Remember Bruce Willis in Die Hard 2 shredding powder on a snowmobile? Well, we don’t recommend going guns blazing on bad guys using a snowmobile as he did. We’ll leave that for the movies. The adventure sport of snowmobiling is fun and exciting but it does come with risks. So, we do recommend getting travel insurance for snowmobiling before you depart on your vacation.
Travel Insurance for Snowboarding
Having travel insurance for snowmobiling on your vacation is important. However, many run-of-the-mill insurance plans won’t offer coverage for adventure sports like snowmobiling.
You should take the time out to check if the travel insurance plan you’re considering for your vacation has this coverage. If not, you will need to look for a plan that does cover snowmobiling travel insurance plan promptly. If you need help selecting the best insurance policy for your plans, call our customer services representatives for assistance now.
Snowmobiling Basics
Snowmobiles, also known as snowmachines in some parts of the world, are large, powerful vehicles that people drive on the snow. They’re fast and can reach speeds of up to 90 mph. It is recommended that children avoid riding on snowmobiles because of the potential dangers. Even expert snowmobilers take precautions before riding it.
People enjoy snowmobiling in many different places around the world. Some of the best locations include West Yellowstone, Montana and Priest Lake, Idaho in the U.S., and Langjökull, Iceland. These areas are popular snowmobiling vacation destinations because they have good snow for it, they have snowmobile rental shows and there are tours for vacationists that don’t know the area.
Snowmobiles are also used in many different places for more than just leisure tours. In some areas, it could be the best mode of transportation. Snowmobiling is also an extreme sport; professional snowmobilers participate in various races. One such race is called the snowcross; like motocross but with snowmobiles. These races have jumps, tight turns, and bumpy terrain. Racing may be exciting, but there are more risks that come with it.
Other kinds of racing include, cross country, hill climbs, and also drag races. Snowmobiles can also run on water for short periods. So, the water cross is another kind of race. However, snowmobiling over water is dangerous. However, the excitement keeps experienced riders going regardless of the risk. Although, it is important to consider the hazards involved.
Risks of Snowmobiling
As fun as snowmobiling is, there are risks that any snowmobiler should be aware of. Accidents are preventable when you exercise caution. In unknown surroundings, it’s not the best idea to speed ahead for a number of reasons. Even in an area you’re familiar with, snowmobilers still need to give consideration to potential hazards. Having the strength to controlling the snowmobile is something to consider as well.
Injuries and fatalities in snowmobiling are more common than some might think. Sudden turns can result in the rider losing control of the snowmobile, the snowmobile could keep going if you’re not using the killswitch, it could roll with you on it, or you could be thrown off. It’s possible that riders could crash into other snowmobilers, an animal could suddenly appear in front of you, or you could run into something like a tree or a building. If you go off path, there is also the possibility of driving over the cliffside.
Riding the snowmobile over ice is dangerous because ice can break at any time. Falling into the water underneath the ice is very risky. Going over water is dangerous too. Mainly because you’re riding on the wrong element. Snowmobiles are not water crafts, so many preventable accidents happen because of this. Additionally, people attempt water skipping using snowmobiles. On occasion, this action has led to snowmobilers crashing into trees or just capsizing.
Snowmobiling is risky because of these elements and can cause an accident. Crashing can lead to a many different injuries, like a head injury which can cause concussions or dizziness. Which is why wearing a helmet is mandatory in snowmobiling.
There are specific safety precautions that riders must follow. Following them can help you to reduce the risk of injury on your snowmobiling vacation. However, if an injury occurs, having a snowmobiling travel insurance policy will be very helpful. This adventure sports travel insurance will provide medical coverage if it’s needed.