Skiers And Snowboarders, Be Aware - Hundreds Of Thieves On The Ski Run Each Year
Breaking your leg on the ski slopes isn't the only risk which you need travel insurance for on a winter sports holiday, as around 70,000 skiers and snowboarders are likely to have something stolen from them as well according to a recent MORI survey by Direct Line Travel Insurance.
Breaking your leg on the ski slopes isn't the only risk which you need travel insurance for on a winter sports holiday, as around 70,000 skiers and snowboarders1 are likely to have something stolen from them as well according to a recent MORI survey by Direct Line Travel Insurance.
The survey showed that 1 in 10 (11%) of all skiers and snowboarders had something stolen whilst on their winter sports holiday. Of those, over half (58%) suffered the theft of their equipment, almost a fifth (17%) had money or credit cards stolen, and around 1 in 10 (10%) had their camera stolen.
The findings also highlighted how most winter sports enthusiasts are inclined to take their own ski equipment each year instead of hiring it. Indeed 8 out of 10 skiers (80%) and over half of snowboarders (56%) took some or all of their skiing equipment on their last winter sports holiday.
In addition around a quarter of all winter sports enthusiasts (24%) felt that having cover for loss of personal effects, was one of the most important aspects of having travel insurance, and around a fifth (19%), thought protection for loss or damage to their equipment was also important.
Tony Chilcott, Travel Insurance Business Manager at Direct Line said:
"As the survey clearly showed that more and more people are preferring to take their own equipment with them on their winter sports holiday, and many invest hundreds of pounds in kitting themselves out."
"As well as buying the right travel insurance, we would advise people to invest in a decent ski or snowboard lock as an extra precaution. Also if you stop for refreshments and you are skiing with a partner an excellent deterrent is to swap a ski each to make an odd pair of skis. In addition, to safeguard your personal belongings take advantage of the safety deposit box or safe provided by your hotel wherever possible."
Technical details
The MORI survey was conducted during August 2001 and interviewed 1002 people who had participated in winter sports holiday in the last 12 months.
1 According to Mintel around 700,000 people go skiing each year. 1 in 10 had something stolen = 70,000.
