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overseas insurance that covers climbing

james

1-Sep-2006
10:23:44 AM

I've found the same thing with Canada... insurance isn't cheap (similar price to private health cover in Oz), but I'm planning on doing lots of rock/ice climbing & skiiiiiing etc also so its probably worthwhile.

If you're planning on being based in 1 spot for a while, it could be good to get regular travel insurance initially (just a few weeks or a month), then get Canadian health insurance once you're settled. Some of the Canadian policies also cover travel back to your home country (if required).

Watch the exlcusions on the Canadian policies - one I looked at excludes roped climbing/mountaineering accidents.

PS: Medibank Private travel insurance is much the same as World Nomads, but a few more things are covered & greater $$ payouts (they are underwritten by the same people ie Mondial).

jonorock

1-Sep-2006
10:28:41 AM

On 1/09/2006 nmonteith wrote:
>On 1/09/2006 jonorock wrote:
>>Its not cheap $1.60 a
>>day for $10000 coverage up to $3.60 a day for $150000 coverage.
>
>I would suspect that a basic mountain helicopter rescue and couple week
>hospital stay would be more
>like $100,000 worth. Don't skimp on a policy that only covers $10,000!

$10000 is not enough for sure. Might get you off a mountain and then they drop you at the carpark!


MartinR

1-Sep-2006
4:19:42 PM

>> The RACV plus the AAC (UK) seems a good combo for approx $625?

I got a quote direct from the underwriters of AAC (UK) that allows you to extend past the standard 6 weeks of cover.

"Yes, it's possible to extend the limit of 6 weeks. The per-day rate incl. insur. taxes is € 1,50 (individual up to 70 years of age). The minimum rate in every case is € 10,50 - the maximum duration of insurance coverage is 180 days."

Thats around $2.50 AUD at the current exchange rates for a maximum of 180 days.

>> I would suspect that a basic mountain helicopter rescue and couple week hospital stay would be more
>>like $100,000 worth. Don't skimp on a policy that only covers $10,000

The AAC policy may be a bit light on for the USA medical system with a maximum of € 7,500 for medical expenses. But at least they allow unlimited cover to fly you back home with an Air Ambulance. So if you are still alive once you have eaten through the first € 7,500 you may make it home :-). They allow € 22,000 for the rescue which should be enought to get you off the mountain even in the US.

sliianna

2-Sep-2006
4:41:01 AM

for canada, travel underwriters covers climbing - just the medical cover. can be orgnised online.
IHI does not do search and rescue- they cover rescue only when your position is known (specific policy wording)
for general insurance i use cover1 (also online)


dimpet

8-Oct-2006
6:11:38 PM

>On 1/09/2006 jonorock wrote:
>>Its not cheap $1.60 a
>>day for $10000 coverage up to $3.60 a day for $150000 coverage.
>
>I would suspect that a basic mountain helicopter rescue and couple week
>hospital stay would be more
>like $100,000 worth. Don't skimp on a policy that only covers $10,000!

This insurance does not cover rock climbing. It is cheap though.

Under the Exclusions section
races (except on foot); mountaineers - or rock climbs - using support ropes; or takes part in a professional sporting activity;

mockmockmock

12-Jan-2007
12:28:01 AM

Talk about dredging up the past.

Finally found a link in one of my back up files. I have used this company, they seem to still be in operation. Fees and coverage looked good but thankfully, can't tell you about their back up service.

http://www.worldwideinsure.com/international-travel-health-insurance.htm?partnerID=null&partner=null

I understand this is way too late for those asking in the thread however I hope this helps in the future.

Hazardous Sports Rider

Optional Hazardous Sports Rideris available for the adventurous traveler. This Rider adds coverage for the Amateur sports listed in the following exclusion for an additional 20%.
Injury sustained while taking part in the following activities:

1. Amateur Athletics or professional sports or athletic activities, except this does not include Amateur sports or athletic activities which are non-contact and engaged in by the Member solely for leisure, recreational, entertainment or fitness purposes unless such sports or activities are otherwise excluded by this provision; and
2. mountaineering where ropes or guides are normally used; and
3. aviation (except when traveling solely as a passenger in a commercial aircraft); and
4. hang gliding, sky diving, parachuting or bungee jumping; and
5. snow skiing or snowboarding, except for recreational downhill and/or cross country snow skiing or snowboarding (no cover provided whilst skiing away from prepared and marked in-bound territories and/or against the advice of the local ski school or local authoritative body); and
6. racing by any animal or motorized vehicle; and
7. spelunking; and
8. subaqua pursuits involving underwater breathing apparatus; and
9. jet skiing; and
10. any other sport or athletic activity which is undertaken for thrill seeking and exposes the Member to abnormal or extraordinary risk of Injury.

I was unaware there were so many exclusions to Travel Insurance.

I have no idea what number 7 is but I'm not sure it's legal in most European countries except France.

Ralph.


BigMike

12-Jan-2007
12:35:56 AM

Spelunking is caving .... it'd have to be legal in France, they've got some of the biggest caves in the world there, what with all that limestone.

mockmockmock

12-Jan-2007
1:05:56 AM

Now I remember where I heard it. Thanks.

Ralph

bne

18-Apr-2007
12:12:36 PM

8 days till thailand...
was looking at worldwide insure. looks pretty easy. has anyone made any claims from them or heard of any problems?


ampedandwired

4-Jul-2007
2:06:01 PM

I've just bought some insurance for an upcoming 3 month trip to Thailand and South Africa. I got it from insure4less. Their standard policy doesn't cover climbing, however I emailed them describing what I was planning on doing and they extended the policy to cover this for an extra 25% on the premium and an increase (to $500) in the medical excess for climbing related injuries. They have three levels of cover, I took the "Excel Plus" level because of the search/rescue cover and the higher theft cover. Total cost was around $330.

The other option I found was the "Patriot Extreme" policy, which is available through a number of brokers, internationalinsurance for example. This policy also costs around AUD330 and covers "extreme" sports out of the box (to 4500m), but only covers medical and has a policy limit of USD50,000. I couldn't find any Australian brokers for this one either.

Anyway, hope this helps someone.

gfdonc

4-Jul-2007
3:48:34 PM

Odd. I used Insure4less on my trip to Europe earlier this month. Their standard policy covered climbing "to 1000m elevation".
I had this extended to cover 2500m for a 50% premium.


ampedandwired

4-Jul-2007
5:27:22 PM

Yes I got it wrong, the standard insure4less policy does cover "Rock Climbing using ropes & guides up to 1000m above sea level". Not 100% sure but the way this reads it seems like it only covers you if you're on a guided trip? It also only covers "abseiling (provided by a licenced commercial operator)".

Anyway I specifically got this extended to cover rock climbing (not mountaineering) and abseiling without a guide up to 3500m for only 25% additional.

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