EN Contact us
Member
Photo © Getty/freemixer
  1. World Nomads
  2. Row
  3. Travel Insurance
  4. Activities
  5. Rock Climbing

Travel insurance when rock climbing

Be prepared for your next rock climb with flexible travel insurance coverage.

    As featured in:

  • As featured in:

Travel insurance when rock climbing

If you feel like you need a bigger adventure that delivers more thrills than lying on a beach sunbaking, then rock climbing could be just what you need on your next trip.

Whether you're eyeing off a top indoor facility in Europe or preparing to tackle Spain's Costa Blanca, it pays to check the weather and travel restrictions, pack a map along with some courage and consider travel insurance – as fun as climbing is, it requires a lot of planning as the risks are evident.

What's covered?

No matter your skill level – whether you're a pro determined to conquer your next peak or an amateur with the full gamut of climbing options in your sights – World Nomads may offer cover for the following (up to the policy limits):

  • Overseas emergency medical expenses for sudden injury or illness.
  • Emergency medical evacuation or repatriation back to your country of residence.
  • Loss, theft or damage to baggage or personal items. It's important to keep copies of your original receipts if you need to make a claim.
  • The non-refundable costs of cancelling a trip due to sudden injury or illness.
  • The Explorer Plan includes cover for official 'Do Not Travel' advice issued for your destination after you've received your Certificate of Insurance, which requires you to cancel your trip.
  • Checked-in baggage delayed for more than 24 hours and the replacement costs for essential clothing and toiletries while you wait.
  • Cover for some Coronavirus (COVID-19)-related events. To find out more about our cover for COVID-19 related events, including benefit limits and exclusions, click here.

How to get the most of your insurance if you're planning on rock climbing

Safety is key to conquering new heights, no matter the destination – Europe, Australia, the United States, and every rugged landscape in between.

As daring as climbers are, falling rocks, unexpected changes in weather conditions, and equipment malfunctions are just some of the challenges faced.

Our Standard and Explorer plans are designed to provide cover for sudden and unforeseen events on your next adventure, such as being left empty-handed when the airline loses your baggage (with your gear in it), if you need to see a doctor if you are hurt or unwell or if severe weather interrupts your plans.

As a climber, there are different travel insurance requirements depending on the type of activity you are planning to undertake. While bouldering is automatically covered (special exclusions apply), when it comes to indoor and outdoor rock climbing and mountaineering increased cover is required, which means an additional premium. In some cases, there are height limits, and soloing is prohibited.

Will I be covered for helicopter evacuation and rescue?

As a rock climber, you'll often find yourself in locations that will be only accessible by helicopter. Depending on your Country of Residence and the plan you’ve selected, if you found yourself in an emergency and need to be evacuated or transported to the nearest medical facility or back to your Country of Residence, your helicopter rescue or air ambulance may be covered by travel insurance.

Please be aware of the following:

  1. When we determine you're medically fit to travel, we may decide to either transport you to other medical care facilities; and/or repatriate you to your Country of Residence if you’re declared medically unfit to continue your trip.
  2. You, your guide or travelling companion must advise our 24/7 Emergency Assistance Team and your Private Medical Insurer of the situation as soon as reasonably possible to confirm cover, manage costs and any potential claim.

Travel insurance tip: your cover will depend on the activities you chose at the time of policy purchase and terms and conditions apply for each activity. Level 1 sports and activities are automatically covered on the Standard and Explorer plans. You can upgrade your cover for a range of other activities, experiences, and manual work if you select the activities (listed as Level 2, 3 and 4) but you'll need an upgrade to the Explorer Plan.

What to look out for when rock climbing

Preparation and planning are key when activities such as rock climbing are involved. Whichever peak or wall you have in your sights it pays to be versed on the conditions, have the level of fitness required, and ensure that you don't have any pre-existing medical condition that could be aggravated and cause further injury.

While we don't like to think about what can go wrong, these scenarios are often all too common:

  • Think about what you'd do if your helmet, ropes, or camera are stolen.
  • You arrive at your destination only to realize your climbing gear hasn't arrived and is going to be delayed more than 24 hours.
  • Your flight is delayed or cancelled, and you miss a climb you pre-booked and paid for months ago.
  • You’ve booked your insurance and you injure yourself or fall ill a week out from your trip and are forced to cancel.
  • Our policies provide benefits that may assist with these challenges. Our Standard Plan include a range of benefits including overseas medical, personal belongings cover, pre-trip cancellation and certain adventure activities, while the Explorer Plan has all the benefits of the Standard cover and a few more, and it's slightly more expensive.

Rock climbing travel insurance tips:

  • Inform a local assistance company and your family of your rock-climbing location and trekking route and policy details.
  • Make sure to use a qualified tour guide if you're rock climbing as part of a group.
  • Make sure all your gear is working correctly and always keep them nearby to avoid theft.
  • Check which countries your rock-climbing trip passes through to ensure your policy covers you for that region.
  • For the intrepid rock climber, be aware a higher policy excess applies if you need to be medically evacuated within Nepal.
  • Make sure that you've selected the right travel insurance plan for your specific needs. Get a quote online anytime, anywhere.

What's not covered?

While there are several situations we can cover you for, there are also some we just won't cover. These include, but are not limited to:

  • Any pre-existing medical conditions, as outlined in the policy wording.
  • Unattended baggage or personal items.
  • Working or participating professionally in any activity or sport.
  • Any search or rescue operations to remove you from a life-threatening situation (unless cover is available for a natural catastrophe under your policy).
  • Failure to adhere to local government authority warnings.
  • Ignoring 'Do Not Travel' warnings from your local government.
  • Damage from any illegal activity.
  • Expenses that are recoverable from elsewhere, e.g. transport carriers or accommodation providers.

This is not a full list of what's covered and what's not; please check your Policy Wording for a full list of terms, conditions, limitations and exclusions that may apply to your specific plan. If you are unsure of your level of travel cover, please contact us for help.

Travel Insurance Benefits: how we can take care of you

Trip Protection

Protect your hard earned vacation from unexpected cancellation before you leave home.

  • Explorer Plan: USD $10,000
  • Standard Plan: USD $5,000
Trip Protection
  • Unexpectedly hospitalised?
  • Travel buddy unfit to travel?
  • Been made redundant?

We’ve got your back.

Emergency Overseas Medical Insurance

Take the pain out of medical costs while traveling overseas.

  • Explorer Plan: Unlimited, up to 12 months
  • Standard Plan: USD $5,000,000
Emergency Medical Insurance
  • Need meds quick?
  • Accidentally injured?
  • Suddenly sick?

We’ve got your back.

Emergency Medical Transportation

We'll get you to hospital quickly.

  • Explorer Plan: USD $500,000
  • Standard Plan: USD $500,000
Evacuation and Repatriation
  • Banged up abroad?
  • Need a hospital urgently?
  • Medivac home?

Help starts here.

Protect your gear

Cover your stolen or damaged gear and tech.

  • Explorer Plan: USD $3,500
  • Standard Plan: USD $2,500
Protect your gear
  • Luggage lost?
  • Airline lost your gear?
  • Tech trashed?

Help starts here.

  • Overseas Medical & Dental Expenses
  • 24 hour Emergency Assistance
  • Emergency Medical Transport
  • Repatriation & Travel Expenses
  • Pre-Trip Cancellation
  • Trip Interruption
  • Resumption of Trip
  • Travel Delay
  • Missed connection (Explorer)
  • Hijacking (Explorer)
  • Baggage & Personal Items
  • Passport & Travel Documents
  • Personal Liability
  • Rental vehicle insurance excess (Explorer)
  • Personal accident (Explorer)
*This is a general summary for all residents except from USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Europe, Brazil, China and Philippines. Restrictions, exclusions and limitations will apply. Coverage may not be available for all countries, states or provinces. Benefit limits may vary depending on the plan chosen. Get a quote for full details.

24/7 emergency assistance

Whether you need medical assistance or emergency evacuation, our teams 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?
Phone:+353 21 237 8008 or +353 21 237 8003 (calls are not toll free. You can claim your itemised call costs)

Contact the team

Reconnect with the world with our travel insurance cover for some Coronavirus-related events

Itching to travel again?

Explore the world with our plans that provide cover for some Coronavirus-related (including COVID-19 related) events, including emergency overseas medical, evacuation, cancellation cover and more. Find out what cover applies to your Country of Residence, and the key benefit limits depending on which plan you purchase. Happy and safe travels!

Overseas medical expenses

If a qualified medical practitioner diagnoses you with Coronavirus while you’re travelling, we may offer emergency medical benefits to help you get back on your feet.

Standard plan:
$5,000,000

Explorer plan: 
Unlimited

Medical transport & repatriation home

If you become seriously sick or injured during your trip (and it's not considered a 'pre-existing medical condition' as defined in the policy wording) we may be able to help with cover for medical transport to the nearest or most appropriate medical facility, or back home to recover.

Standard plan:
$500,000

Explorer plan: 
$500,000

Funeral expenses or repatriation of your remains

If the worst happens and you die from Coronavirus while overseas, we offer benefits to help your family with the costs of a funeral overseas, or if available, bringing you back to your home country.

Standard plan:
$15,000

Explorer plan:
 $15,000

Coronavirus Travel Costs section (cancellation and curtailment pre and on-trip)

Had to cancel your trip because you, a travel companion, or your close relative back home have been diagnosed with Coronavirus? Our cover may help with your cancellation costs.

Standard plan:
Not available

Explorer plan:
$2,000*

Coronavirus Travel Costs section (travel and accommodation costs on-trip)

If during your travels you’re unable to stay at your pre-booked accommodation because it’s closed for cleaning, due to a confirmed case of Coronavirus at the accommodation, we may pay for reasonable additional travel and accommodation nearby. Did someone clip your wings? If you’re unable to board your plane, train, or other scheduled transport, because you’re suspected of having Coronavirus, we offer cover for your unexpected additional accommodation, meals and transport costs as needed.

Standard plan:
Not available

Explorer plan:
$2,000*

Coronavirus Travel Costs section (on-trip quarantine related cost)

Stuck in your hotel room due to Coronavirus? If you or your travel companion must go into compulsory quarantine due to your or their diagnosis of, or confirmed close contact with a case of, Coronavirus, we may be able to help with cover for your reasonable additional travel, meals, and accommodation, including in-room entertainment.

Standard plan:
Not available

Explorer plan:
$2,000*

Coronavirus Travel Costs section (Essential Workers)

Are you or a member of your travelling party an essential healthcare worker? If you or they are permanently employed as a healthcare or residential care worker or a law enforcement officer, and your or their pre-arranged leave is cancelled because of Coronavirus, then our cover can help.

Standard plan:
Not available

Explorer plan:
$2,000*

Coronavirus Travel Costs (pet and childcare costs on-trip)

If while travelling you’re diagnosed with Coronavirus and unable to take care of your dependent children and/or pets, our travel insurance policies may help with cover for reasonable additional childcare and pet care costs. Pet care services covered include kennel and cattery boarding fees or pet sitting services, in your Country of Residence.

Standard plan:
Not available

Explorer plan:
$2,000*

Disclaimer: *This is the maximum limit (per insured person) available for all events combined under the Coronavirus Travel Costs section. All the information we provide about travel insurance is a summary only. It does not include all terms, conditions, limitations, exclusions, and termination provisions of the travel insurance plans described. Make sure you read your Policy Wording carefully for a full description of coverage.