Compulsory insurance for skiers: how much it costs and how it works
The winter season is near and, although late, the first snow is finally falling on the Alps and Apennines. For ski and snowboard lovers, it’s time to take out clothing and equipment from the closet. Without forgetting the insurance. Because for almost two years now, in Italy those who ski have been obliged to take out a civil liability policy (TPL), protecting themselves from the risk of causing damage or injury to people or things: in this case the company will compensate.
The obligation, introduced by the legislative decree of 28 February 2021, protects snow lovers. Skiers and non-skiers. Because accidents on the slopes are, unfortunately, a constant and sometimes they also involve simple tourists who have never put on a pair of skis. Let’s try to understand how it works.
How is insurance taken out?
There are two ways. The first is to purchase it directly from the facility manager, who in this case applies a single price for ski pass and insurance. It can be done both on site and online, for those who book from home. In fact, operators are obliged by law to make a policy available to anyone who needs it. The second way to insure is to do it yourself: you choose a company and sign up directly with it.
How much does it cost?
It depends first of all on the formula you choose. Based on your needs, you can take out a daily, weekly or seasonal policy. Ania – the association of Italian insurance companies – has calculated a cost between 1.50 and 2 euros per day for policies that only provide for civil liability and between 2.50 and 3 euros for those that also include accidents. As regards seasonal premiums, we are around 30 euros for liability insurance alone and 45 euros for liability insurance + accident.
What do these policies cover?
The mandatory guarantee is civil liability. That is, damage caused unintentionally to other people (injuries, death) or to things while skiing or snowboarding. In short: the classic accident on the track. But then there are many additional guarantees that companies can offer and that everyone is free to choose or not. For example, the additional accident guarantee (reimbursement in the event that the insured person is injured), which often also provides for the reimbursement of lessons, ski passes and rented equipment not used precisely because of the accident.
Other additional guarantees may include telephone medical assistance, return home (useful if, for example, after the accident on the track we are unable to drive) and reimbursement of medical expenses. All clauses that come into force only if you call the emergency service on the ski slopes.
Watch out for duplicates
Taking insurance is a duty for anyone who goes skiing. However, you must be careful not to overdo it and even protect yourself twice: it is a risk that those who already have head of household insurance in force run. These policies cover damage caused by family members – including pets – and almost always also include skiing activities. Therefore there will be no need to stipulate an ad hoc one. In this case, however, the advice is to bring with you both the head of family policy certificate and a document certifying the family status to be presented in case of checks. The fine for those who do not take out insurance, in fact, ranges from one hundred to 150 euros, in addition to the withdrawal of the ski pass.
