Cover from the snow

More than one million winter sports enthusiasts will be waxing their skis and heading off to the slopes this winter but it's vital to shop around for your travel insurance if you don't want it to cost an arm and a leg.

Even beginners need cover with 50 per cent of accidents occurring during a skier's first season, according to insurer, American Express. Snowboarders are six times more likely to have an accident than skiers and typically injure ankles and wrists while skiers are more likely to hurt their knees.

Getting the right policy

Bread and butter travel insurance is not enough for this type of holiday. Skiers need special winter sports cover added to their policy which covers skis, equipment and piste closures as well as medical expenses and baggage cover. Being covered for medical expenses and personal liability is more important on a ski holiday than any other kind of trip as the likelihood of you being involved in an accident is much higher than if you spent the week on a beach with a good book. A comprehensive policy for a weeks' skiing can be bought for about £16 but some insurers charge up to £100 so it is best to shop around rather than accept what your travel agent offers you. The cheapest policies can often be found and bought online.

The cost of being uninsured

If you're not insured and have to fork out for treatment yourself the cost can be crippling, never mind the injury. If you break your leg in France it will cost between £250 and £600 for mountain rescue, up to £4,000 for treatment including surgery, and about £600 for your airfare home. Sustain the same injury in America and you're looking at £250 to £600 for mountain rescue, up to £20,000 for treatment including surgery, and up to £4,000 for your airfare home.

Litigation is big business in the US so make sure you have personal liability cover if you go there - fellow skiiers are more likely to sue if you crash into them and cause injury. Wherever you ski, experts recommend a minimum of £2m medical expenses cover, £1m personal liability, £3m cancellation, £1,500 baggage and £250 cash. Check the smallprint to make sure your policy covers cancellation and baggage as some of the cheaper policies scrimp on this type of cover.

If you are skiing in Europe it is a good idea to get a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) which replaced the E111 form from January 1, and is available from post offices. This entitles you to emergency medical treatment on the same terms as the nationals in all European member countries and can help you make substantial savings on any medical costs and insurance excesses should you incur an injury.

14 September 2007 © Moneyextra.com

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