Invisible Defect: Insurer Denies Compensation for Ski Helmet Damaged During Trip

In early February, a Latvian resident on a ski trip in Italy experienced an unfortunate incident: upon opening his car door, his ski helmet fell onto the concrete pavement. Although the helmet's owner believes it is no longer safe to use after such an impact, his insurer Swedbank refused to pay compensation, citing that only minor damage was visible.

The man filed a claim with the insurer but was turned down because the submitted materials did not show significant damage to the helmet. The insurer's decision stated that compensation is not paid if there is "insignificant damage" – such as a stain, scratch, or color change – that does not affect the intended use of the item.

The helmet's manufacturer, however, indicates that after the first impact, the helmet may no longer perform its protective function, even if no external damage is visible. The man submitted this information to the insurer, but it did not change the decision.

Jānis Krops, head of media relations at Swedbank, explained that the insurer is puzzled by the claim that the helmet could be irreparably damaged from essentially slipping out of hands from a seated position. He noted that such decisions are not made based solely on photographs showing scratches. The insurer invites the client to submit a defect report if available, to confirm that the helmet is no longer safe.

The helmet owner believes that the most critical damage may not be visually apparent, such as damage to the inner soft surface. He is currently considering taking the dispute to the insurance ombudsman. This is not the first time he has had a disagreement with this insurer; previously, he had a dispute over a canceled flight.