Are you covered during a ski accident?

The holidays arrive and, on the ski slopes, an accident quickly arrived. Whether because of a fall or a collision with another skier, you may find yourself having to pay for rescue costs or costs related to civil liability. Before leaving, it is essential to check the guarantees of your insurance. Explanations!

Capital video: Are you covered during a ski accident?

What are the precautions to take before going on touring or track skiing?

It is undeniable that ski practice has risks that it is preferable to guarantee. The consequences of a simple fall or collision with a skier can be multiple. Before leaving, the risks should be identified to which winter sports adept is exposed.

Well assess the external conditions

Before hitting the tracks, it is essential to assess the weather conditions. Consult forecasts and alert bulletins on the risk of avalanche, especially in the event of ski touring or off-piste. Also pay attention to the snow state: hard snow, ice or powder, as this can considerably change the stability of your skis.

Always favor security on the slopes

On the tracks, respect the rules of conduct, including priorities and safety zones. Security begins from the equipment. It is essential to wear a helmet to protect your head in the event of a fall.

Also check that your ski bindings are well adjusted, as they can either trigger too easily, or stay blocked. Finally, make sure that your skis and shoes are suitable for your level and in good condition, to guarantee better control of your sliding.

Have good insurance

Before leaving, make sure you have insurance that covers accidents related to winter sports, including emergency evacuations and medical care. It is also advisable to verify that your insurance includes coverage of mountain search and rescue costs.

What is the most frequent ski injury?

Sprains and fractures

The most frequent ski injury is the knee lesion, including injuries from the previous cross ligament (LCA). These injuries often occur during falls, sudden rotations or shocks with other skiers. The knee is very vulnerable during alpine ski activities.

Fractures, particularly collarbone, and head injuries, although less common, are also risks to take into account, hence the importance of carrying a helmet.

Costs consecutive to injuries

Even if, fortunately, very serious accidents are rare, spraining, dislocation, fractures are legion during a collision or a fall on the slopes. They cause care for care, but also research, rescue and evacuation that will be billed to you.

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What are the other consequences of an accident on the ski slopes?

Financial consequences

In addition to the direct financial consequences of bodily accidents (hospital costs, wage losses, etc.), other costs may remain the responsibility of the skier, in particular those of research and rescue which are not covered by social security .

The skier will also have to financially endure the consequences of the flight or accidental breakage of the equipment he has hired.

Possible repatriation and incapacity

If your injury has an inability, maybe it will be necessary to provide you with a driver to repatriate your vehicle and your family. But also to compensate financial losses following a possible work stoppage (not to mention the more tragic cases that are death or disability).

Consequences on the stay

Who says accident often says interruption of stay and early return to the family home with repatriation (and therefore require to have an assistance contract which organizes and takes care of it). What about financial losses linked to the cancellation of the end of the stay (rental fees, canceled ski packages and ski lessons).

Civil liability

Your civil liability can be sought in the event of an accident caused to a third party (in the event of a collision on the tracks in particular). But it can also be in the event of an accident or fire occurring for the duration of your stay through your fault or negligence in the rented or entrusted premises.

Who pays in the event of a ski accident?

In the event of a ski accident, the care of costs depends on several factors, including the insurance of the accidental person, the type of accident and the place where it occurs.

Ski or “snow and mountain insurance”

The ski or “snow and mountain” insurance contract is dedicated to ski practice. It covers in particular emergency, mountain rescue and medical costs abroad if the accident occurs in another country.

Civil liability of the home insurance contract

The multi -risk housing contract covering your accommodation may intervene to take care of certain damages:

• Your civil liability in the event of an accident caused to a third party on the tracks or outside by yourself or a member of your family.
• Your fire liability fire as an occupant of a rented or entrusted room. This under the vacation guarantee generally granted in the basic contract.
• Guarantees of assistance and repatriation under the assistance guarantee.
• As an option, an individual accident warranty for parents, but also an individual child.
• An optional extension guaranteeing the “break and theft of sports and leisure equipment” (which notably covers bikes). Check that it applies well to the equipment taken for rent or entrusted and is not limited to the only materials belonging to the subscriber.
• Sometimes the coverage of research and rescue costs.

School insurance

School insurance can cover your child in the event of a ski accident only if you have opted for the “extra-academic” formula, so these will benefit from the “civil liability” coverage, but also “individual accident” guarantees for their stay in skiing.

The accident accident warranty

The GAV contract will cover the designated beneficiary (s) or the whole family, depending on the formula chosen. This very complete guarantee covers you in the event of a privacy accident and guarantees you, in addition to taking charge of the additional care, a capital in the event of death, disability, the management of loss of income in the event of a work stoppage.

Complementary health

Whether it is the collective contract of your company or a contract subscribed individually, it will cover the additional care fees left by social security, this within the limit provided for in the contract. Depending on the mutuals, the contract may also include assistance/repatriation guarantees.

Your bank card insurance

Let’s be clear: if you do not have a Premium (Gold Mastercard or Visa Premier) or high -end card, Visa Infinite or Mastercard Platinum, forget your bank card, it will not be of any help in the event of an accident.

Indeed, it has no specific “snow” guarantee. But if you hold one of the four sesames mentioned above, then you benefit from the “snow and mountain” guarantee.

Auto insurance

If you have a car, the assistance warranty included in your car insurance contract may take care of your repatriation if you are not medically driving (but also if you travel by train or plane, including in Europe).

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