There once was a time when helmets on the slopes just looked awful. They made your head look huge, like a boulder and even made you slightly top heavy. Not ideal conditions for skiing or snowboarding.

Insurance and helmet discount
A nice warm hat would suffice just fine, and it meant you could listen to music whilst riding; something that was impossible to do with a retro helmet. However now, in this modern world with our technology, the helmet has become light, stylish and technologically advanced. I mean when you take into account all of these things and the fact that they can save your life, then everyone should be wearing one.

These thoughts are shared with Stuart Bensusan, who is one of the people behind the ‘Use Your Head’ campaign. As part of the campaign, EssentialTravel.co.uk are working with mountain sports retailer Ellis Brigham and brain injury association Headway to educate skiers and snowboarders about the importance of wearing a helmet.

EssentialTravel.co.uk is even offering 15% on insurance for winter sports trips for those who are willing to wear helmets. You can also get 10% discount on helmets in store and online at Ellis Brigham to anyone who buys cover.

So why did they start this campaign? “There have been a high percentage of claims on head injuries,” said Stuart Bensusan, who we spoke to yesterday (19/10/2011) at the Ski and Snowboard Show, “We felt we needed to start raising awareness about this within the ski industry.

“There had been quite a few high profile head injuries on the slopes and then someone died and we felt that we should start promoting the importance of wearing a helmet.”

The campaign is now in its second year and Stuart is pleased with how it has gone so far: “We had a fantastic first year; we were supported by a lot of people and had good press coverage.

“We were in 10-12 national newspapers and there was a domino effect from there onwards.”

But how can the company guarantee that people will wear a helmet after they have promised to do so in order to purchase discounted insurance? “We can’t, there is obviously an element of trust involved.

“We will check the doctor’s report of the injury and even if they haven’t worn a helmet we will still accept their insurance claims. This campaign is all about awareness and safety, nothing more nothing less.

“Our message is about offering something back; we offer discounted insurance and helmets in order to get people thinking about their safety.”

Obviously there will always be some people who refuse to wear helmets. Stuart says: “Everyone has their opinion, and we aren’t forcing people to wear a helmet, we are on the forefront of the injuries, we come across them everyday and are trying to make a difference.”

I feel that this campaign has been helped hugely by the fact that helmets now-days are a lot more fashionable than they used to be. Stuart agrees with me: “Technology has changed, they aren’t just considered for safety any more.

“Helmets have now become accessories, they are now fashionable and can even be used as iPods. The helmet market has been revolutionised and whether people are buying them for fashion or for safety, they are still being protected against serious injuries.”