Snow lovers are already looking forward to skiing again on the fresh crunchy snow. Even if you are a good skier, an accident on the slopes can never be completely ruled out.

A large part of the risks is already covered by compulsory health insurance. For international assistance and repatriation within Europe you can count on Mutas (the emergency center of the health insurance funds). But in specific cases, that coverage will fall short. For example, the health insurance fund does not provide for the repatriation of your vehicle or your traveling companions. To be completely reassured, you will therefore have to take out extra insurance.

If you already have travel accident insurance, the risks associated with skiing are often included in the package. But you can also take out insurance that focuses solely on ski risks.

D'hondt Insurance will compare the different formulas according to your wishes and/or needs, because the guarantees can differ greatly per insurance company.

Ski insurance can cover the following:

• Financial contribution to the rental price if your ski equipment is damaged.
• Financial contribution in case of theft of your ski equipment. A police report is requested from the local authorities when reporting the crime.
• Costs for the rescue operation in the event of an accident on the slopes. Not unimportant, because deploying a helicopter can easily cost 4,500 euros per hour or more.
• Costs of the rescue and search operations in the event of an off-piste accident. Sometimes it is a condition that you were accompanied by a professional monitor.
• Medical transport on the ski slope
• Medical care and hospital costs abroad
• Medical repatriation
• Ski pass refund
• Aftercare upon return to Belgium
• Cancellation due to lack of snow. Some insurers offer this guarantee, but only if the contract is concluded at least 30 days before departure.

A family of four that travels a few times a year should not take out ski insurance for a certain period, but rather take out travel assistance insurance – including ski insurance – for a year.