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Click here for our Covid-19 Travel FAQ's and Holiday Promise. For all up coming holiday information you can visit out Holidays page.

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The world of travel is as uncertain as it has ever been heading into this winter. We at the Ski Club have put together the following FAQs to help you navigate the sometime complex world of travel, insurance, and what happens if your holiday is cancelled in a Coronavirus-effected world. We have also answered several of your most pressing questions regarding our insurance policies sold via tifgroup or Millstream Underwriting as Ski Club Travel Insurance or as part of the Platinum Membership.

We are living through times of incredible uncertainty, both for ourselves as individuals and for the wider travel industry. Many companies have taken measures to defend against this uncertainty, and travel insurance is one area where this is particularly true. It is vitally important that, now more than ever, you choose the correct insurance product for your needs, and thoroughly understand the risks associated with booking travel in such uncertainty.


Ski Insurance Tips

  • Note down your travel policy number and have it on your person. For example, note it in your phone and also make sure family members or friends on your trip have it too. If you have a Platinum Membership card please note your Policy Number will be printed on the front, with all helpful contact numbers on the back.
  • Follow the Ski Way Code on the mountain. This code advises the best way to stay safe on the mountain.
  • Be aware of local mountain rules. Insurers have the right to withdraw cover if these aren't followed.
  • If you purchase an annual cover, check the limit on the winter sports cover. Some policies might restrict you to a certain amount of days.
  • If you have arranged your holiday independently rather than a tour operator, you need to check that your insurance covers circumstances such as delayed/cancelled flights or additional accommodation if you are unable to get home.
  • Check your policy in detail for the type of skiing it covers. Some might not cover off piste, racing or freestyle skiing.
  • Insurers can withdraw their cover if you are under the influence of alcohol or drugs on the mountain. So think twice if you are drinking on the mountain at lunch or on breaks.
  • Some insurers now insist that you wear a helmet.
  • Make sure your equipment is well maintained and is in date. Faulty equipment could affect your claim.
  • Keep your equipment in view. If you leave it in an unattended vehicle, for example, it may mean you are uninsured.
  • If your equipment is stolen you need to have a police report in order to claim, and show evidence of receipts where appropriate.

 

Our Insurance Partners

Bluefin Sport (part of Jelf Insurance Brokers) - Ski Club GB Ltd is an Appointed Representative of Jelf Insurance Brokers Ltd, trading as Marsh Commercial, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).
We act as an agent to sell Millstream policies, which are branded as “Ski Club Insurance”. Marsh Commercial handle all the “insurance” side of Ski Club Insurance. Platinum membership joins, and enrolment into the insurance provided as part of it, are administered by ourselves via a special agreement.

 

Millstream Underwriting Limited – Provide our new travel insurance policies for Gold, Diamond and Platinum products from 1 September 2020. The Gold & Diamond products are branded “Ski Club Travel Insurance” and Millstream in conjunction with Marsh Commercial handle the sales of these Gold & Diamond products.

Millstream Underwriting Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, FRN: 308584. Registered no: 3896220. Registered office: 52-56 Leadenhall St, London EC3A 2EB. Millstream Underwriting Limited is part of the Nexus Group.

The Platinum product is included within the Platinum membership, and is administered by us, The Ski Club of Great Britain, who are an Appointed Representative of Jelf Insurance Brokers, trading as Marsh Commercial. Marsh Commercial is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FRN 423392). 


Please note - We are only able to provide information directly relating to Ski Club Travel Insurance policies, including that provided as part of Platinum Membership. You must read your own travel insurance policy documents carefully, and ensure any travel insurance you hold is suitable for your demands and needs. We are unable to comment on any policies issued by any provider other than Ski Club Travel Insurance or those issued as part of Ski Club Platinum Membership.

Q - What is FCDO travel advice?

A - The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) issues advice for people travelling overseas from the United Kingdom. They impose non-travel advisories against specific regions of the world they deem to be unsuitable for travel, as well as “all-but-essential” travel advisories. Where a non-travel advisory is put in place, you will need to consult with your tour operator on your options for your trip.

At the start of the pandemic in March 2020, the FCDO imposed an all-but-essential non-travel advisory for all foreign countries. This has since been lifted, and the FCDO have since stated in the Autumn of 2021 that FCDO non-travel advice will only be implemented against a country in relation to the COVID-19 Pandemic when it is listed on the Government's "Red List".

Q - Do i need to return home if FCDO advice changes whilst i am abroad?

A - Current FCDO advice is different from that imposed in March 2020, in that it no longer requires British Citizens to return home. Ski Club Travel Insurance policy holders, including of those issued as part of Platinum Membership, may remain abroad if FCDO Advice changes after your international departure to the natural conclusion of your trip. This applies even if your trip is intended for a long time, such as residing abroad for the whole ski season.

Q - What is the "Traffic Light System"?

A - The UK Government list countries depending on their COVID-19 risk as either "Green" or "Red" list. This defines the steps needed to take to return to the UK - please see here for more information. The FCDO has stated in the Autumn of 2021 that it will seek to match-up their travel advice with this list, although note there is no guarantee of this happening in the future. 

Q - I must now quarantine for two weeks upon returning from my holiday - is it safe to travel?

A - You may need to quarantine upon return from your destination. This depends on your vaccination status and whether you are travelling from a Green or Red list country. Please check FCDO advise carefully before you commence your trip, as this will define whether it is considered "safe" to travel to this destination.

Q - Can i travel if i have an essental reason?

A - The FCDO may permit for “essential” reasons, although they do not offer specific guidance on what is or isn’t considered “essential”. Your insurer will have different attitudes as to whether they will provide cover for “essential” travel.

For Ski Club Travel Insurance policy holders, including those offered as part of the Ski Club's Platinum Membership, “essential” travel may be agreed by Millstream based on a specific set of circumstances. Prior to travel, you will need to check with Millstream to see if they can continue to provide cover for the trip.

q - Will my ski club travel insurance policy cover medical expenses unrelated to covid-19/Coronavirus if the FCDO is advising against travel?

A - No – there is no cover provided under any section of any Ski Club Travel Insurance policy if you choose to travel against the advice of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office. The exceptions to this are;

  • If the FCDO advice changes to warn against travel whilst abroad
  • For Ski Club Travel Insurance policy holders, including those offered as part of the Ski Club's Platinum Membership, if you are travelling for an essential reason, with cover agreed by Millstream prior to your departure.

Ski Club Travel Insurance

Ski Club Travel Insurance offers comprehensive travel insurance combined with industry-leading snowsports insurance. It is important to understand what is and is not covered by your policy before you travel, as no travel insurance policy can or will cover for every single possible eventuality.

Please note - We are only able to provide information directly relating to Ski Club Travel Insurance policies, including that provided as part of Platinum Membership. You must read your own travel insurance policy documents carefully, and ensure any travel insurance you hold is suitable for your demands and needs. We are unable to comment on any policies issued by any provider other than Ski Club Travel Insurance or those issued as part of Ski Club Platinum Membership.

Q - What is covered by ski club travel insurance

A - Ski Club Travel Insurance provides exceptional cover for a range of on-snow related eventualities; if you are injured whilst skiing or snowboarding (or a whole range of other on-snow activities) you are covered for medical expenses up to £10,000,000 – this includes when skiing off-piste without a guide, something that makes our insurance stand out versus many others.
Our insurance provides cover if your holiday is unable to happen in the way that you expect it as a result of unforeseen circumstances. It is important to note that these policies do not cover for every possible eventuality.

Ski Club Travel Insurance provides cover if you are unable to go on your trip because of illness, injury or death of yourself or an immediate relative; or as a result of obligations such as jury service or the requirements of HM armed forces. Furthermore, if the resort you are planning on going to is suffering from too little or too much snow, or an avalanche has rendered it unvisitable, a compensation benefit is available as well as refunds on your “ski pack” i.e. lift tickets and equipment hire.

These are considered normal, unforeseeable eventualities that are priced into the policies that Millstream underwrite and is reflected in our policy prices.

q - Will i be covered if my holiday is cancelled due to fcdo advice changing to warn against travel?

A - Millstream have confirmed that they will consider a claim for cancellation due to changes in FCDO advice relating to COVID-19, providing this advice was not in place at the time of booking.

If FCDO non-travel advice relating to COVID-19 was in place at the time of booking, there is no cover for cancellation if this advice remains in place at the time of departure. 

Q - will i be covered if i have to cancel my holiday if i contract covid-19 or are forced to self-isolate before departure?

A - Full benefit of cancellation cover is available if you, an immediate relative, or someone with whom you are intending to travel return a positive COVID-19 test. Cover is also in place if you or someone with whom you are intending to travel are quarantined before your trip by order or other requirement of a government or public authority, based on their suspicion that you specifically, have been exposed to a contagious disease (including an epidemic or a pandemic disease such as COVID-19). This does not include any quarantine that applies generally or broadly to some or all of a population or geographical area, or that applies based on where you are traveling to, from or through.

q - will my ski club travel insurance policy cover medical expenses unrelated to covid-19 if the fcdo is advising against travel? 

A - No – there is no cover provided under any section of any Ski Club Travel Insurance policy if you choose to travel against the advice of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office. The exceptions to this are;

  • If FCDO advice changes to warn against travel whilst abroad
  • If you are travelling for an essential reason, with cover agreed by Millstream prior to your departure.

Whilst Overseas

A range of issues could affect you whilst overseas. This includes not being able to return home on your planned travel dates, due to the area you are in entering a lockdown. It is essential, at all times, to follow the advice of the FCDO and all local or national bodies in the region you are travelling in.

Note that current changes to FCDO advice are not requiring you to return to the UK as soon as you are able, and you are free to remain abroad with the full benefit of your policy for the remainder of your planned trip. However, it is imperative that your take careful note of any changes to FCDO travel advice as they may require you to return immediately.

Please note - We are only able to provide information directly relating to Ski Club Travel Insurance policies, including that provided as part of Platinum Membership. You must read your own travel insurance policy documents carefully, and ensure any travel insurance you hold is suitable for your demands and needs. We are unable to comment on any policies issued by any provider other than Ski Club Travel Insurance or those issued as part of Ski Club Platinum Membership.

q - I have fallen ill/been involved in an accident - what do i do?

A - You should contact the relevant emergency assistance line to receive advice and instruction on what to do. This should be done as soon as practicable. For our Platinum members, this will be indicated on the reverse of your Ski Club Membership card. Otherwise, this will be indicated throughout your policy documents.

  • Emergency Assistance & Claims – 0330 660 0742

q - I'm stuck abroad due to local emergency restrictions - what should i do?

A - You should follow all local and national emergency restrictions when abroad. If this results in the delay or failure of your return travel to the UK, Republic of Ireland or Channel Islands from your international departure point and you are unable to complete the trip before your travel policy expires, cover will automatically be extended without additional premium for the additional days necessary to complete your trip, as long as you are making every effort to return home.

Millstream are not normally able to arrange extensions whilst abroad – the exception to this as above, if you are unable to return home on your booked transport before your policy expires. FCDO advice to “avoid all but essential travel” does not preclude you from travelling back to the UK – this is considered “essential” travel.

Millstream are unable to assist in the re-arrangement of travel – except as a result of illness or injury. You should contact your tour operator or flight/transporter provider to arrange this.

q - I'm stuck abroad and my single-trip/multi-trip policy is about to expire - what do i do?

A - All Ski Club Single-Trip or Multi-Trip policies, including that provided as part of Ski Club's Platinum Membership, allow for travel between the start and end date of the policy. If you are stuck due to either:

  • Death, injury or illness during your trip
  • Delay or failure of public transport services during your trip
  • Delay or failure of your return flight to the UK, Isle of Man or Channel Islands from your international departure point;

And you are unable to complete the trip home before your travel policy expires, cover will be automatically extended without additional premium for the additional days necessary to complete the trip as long as you are making every effort to return home.

Millstream are not normally able to arrange extensions whilst abroad – the exception to this as above, if you are unable to return home on your booked transport before your policy expires. FCDO advice to “avoid all but essential travel” does not preclude you from travelling back to the UK – this is considered “essential” travel.

Millstream are unable to assist in the re-arrangement of travel – except as a result of illness or injury. You should contact your tour operator or flight/transporter provider to arrange this.

q - I'm stuck abroad and I'm about to reach the single-trip limit on my multi-trip policy - what do i do?

A - All Ski Club Multi-Trip policies – including the insurance provided as part of Platinum membership – include a 31-day limit to any one single trip abroad between the start and end date of the policy. If you are stuck due to either:

  • Death, injury or illness during your trip
  • Delay or failure of public transport services during your trip
  • Delay or failure of your return flight to the UK, Isle of Man or Channel Islands from your international departure point;

And you are unable to complete the trip home before your travel policy expires, cover will be automatically extended without additional premium for the additional days necessary to complete the trip as long as you are making every effort to return home.

Millstream are not normally able to arrange extensions whilst abroad – the exception to this as above, if you are unable to return home on your booked transport before your policy expires. FCDO advice to “avoid all but essential travel” does not preclude you from travelling back to the UK – this is considered “essential” travel.

Millstream are unable to assist in the re-arrangement of travel – except as a result of illness or injury. You should contact your tour operator or flight/transporter provider to arrange this.

© 2022 Ski Club of Great Britain® Limited. Registered in England No. 4312167 - Ski Club GB Ltd is an Appointed Representative of Marsh Ltd which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority for General Insurance Distribution and Credit Broking (Firm Reference No. 307511). Registered in England and Wales Number: 1507274, Registered office: 1 Tower Place West, Tower Place, London EC3R 5BU. All rights reserved.
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