Travel Insurance for Switzerland

Travel, winter sports and ski Insurance for holidays in Switzerland.

The Swiss have an abundance of dramatic landscapes, historic castles, ski resorts and alpine villages that make holidays a pleasure in any season.

If you are travelling for a winter sports holiday then you'll almost certainly want "ski cover".

Ski Holiday Insurance

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At the best of times skiing, though fun can prove a little hazardous, plus equipment is expensive, so appropriate insurance is not really optional, especially for families and the over 65's.

Many travel policies have the option to include "winter sports". This add-on tends to cover ski equipment, or hired ski equipment, ski equipment hire costs, ski school packages, piste closure and avalanche or landslide cover.

The additional premium will generally extend your policy to include winter sports activities and some liabilities:

• Winter Sports Usually Covered
  • Skating: - Blade skating, ice skating
  • Alpine Skiing:- on and off piste but within the resort boundaries (piste is defined as the marked ski run within the resort boundaries), alpine, mono, big foot, cross country/Nordic, dry slope, glacier
  • Powered: - Sleigh riding as a passenger (pulled by horse or reindeer)*, husky dog sledding (organised, non-competitive with local driver), Snow mobiling (skidoo)*, ice windsurfing*, ice go karting (within organisers guidelines)*
  • Boarding: - Snow boarding on & off piste but within the resort boundaries, airboarding
  • Sledging & tobogganing:- Kick sledging, sledging, tobogganing
  • Walking: - Glacier, snow shoe walking, winter walking (using crampons and ice picks only)
  • Snow tubing
  • Training:- Training/racing (ski school)
• Ski Equipment
  • Definition: - Ski equipment is generally defined as skis and snow boards (inc. bindings), ski boots and ski poles. Ski equipment is usually excluded under regular travel insurance under the "baggage" clause
  • Value:- Equipment depreciates on a sliding scale over so many years (e.g. 5) to zero. Proof of ownership / cost (receipts) required.
  • In Transit: - If damaged in transit usually a report from the airline and a filed claim is needed. Receipts etc are needed and to copy these for your insurer. If in the care of another carrier then you'll generally need written confirmation from them
• Unattended Equipment:- As a rule of thumb you must have kept your own or any hired equipment in a secure baggage area if unattended, even while you enjoy your wine, Emmental and chocolate or window shop luxury watches. General exclusions often include: loss, theft of or damage to ski equipment contained in, or stolen from an unattended vehicle unless locked and out of sight in a secure baggage area. It's usual to have to provide evidence of forcible or violent entry (i.e. Police report)

Travel Insurance

Your regular travel insurance (not winter sports cover) would usually cover you for many other activities Switzerland has to offer the tourist, including

• cycling and mountain biking
• hiking and orienteering
• fishing, rowing; and sailing/yachting (if qualified)
• horse riding

Single or Multi-Trip

If you're regularly fly off for winter and Easter or summer breaks then the best price for insurance could be with a multi trip policy. These allow you to select winter sports as an option and can be cheaper than buying separate single trip insurance for each visit.

Typical requirements

• Cancellation, curtailment and trip interruption
• Emergency medical & repatriation
• Baggage for accidental loss of, theft of or damage to baggage, articles and valuables
• Personal money - accidental loss of, theft of, or damage to
• Personal liability - compensation, legal costs and expenses
• Delayed departure
• Missed departure at home or destination
• Missed connection departure or return
• Hijack/Kidnap - of plane or ship
• Legal expenses - legal costs (to a set value) to pursue a civil action
• Extended kennel / cattery fees - if delayed for medical reasons
• Winter sports

European Health Insurance Card

The EHIC card (that superseded E111 form) is valid for UK nationals in Switzerland.

NHS advise that you'll be treated on the same basis as a Swiss resident, so be aware that you may have some costs to pay. Also ensure it is a state run, not private clinic you attend. Show the EHIC to the Dr from the Swiss public health service.

Seeing a Doctor

You are allowed to consult any doctor registered with the Swiss health insurance scheme. Prescriptions are covered if prescribed by a doctor, and are on the official lists.

If admitted to hospital you'll usually have been referred by a doctor unless it is an emergency. In a public hospital inpatient treatment is covered, even for pre-existing conditions, but not in a semi-private or private ward, or private hospital.

Dental treatment is not usually covered unless it caused by a serious illness or an accident.

Ambulance costs and air ambulance costs are charged at 50% of cost; up to 500 Swiss Francs (approx. £325); or 5000 Swiss Francs (approx. £3250) for an air ambulance. You may be able to claim back from UK but not from the Swiss.

Where to Get Information

The Common Institution under the Federal Sickness Insurance Act or Gemeinsame Einrichtung KVG

Where to Get Refunds

Keep all your bills and receipts. On return to the UK apply for a refund to:

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