Does my credit card include ski trip travel insurance?

Many credit cards, especially gold and platinum cards, offer complimentary travel insurance when you book your trip using the card. However, this may not always cover higher-risk activities such as skiing, so it’s important to compare your options and make sure you’re covered.

What is travel insurance, and is it included with your credit card? 

Travel insurance offers coverage for problems that may occur when you go on holiday, such as:

• Cancelled flights
• Lost luggage
• Overbooked hotel rooms
• Hire car issues

Generally, if something goes wrong while you’re on holiday and it leaves you out of pocket, there’s a fair chance that your travel insurance may cover it, allowing you to enjoy your trip without stressing about your finances on top of everything else.

While you can take out an individual travel insurance policy for your trip, you may already be covered and not even realise it. If you booked your travel and accommodation using your credit card, you may now have complimentary travel insurance on your trip.

Credit cards with free travel insurance are more often gold, platinum, or other rewards cards, with the cost of the travel insurance included as part of the annual fee. Keep in mind that some credit cards may only offer international travel insurance, or only domestic travel insurance – check what’s covered before you book.

Does credit card travel insurance cover ski trips?

Ski trips may not always be fully covered by the free travel insurance on your credit card. Generally, you’ll still be able to make a claim if you get sick and need medical attention on your trip, or if there are problems with your transport or accommodation that leave you out of pocket. But skiing means there may be extra risks that the insurer may not typically cover, from loss or damage of expensive ski equipment to paying for mountaintop rescue services.

Some credit card providers may allow you to add skiing insurance onto your credit card travel insurance as an optional extra, which may involve paying an additional fee. You may need to contact the credit card provider and/or the insurer to add this extra insurance on, as it may not be added automatically when you book a ski trip on your credit card.

There may also be specific exclusions in your travel insurance for skiing, such as undertaking high-risk activities, or skiing while under the influence.

You may be able to contact your credit card provider and/or their affiliated insurer to learn more about exactly what is and isn’t covered by the travel insurance policy that comes with your credit card, and if you can add ski insurance on as an optional extra. You may also want to compare insurers to see if a separate travel insurance policy could offer extra value to suit your travel plans and financial needs.

Compare credit cards