Snowboard Insurance

Why Insurance Is Essential

Snowboarding, especially freeride and park riding, comes with a real risk of getting hurt. Without coverage, the costs can be crushing:

• Mountain rescue and helicopter: for mountain rescues, several regions (for example Abruzzo) ask you to pay part of the cost, mainly for unjustified calls or rescues without hospital admission. Rates are set by regional resolutions and change: check the one for the region you’re visiting. Abroad, if you’re not insured, you pay all the costs yourself.
• Hospitalization: abroad it can be very expensive
• Repatriation: after a serious hospital stay abroad, flying home by air ambulance can be very expensive
• Third-party liability: if you cause damage to others (for example by crashing into another skier), compensation claims can be very high; on Italian slopes liability insurance is required by law (see below)

Types of Coverage for Snow Sports

Mountain Rescue Insurance

Covers the cost of rescue if you have an accident in the mountains, including helicopter transport. Some options:

• CAI (Club Alpino Italiano): CAI membership includes mountain rescue cost coverage for members; the membership fee varies by section.
• CNSAS (Corpo Nazionale Soccorso Alpino e Speleologico, Italy’s national mountain and cave rescue service): rescue in Italy isn’t always free: several regions charge all or part of the cost, mainly for unjustified call-outs or rescues without hospital admission (see above). A policy can cover those costs.
• Commercial insurers: specific “snow and mountain” policies with comprehensive coverage.

Travel Health Insurance

Essential when you go abroad. It usually covers:

• Medical and hospital expenses
• Rescue and transport
• Medical repatriation
• Trip interruption for medical reasons

Always check that the policy explicitly covers winter sports and, if you ride off-piste, off-piste activities too. Many standard policies exclude high-risk sports.

Third-Party Liability (RC)

Liability insurance required by law. Anyone using alpine ski runs in Italy (snowboarders included) must have valid third-party liability insurance for damage to people or property (art. 30, Legislative Decree 40/2021). When you buy your lift ticket (in Italy, the “skipass”), the resort must offer you a liability policy (this doesn’t apply to areas reserved for cross-country skiing). Riding without coverage: fine of €100–150 and withdrawal of your lift ticket (art. 33). Before buying one, check whether you’re already covered (home/family policy, club memberships).

Liability insurance covers:

• Physical injury to other skiers or snowboarders
• Property damage
• Legal costs in case of a dispute

Personal Accident Coverage

Covers the consequences of injuries to you: temporary or permanent disability, a daily hospital allowance, and medical expenses. Useful if your basic health insurance doesn’t cover sports.

Where to Find Coverage

Credit Card

Many premium credit cards include travel and winter sports coverage. Check your card’s terms: if you paid for the trip with that card, you may already have basic coverage. Watch out: there are often geographic limits and low caps.

CAI Membership

Club Alpino Italiano membership is one of the best-value options if you spend time in the mountains in Italy. CAI membership includes mountain rescue cost coverage for members. Third-party liability for your personal activity (for example skiing on the slopes) is not automatic, though: you have to request it separately from your section with a specific form, and it costs extra. Before relying on your membership to meet the on-slope liability requirement, check the limits and prices in the current CAI insurance circular. Membership fee: varies by section, so ask yours.

Dedicated Snow Policies

Many insurers offer seasonal or daily policies designed for winter sports. Compare coverage and caps before you choose.

Lift Ticket Add-On Policies

When you buy a lift ticket, the resort must offer you a liability policy (see above); some resorts also offer add-on policies with broader coverage. Decide whether that coverage is enough or whether you’d be better off adding a separate policy.

What to Check Before Buying

• Are winter sports included (and not excluded)?
• Is off-piste riding covered?
• What is the cap for helicopter rescue?
• What is the cap for medical expenses abroad?
• Is medical repatriation included?
• Is there a deductible (the part you pay yourself)?
• Are there exclusions related to alcohol or drugs?
• How does the claims process work?

In Case of an Accident: What to Do

1. Call emergency services right away (112)
2. Keep all medical documents and receipts
3. Document how the accident happened (photos, witness names and contact details)
4. Contact your insurer as soon as possible
5. Don’t sign anything before talking to your insurer

Note: the information on this page is general guidance only. Coverage and terms vary from policy to policy. Always read the whole contract before you buy.