Travel Insurance for Mountaineering: What are the limits?
Adventure travel is at an all-time high, and is one of the most common reasons travelers buy travel insurance – for medical coverage during the length of their trip. Many adventurous travelers with planned mountain climbing excursions turn to travel insurance as an extra precaution, however depending on the specifics of the climb, there may not be coverage.
Many travel insurance policies cover hiking and exclude mountain climbing, but the difference between the two isn’t always clear to travelers.
How Are You Climbing?
Travel insurance policies typically differentiate hiking from mountain climbing or mountaineering by the use of equipment. If ropes or guides are used, for example, the activity usually meets the definition of mountain climbing. Travelers planning excursions that fall within this category should look for a policy with Sports & Activities coverage.
How High Are You Climbing?
Travel insurance for mountaineering typically restricts coverage to a certain height. While most policies limit coverage to 15,000 feet, some only extend coverage to 11,500 feet. Any injuries sustained above the listed height will not be covered under the policy, so it is important for travelers to always compare their coverage with their climbing itineraries to make sure their excursion is covered.
How Are You Getting Down?
While some standard policies can provide coverage for mountain climbing, they may not cover other adventure activities travelers plan to participate in while they are on the mountain or on their way back down. Travel insurance policies with Sports & Activities benefits can cover a wide array of mountain-related activities that are often excluded from standard policies, such as mountain biking, ice climbing, and skiing.
To search for travel insurance for mountaineering, travelers can use Squaremouth’s Adventure Travel Insurance activity selection matrix.