On Austria’s skiing pistes snowboarders form a minority, but they are more accident-prone that their colleagues on two skis. According to a ÖSV accident study, only eight in a thousand skiers, carvers and snowboarders suffer an injury in the winter season. A quarter of the injured are snowboarders. The most frequent injuries to skiers are knee damage (40%), whilst snowboarders mainly suffer damage to their arms (40%)

Like all other leisure-time injuries, sports injuries are not covered by the normal legal accident insurance, and to date only one Austrian in four has private insurance. UNIQA now offers extended accident insurance, with cover for consequent damage after an accident. Other risks can be covered with "Unfall & Umsorgt Kapitalvorsorge", with additional modules, such as accident costs including cosmetic operations. The "Unfall & Umsorgt Lebensrente" compensates the insured for lost income after an accident, so as to maintain the accustomed standard of living.

From 1^st February 2001 UNIQA is offering as part of its accident care system some novelties unique on the Austrian market. If the insured becomes incapable of working as the result of accident, he or she will obtain at least the full sum insured, even if invalidity is less than 100%.

In the case of death, within the framework of family accident insurance, UNIQA takes over further premiums for the co-insured children up to the age of 18. “With the additional benefit of freedom from premiums when the victim is no longer able to work, UNIQA offers a unique product innovation in accident provision in Austria”, explains Peter Stockhammer, the responsible director on the Management Board of UNIQA.

Source: SICHER LEBEN Institute, 1999 Accident Statistics, ÖSV Accident Study.