The
USA and Canada are the most expensive places to have a ski or snowboard
accident, according to new claims analysis from Sainsbury’s. Last winter in the
USA and Canada, the average cost of winter sports-related travel claims was
£2863.
Analysis
of winter sports injury claims reveals that despite a 40% decrease in the
average claims value between the winters of 2009/10 and 2010/11, North America
remains the most expensive country to suffer from an injury on the slopes. Over
the last two winters, Bulgaria remains the country with the lowest average
claim value, of £493, when compared with other top winter sports destinations.
The
research also indicates some notable individual country increases in claim
value during the 2010/11 winter season. The average value of travel insurance
claims in Austria was £1393, up 7% from the previous year, and in France the
average claim during this time was £960, a 13% increase on the previous season.
The
most common travel insurance claim related to winter sports activity is for a
knee injury (31%) followed by injuries to the lower leg (13%) and shoulder
(11%). The most expensive injuries to treat are those relating to the back,
where the average cost of a claim was over £2700. The average cost of a head
injury is over £2280 and injuries to the upper leg, hip or pelvis on average
cost more than £2220.
David Barrett of Sainsbury’s says, “Medical treatment for winter
sports-related injuries can be hugely expensive, particularly if you need to be
transported off a mountain by helicopter.”
