NSCF Travel Insurance Information

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The National Ski Federation held a conference this past summer to discuss various types of trip insurance and important things to know. 

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Travel Insurance Quick Guide for Ski Trip Participants
 

1) Policy Types (Only Two)

•  Medical‑Only: Covers treatment while traveling (doctor/ER/urgent care), usually requires you to pay up‑front and file for reimbursement. No trip cost protection.

• Package Policy (Recommended): Medical + Trip Cancellation + Trip Interruption + extras (baggage delay/loss, etc.).

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2) Standard vs. “Cancel For Any Reason” (CFAR)

• Standard Trip Cancellation: Cancel/interrupt for covered reasons only:

•  Illness, injury, or death of you, your roommate/travel companion, or an immediate family member.

•  Pays 100% of insured, non‑refundable prepaid trip costs. •  

CFAR Add‑On: Also lets you cancel for other reasons (e.g., poor snow, pet illness, fear of disease, civil/political unrest).

•  Pays \~75% for non‑medical reasons; still 100% for illness/injury/death. •  

Critical Timing Rule: To get CFAR and pre‑existing condition waiver, buy within 14 days of your  *first dollar* toward the trip (airfare, pass, club deposit, etc.).

•  Credit card → transaction date; check → date written on the check.

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3) Pre‑Existing Conditions

•  Waiver typically available only if you purchase within 14 days of your first trip payment. •  

Applies to you and relevant family members whose health could force you to cancel.

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4) Medical Care & Medical Evacuation

•  Seek care anywhere (doctor/urgent care/ER); keep itemized receipts. You usually pay first, then claim.

•  Rescue off the slope (common fee in Europe/Asia) is reimbursable—save the invoice. •  

Medical Evacuation Home: If hospitalized and you notify the insurer, they coordinate and pay

transport (commercial or air‑ambulance) after you’re “fit to fly.”

•  Medicare doesn’t cover outside the U.S.; some supplements reimburse foreign medical bills but

generally not rescue/evacuation.

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5) Trip Interruption (During Trip)

•  If you get ill/injured mid‑trip (including documented quarantine), you can be reimbursed for unused trip portion and certain extra costs.

•  Must see a clinician (telemedicine counts if recorded in your portal) before returning home.
 

6) What to Insure (and What Not)

•  Insure: Only non‑refundable, prepaid costs (lodging, tour, non‑refundable airfare, non‑refundable ski passes like Ikon/Epic).

•  Don’t insure: Refundable items or reusable airline credits you plan to use. •  

Multi‑use passes: If you miss one trip, claims are typically pro‑rated across planned uses.

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7) Weather, Delays, and Baggage

•  Weather delays/cancellations: Covered after minimum delay window (often \~6 hours) for meals/ hotel—get written airline proof stating weather.

•  Airline fault (crew no‑show/overbook): Usually not covered by insurance; work with the airline.

•  Delayed baggage: Essentials (toiletries/clothes) up to limits—ski gear/equipment purchases are

not covered.

•  Missed connections due to weather: Covered after minimum delay window.

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8) Annual Travel Plans (Great for Frequent Travelers)

•  12‑month coverage starting any date; each trip must be ≤ 45 consecutive days and ≥ 100 miles

from home.

•  Includes medical, evacuation, trip cancellation/interruption (covered reasons only). No CFAR on annual plans.

•  Choose an annual trip‑cost pool per person (e.g., \~\$3k / \$5k / \$7.5k / \$10k). Once used, you can purchase a new annual plan.

•  Renew within 7 days of expiry to maintain the pre‑existing condition waiver.

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9) COVID & Quarantine

•  Before departure: Positive, named test result = covered cancellation (100% under Standard). •  

During trip: Documented positive test/quarantine = trip interruption benefits for missed days and

certain added costs.

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10) Documentation Checklist

•  Buy within 14 days of first payment if you want CFAR and pre‑existing coverage. •  

Keep: doctor/telemed notes, test results with your name, itemized receipts, airline delay letters

showing “weather”, proof you reimbursed a roommate (Zelle/Venmo/check), baggage delay reports.

•  If hospitalized, call the insurer’s 24/7 assistance number (on your policy) so they can coordinate evacuation.

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Quick FAQs

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•  Can I estimate trip cost early? Yes—estimate low to meet the 14‑day window; adjust later and pay the difference.

•  Roommate paid the room—can I claim my half? Yes, if you prove you reimbursed them. •  

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State Dept advisories = coverage? Not by themselves. War/civil unrest cancellations need CFAR. •  

Can I mix annual + per‑trip? Yes—use annual for routine trips; buy per‑trip coverage for very expensive itineraries.

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Credit Card Travel Protections

•  Some premium credit cards (e.g., Chase Sapphire, AmEx Platinum, Capital One Venture X) include built‑in travel protections such as trip cancellation/interruption, baggage delay, rental car coverage, and sometimes limited medical/evacuation benefits.

•  Coverage varies widely by card, so travelers should check their card’s benefit guide before purchasing separate insurance.

•  If coverage is strong enough, you may only need supplemental medical/evacuation coverage.

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Where to Shop for Policies

•  Allianz Travel Insurance – Offers both annual and per‑trip coverage.  

www.allianztravelinsurance.com 

•  Squaremouth – Policy comparison site to see plans from multiple insurers. www.squaremouth.com •  

InsureMyTrip – Another top‑rated comparison marketplace. www.insuremytrip.com •