If you are thinking of heading off for an activity holiday on the slopes, thinking about insurance is a necessity. Despite the number of accidents on the slopes annually being low, as a sport, like any other sport, skiing is inherently risky.

You don’t have to be an extreme skier to have an accident. It is simple common sense, therefore, to make sure that you are protected against every eventuality before you set foot on a mountain. Even if you are skiing in Europe and have your European Health Insurance card, privately insuring yourself is essential.

While you may be able to receive treatment for free or at a discounted price under the European scheme, you will not be covered for mountain rescue or the cost of sending you home in case of an accident. Furthermore, it is not just you, personally, who you should be cautious about on your trip. If you are a keen skier and own all of your own equipment, you will be aware of the fact that skiing as a hobby is certainly not cheap.

If you are hiring your skis, poles and boots then it might be that you only discover just how expensive skiing can be if you have an accident and break or lose them. Standard travel insurance is unlikely to cover loss or damage to your personal possessions if it occurs whilst you are participating in a “dangerous” activity, such as skiing.

And, of course, your winter sports insurance policy will also cover you for all the basics as would a standard policy, including delayed departures, missing baggage or accidents off the slopes. Taking out a winter sports insurance policy could save you a tremendous amount of time and money if something goes wrong while you are away.

In such circumstances, it will definitely be worth the small amount of money that it will cost up-front. Check out the websites of the AA, Go Travel Insurance and 1stop Travel Insurance for comprehensive cover.