French Travel News-2010/2011 | Foreign office warns winter holidaymakers over travel insurance

Friday, November 26th at 15.01 by William Hobson

British skiers and snowboarders about to embark on French holidays this winter have been cautioned to take out travel insurance by the Foreign Office, who has warned that thousands of holidaymakers are travelling without.

The Daily Telegraph reports that a survey of 2,300 people has shown that almost a third of respondents do not take out cover before they embark on winter sports holidays. Furthermore nearly two thirds of skiers and snowboarders are entirely unaware that their policies will not cover them if an accident occurs offpiste or whilst under the influence of 'excessive' alcohol consumption.

It also revealed widespread confusion over the role that a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) can play if they are injured whilst staying at an overseas skiing chalet. France, like other members of the EU, may grant holders of a EHIC the right to public healthcare - but the EHIC card does not cover the cost of transportation off the slopes, or for medical or air ambulance repatriation.

'We strongly advise those hitting the slopes this winter to take out comprehensive travel insurance,' says Phil Lord, spokesman for the Foreign Office. 'Medical treatment and repatriation can leave you thousands of pounds out of pocket - it's just not worth the risk.'

According to The Telegraph, whilst a basic policy will usually cover travellers for medical bills of up to £10m - including surgery, accommodation, transport assistance, ambulance and repatriation costs - without insurance a serious injury on a European piste can cost holidaymakers bills of up to £25,000.