No one knows what lies ahead. But if you’re planning a mountaineering expedition you can be sure it will be a challenge. You might be adventurous, but that doesn’t mean you’re reckless or want to take unnecessary risks. Mountaineering Insurance is designed to give you complete peace of mind that if anything does go wrong on your next trip, you’re covered financially. Like planning your equipment or route, it deserves careful consideration before you set off. That’s because it can be a real financial lifesaver if you do need to make a claim.
A dangerous sport that could be becoming even riskier
By its nature, mountaineering is a risky activity. But one study has suggested it could be getting even more dangerous due to climate change. Written by Arnaud Temme of Wageningen University, the study highlights that the retreat of glaciers and thawing is increasing the danger of falling rocks in the Alps and other mountain regions.
Things to look out for when you’re arranging your mountaineering or trekking insurance
- The small print. Carefully read the small print to make sure there aren’t any exclusions that apply. Or you could ask your broker, like Park Insurance, to make sure you’ve got the comprehensive cover you need so you don’t find any nasty surprises lurking in the small print.
- Some policies will only cover you up to a certain altitude. If you’re aiming high, make sure your policy extends to the height you’ll be reaching.
What does my mountaineering insurance need to cover?
When you’re looking for mountaineering insurance there are a variety of options to consider. These can include:
- Baggage cover. Just like any regular holiday, baggage cover insures you against loss or damage of your bags. There is normally a maximum amount you can claim. As climbing equipment can be expensive, make sure you check this limit to ensure you have the level of cover you need.
- Equipment cover. If you’re travelling with high value specialist equipment, you could consider taking out equipment cover. This pays out for any damage or loss.
- Emergency medical cover. This is key to most mountaineers, as it will pay your medical costs. Accidents are unfortunately common during mountaineering expeditions. And the cost of treatment for injuries such as broken bones, can be high. The average cost of medical claims on an ordinary holiday is £1,200. On a mountaineering expedition the costs for medical treatment can be vast. Some insurance policies may set limits to the amount you can claim, so check out likely costs for treatment in the region you are travelling to, to make sure you have opted for enough emergency medical cover.
- Repatriation costs. This will cover the costs if you need to be flown home to the UK in an air ambulance.
- Search and rescue costs cover. Rescues can run into thousands. This insurance pays out costs associated with any rescue, such as deployment of helicopters etc.
- Personal accident cover. This insurance pays out a lump sum in the event of your death or if you suffer life-changing injuries during your mountaineering expedition. This insurance can give you extra peace of mind, especially if you have dependants.
- Cancellation cover. This pays out your expenses if your trip has to be cancelled or cut short. It may be that you have to cancel due to unforeseen illness or close family illness. It may be that you’re going on an organised trip, which is cancelled for. Or it may be your trip has to be cancelled due to a natural event, such as an earthquake.
- Missed or cancelled flights. This insurance covers the financial cost of rebooking a new flight if you miss yours or it is cancelled. Make sure you specify if you need cover for internal flights to reach your destination as well as international flights.
How can you get the best value mountaineering insurance?
- Shop around or use a specialist insurance broker like Park insurance to do the legwork for you.
- Look for a tailored package. That way you get the level of cover you need, but don’t pay for anything you don’t need.
- Stay claim free. Always use the correct equipment and consider safety risks. By staying claim free, you can help to keep your insurance travel premiums as low as possible
Read here for the 10 most dangerous mountains in the world for climbers.
Call us for good mountaineering insurance you can count on
Don’t hit the trails until you’ve spoken to Park Insurance about mountaineering, trekking or climbing insurance. You can trust us to find you comprehensive cover that you can count on, at the best price. Our policies offer 24-hour assistance for your peace of mind.
We’re a family-run business with over 30 years experience sourcing specialist insurance. As an independent firm, we have the freedom to look around the market for great deals. And we also have preferred broker status with some of the UK’s leading insurance companies, which allows us to negotiate hard on your behalf. Call us on 0117 9556835 or get in touch today for your free quote.