Ski Club – Winter sports insurance claims data

Background
Before the advent of the modern ski boot many skiers ended up with fractured ankles when they fell. Because boots now hold the foot and ankle much better, injuries tend to happen further up the leg and hence we now see a larger number of knee ligament injuries. If you were to suffer this sort of injury playing sports in the UK, it would generally be treated conservatively and left to heal on its own, with some physiotherapy, however this can take some weeks to recover from.

Countries where people ski a lot, especially Austria, are very aggressive with treatment and most of the time will operate, this in theory would enable a skier to get back on the slopes later in the season.

Other common injuries include broken / dislocated arms and shoulders, fractured thumbs being a favourite for snowboarders. Head injuries do sometimes occur, snow looks soft but when compacted it is like concrete. Back injuries and fractured hips and along with torn ligaments result in having to bring clients home on stretchers.

Ski Patrol use sledges to take people off the slopes and for more serious injuries, a helicopter is often called in. The Piste Rescue helicopters charge by the minute and are very expensive!

Typical Skiing injuries (not in no. of injuries order) that are claimed for under ski insurance are detailed below:

Ski Injuries

1. Knee damage- mostly ligament
2. Dislocated and broken shoulders / collar bones
3. Ankle injuries of all types
4. Broken Legs
5. Head injuries of all types and severity

Snowboard Injuries

1. Wrist breaks and fractures
2. Broken thumbs
3. Broken and dislocated shoulders
4. Broken arms and legs of equal proportion
5. Head injuries of all types and severity
   

• The average cost of broken legs and arms are below:
  Country / Cost of broken leg (approx) / Cost of broken arm (approx)
  France / £500 / £300
  Italy / £500 / £300
  Switzerland £1,000 / £800
  Bulgaria:£350/ £350
  Canada: £2,000/£2,000
  USA: £6,000/ £3,000

The table below shows cost split by country for the following:

1. Medical Evacuation Costs - Costs for mountain rescue or helicopter transport to hospital
2. Air Ambulance - Air Ambulance repatriation to UK. Costs vary with condition but we have experienced costs up to these amounts
3. Daily Intensive Care Unit (ICU) rates - Average ICU costings
4. Daily Ward rate
   
   Andorra
   1 £1,500.00
   2 £4,000.00
   3 £1,000.00
   4 £400.00
   Canada
   1 £8,500.00
   2 £45,000.00
   3 £4,000.00
   4 £1,200.00
   France
   1 £2,500.00
   2 £6,000.00
   3 £1,200.00
   4 £300.00
   Italy
   1 £3,000.00
   2 £9,500.00
   3 £850.00
   4 £400.00
   Spain
   1 £2,500.00
   2 £10,500.00
   3 £1,200.00
   4 £350.00
   USA
   1 £9,000.00
   2 £50,000.00
   3 £10,000.00
   4 £5,000.00

3 February 2005