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Rock Climbing Travel Insurance Plans

Canadians can protect their rock climbing trips with travel insurance

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At a glance:

  • World Nomads offers rock climbing travel insurance to help cover medical emergencies, stolen climbing gear and trip cancellations.
  • Indoor and outdoor climbing may be covered, and you can choose a plan and corresponding activity level based on what type of climbing you’ll be doing.
  • Our plans include emergency medical evacuation coverage if you get injured while rock climbing in remote areas.
  • Climbing gear protection if your equipment is stolen or accidentally damaged by your common carrier during your trip.

Whether you're climbing the granite cliffs in Squamish or taking your adventure outside of Canada to epic spots like Italy’s Dolomite Mountains, it helps to always be prepared for the unexpected. If you’re planning a rock climbing trip, you may want to protect your adventure with World Nomads Travel Insurance for adventure sports. Our adventure travel insurance plans include a range of benefits that could help with everything from stolen climbing gear to unexpected medical expenses.

Why should I consider travel insurance for my rock climbing trip?

Unexpected issues can mess up even the most carefully planned rock climbing trips. Falling rocks can cause injuries and stolen gear can put a halt to your climbing. Adventure travel insurance may help you bounce back quickly with support for medical and travel emergencies, delays, and disruptions. With coverage that is flexible to your needs, it’s a smart way to travel confidently – even if you're just rock climbing indoors with friends. If you have a more adventurous climb planned in the Rocklands and you have travel insurance for Africa, you may be covered as well.

Nomads tip: World Nomads Travel Insurance can also cover your travels within Canada! Your Government Health Insurance Plan is limited once you leave your province. Your travel insurance plan can protect your domestic travels outside of your home province too.

Rock climbing travel insurance: What may be covered?

Rock climbing can test your physical and mental abilities – and as adventurers ourselves, that’s part of what we love. Since unexpected situations can happen when climbing though, we’ve designed our plans so you can add on travel insurance for rock climbing. We also offer coverage for more than 250 other sports, activities and experiences.

  1. Emergency Medical Expenses
    For falls that require emergency medical treatment

  2. 24/7 Non-insurance Emergency Assistance
    Available 24/7 to assist in an emergency situation

  3. Baggage & Gear Coverage
    Damaged or stolen climbing gear

  4. Trip Delays, Interruptions & Cancellations
    Travel protection for your unused, pre-paid, nonrefundable trip costs and unexpected expenses if your trip is interrupted.

Get a quote and compare the plans to see which level of coverage is right for you.

What level of travel insurance coverage do I need for my rock climbing trip?

World Nomads offers two plans for Canadian residents – the Standard and Explorer – each with different levels of coverage. 

  • Standard Plan – This is the most basic plan but includes up to $5,000,000 CAD in emergency medical expenses and $2,500 CAD for trip cancellation.
  • Explorer Plan – This adventure travel insurance plan has higher limits of coverage.

Both plans require you to add additional activity level coverage.

  • Level 2 Activities: Indoor and outdoor rock climbing
  • Level 3 Activities: Ice climbing and outdoor rock climbing up to 6,000 metres (multi-pitch climbing / sport climbing / bolted / aid climbing / traditional climbing / top or bottom rope climbing)

Even when you plan a rock climbing trip, you’ll probably also be doing other things like camping or hiking. That’s totally fine, because there are over 250+ sports, activities and experiences that could be covered when you purchase extreme sports travel insurance. When you purchase your policy, you’ll need to list rock climbing, and all of the other activities that you plan to participate in while on your trip. You won’t be able to add or remove activities after you make your purchase, so make sure you add them all at that time.  Costs may vary depending on the additional activities or rock climbing elevations you list.

If you are planning to participate in an activity that isn’t listed in our policy wording, you will need to contact us to determine if you will be covered. 

Nomads tip: Get a quote and choose your plan first, then the system will prompt you to add the activities you plan to do. Make sure you list them all; you won’t be able to make changes once on your trip.

Get a travel insurance quote

Simple and flexible travel insurance. Buy at home or while traveling, and claim online from anywhere in the world.

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A man rockclimbing

What may not be covered when on a rock climbing trip?

Canada has some great places to climb, and you can use your adventure travel insurance benefits inside the country too – but it won’t cover you if you’re rock-climbing or travelling within your home province. Some other things that aren’t covered include:

  • Unattended baggage, climbing gear or personal items
  • Not following government ‘Do Not Travel’ advisories issued by the Canadian government
  • Climbing at elevations over 6,000 metres
  • Unsupported or solo climbing, solo expeditions, free mountaineering or free soloing
  • Climbing in inaccessible regions or exploratory expeditions and new routes
  • Search and rescue operations.
  • Outdoor rock climbing expeditions within the Arctic Circle, the Antarctic, or Greenland

Top safety tips we recommend for your rock climbing trip

  • If you’ve never climbed, take a lesson to learn proper climbing techniques.
  • Always wear a helmet. Accidents can happen on any level of terrain when climbing, and you always need to protect your head.
  • Double check your gear and equipment before climbing. Make sure your rope, harness, and carabiners are properly fastened, and ensure your knots are secure.
  • Climb with a partner and develop good communication with them, including established hand signals. Make sure they are experienced and have the necessary skills to keep you safe.
  • Only climb in places that allow climbing. If you’re trespassing in an area where you shouldn’t be climbing, you won’t be covered by your adventure travel insurance plan.
  • Don’t get in over your head. Be responsible when choosing a rock climbing destination and make sure it suits your experience level.
  • Check with the Public Health Agency of Canada to see if they have issued any travel health notices for your climbing destination.
  • Register with Canadians Abroad to stay updated on emergency situations.
  • Have a copy of your rock climbing travel insurance documents saved in your phone. Save the phone number for the 24/7 Emergency Assistance Team and have that easily accessible as well. Make sure you know the name of the climbing route and the nearest landmark so you can relay the appropriate information if you need help.

FAQ

Here are our most frequently asked questions about cover for rock climbing. You can also find the answers to other questions in our Helpdesk or you can ask our customer service team

  • Are rock climbing trips covered under World Nomads Travel Insurance?

    Yes, rock-climbing is covered under both plans offered by World Nomads Travel Insurance, but make sure you list this as an activity you’ll be participating in when you purchase your policy.

    Indoor rock climbing and indoor rock climbing or bouldering are considered Level 2 activities. Ice climbing and outdoor rock climbing up to 6,000 metres (multi-pitch climbing / sport climbing / bolted / aid climbing / traditional climbing / top or bottom rope climbing) are considered Level 3 activities. You’ll need to pay an additional premium for these activities, so make sure they’re listed. If you aren’t sure if something is covered, we suggest you contact us to ask.

  • Is ice climbing covered under World Nomads Travel Insurance?

    Yes, ice climbing is covered under both plans offered by World Nomads Travel Insurance, but make sure you list this as an activity you’ll be participating in when you purchase your policy. It is considered a Level 3 activity, and you’ll need to pay an additional premium for this activity, so make sure it is listed. You won’t be covered for ice climbing within the Arctic Circle, the Antarctic, or Greenland though, and other exclusions may apply. If you aren’t sure if something is covered, we suggest you contact us to ask.

  • Is ice climbing covered under World Nomads Travel Insurance?

    Yes, ice climbing is covered under both plans offered by World Nomads Travel Insurance, but make sure you list this as an activity you’ll be participating in when you purchase your policy. It is considered a Level 3 activity, and you’ll need to pay an additional premium for this activity, so make sure it is listed. You won’t be covered for ice climbing within the Arctic Circle, the Antarctic, or Greenland though, and other exclusions may apply. If you aren’t sure if something is covered, we suggest you contact us to ask.

  • What types of incidents are covered while on a rock climbing trip?

    If your trip is cancelled, delayed, or interrupted due to an unforeseen event, you may be able to recover your unused, non-refundable, prepaid travel expenses (up to the policy limits), and this could include unused, prepaid, non-refundable tours that you paid for in advance. If you fall and get hurt while rock-climbing and require medical assistance, emergency medical coverage could come in handy in the case of an unexpected injury. You could also be covered for unplanned situations such as lost bags or Canadian government travel advisories advising travellers not to travel to a destination on your itinerary.

  • Does World Nomads offer travel insurance for rock climbing outside of Canada?

    Yes, some of the best rock climbing spots are outside of Canada and World Nomads doesn’t want to limit your fun. For example, if you have travel insurance for Argentina, you could have the opportunity to rock climb in the beautiful Andes Mountains. Outdoor rock climbing expeditions within the Arctic Circle, the Antarctic, or Greenland are not covered though. When you get a quote for adventure travel insurance, you’ll need to input where you’ll be travelling.

Need destination inspiration for your next rock climbing trip?

Not sure where your next climbing adventure should take you? If you want to stay closer to home, there are great places to climb inside Canada, such as Val-David. However, there are plenty of amazing spots around the world to experience, too. Check out a couple of our favorite rock climbing locations and get destination-specific travel insurance tips to help you plan with confidence.

Where to Go in Lisbon to Avoid the Crowds (Rock climbing the cliffs of Cascais)

Seven Day Trips from Kathmandu to Add to Your Itinerary (Rock climbing around Hattiban)

This is only a summary of coverage and does not include the full terms and conditions of the policy. It is important you read and understand your policy as it contains benefits, conditions, exclusions and pre-existing condition exclusions. If you do not understand your coverage, or if you have questions, just ask us.

Travel Insurance Benefits: how we can take care of you

Trip Cancellation

Protect your hard earned vacation from unexpected cancellation.

  • Explorer Plan: $5,000
  • Standard Plan: $2,500
Trip Protection
  • Work emergency?
  • Weather delay?
  • Travel companion sick?

We’ve got your back.

Emergency Medical Insurance

Take the pain out of medical or dental costs.

  • Explorer Plan: $10 million
  • Standard Plan: $5 million
Emergency Medical Insurance
  • Accidentally injured?
  • Suddenly sick?
  • Need a hospital?

We’ve got your back.

Emergency Evacuation & Repatriation

We’ll get you to hospital or home quickly.

  • Explorer Plan: $500,000
  • Standard Plan: $500,000
Emergency Evacuation & Repatriation
  • Ambulance transfers
  • Medevac flights
  • Medical escort services

Help starts here.

Protect your gear

Covers the theft, damage or delay of your bags, tech and sports gear.

  • Explorer Plan: $3,000
  • Standard Plan: $1,000
Protect your gear
  • Stolen I.D.s
  • Checked-in sports equipment
  • Damaged luggage

Help starts here.

  • Emergency Medical Expenses
  • Emergency Dental for Injury or Sickness
  • Bedside Companion Travel and Subsistence
  • Emergency Professional Services
  • Emergency Evacuation and Repatriation
  • Return of Travel Companion/Dependent Children
  • Return to Your Trip Destination
  • Return of Remains
  • Travel Accident
  • Flight Accident
  • Trip Cancellation
  • Trip Interruption
  • Trip Delay
  • Baggage and Personal Effects Theft or Damage
  • Baggage and Sporting Equipment Delay
  • Travel Documents Theft or Damage
  • Sporting Equipment Theft or Loss by a Common Carrier
  • Covered Adventure Sports listed in Policy
Assistance Services Included
  • LiveTravelTM Emergency Assistance
  • Worldwide Travel Assistance
  • Adventure Travel Hotline
  • 24/7 Security
  • Travel Medical Assistance
  • Bag Trak
This is a general summary for Canadian residents only. It does not include all terms, conditions, limitations, exclusions and termination provisions of the travel insurance plans described. Coverage may not be available for residents of all provinces. Check the Travel Insurance Policy for full details.

24/7 emergency assistance

Whether you need medical or dental assistance or advice, emergency evacuation or travel assistance, our team are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year before and during your trip.

Are you in need of emergency assistance right now?

Telephone +1 866 878 0192 (toll-free from Canada and the Continental U.S.) or +1 416 646 3723 (collect from anywhere else in the world)

Contact the team