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Travel insurance when rock climbing

Check out World Nomads travel insurance plans for your rock climbing adventures.

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If you’re looking for a mix of thrills, adventure and awesome natural landscapes, rock climbing delivers on all three. Top global rock climbing destinations include the Dolomites in Italy, Kalymnos in Greece, and Yosemite National Park in the U.S. And right here in Canada we’ve got top spots like Squamish, Val-David and Niagara Escarpment. World Nomads offers travel insurance for international travel and travel outside your home province.

Rock climbing can test your physical and mental abilities. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced climber, you may want to consider travel insurance in case you become injured during your trip. Rock climbing travel insurance is essential in case you suffer an injury or sickness while travelling. World Nomads travel insurance plans provide emergency medical and dental coverage. Our plans also offer trip interruption cover for missed connections due to inclement weather, and also can provide cover for your sporting equipment.

What does rock climbing travel insurance cover?

World Nomads covers most rock climbing activities whether it is an indoor rock climbing day with friends or a week away at Yosemite National Park. However, we will not be able to cover you for rock climbing over 6,000 metres (19,685 feet) or if you plan on free soloing.

Rock climbing travel insurance covers these activities:

  • Rock climbing (indoor)
  • Rock climbing (bouldering)
  • Rock climbing outdoor under 6,000m (19,685 feet) - multi-pitch climbing / sport climbing / bolted / aid climbing / traditional climbing / top or bottom rope climbing.

Activities in our plans are assigned different levels based on risk. Indoor rock climbing is a level 2, bouldering is a level 2, and outdoor rock climbing under 6,000m is a level 3. We do not cover climbing over 6,000m. Special exclusions also apply.

When you get a quote, list the type of rock climbing, along with any other activities you plan to participate in while travelling. You’ll pay an additional premium for level 2 and 3 activities.

World Nomads covers more than 250 adventure activities, sports, work and volunteer experiences. Check out this article or the policy description for a full list of what is and is not covered.

How can rock climbing travel insurance protect my trip?

Travel insurance is designed to cover losses arising from sudden, unexpected, and unforeseeable circumstances. For example, what if your rock climbing trip gets derailed due to inclement weather, causing a long flight delay or flight cancellation? Or if your airline loses your luggage, or if you fall during a climb? World Nomads offers coverage (up to the policy limits) for:

  • Baggage, personal effects and sporting equipment coverage: had your ropes or rappelling gear stolen while rock climbing, or delayed or lost by your airline? Our gear coverage may help to replace lost or stolen belongings. Coverage is secondary to that provided by your airline or other common carrier.
  • Rock climbing accidents: rock climbing and fresh air can be great for the body and soul, but not if it ends up in a bad fall. Emergency medical coverage will help in the case of an accident or when you need urgent medical treatment for an injury.
  • Ambulance Transportation: your next rock climbing adventure may be far away from medical facilities. Our plans offer coverage for local ground ambulance service to transport you to the nearest qualified medical service provider.
  • Emergency medical evacuation and repatriation: If approved in advance by us, our plans provide cover to get you home if we or your treating physician recommend that you return to your home province due to your emergency medical condition or after your emergency treatment.
  • Trip cancellation or interruption: has a sick or injured travelling companion put a stop to your rock climbing adventure? You may be able to recover your unused, nonrefundable, pre-paid travel expenses.

What's not covered by my rock climbing travel insurance?

Some things we may not cover include but are not limited to:

  • Competing at an event as a professional athlete.
  • Rock climbing, bouldering or mountaineering as a paid or volunteer instructor or guide.
  • Going against local authority warnings by entering closed or restricted areas or putting yourself in an unsafe or dangerous situation.
  • Any remote search and rescue operations to remove you from a life-threatening situation.
  • If you don’t follow your doctor’s instructions, or what we or the 24/7 Emergency Assistance Team advise you to do.
  • Sporting equipment damaged while in use.
  • Unattended baggage, sporting equipment or personal items.
  • Injury while participating in any activities you did not add to your plan (at the time you purchase your policy you must add any adventure, sport, work or volunteer activities you think you’ll be doing. You cannot add activities after your policy has been purchased).
  • Travel within your home province.

Key travel insurance tips for your rock climbing trip

  • Got your paperwork? You’ll need the right visas and permits wherever you go to climb – rock climbing travel insurance doesn’t cover you if you don’t have the proper documentation to enter your destination.
  • Know where to go… and where not to. Check to make sure you are allowed to camp, climb or just generally be wherever that ‘hot’ climbing spot is. You don’t want to find yourself spending time in the local police station instead of the local bar… and insurance doesn’t cover you for illegal acts.
  • Proof of purchase. Yep, any claim you make will need supporting documentation for such things as your prepaid, nonrefundable trip cost and original receipts for subsistence allowance expenses. You will also need written reports of theft or damage and original receipts or sales slips for lost or stolen articles. Check the Claims Procedures section of the policy wording for more information.
  • It pays to be prepared. Check the weather, check your equipment, and check the credentials of your climbing instructor (if it’s a group climb) – if any seem unreliable then reconsider if it’s a smart move to go.
  • Don’t get in over your head. Be responsible when choosing a rock climbing destination or activity. Does it suit your experience level? Are you using an accredited tour operator?
  • Keep an eye on your gear. Don’t leave your expensive rock climbing gear or any other baggage unattended - those 'I spaced out’ moments might not qualify for coverage.
  • Be responsible. Choose a tour operator that promotes responsible tourism, works as part of the local community, and actively helps to conserve the environment.

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.

True Claims Stories

  • Never travel without insurance. This was the first time I ever purchased travel insurance and I am so glad I did. A few days into my trip to Spain I twisted my foot heading down to the metro. Thanks to World Nomads I was able to get medical attention in Spain and since, as luck would have it, I had a fracture that required surgery, they got me a flight home the next day. Filing a claim was surprisingly easy and when the claim was finally processed, I was reimbursed for all of my expenses including things like the extra week in the hotel I didn't get to take advantage of.
    L.D.
    U.S. resident in Spain
  • I recently had a serious injury traveling on my own & the team was amazing. Being confused with a brain injury they took care of everything. Claiming was no problem, they were on the phone constantly to see if all was OK. I can't recommend them enough. Absolutely fantastic & l will always travel with World Nomads Insurance. Thanks guys for getting me home safely.
    A.B.
    Australian in Thailand
  • I was bitten by a monkey at the Batu Caves in Kuala Lumpur. I went to a nearby clinic and they gave me a rabies shot, antibiotics to take for 4 days, pain medicine, and anti-inflammatory medicine.
    T.R.
    Canadian in Malaysia

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
  • Unexpectedly hospitalised?
  • Travel buddy unfit to travel?
  • Been made redundant?

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
  • Need meds quick?
  • Accidentally injured?
  • Suddenly sick?

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
  • Banged up abroad?
  • Need a hospital urgently?
  • Medivac home?

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
  • Luggage lost?
  • Airline lost your gear?
  • Tech trashed?

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
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