Several 10.000 winter sports enthusiasts across Austria are injured while skiing and snowboarding every year. And for up to 3.000 toboggan fans, the fun in the snow ends in the ambulance. If the helicopter has to be requested, it can get really expensive. Namely when those affected are not insured.

The Austrian Health Insurance Fund is not allowed to cover the costs of transport from the mountain if it is a sports accident in alpine terrain. “Be sure to think about it beforehand: are you adequately covered in the event of an emergency?” says AK Lower Austria President and ÖGB Lower Austria Chairman Markus Wieser.

Many Lower Austrian regions start the ski season on December 8th. Regardless of whether it's a day trip to one of the nearby ski areas or a multi-day skiing experience over the Christmas period - every year tens of thousands of people are injured during the winter season in Austria. And not everyone makes it down the mountain themselves. However, it is still a widespread misconception that the Austrian Health Insurance Fund automatically covers the costs if a helicopter is needed for transport to the hospital. Because it is regulated by law that the ÖGK is not allowed to pay for this. If those affected do not have insurance, they can face a bill of 4.000 euros or more. Depending on the time and personnel required, the costs can even reach double-digit thousands.

Check insurance coverage

Unfortunately, people often contact the AK experts with high transport cost bills, but in most cases their hands are tied. “Before you start having fun on the slopes, it is better to think about whether you are covered in the event of an emergency or whether it would make sense to take additional precautions,” says AK Lower Austria insurance expert Thomas Grünberger. Private accident insurance, membership in the Alpine Club, mountain rescue, nature lovers or an automobile club can be considered. You can also get appropriate insurance cover from ÖSV/Ski Austria.

What to look out for?

If you want to look for insurance: Make sure that the insurance covers rescue, search and transport costs. Take a close look at the insurance conditions: are there risks that are not insured, such as: B. Toboggan runs under the influence of alcohol? It is also worth considering whether you would also like to insure yourself against possible consequences of an accident, such as surgery and elective doctor costs or permanent disability.

By the way: If you are on the mountain and injure someone or damage someone's belongings due to carelessness while skiing or tobogganing, your private liability insurance will cover the situation. This is part of an existing household insurance policy or e.g. B. included in an ÖSV membership.