Skiing is a thrilling and enjoyable winter sport, but it also comes with certain risks and challenges.
Whether you are planning to hit the slopes in Colorado, Vermont, or Utah, you need to have a reliable travel insurance plan that can protect you from unexpected events and expenses.
In this article, we will review the 5 best travel insurance companies for ski trips in the USA in 2023, and provide some tips on how to choose the right plan for your needs.
Best Travel Insurance Companies for Ski Trips in the USA
Here are our top picks for the best travel insurance providers for ski vacations in the USA, based on their coverage, benefits, and customer service.
1. Cat 70
Cat 70 is a travel insurance company that specializes in adventure travel and winter sports. They offer comprehensive coverage for ski trips, including medical expenses, evacuation, repatriation, trip cancellation, interruption, and delay, baggage loss or damage, and liability. They also cover a wide range of winter sports activities, such as skiing, snowboarding, ice skating, snowshoeing, and sledding. Cat 70 has a 24/7 emergency assistance service and a flexible cancellation policy. You can get a quote and buy a policy online or over the phone.
2. AXA Assistance USA Travel Insurance
AXA Assistance USA Travel Insurance is a part of the global AXA Group, one of the largest insurance companies in the world. They offer several travel insurance plans for ski trips, with different levels of coverage and benefits. Their Silver Plan covers medical expenses, evacuation, trip cancellation, interruption, and delay, baggage loss or damage, and accidental death and dismemberment. Their Gold Plan adds coverage for pre-existing medical conditions and rental car damage. Their Platinum Plan adds coverage for cancellation for any reason and missed connection. All their plans include access to their 24/7 emergency assistance service and concierge service.
3. Travel Guard® Travel Insurance
Travel Guard® Travel Insurance is a leading travel insurance provider in the USA, with over 30 years of experience. They offer various travel insurance plans for ski trips, with optional add-ons for enhanced coverage. Their Deluxe Plan covers medical expenses, evacuation, trip cancellation, interruption, and delay, baggage loss or damage, accidental death and dismemberment, and travel assistance services. Their Preferred Plan adds coverage for pre-existing medical conditions and change fees. Their Essential Plan offers basic coverage for budget-conscious travelers. You can also add their Adventure Sports Bundle to any plan to cover winter sports activities such as skiing and snowboarding.
4. Allianz Travel Insurance
Allianz Travel Insurance is a part of the Allianz Group, one of the largest insurance companies in the world. They offer several travel insurance plans for ski trips, with different levels of coverage and benefits. Their OneTrip Prime Plan covers medical expenses, evacuation, trip cancellation, interruption, and delay, baggage loss or damage, travel assistance services, and lodging expenses. Their OneTrip Premier Plan adds coverage for pre-existing medical conditions and rental car damage. Their OneTrip Basic Plan offers essential coverage for low-cost trips. You can also add their Rental Car Damage Protector to any plan to cover rental car damage.
5. USI Affinity Travel Insurance
USI Affinity Travel Insurance is a travel insurance company that partners with various organizations and associations to offer customized travel insurance plans for their members. They offer several travel insurance plans for ski trips, with different levels of coverage and benefits. Their Select Plan covers medical expenses, evacuation, trip cancellation, interruption, and delay, baggage loss or damage, accidental death and dismemberment, and travel assistance services. Their Elite Plan adds coverage for pre-existing medical conditions, cancel for any reason, and missed connection. Their Economy Plan offers basic coverage for low-cost trips. You can also add their Ski Protection Package to any plan to cover winter sports activities such as skiing and snowboarding.
Factors to Consider When Choosing Travel Insurance for Ski Trips
When you are looking for the best travel insurance plan for your ski trip, you need to consider several factors that can affect your coverage and benefits. Here are some of the most important ones:
- Coverage for medical emergencies and evacuation: Skiing can be a risky activity that can result in injuries or illnesses that require immediate medical attention or transportation to a hospital or clinic. You need to make sure that your travel insurance plan covers the costs of medical treatment and evacuation in case of an emergency.
- Coverage for lost or damaged ski equipment: Ski equipment can be expensive and fragile and can get lost or damaged during your trip due to theft or mishandling by airlines or other carriers. You need to make sure that your travel insurance plan covers the costs of repairing or replacing your ski equipment in case of loss or damage.
- Coverage for trip cancellation or interruption due to weather conditions: Weather conditions can be unpredictable and can affect your ski trip plans. You may have to cancel or interrupt your trip due to a lack of snow or a snowstorm that prevents you from reaching your destination or enjoying the slopes. You need to make sure that your travel insurance plan covers the costs of canceling or interrupting your trip due to weather conditions.
- Coverage for emergency transportation and accommodation: If you encounter an emergency during your ski trip that requires you to change your travel arrangements or stay longer than planned at your destination, you may incur additional expenses for transportation and accommodation. You need to make sure that your travel insurance plan covers the costs of emergency transportation and accommodation in case of an emergency.
- Coverage for winter sports activities: Skiing and other winter sports activities can be considered high-risk or adventurous activities by some travel insurance providers and may not be covered by their standard plans. You need to make sure that your travel insurance plan covers the winter sports activities that you plan to do during your ski trip.
How to Choose the Best Travel Insurance for Ski Trips?
Once you have identified the factors that are important for your ski trip, you can follow these steps to choose the best travel insurance plan for your needs:
Evaluate the specific needs and risks of your ski trip
Before you start comparing travel insurance plans, you need to assess the specific needs and risks of your ski trip, such as the duration, destination, budget, activities, and health conditions of you and your travel companions. This will help you determine the level of coverage and benefits that you need from your travel insurance plan.
Compare coverage and prices from different insurance providers
After you have determined your needs and risks, you can compare the coverage and prices of different travel insurance plans from various providers. You can use online tools or websites to compare multiple plans at once or contact the providers directly to get quotes and details. You should look for a plan that offers the best value for money and meets your needs and expectations.
Read reviews and ratings from other skiers or travel experts
Another way to choose the best travel insurance plan for your ski trip is to read reviews and ratings from other skiers or travel experts who have used the same or similar plans before. You can find reviews and ratings on online platforms or forums or ask for recommendations from friends or family who have gone on ski trips before. You should look for a plan that has positive feedback and a good reputation among skiers or travelers.
Consider additional add-ons or upgrades for comprehensive coverage
Finally, if you want to have more peace of mind and protection during your ski trip, you can consider adding additional add-ons or upgrades to your travel insurance plan to enhance your coverage and benefits. Some of the common add-ons or upgrades that you can choose from are canceled for any reason, missed connection, rental car damage, ski protection package, adventure sports bundle, and more.
By following these steps, you can find the best travel insurance plan for your ski trip to the USA in 2023 and enjoy a safe and memorable winter vacation.
