Getting Snowmobile Travel Insurance

If there’s anything you’ll find an abundance of in many Canadian destinations during the wintertime, it’s snow! And with all that snow comes a wide variety of winter sports and activities to suit every traveller’s taste—and the right travel insurance to match.

A popular choice among these of course, is snowmobiling, which offers you the freedom to explore scenic, snow-covered terrain and discover vantage points that are typically inaccessible on foot, or go on leisurely rides along designated trails. But as with any motorized sport, safety is key, as snowmobiling is known to be one of the biggest causes for winter-related sports accidents.

What should your snowmobile travel insurance policy cover? 

If you’re planning on snowmobiling out-of-province or in another country this winter, keep in mind that you’ll be covered by Emergency Medical Insurance in case of an accident or medical emergency. And if you’re planning more than one trip this season or in the year ahead, consider Multi Trip Annual Insurance for convenience, flexibility and added savings.

Remember, when looking for the best coverage for your snowmobiling needs, make sure that it covers essentials like doctors’ visits, prescriptions, hospitalization and emergency transportation, such as by air or ground. But regardless of the time of year, it’s good to be familiar with how Emergency Medical Travel Insurance should cover you so you can be prepared.

What about coverage for high risk snowmobiling?

Thinking of doing more extreme activities on your snowmobile, such as participating, training or practicing on high risk snowmobile runs? TuGo’s Traveller policy defines ‘high risk snowmobiling’ as “racing competitions, endurance events, high-marking and/or snowmobiling in unguided backcountry terrain”. If these sound like the types of activities you’ll be taking on during your winter adventures, then you’ll need to add Sports & Activities Coverage to your Emergency Medical Insurance.

Safety first: a beginner’s checklist

Before even mounting your snowmobile, it’s important to remember to keep safety top-of-mind. And even if you are equipped with a travel insurance policy, there are common reasons your claims for winter sports to be denied, so stay informed about your coverage. 

1. The minimum age to drive, as well as the rules and regulations for snowmobiling can vary (even slightly) across provinces in Canada. Remember to do a bit of research before your trip.  

2. Like any other winter sport, being appropriately dressed to withstand the harsh elements and equipped with the proper gear is essential to your comfort and more importantly, your safety.  

3. Familiarize yourself with the area—plan for the right terrain, study trail maps and routes, ask locals for tips, or take a guided tour to start off. Remember, it’s easy to get lost in the backcountry—especially when all you see in front of you is white!  

4. Try not to go alone and always let someone else know about your general location and route information.  

5. Snowmobiling can easily cause avalanches, so be prepared ahead of time. We recommend taking an avalanche training course to be able to spot and assess signs of avalanche risks, and to pick up helpful avalanche safety skills. 

Snowmobiling promises riders rewarding views and plenty of fun, but it might not be for everyone—and that’s okay. There are plenty of other winter sports and activities to engage in, many of which are covered by our Emergency Medical Insurance plan or the Optional Sports & Activities Coverage. Here’s a guide to help you get the right type of travel insurance for your winter vacation, whether you plan on going skiing or snowboarding, snowshoeing, ice climbing, mountaineering or something else more leisurely.

Have any questions? Drop us a line in the comments below! 

Safe travels,

Justin

Editor’s Note: This post was originally published in January 2019 and has been updated for freshness and/or accuracy.