One in five sports accidents happens to skiers, a study performed by the German Insurers’ Association (GDV) shows. For around 7,100 accidents per ski season, private accident insurers paid an average of EUR 7,750 per accident, accident insurers’ claims statistics for 2017–2023 reveal.
If no other insurer provides coverage, private accident insurance covers the costs of rescue from the slopes after a skiing accident – but also for search and rescue services and transport home or to a nearby hospital
Joerg Asmussen, general manager of the overall association German insurance industry (GDV)
Among the different sports leading to accidents, skiing is responsible for about 20% of all sports accidents, only football accounting for a larger percentage (33%). Tennis and equestrian sports also hold significant percentages in the overall statistics of accidents suffered during the practice of sports activities.
Private accident insurance offers worldwide protection around the clock against the permanent consequences of accidents. This may include not only rescue and rescue costs, but above all one-off payments and pension benefits to mitigate additional costs caused by permanent consequences of accidents.
However, to make sure all expenses are covered when travelling abroad for winter sports, one should take out international travel health insurance, especially when not owning private health insurance.
Moreover, private liability insurance is one of the insurances that everyone should have against the financial consequences that may occur to the person who caused the damage.
Collisions on the slopes often occur, especially when skiing. Without liability insurance, the person who caused the accident must bear the financial consequences themselves, for example personal injuries or damaged ski equipment
Depending on the severity of the accident, there may also incur claims for compensation of pain and suffering. If the claims are justified, private liability insurance will cover the claims; if not, it will defend the claims.
Valid liability insurance is even mandatory for skiers in Italy and South Tyrol. Anyone who goes on the slopes without insurance cover will face a fine and the withdrawal of their ski pass.
According to the German Ski Accident Evaluation Center (ASU), the risk of injury to skiers is increasing, including that of collision accidents, along with number of skiers receiving inpatient treatment. Also, the risk of injury increases for most areas of the body with the exception of the knees.
The German statistics show the risk of collision accidents in the 2023/2024 winter sports season has increased from 1.29 to 1.50 collision accidents resulting in injuries per 1,000 skiers.
According to these statistics, the proportion of collision injuries out of all ski injuries was almost 20%.
In total, there were up to 44,000 skiing accidents vs. 39,000 accidents. According to ASU, the risk of inpatient treatment after a skiing accident also increased from 1.6 to 1.7 per 1,000 skiers. Extrapolated, it can be assumed that there will be up to 7,400 inpatient treatments following skiing accidents.
by Yana Keller
