Aviva publishes guide to safe skiing

Aviva-publishes-a-guide-to-safe-skiing

As your Aviva Private Clients gear up for some fun on the slopes, Aviva would like to share some advice to help them stay safe while enjoying their winter break.

Even the most competent skiers and snowboarders can be involved in collisions or accidents, so Aviva has compiled some advice to help keep people safe on their winter breaks:

  • When selecting winter sports travel insurance, make sure it meets your needs before you buy it. Keep your travel insurance medical emergency helpline number and your policy number to hand.
  • If you've not skied before or you haven't been on the piste for a while, make sure you have a lesson or two.
  • Carry a fully charged mobile phone with you.
  • Don’t drink and ski – one drink with lunch is okay, but too much alcohol will slow down your reactions and impair your observation and balance.
  • Remember to take an EHIC card. It still offers state-provided emergency medical treatment in EEA countries.

For further information on keeping safe on the slopes visit the FIS (International Ski Federation) website.

In addition, when skiing downhill, you can travel at speeds equivalent to cycle racing – so protective headgear or helmets are highly recommended.

Also, always be aware of your immediate surroundings, and remember: snowboarders and skiers follow different lines down the mountain, so take particular care when you turn.

Always follow all safety guidelines, including those set by the resort, and use the necessary safety equipment.

Bindings

Most leg and knee injuries result from incorrectly adjusted ski bindings. The suitable DIN setting is a complicated equation based on ability, age, height, boots and weight. You will need to know – and be honest – about these, to ensure the bindings are set correctly. Ideally, calculate your own setting and remember it for next time.

Ice

Your skis must be properly tuned, especially in hard-packed snow. The soft snow can eventually get scraped off the lower slopes, especially where artificial snow cannons have been used. This can leave large expanses of ice. Try not to turn on the ice – instead, ski on to the powdered snow beyond it.

Weather

Weather conditions in the mountains can dramatically change within minutes, so you need to be prepared:

  • Good gloves are essential
  • Wear a helmet
  • Several layers of clothing are better than one

In low temperatures, watch out for unnaturally white patches on the faces of anyone skiing with you. These could be signs of primary frostbite. Break often for hot drinks and thaw out with body heat and massage. Never put affected hands or feet on radiators or in hot water.

Off-piste & avalanches

Aviva won’t provide insurance cover for off-piste skiing, unless accompanied by a qualified guide at all times and only in areas that the resort management consider to be safe. Even then, in early snow, watch out for tree stumps and rocks. 

Mountains are full of hidden dangers, so they must be respected accordingly. You alone are responsible for your own safety.

Set the highest standard of protection

Give your clients the assurance that their world is protected. Winter Sports cover is included as standard with Aviva Private Clients travel cover, which is perfect for your clients who love to ski or snowboard. 

Our Aviva Private Clients travel cover can be added to a Distinct home policy and offers:

  • Cover from the moment your clients book their trip until they return for all their trips up to a maximum trip duration of 90 days.
  • 24-hour helpline with an experienced team on hand to help with:
  • worldwide medical emergencies and associated expenses covers up to £10million
  • Replacement of lost or stolen travel documents
  • Tracing lost or delayed luggage.
  • If your client does need to make a claim, Aviva will deal with it quickly and fairly. Aviva also aims to pay hospital fees direct so your client can receive the treatment required without having to worry about the payment of medical bills.
  • Your clients are welcome to use Aviva's travel assistance helpline before and during their trip away.
  • The cost of cancellation charges are covered up to £15,000.

For more information on Aviva Private Clients, have a look at the Aviva Private Clients Prospectus or contact your Aviva sales manager.

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About Aviva

Aviva Insurance Limited is one of the UK’s leading insurance companies, part of the Aviva group with 34 million customers Worldwide. Aviva Insurance has been in the insurance business for more than 300 years.

In UK commercial, the insurance market remains challenging for insurance brokers and customers, due to the ongoing economic conditions. Aviva Insurance are focusing on improving our processes to ensure Aviva provide commercial customers with insurance cover at an acceptable price. Insurance brokers also recognised our excellent customer service by voting us Insurance Times General Insurer of the Year in 2012, for the second year running. youTalk-insurance sharing Aviva insurance news and video.

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