There’s so much fun and excitement in winter sports. From snowboarding to cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, or tobogganing, there’s so many activities to choose from. After all, it’s important to stay active during the winter.
And no matter what, it’s best to stay safe and protect yourself from unexpected emergencies with the right type of travel insurance. In fact, the Canadian government also encourages travellers to purchase travel insurance.
So, what is travel insurance? What type of travel insurance should you buy? How do travel insurance claims for winter sports work?
Read on for the answers to these questions below!
Can I Get Travel Insurance For Winter Sports Activities?
Believe it or not, travel insurance can cover winter sports like downhill skiing, snowboarding, ice skating, snowshoeing, snowmobiling, and more.
TripMate® Travel Insurance is one such option. However, some providers may be able to cover high-risk sports and activities as well.
Emergency Medical Insurance
No matter what type of winter sport or activity you love to do, your travel insurance should provide coverage for medical emergencies. Here’s why. Outside of Canada, your provincial healthcare plan may only cover less than 10 per cent of your medical costs.
For example, TripMate® Travel Insurance Emergency Medical Insurance can help cover unexpected emergencies such as:
- Ambulance services (ground, air or sea)
- Emergency air transportation
- Remote evacuation
- Emergency hospitalization and treatment
- Dental services
- Fracture treatment
Travel Insurance for Extreme Winter Sports
If you’re an extreme winter sports fan, it’s important to note that few providers can provide coverage for high-risk sports and activities.
However, through Allstate’s TripMate® Travel Insurance customers can add Sports & Activities Coverage onto their Emergency Medical Insurance.
This optional Sports & Activities Coverage provides coverage for activities including backcountry and off-piste skiing and snowboarding, downhill freestyle skiing/snowboarding in organized competitions, high-risk snowmobiling, ice climbing, mountaineering, and more.
Here’s a handy tip! Avoid rope-ducking and adventuring into closed-off areas. Otherwise, you won’t be covered if an accident happens and may be on the hook for medical expenses.
Always familiarize yourself with your surrounding terrain and avoid going alone. Lastly, if you’re on a snowmobile, remember that the vehicle can cause avalanches, so it’s recommended to take an avalanche training course before you drive off into the snow.
Travel Insurance for the Winter
The winter season isn’t just about being out in the great outdoors; it also means a lot of people are travelling for the holidays or visiting tropical destinations.
With this comes packed airports, lost luggage, unpredictable weather, and potentially delayed or cancelled flights. For TripMate® Travel Insurance customers, consider these insurance coverage options to help this winter season:
- Trip Cancellation & Trip Interruption Insurance for unexpected delays, cancellations, travel advisories, and more.
- Baggage Insurance for lost, damaged, destroyed or stolen baggage and personal effects, and more. This can include any sporting gear you packed (such as helmets, goggles) but may not provide coverage for professional and occupational equipment (like a work laptop).
- Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance for financial protection if you’re in an accident, causing unfortunate death or dismemberment.
- Unstable Pre-existing Medical Conditions Optional Coverage.
How to Make Travel Insurance Claims Easier
First and foremost, you should understand your travel insurance policy and know what is or isn’t considered a medical emergency before leaving on your trip.
Of course, accidents can happen to anyone, even to a well-seasoned traveller.
Whether you’re an Allstate customer or not, if you do need to make a claim, here are some tips to make sure you claim is processed smoothly and quickly:
- Draft a timeline of what happened (if you’re able to)
- Contact your insurance provider to start the claim
- Be ready to send the necessary documents to your insurance company
- Send in your claims form ASAP
We hope this helped you understand the types of travel insurance for winter sports and how you can make your travel insurance claims process go smoother.
Disclaimer: This information and the websites referenced are provided for your convenience only and should not be construed as providing legal or insurance advice. Allstate does not control or guarantee the accuracy of any content on any third-party site. Allstate is not responsible for the privacy practices of any third-party site.
The language on this website may not be the same as the actual policy wording which will prevail in all instances and is available upon request. Certain exclusions, limitations and conditions may apply. ® Trademark owned by Allstate Insurance Company used under licence by Allstate Insurance Company of Canada. ©2023 Allstate Insurance Company of Canada. Allstate Insurance Company of Canada is not the provider for this insurance. Insurance is administered by North American Air Travel Insurance Agents Ltd. doing business as TuGo®, a licensed insurance broker in all provinces and territories. The issuer of the contract is Industrial Alliance Insurance and Financial Services Inc. and Industrial Alliance Pacific General Insurance Corporation. TuGo® and TripMate® are registered trademarks owned by North American Air Travel Insurance Agents Ltd. doing business as TuGo®.