Fans of winter sports have been urged to check their travel insurance policies before they head off to the slopes, as inadequate or cheap holiday insurance could end up costing them an arm and a leg.

The warning comes from the British Insurance Brokers’ Association (BIBA) as the annual exodus to the ski slopes begins in earnest this month. BIBA reckons that one in seven holidaymakers have no insurance at all and urged skiers to compare travel insurance and buy a policy before they fly out.

Even those with a policy need to ensure that the cover is comprehensive enough to cover all eventualities. Graeme Trudgill, BIBA technical services manager, said: “Start at the beginning and check if your policy covers winter sports at all.

“Then you should make sure you’re not putting yourself at risk by relying totally on your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), for example.”

He continued: “The basic cost for a broken wrist is £3,000 in Europe and the EHIC card does not guarantee free medical treatment in all cases.

“If you need to be airlifted from a mountainside, for example, that could mean a bill of tens of thousands of pounds and you should compare travel insurance to ensure you are covered for such a possibility.”