Snow injuries – the cold facts

SOUTH Africans heading on snow holidays are seeking broader travel insurance cover as winter travel expands beyond traditional skiing experiences. Karen Botha, Sales Manager at Santam Travel Insurance, told Travel News that travellers were participating in a wider range of snow-based activities. “Snow holidays or ‘coolcations’ extend beyond traditional skiing. Activities such as snowboarding have grown significantly in popularity, along with family-friendly options like sledding or dog sledding, as well as snowmobiling. Santam Travel Insurance policies are designed to cover these activities, which reflect the growing expectations of travellers.” Botha said all Santam Travel Insurance policies automatically included skiing cover. “This applies to all slopes up to and including black runs, with no additional top-up or extensions required. Guided off-piste skiing is also included under the policy.” She said the most common snow-holiday-related claims involved ski injuries, particularly torn ligaments and knee, shoulder and wrist injuries. “In the event of an incident, Santam Travel Insurance provides access to emergency assistance services, ensuring that travellers receive the necessary medical care and support. This includes coordination of treatment, assistance with hospital admissions, and, where required, arranging medical repatriation back to South Africa.” More serious cases may require surgery abroad. However, where travellers are medically fit to return to South Africa, treatment is continued upon their return. “In such instances, this may involve upgrading flights to accommodate medical needs. In more severe situations, particularly involving neck or back injuries, stretcher repatriation may be required,” Botha added. Medical treatment in ski destinations can also be extremely expensive. “Costs such as on-slope rescues, air evacuation and hospitalisation can quickly escalate, often running into hundreds of thousands of rands. Even relatively minor injuries may incur high costs due to the need for specialised transport or treatment in remote areas or resort towns.” Botha urged travel agents to ensure that clients fully understood the extent of their insurance benefits and that they were adequately covered. “Many travellers rely on complimentary insurance products, which may exclude high-risk activities such as skiing or offer significantly reduced cover limits. This can result in insufficient protection, particularly for medical expenses. “A common oversight is assuming that all travel insurance products offer the same level of protection, when in fact benefits and limits can vary significantly.” She said ensuring clients have appropriate and comprehensive travel insurance cover was therefore essential. “Snow holidays offer unforgettable experiences, but they also come with unique risks. Having the right travel insurance policy in place ensures that travellers can enjoy their trip with peace of mind, knowing they are adequately protected.”