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Essential Travel have announced that it is compulsory to wear a helmet while skiing or snowboarding in order to be covered by their travel insurance policy. The company claims to be the first to adopt such a firm policy.
Stuart Bensusan, of Essential Travel, said: "Whilst it is true that a helmet does not reduce all sports injury [sic], it seriously reduces the risk of potentially fatal injuries. That alone warrants making wearing helmets compulsory, and we choose to completely support safety conscious skiers by rewarding them with reduced premiums and bonus discounts."
Essential Travel launched the Use Your Head safety campaign in the wake of Natasha Richardson's death in 2010, raising awareness of the benefits of wearing a helmet. According to a survey on the Use Your Head campaign page on the Essential Travel website, 77% of British skiers now claim they wearing a helmet — a rise of 15% from 2010's figure of 62%.
The Use Your Head campaign is backed by a host of ski industry companies including Ellis Brigham — who offer a 10% discount on helmets through the site — Neilson, Tail-Wags and Facewest.
Would the necessity of wearing a helmet effect who you booked your travel insurance through?
Written by Charlie Hamilton-Beaufort
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