Does travel insurance cover rock climbing?
We do not currently show quotes for specialised rock climbing insurance at MoneySuperMarket, but some of our travel insurers may cover it as standard or as an add-on.
Key takeaways
Insurers consider rock climbing a high-risk activity, so you are likely to need specialist cover
Some standard travel insurance policies offer rock climbing cover as an add-on
Rock climbing travel insurance typically covers medical expenses, repatriation, rescue costs, and lost, damaged, or stolen climbing equipment
Do I need travel insurance for rock climbing?
If you’re planning to rock climb while on your trip, you’ll need to make sure that you have insurance that covers this.
Rock climbing is a high-risk activity, and there’s a chance that you’ll suffer a serious injury and need medical attention. You could also incur other costs — for example, if your rock climbing equipment is stolen or damaged. It’s important that you’re covered for all these eventualities.
What type of insurance do I need for rock climbing on holiday?
If you’re planning on rock climbing while on holiday, you can add this to a standard travel policy, or purchase a separate specialised policy.
Most standard travel insurance policies will cover some level of activity, such as camping and easy trekking, but anything more extreme than this — including rock climbing — is considered a high-risk activity and will not be covered.
You can ask your insurer to add rock climbing insurance onto your existing travel policy. If this isn’t possible, or is too expensive, it might be worth taking out a specialist policy. An extreme sports travel insurance policy will often cover rock climbing activities, as well as other activities like white-water rafting, water skiing, scuba diving, bungee jumping, paragliding, and winter sports.
What does rock climbing travel insurance cover?
Rock climbing travel insurance usually includes:
Emergency medical expenses
This covers the cost of medical treatment for injuries or illnesses sustained while rock climbing. It includes hospital stays, doctor fees, and prescription medications.
Emergency evacuation and repatriation
This covers the cost of medically necessary transport from a climbing site to a medical facility. It also covers returning your remains home if a fatality occurs.
Trip cancellation and curtailment
If you must cancel or cut short your trip due to a climbing-related injury, this covers non-refundable expenses, like flights and accommodation. For example, if you break an ankle climbing before your trip starts, your insurer would cover your lost trip costs.
Personal liability
This protects you if you accidentally cause injury to someone else or damage property while climbing.
Mountain rescue
If you get injured in a remote location, some rock climbing insurance policies will cover search and rescue operations and helicopter evacuation.
Lost or stolen luggage
This covers your climbing gear if it is lost, stolen, or delayed during transit.
Rock climbing insurance policies won’t cover you for everything. Typical exclusions are:
Injuries that happen under the influence of drugs and alcohol
Injuries that happen as a result of using the wrong equipment
Injuries that occur as a result of acting recklessly or irresponsibly
Every policy is different, so make sure to check your policy documents to find out what is covered.
What do I need to consider before purchasing rock climbing travel insurance?
Whether you’re an amateur or experienced climber, it’s important to have a comprehensive policy that covers you for the activities you’re planning. Think about:
Type of climbing
The specific type of climbing you plan to do, such as traditional, bouldering, or mountaineering, will influence the level of cover you need and the cost of your insurance.
The following can influence what cover you’ll need and how much it will cost:
Whether you’re climbing with a guide: Climbing with a certified guide can sometimes lower your risk assessment, but this varies by insurer. Some policies won’t insure you for climbing without an experienced guide. Soloing (climbing alone) can also lead to higher premiums, or even a refusal to insure.
Height of climb: Some policies will insure you for climbs or hikes below a certain height as standard. Some policies won’t insure you above certain heights, or will require an add-on.
Type of climb: Bouldering, top roping, sport climbing, free climbing, ice climbing and climbing via ferrata all have different risks and considerations. Make sure that you are covered for all types of climb you’ll be participating in.
Location
Climbing remote crags or in countries with limited medical infrastructure often requires a higher level of cover, and thus increased premiums. For example, climbing in the Himalayas costs more to insure than climbing in a well-developed European climbing region.
Duration of trip
Longer trips generally result in higher premiums.
Policy limitations and exclusions
Check for restrictions such as indoor climbing only, height limits, or needing to be accompanied by a certified instructor.
Specialist insurance
If standard policies do not meet the risk level of your climbing activities, you may need to look into specialist adventure sports travel insurance or extreme sports travel insurance to get the cover you need.
You should always check to make sure your policy covers everything you need.
How can I get cheaper rock climbing travel insurance?
Saving money on travel insurance is possible without sacrificing good cover.
When looking for rock climbing insurance, you should:
Compare multiple quotes: Always get quotes from at least three different providers. Prices for similar cover can vary significantly.
Choose the right cover level: Do not over-insure. Assess your actual needs. For example, if your climbing gear is not very expensive, you might not need the highest baggage limit.
Opt for a higher excess: If you are comfortable paying more out-of-pocket for smaller claims, a higher excess can lower your premium.
Buy early: You can usually find the best deals by purchasing travel insurance well in advance of your trip
Check existing policies: Your credit card or home insurance might offer some basic travel benefits. These are usually limited but worth checking. Do not rely on them for adventure sports cover, unless you’re able to purchase an add-on
Tips to stay safe while rock climbing
Not sticking to safety precautions puts you at risk and could invalidate your insurance. Here are some safety measures to follow:
Always wear a climbing helmet to protect against falling debris and head injuries
Use a harness to secure yourself
Use ropes that are suitable for the climb you're undertaking
Make sure you have the right anchor system
Check weather forecasts and be prepared to turn back if conditions deteriorate
Hire a professional guide, especially if you’re new to climbing or the route is unfamiliar
Find contact numbers for local mountain rescue services and save these in your phone
Share your location, especially if climbing alone
Remember, the goal is to enjoy the sport while minimising risks, so always climb responsibly.
Frequently asked questions
How much does rock climbing insurance cost?
The cost of a rock climbing add-on or policy will depend on the insurer and the specific policy. There are many things that can impact the cost, including the destination, type of rock climbing, and if you have any pre-existing medical conditions that might increase your risk of injury or illness. It’s best to compare quotes to find the most suitable policy for your budget.
Does travel insurance include rock climbing?
In most cases, a standard travel insurance policy won’t cover rock climbing. Often, you can add rock climbing insurance onto existing multi-trip or single-trip travel insurance policies for an additional premium. Contact your insurer to see if you can add rock climbing cover onto your policy.
Does extreme sports travel insurance include rock climbing?
In most cases, extreme sports travel insurance will cover you for rock climbing, but you should always check your policy to be sure. Even a policy that covers rock climbing may have exclusions — for example, you may only be covered for climbs below a certain height or with a guide.
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