure your car properly for winter conditions:
- ✓ Roadside assistance Europe: Empty battery, starting problems, towing on slippery road surfaces
- ✓ Winter tires: Mandatory in Germany and many other countries
- ✓ Snow chains: Mandatory to take with you in many countries
- ✓ Vignette: Necessary for Austria and Switzerland
