Winter sports are growing in popularity and have diversified into different forms. Charlotte Bayley assesses the underwriting ramifications
With the winter months drawing closer, underwriters can expect to receive applications from winter or snow ‘sports’ enthusiasts who head for the slopes annually. These recreational activities have been increasing in popularity in the UK, with the snow sports market witnessing a continuing growth last year.
The availability of ‘budget’ flights has made it more affordable for winter sports participants. In addition, the continued development of artificial snow slopes in the UK has increased the accessibility to the sport. Furthermore, we must not forget the popularity of the Scottish mountains for skiing with over 150,000 people heading north each year.
Since 2006 over a million people have headed for the slopes to enjoy various activities including skiing, cross country or ‘Nordic’ skiing, snowboarding and ski-boarding.
Types of Snow Sports
Skiing can generally be grouped into two categories: Alpine skiing (or downhill skiing) and Nordic skiing. The term ‘skiing’ generally refers to alpine skiing (the most common form of recreational skiing activity). There are currently approximately 200 million skiers worldwide.
Alpine skiing takes a variety of forms: freestyle (simply acrobatics on skis!), randonee skiing also known as Alpine Touring which involves skiing off-piste, ski-mountaineering, or for the more adventurous heli-skiing which is off-trail and downhill skiing accessed by a helicopter.
Nordic, or cross-country skiing (XC skiing), on the other hand is the oldest form and encompasses all types of skiing where the heel of the boot is not fixed to the ski. Other types of Nordic skiing include ski-jumping, Nordic touring and Telemark ‘free heel skiing’.
For those seeking an alternative challenge from what traditional skiing has offered, the last 15 years have seen the emergence of new sports such as snowboarding and skiboarding (or snowblading).
The popularity of snowboarding has increased over recent decades and in 2008 there were estimated to be around 5.1 million snowboarders around the world. Snowboarding uses techniques developed from skiing, surfing and skateboarding.
Skiboarding on the other hand combines the elements of skating, snowboarding and skiing. This is a popular alternative to skiing/snowboarding as shorter skis and no ski poles are used, making it much more nimble.
In the lead up to the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics we may even see an application from someone seeking the thrill of one of the more extreme and competitive winter ‘sliding’ sports – Bobsleigh, Skeleton or luge tobogganing.
Underwriting challenges
Due to rigorous safety regulations, fatalities from recreational winter sports are rare, however, the sport is not without its risks. The recent death of actress Natasha Richardson illustrates that fatalities can and do occur, and although minimal these are likely to be due to a head or spinal injury caused by a collision.
In general, the injuries sustained from winter sports are likely to be musculo-skeletal, with snowboarding and snowblading having a higher injury rate when compared with Alpine and Nordik skiing. Hazardous weather and snow conditions can increase the risk of an accident.
The most common injuries sustained while skiing mainly affect the lower extremities, in particular knee injuries to the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), the meniscus (cartilage) and the medial collateral ligament.
Snowboarding, however, has a different injury picture with upper extremity injuries being more common – mainly wrist fractures, ulnar collateral ligament (elbow) sprains/dislocations, and rotator cuff injuries to the shoulder.
Snowblading has the highest overall injury rate, with lower limb fractures being the main culprit.
The overall picture is that while accidents can happen, the risk is still very small when compared to other types of recreational activity.
Assessing the risk – important questions your customer may be asked: What type of snow sport do they participate in? At what standard or level do they participate – hobby, amateur or professional? Is the involvement for pleasure only, or are they involved in competitions? How frequently do they participate? And, where do they participate?
Rating risk
Those participating in all forms of skiing (including Randonee and Nordik ski-jumping), snowboarding, snowblading and luge tobogganing at amateur level would normally be acceptable for both life and critical illness cover at ordinary rates. For the more advanced or professional competitor, ordinary rates may still be offered for life, with an exclusion for critical illness.
Small loading of 1 per mille (£1 per thousand sum assured) would normally be applied for bobsleigh with an exclusion for critical illness cover.
With regards to the disability benefits, those participating for pleasure only or holidays may be acceptable at ordinary rates, with an exclusion applied for more frequent or advanced and professional involvement.
However, an underwriter will pay careful attention to any history of musculo-skeletal injuries and if there is a long history when combined with a participation in snow sports a declinature may be more applicable.
Charlotte Bayley is senior underwriter at Zurich UK Life
References:
Skiclub.co.uk, RGA, Ski-injury.com,
Puresportmed.com, Munich Re
