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Skiers urged to remember travel insurance

The skiing season may be uncertain this year with a shortage of snow, but skiers are being urged not to forget travel insurance.

Too many skiers risk their luck by going away with only a European health insurance card (EHIC) for protection, even though this only covers them for essential medical treatment.

Although the EHIC card providers holders with the same essential medical treatment as an "insured" person living in the country, it only provides low level financial reimbursement for basic medical bills and does not cover food, overnight stays or air ambulances.

This means that breaking a leg on a skiing trip can end up costing a holidaymaker £15,000.

Adrian Lawrence, from Europ Assistance, warned: "Potentially skiers requiring extensive medical treatment would have to be repatriated to the UK or Ireland by air ambulance at a cost of around £10,000.

"Equally, we would warn UK travellers visiting European destinations not to rely solely on the European health insurance card (EHIC) to cover their medical costs.

"Frequently, skiers can end up being taken to the nearest private clinic for medical treatment. This can result in high medical bills that would not be covered by the EHIC.

"All in all we would urge all travellers to think carefully about whether they can afford to take the risk."

For skiing essentials, click here to see how much you could borrow with Lombard Direct.

15/12/2006 16:30:52

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