Best Travel Insurance for Ice Climbing
Written by Antonio Cala
Table of Contents
Embarking on an ice climbing adventure combines the thrill of scaling frozen landscapes with the inherent risks of extreme winter sports. To protect against unforeseen events and ensure peace of mind, selecting the best travel insurance for ice climbing is paramount.
This article aims to guide you through the top travel insurance policies that cater specifically to the unique demands of ice climbers. From coverage for emergency medical services and evacuation to equipment loss and trip cancellations, we’ll help you navigate the options to find a policy that offers comprehensive protection, allowing you to focus on conquering icy peaks with confidence.
For an in-depth analysis of insurance choices tailored for adventure travelers, don’t forget to check out the Ultimate Guide to Adventure Travel Insurance.
Quick Recommendations
If you want some quick recommendations, here is our infographic to help you choose the best insurance for your next ice climbing trip.
Ice Climbing Travel Insurance Overview
Understanding Ice Climbing Travel Insurance
Ice climbing insurance is a specialized form of adventure travel insurance designed for individuals engaging in ice climbing activities. Having this insurance is critical as it provides coverage for medical emergencies, evacuation, and repatriation, which are vital aspects of any ice climbing expedition. Without such insurance, ice climbers could face substantial medical costs.
Additionally, this insurance takes into account trip cancellations and interruptions, which can pose a significant financial burden to climbers. It is imperative to thoroughly review the policy to confirm that it encompasses the particular ice climbing activities you intend to undertake.
Be aware that some policies might not cover certain forms of ice climbing, such as solo ascents or climbs at extreme altitudes.
What Does It Cover?
The majority of insurance policies for ice climbing typically provide coverage for the following four categories:
Medical Expenses
Sustaining injuries while ice climbing can result in significant financial repercussions. Medical treatment expenses may vary depending on your location, and you may also face additional costs for services such as helicopter evacuation and medical repatriation.
The majority of ice climbing insurance policies offer coverage for emergency medical aid, frequently up to considerable amounts. However, it is crucial to understand that the coverage for rescue operations may have a maximum limit that could be less than the coverage provided for medical treatment costs.
Equipment Coverage
If you encounter the misfortune of your ice climbing equipment being damaged, stolen, or lost, ice climbing insurance generally provides coverage that can range from a modest sum to several thousand dollars.
You have the option to submit a claim for the expenses involved in repairing or replacing your gear, in addition to the costs for renting alternative equipment.
Trip Cancellation or Interruption
If an injury makes you cancel or finish early your ice climbing excursion, ice climbing insurance allows you to seek compensation for the unused segments of your trip. The amount of coverage for cancellations can differ, with a typical range from a few hundred to several thousand dollars.
What Doesn't Cover?
When considering specialized travel insurance for ice climbing, it’s important to understand the potential exclusions. These may include:
Climbing in unauthorized areas: Should you have an accident outside of designated ice climbing routes and zones, your insurance might not cover the ensuing medical expenses.
Neglected equipment: Coverage may be void if your ice climbing gear is left unattended in public areas, resulting in theft.
Ignoring official travel advisories: Traveling against the recommendations of the Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office could mean your insurance will not provide coverage.
Engaging in particularly hazardous ice climbing: Partaking in extremely high-risk ice climbing activities, such as solo ice climbs or climbs in exceptionally isolated or high-altitude areas, might not be included in standard policies. It is essential to check if your planned ice climbing activities need extra coverage or a policy that addresses these specific risks.
Best Travel Insurance Policies for Ice Climbing in 2024
Our Pick For
International Trips + Remote Locations + Any Nationality
Nationalities: all nationalities are covered.
Pre-existing conditions: Yes.
Seniors Over 65: People aged 65-75 are included in the Individual Plan. Extended Plan memberships are available to those age 75-84 and include all services but are contingent upon completion of a medical form and a physician’s medical verification.
Trip Duration: Short term policies (7, 14 or 30-days) and long term policies (1 to 5 years) available.
Groups: Individual, family and student plans available.
Situations covered: It covers civil unrest, natural disasters, government evacuation orders and other security emergencies (when purchasing the Security package).
Reasons To Buy
Remote locations coverage. Coverage available for 65-84. Pre-existing conditions accepted. All nationalities accepted.
Reasons To Avoid
The price is a bit higher than other insurance policies. However, no other company provides the same coverage as Global Rescue. It doesn’t cover trip cancellations or delays. It doesn’t cover equipment.
Worldwide field rescue (up to $500,000) in remote or dangerous environments. Global Rescue’s deployable teams are standing by to rescue their members from the point of illness or injury for any serious medical emergency.
Medical Evacuation. Global Rescue’s fully deployable medical teams have unparalleled capabilities to transport our members back to their home hospital of choice from anywhere in the world. This includes global COVID-19 transport.
Medical & Security Advisory Services. Global Rescue’s operations centers are staffed by experienced nurses, paramedics and military special operations veterans. Global Rescue also has partnerships with the Johns Hopkins Emergency Medicine Division of Special Operations, Elite Medical Group and Partners HealthCare, the Harvard Medical School affiliate.
Security Membership. Global Rescue’s teams of military special operations veterans are available to provide advisory, consultation and evacuation services for events like natural disasters, terror attacks and civil unrest when you are in danger.
Destination Reports & Event Alerts. Destination reports for 215 countries and principalities worldwide include entry requirements, COVID-19 travel status and restrictions, detailed health and security assessments and required immunizations. Keep up to date on health and security events worldwide.
My Global Rescue Mobile App. Access Global Rescue services in one location. Browse destination reports and alerts, activate emergency assistance, real-time virtual health visits and keep track of the people you care about with GPS tracking and messaging.
Security Package. Physical extraction when you are in danger of bodily harm. It includes civil unrest, natural disasters, government evacuation orders and other security emergencies.
High Altitude Evacuation.. This is for individuals traveling above 15,000 ft (4,600 m) during any part of their trip (excluding airplane travel). It also includes emergency physical transport due to injury or illness.
Global Rescue is the most comprehensive travel protection available worldwide. It has the least restrictions and biggest coverage than any other medical insurance.
It’s a medical-only protection designed for adventure travelers planning to travel internationally or domestically for ice climbing. All nationalities are covered and options for people over 75 are available.
Global Rescue is our preferred option for ice climbing trips worldwide.
Our Pick For
Americans + Over 65 + Pre-existing Conditions
Nationalities: Only US citizens and residents are eligible.
Pre-existing conditions: Pre-existing conditions can be covered for Trip Cancellations and Interruptions, as long as you purchase your plan within 14 days of your initial trip deposit, and are medically able to travel when you purchase your plan.
Seniors Over 65: There is no maximum age limit.
Trip Duration: All plans cover trips up to 180 days.
Groups: Insurance policies for solo travelers, couples and families are available.
Reasons To Buy
The prices are very competitive.
Plans are very customizable with plenty of extras available and the option of removing items you don’t need.
Pre-existing medical conditions accepted.
24/7 chat available with the Faye Mobile App
Reasons To Avoid
Only available to American residents.
Emergency Medical Expenses: Up to $250,000. If you experience sudden illness or injury in-trip, including COVID-19. We can cover prescription drugs, hospitalization and physician costs.
Emergency Evacuation: Up to $500,000. Coverage of transportation in the case of illness or injury that is acute, severe or life threatening when adequate medical treatment is not available in the immediate area.
Trip Cancellation: Up to 100%. If you need to cancel your trip for covered reasons, including if you get sick, contract COVID-19, or a travel provider goes bankrupt. We can cover flights, hotel bookings, tickets & activities, and quarantine accommodation.
Trip Interruption: Up to 150%. When you must unexpectedly cut your trip short or extend it for covered reasons, including if you contract COVID-19.
Trip Delay: Up to $4,500. Up to $300/day, for delays of more than 6 hours. When you’re stranded in transit due to reasons outside of your control such as flight delay or theft of passport.
Lost or damaged Belongings: Up to $2,000. Reimbursement for lost, stolen, or damaged luggage, including clothing, personal items and professional equipment like a phone or laptop.
Cancel for Any Reason: Up to 75% of Trip Cost. The ability to nix your trip for reasons other than those covered in your plan’s trip cancellation coverage, including fear of contracting COVID-19, as long as you purchase this coverage within 14 days of your initial trip deposit and cancel at least 48 hours in advance of your scheduled departure date.
Pet Care: Up to $2,500 in veterinary expenses & $250 for kenneling. Coverage of veterinary expenses if you take your furry friend along (including pet sickness or injury), or kenneling costs if you arrive back home later than expected.
Adventure & Extreme Sports: Up to $250K (international trips) or $50K (domestic trips) for accidental & sickness expenses. Medical and transportation coverage if you become injured while participating in an adventure or extreme sport, like skydiving, bungee jumping, motocross or free diving.
Faye insurance provides American residents one of the biggest medical coverages on the market at a very competitive price.
There’s no age limit and, with the Adventure & Extreme Sports Protection, you can get coverage for ice climbing.
We recommend Faye for Americans who want a complete travel protection for their ice climbing trip, including high medical coverage, trip protection cancellation & interruption, and baggage coverage.
Our Pick For
Non Americans + Budget
Nationalities: Most nationalities can purchase insurance from World Nomads, including residents of the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, India, Australia, or New Zealand. However, as of the current writing, most European residents are unable to buy a World Nomads policy.
Pre-existing conditions: Not covered.
Seniors Over 65: Travelers aged 70 and over are not covered.
Trip Duration: All plans cover trips up to 365 days.
Groups: Insurance policies for solo travelers, couples and families are available.
Reasons To Buy
The price is competitive.
Reasons To Avoid
Prices and coverage vary greatly by the country of residence.
Some European nationalities are not covered.
Pre-existing medical conditions not covered
Max age is 70 years old.
Emergency Accident & Sickness Medical Expense: Up to $100,000. Coverage is for medical expenses for emergency treatment of an accidental injury that occurs during the trip. Emergency treatment must be medically necessary and performed during the trip. Refer to the certificate / policy for complete details.
Emergency dental treatment: Up to $750. Coverage is for emergency dental treatment for accidental injury to sound, natural teeth. The injury and treatment must occur during the trip.
Emergency Evacuation: Up to $500,000. Coverage is for an accidental injury or sickness occurring during the trip that results in your necessary emergency evacuation. An emergency evacuation must be ordered by a physician who certifies that the severity of your accidental injury or sickness warrants your emergency evacuation. Refer to the certificate / policy for complete details.
Trip Cancellation: Up to $10,000. Reimburses for prepaid, non-refundable cancellation charges if you must cancel your trip (after the effective date) due to covered sickness, accidental injury, or death of you, a family member or traveling companion; inclement weather, unforeseen natural disaster at home or at your destination, strike or other covered reasons. Refer to the certificate / policy for complete details.
Trip Interruption: Up to $10,000. Reimburses for prepaid, non-refundable, unused expenses if you must interrupt your trip (after departure) due to a covered sickness, accidental injury, or death of you, a family member or traveling companion; inclement weather, unforeseen natural disaster at home or at your destination, strike, or other covered reasons. Refer to the certificate / policy for complete details.
Trip Delay: Up to $3,000. Coverage is for unused portion of pre-paid accommodation or additional expenses, on a one-time basis, if you are delayed en route to or from the trip for 6 or more hours due to a defined hazard as explained in the certificate / policy.
Baggage & Personal Effects: Up to $3,000. Reimbursement is for loss, theft or damage during the trip to baggage and personal effects (including sporting equipment) owned by you, provided you have taken all reasonable measures to protect, save and recover the property. Per article limit of $500.
Activities covered based on 4 groups. You pay more for higher group. The Explorer plan includes more activities than the Standard Plan. Extreme activities not covered (cave diving, free soloing, etc)
The World Nomads Explorer Plan is a great option if you’re looking for an affordable travel insurance that covers ice climbing.
We recommend World Nomads Explorers plan for ice climbing trips if you are not American or don’t want the full-protection that Faye provides.
Comparison Table
Company |
Plan |
Medical Expenses |
Emmergency Evacuation |
Trip Cancellation |
Trip Delays |
Equipment Coverage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Travel |
$100,000 |
$500,000 |
None |
None |
None |
|
|
Adv Sports |
$250,000 |
$500,000 |
100% |
150% |
$2,000 |
|
|
Explorer |
$100,000 |
$500,000 |
$10,000 |
$3,000 |
$3,000 |
Conclusion
When selecting insurance for your ice climbing adventure, the remoteness of your destination is a crucial consideration.
For ice climbers heading into more secluded and hard-to-reach locales, Global Rescue is a top-notch choice. Its outstanding medical evacuation services differentiate it from other options on the market.
If your ice climbing escapade is in more accessible areas and you are a US resident, Faye offers an impressive selection. It boasts comprehensive medical coverage, accommodates pre-existing conditions, has no age restrictions, and safeguards ice climbing pursuits, even at considerable elevations.
For non-US residents embarking on ice climbing trips in less isolated spots, the Explorer Plan from World Nomads stands as a strong alternative. It provides ample medical coverage and is known for its cost-effectiveness within the realm of insurance offerings.
Other Travel Insurance Reviews
If you would like to read more about insurance options for other type of adventure trips, you can check out our other reviews below:
- Skiing & Snowboarding
- Hiking Trips
- Mountaineering & High Altitude Trekking
- Mountain Biking, Bike-touring & Bike-packing
- Rock Climbing, Ice Climbing & Bouldering
- Kayaking, White Water Rafting & Paddle Boarding
- Fishing & Spearfishing
- Diving Liveaboards & Freediving
- Sailing, Kite Surfing & Surfing
- Adventure Cruises
- Adventure Motorcycling
Ice Climbing Travel Insurance Reviews Online
When doing your research, you might want to read what other publications have to say about the best travel insurance for ice climbing adventures.
Here are some of the most popular articles I found interesting.
The Ultimate Guide to Mountaineering and Ice Climbing Insurance – tourradar.com
Decent travel insurance for ice climbing trip? – UKC Forums
About the Author
Antonio was born and raised in Southern Spain, and quit his job in 2013 to travel the world full-time with his wife Amanda for 10 years straight. Their passion for adventure took them to visit 150+ countries.
They cycled 25,000km + from California to Patagonia, sailed over 10,000NM around the Caribbean & Sea of Cortez, rode their motorbikes 30,000 kms+ across West Africa (Spain to South Africa) and visited Antarctica, among many other adventure expeditions. Today, they’re still traveling, currently around the USA with an RV.
Traveling to so many places, remote destinations and by different means taught them a lot about travel insurance, which policies to hold depending on the area and the type of adventure they were doing. Antonio now publishes regular content to help other travelers choose the best travel insurance for adventure trips.
Together, they also run the travel community Summit, the RV site Hitched Up, the boutique accommodation blog Unique Places and the popular newsletter Adventure Fix, where they share their knowledge about the places they’ve visited and the ones still remaining on their list.
Antonio Cala
Co-Founder of Adventure Fix