Ice Climbing Insurance Policy

Ice climbing really evolved from rock climbing but over the years the techniques and equipment become more suited to icy surfaces. The equipment usually includes axes, called an ice tool, which help you grip on the ice. North America has many climbing destinations as does Norway, France and Iceland.

As you can imagine this sport does have a high risk and will require you to be physically fit. Some people come to this with some climbing experience but it is not essential to book onto some novice programmes. What is key is your fitness and when booking an ice climbing tour many providers will lay out what you will have to be capable of. You also need to have a suitable ice climbing insurance policy before many companies will deal with you.

Quick Quote For Ice Climbing Cover :

Tips on Getting The Right Ice Climbing Policy

There are a number of risks that insurers will take into account. Avalanches can certainly be one of them, they can happen with very little warning. Another risk is falling into a deep crevasse but the biggest problem of all is simply falling. All of these risks will be built into the costs of added insurance.

Insurance For Winter Sports

It is staggering to learn that many Brits go skiing without taking out special winter sports cover. Many simply rely on their EHIC card and normal travel insurance.

EHIC is the European Health Insurance Card. It used to be called the E111 and is a reciprocal health agreement between European countries including Switzerland. This gives you access to state provided healthcare during a temporary stay in another European economic area. You can apply for EHIC through the EHIC online application form, this is free of charge, so do beware as unofficial websites will try and charge you.

You cannot however rely solely on this for a ski holiday let alone a holiday involving ice climbing. The reason for this is that EHIC will not cover many of the things you may need should you have an accident. So for example mountain rescue is not covered, nor is being flown back to the UK. Lost or stolen property is also not included. So for anyone skiing, EHIC alone may not cover you.

A normal travel insurance policy will also not cover you for a ski holiday. If you are unlucky enough to hurt yourself then those injuries can be quite serious. You may break a bone and need to be airlifted off the slopes which can run into thousands of pounds. Or you could cause a serious accident to another skier, boarder or climber and be liable for their costs. Skiing and boarding are dangerous sports as is ice climbing, you could endure life threatening injuries, so always make sure you take out specialist ski insurance.

Another consideration, is your equipment. The equipment you use for ice climbing is expensive. If someone steals your ice axe then that could set you back thousands of pounds. This may not be covered under most general travel insurance policies.

Additional Considerations For Ice Climbing

For ice climbing it is essential that you have specialist travel insurance providing medical, emergency search and rescue and repatriation cover for the following activities- rock climbing and mountaineering in glaciated areas using ropes up to 5000m altitude. Some standard ski policies will allow you to add ice climbing on but we do recommend that you also check out specialist ice climbing insurance cover.

Safety Issues That Could Invalidate A Claim

Many insurers will require you to be with an experienced guide and to be in a group of other adults, some will even set a certain number. Some will also stipulate what equipment and safety gear you must be carrying. Do read all the small print as failure to follow them could invalidate any claim.

Are You A Professional Or Receiving Sponsorship?

Some insurers will also ask that you are not ice climbing as a professional or receiving any sponsorship money. Be honest and check all small print.

Do You Have Your Own Equipment?

Most guides on ice climbing parties will provide the ropes, climbing rack, first aid and survival equipment. You can hire other equipment but you may be bringing your own equipment including climbing helmet, ice axe and ice hammer, mountain gloves and specialised rucksack. These all cost of money so do make sure your insurance covers all your equipment.

Cover Required

Do look for cover that gives you up to £10m for accidents, personal liability up to £1m and cancellation cover as if your ice climb is cancelled you will want to get money back. Also ensure that the value of your equipment is covered should you lose any items.

 A final tip is to really check the small print of any policy. What looks cheap may for example come with a high excess making a claim not cost effective. For example some cheaper policies set excess levels at £200, lose your gloves and the policy isn’t really worth it.