Italy – Compulsory insurance for Skiers & Snowboarders
6 January 2022
All skiers and snowboarding holidaymakers will now need to ensure they have 3rd party liability insurance to use the slopes. The penalty will be a fine up to €150 and the withdrawal of you ski pass if you can’t show that you have this in place.
The new rules were introduced last spring following the approval of Decree 40, but came into force on 1st January 2022.
The Decree states: “The skier who uses the alpine ski slopes must have valid insurance covering his civil liability for damages or injuries caused to third parties. It is obligatory for the manager of the equipped ski areas, with the exclusion of those reserved for cross-country skiing, to make available to users, at the time of purchase of the transit permit, an insurance policy for civil responsibility for damage caused to persons or things.”
It has not been confirmed how the new rules will be policed, but it’s anticipated that confirmation of cover will need to be shown to obtain a ski pass, with the option to purchase cover at that point if you are unable to do so.
Italy already has a number of rules in place that have yet to be put in place by other alpine nations, including compulsory helmet wearing for all under 18’s and do not allow skiing or snowboarding while under the influence of alcohol. In addition they also have strict off-piste rules too. We have yet to see if this new insurance requirement will be copied by others.
It is estimated that up to 20% of UK people do not take out insurance for their ski holiday, or rely on limited cover under their core travel cover, despite tour operators and the UK government encouraging travellers to arrange specific winter sports cover that will fully protect them should they need to claim.
Our Private Client team are used to arranging winter sports cover for our clients, alongside other specialist holiday covers, so if you are travelling and have yet to arrange your travel cover, get in touch with Tom or Jade on 0115 942 0111.