Britain's skiers are putting lives at risk with their lack of concern for safety, according to a new report.
Britain’s skiers are putting lives at risk with their lack of concern for safety, according to a new report.
One in five skiers aged 16-34 admits to being a ‘bit of a daredevil’ and happily taking risks on the slopes, according to research by Norwich Union Direct. Yet a quarter of them confessed to not taking out travel insurance and 47 per cent of those who did were unaware if their policies also covered them off-piste.
Nearly one in five young skiers say that they like to push themselves on difficult ski runs and, if they did have an accident, believe it would cost them less than Ł1,000.
However, the cost of a broken leg on a skiing holiday in France - the most popular skiing destination for young Brits - could be anything from Ł2,000 to Ł17,000. A serious break could require a week in hospital and all the necessary care, travel home on a stretcher accompanied by a nurse, and the use of an air ambulance back to Britain for serious injuries.
Frankie Nicholson, product development manager at Norwich Union, said: “Looking cool and taking risks are perhaps all part of the excitement for young people when they go skiing, but we are encouraging them to take more care and ensure they have adequate insurance before they go.”
Norwich Union Direct’s travel insurance policies now include new features to help skiers allow for any mishaps on the slopes:
- Improved winter sports cover – snowboarding and off-piste skiing allowed under supervision and in areas deemed safe by resort management.
- Reduced rates for annual multi trip insurance policies - 15 per cent on couples and single parent family cover and five per cent on individual and family cover.
- Annual multi-trip policies include winter sports holidays for up to 17 days.
- Airport car park discounts. Norwich Union Direct customers can receive a discount of up to 29 per cent at 19 UK airports through BCP airport car parks.*
Norwich Union Direct has also joined forces with the RAC and now includes UK Motor Breakdown Rescue and Recovery as standard in travel insurance policies - providing extra protection for customers travelling to and from their departure point in the UK.
For more information about Norwich Union Direct’s travel products, customers should call 0800 092 7197 or visit http://www.norwichuniondirect.co.uk and receive a 10 per cent discount for taking out cover on-line.
Ends
For further information contact Matt Buchanan at QBO on 020 7379 0304 or Lucy Haughey/Liz Kennett at Norwich Union on 08703 66 68 67/07801 901666
Notes To Editors:
Norwich Union commissioned Taylor Nelson Soffres to conduct research with 3020 adults aged 16+ across Great Britain. The survey was carried out on 25-27, 29-31 October and 01-03 November 2002
* The discount varies according to the airport
Norwich Union Insurance is the UK's largest insurer with a market share of around 16 per cent and is more than 1.5 times the size of its nearest rival. It is also the largest personal lines insurer.
It has a focus on insurance for individuals and small businesses. It insures:
- one in five households
- one in five motor vehicles
- more than 700,000 businesses
Norwich Union products are available through a variety of distribution channels including brokers, corporate partners such as banks and building societies and Norwich Union Direct.
- A selection of images is available from the Norwich Union Newscast site at www.newscast.co.uk
- An ISDN facility is available for studio quality broadcasts. Call the press office on 08703 66 68 68.
For all life and pension media enquiries 08703 66 68 73.
For all other media enquiries 08703 66 68 68.