2014

Here at Holsure we sincerely hope that you had a wonderful Christmas break, and weren't too affected by the storms and floods if you live in the UK.

We hope too that you have a most fantastic 2014 and reach some of the destinations to which you aspire.

We have just heard that Michael Schumacher's condition has improved slightly after his skiing accident and, along with many others, we wish him a full and speedy recovery. Michael was wearing a helmet at the time of his accident and we can only reiterate the need for full safety equipment to be used when taking part in any wintersports activity that requires it. Michael is an advocate of safety both with The Grand Prix Drivers' Association in Motor Sports and in his love of skiing. Always at the forefront of ensuring driver security in the car and on the track, he carried this concern into his other sporting loves - we should follow his example, for ourselves and our family.

Our website can offer more help in this and other areas, HERE

A Happy New Year to all our followers and readers, and most certainly to a hero of our time - good luck Michael.

WinterSports Chalet scandal - don't get caught

Following on from our recent Blogs regarding Winter Sports Holidays, we picked up recently on an item on BBC News and decided to research the information provided.

It seems that many British Winter travellers have been conned into paying money to non - existent chalet holders on the basis that the chalets were owned by these fraudsters and by dealing directly with them posing as owners, these chalets offered much cheaper accommodation. 

Consensio Holidays have asked for dozens of listed chalets to be removed from the Internet on various rentals websites and Abta - the Travel Association have commented that "it is a growing problem".

Remember when booking your holidays to make sure that the company is a member of a Travel Association such as Abta and pay by Credit or Debit Card - not by transfer. 

Finally, remember that is something looks too good to be true....well, it probably is...

For more information regarding Travel Insurance wherever or whenever your holiday is please take a look at our website HERE

Wintersports Travel Insurance - What Can You Expect?

From Luging to Zorbing.....or just relaxing...

With a language seemingly all its own Wintersports holidays are not only becoming increasingly popular, but also increasingly complex and extreme. From Zorbing to Skeletons, Bobsleigh to Dog Sleigh, Luging to Sidooing there appears to be a sport, no matter how minor, suitable for anyone. 

No one can deny that Winter Holidays also have an atmosphere of their own - an off piste and on piste cameraderie that extends back home. Friendships made on ski holidays seem to last beyond the break and this may be because families and couples are more likely return year after year at the same time and to the same location.

Insuring your holiday where extreme sports or even the most gentle of ski slopes can cause tumbles, falls, slips and bumps is of vital importance and we recommend too, that policies are taken out when booking your trip to make sure that your deposit is also covered, but what can you reasonably expect to cover?

Well, Holsure have a dedicated policy just for those who like wintersports abroad, including skiing, sledging, snowboarding and skidooing.

For those under 66 years old, the policy aims to cover everything you may require for your wintersports holiday, including: off piste skiing or snowboarding; 4x4 off road driving on ice or snow, (where accompanied by experienced driver or on an officially organised event); Bobsleighing & dog-sledding, cross country skiing & snowboarding, curling, Glacier walking, (when accompanied by an official guide), heli-skiing, Ice hockey, ice skating & land skiing, Luging & mono skiing, Recreational Ski Racing, skiing, skidoos, sledging, sleigh rides, snowboarding, snow mobiling, snowparks, snow-shoeing and tobogganing.

The following will also be covered when supervised by a qualified instructor at all times: bob rafting, ice climbing, ice diving (up to 30m), ice karting, snow rafting, ski joering and piste basher driving, (instructor must be onboard at all times).

Now if you haven't discovered a new word or phrase in that last paragraph or two then you are a dedicated Wintersports person - well done!

We also offer seasoner wintersports cover for those who are going for a season or working in a ski resort.  

For specialist winter sports travel insurance make sure you insure your hols with Holsure - check out our website HERE

The Rising Cost....of Winter Sports Claims...

Rescue costs, both on and off piste, are on the rise and a lot of skiers are surprised at how expensive their medical claims can amount to.

For example, an insured man was skiing off piste in Zermatt (with a guide), when his ski hit a concealed rock. He was catapulted down piste, further off track, losing his skis and breaking both legs and his pelvis. Due to the extent of his injuries and his location, it was not possible for the piste rescue team to collect him and therefore a helicopter rescue was called in. This expense was CHF2200 (approx £1600). His treatment came to just under CHF4000 (approx £2850) and his stretcher repatriation was £5,000. A fraction of the hospital costs were recoverable using EHIC.

If repatriated to the UK with a medical supervisor this would have been a further £7,500.

On average, in France, a standard on piste rescue fee is in excess of £500 alone - this is in relation to a minor injury on a pisted run.

At Holsure, we are, of course, concerned about your health and safety, but for such a low cost to insure a family or a couple for the few days you are away it seems madness not to make sure that costs like those quoted above do not further spoil, what may be the holiday of a lifetime, by adding high financial problems to the medical situation you might experience.

Check our website HERE for what is covered and get a quote right now - you'll be surprised at how little it can cost.

Winter Sports - Early Boost?

Early snow fall across the Alps has prompted a surge in booking enquiries for Winter Sports holidays according to some specialist Travel Companies.  Optimism in North America is also high and Aspen and Park City have opened early, with Whistler opening almost two weeks earlier than planned. Often there are cut price deals available early season due to the unpredictable piste conditions and now can be a great time to take your break if the conditions are right.

If you are planning to book your Winter Break, don’t forget that at Holsure we offer one of the best priced and fully comprehensive plans, covering many extreme activities as mentioned in a previous blog post  HERE.

It can be difficult to obtain Cover for many extreme sports at an affordable price, but please check our website to discover just how little a fully cover plan can cost and don’t forget that if you take out Travel Cover on or before you book your holiday then your deposit can be covered too.

Take a look HERE 

Winter Sports

It may seem a touch incongruous to discuss Winter Sports at the end of what may have been the UK's best summer since 2006, but such is the nature of the Travel Industry that if we want to secure our favourite skiing destination, or the venue that will allow us to participate in all our extreme winter sports in one designated holiday area,  then we have to book early.

But if any holiday demands a comprehensive Travel Insurance Plan then the one where your feet are often planted firmly in the air must be that one. The Holiday during which dealing with the ski lifts can be more stressful than coping with the slopes requires careful planning and an even more assiduous contingency strategy. 

We have all heard of the humorous, shocking, unexpected and gob-smacking anecdotes of skiing holidays - dinner parties everywhere have a whole 45 minutes dedicated to such horror stories that leave us bemused and often grateful that we were not on the receiving end of Lady Luck's attention - this time.

Many of those who take part in Winter Sports Holidays are seasoned pros, or at least returning regulars, but what should you expect from a Winter Sports Travel Policy? Well, take a look at the list below:

• Off piste skiing or snowboarding;
• 4x4 off road driving on ice or snow;
• Bobsleighing & dog-sledding;
• cross country skiing & snowboarding
• curling
• Glacier walking
• heli-skiing,
• Ice hockey, ice skating & land skiing,
• Luge & mono skiing,
• Recreational Ski Racing,
• skiing, skidoos, sledging, sleigh rides, snowboarding, snow mobiling, snowparks,
• snow-shoeing and tobogganing
• Cover for age up to 70
• Ski equipment cover
• Ski pack cover
• Ski hire cover
• Piste closure cover
• Avalanche cover
• Big name reliable insurers: AGEAS Insurance Ltd
• Discounts for Couples, Family and Single Parent Families
• Full medical and repatriation cover abroad including skiing accidents
• UK medical advice and translation service

Pretty comprehensive we like to think, but please check our website for more details, but don't forget - your Insurance should be in place when you book your holiday to ensure that your deposit is also protected.

Take a look around our website HERE