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7 mistakes that could invalidate your winter sports travel insurance
From après-ski drinks to taking a wrong turn on the slopes, here are some easy ways to void your cover
If you’re planning a ski trip this winter, it’s easy to assume that your travel insurance will cover you on the slopes. But winter sports policies often come with conditions that can invalidate a claim if you’re not careful.
Which? explains seven key ways it can be invalidated and how to avoid problems before you go.
7 mistakes that can invalidate winter sports cover
Winter sports cover varies widely between insurers, and small differences in wording can make a big difference if you need to claim.
1. Skiing or snowboarding after drinking alcohol
Most winter sports policies exclude claims if you were under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Insurers rarely define a specific limit, meaning even a couple of drinks at lunch or a heavy après-ski session earlier could be enough to cause problems if you're injured later.
Check: whether your policy excludes claims linked to alcohol, and how broadly that exclusion is worded.
- Find out more: best ski insurance 2026.
2. Going off-piste without meeting the conditions
Off-piste skiing is often excluded unless you’re:
- With a qualified guide
- Carrying appropriate safety equipment, such as avalanche gear.
Skiing just a few metres beyond marked runs can still count as off-piste if it’s not officially open or patrolled.
Check: how your policy defines off-piste skiing and what conditions must be met for cover to apply.
- Find out more: best ski holiday companies 2026.
3. Ignoring piste closures or safety warnings
If a run is closed or avalanche warnings are in place, insurers usually expect you to follow local rules. If you ski anyway, it can give them grounds to reject a claim, even if the injury wasn’t directly caused by the hazard.
Check: exclusions relating to ignoring local authority or resort safety advice.
4. Taking part in activities that aren’t covered
Not all winter sports are included as standard. Snowboarding, sledging, freestyle park skiing, snowmobiling or ice climbing may require specific cover.
Assuming that an activity is covered because it’s common at a resort is a common mistake.
Check: the exact list of sports covered by your policy and whether winter sports cover is an add-on or included automatically. It’s also worth checking whether your policy covers owned equipment, hired kit or both, and what counts as damage on the slopes.
5. Failing to declare a pre-existing medical condition
If a medical condition you didn’t declare contributes to an accident or affects your recovery, insurers can refuse to pay out. This applies even if the condition seems unrelated to skiing, such as heart or joint problems.
Check: what counts as a pre-existing condition and whether you need to declare controlled or historic conditions.
6. Not wearing safety equipment when required
Some policies require you to wear a helmet where local laws or resort rules apply, particularly for children. If you ignore these requirements, insurers may argue that you didn’t take reasonable precautions.
Check: any conditions around helmets or other protective equipment in your policy wording.
7. Delaying medical treatment or failing to tell your insurer
Most policies require you to seek medical help as soon as reasonably possible and to contact your insurer promptly after an accident. Waiting too long can make it harder to prove what happened and may weaken or invalidate a claim.
Check: time limits for reporting incidents, whether insurer approval is needed before treatment, and your medical cover limits and excess, as winter sports injuries can be expensive to treat.
Check that you're getting a great deal and search for a new travel insurance policy using the service provided by Confused.com. Get a quote now.
5 tips to save money on ski insurance
- Use more than one comparison site: prices can vary between comparison websites, so it’s worth checking more than one, such as Compare the Market, Confused.com, GoCompare and MoneySuperMarket. Once you’ve found a cheap option, double-check the policy includes the winter sports cover you need.
- Choose annual cover if you ski more than once: if you’re planning more than one trip, annual travel insurance with winter sports cover is often cheaper than buying separate single-trip policies, even if those trips are only a few days long.
- Only pay for the activities you’ll actually do: winter sports cover often bundles higher-risk activities together. If you’re sticking to piste skiing, you may be able to cut costs by avoiding cover for off-piste skiing, freestyle parks or snowmobiling.
- Balance the premium against the excess: a lower premium often comes with a higher excess for winter sports claims. Choosing a higher excess can reduce the price, but make sure it’s an amount you could afford to pay if something did go wrong.
- Don’t overpay for ski equipment cover: if you’re hiring skis or boots, check whether your policy already covers hired equipment before paying extra. If you own kit, set cover limits close to its value rather than opting for the maximum by default.
