mountain climbing travel insurance

AAC Member Insurance Benefits

As a climber, finding a quality, affordable insurance package can be nearly impossible. Because we all deserve insurance for ourselves and our families, the AAC has partnered with the following companies to provide insurance packages designed specifically for climbers. The following offerings and discounts are exclusively available for AAC members.

Accidental Death & Dismemberment Insurance

The AAC has partnered with Buddy to offer AD&D insurance designed specifically for AAC members. That means all active members have the option to buy up to $500,000 in AD&D coverage.

Purchasing AD&D coverage takes a matter of minutes and in addition to climbing, this AD&D insurance covers many of your favorite outdoor pursuits. You can also purchase coverage for your spouse and children, even if they're not active members!

Note: 10% of your purchase will be donated to the Climbing Grief Fund. Not only are you adding protection for you and your family by getting covered, but you're also making a donation that helps support those navigating the loss of a loved one to a climbing-related accident.

Redpoint Travel Protection

Ripcord travel protection.

Redpoint’s Ripcord Rescue Travel Protection program is the most comprehensive coverage plan available. For climbers and non-climbers alike, Ripcord’s dedicated team provides a full suite of travel protection services from travel assistance, to rescue and evacuation services, to comprehensive travel insurance, and more.

AAC Members receive a 10% discount on their evacuation membership when they purchase further Ripcord travel programs—including comprehensive travel insurance for trip interruption/cancellation, baggage loss, search services, security evacuations, polar travel upgrades, and more.

Visit Redpoint Travel Protection to access your 10% discount on Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

*The AD&D insurance offered by Buddy is underwritten by Starr Indemnity & Liability Company, a Texas domiciled corporation (NAIC Company Code: 38318: TX license number: 93542) with its principal place of business at 399 Park Avenue, 2nd Floor, New York, NY 10022. Starr Indemnity & Liability Company is currently authorized to do business in all U.S. states, the District of Columbia, and its territories. Not all accidental death coverage may be available in all jurisdictions. This website contains only a brief description of the coverages available under the policy and its certificate. The policy will contain reductions, limitations, exclusions, and termination provisions. This accidental death coverage provides insurance during a covered activity. 

Policy AH 40001 and its certificate AH 40001C are administered by Buddy (FL license number: L102546. California license number: 0L82866. https://buddyinsurance.com/), with its principal place of business at 1717 E Cary St, Suite 2120, Richmond, VA 23223. If you have any questions about the American Alpine Club plan offered on this website, you may contact the Buddy Support Team at 833.462.8339 or via email at [email protected] .

Everything you need to know about mountaineering insurance

If you're planning an overseas mountaineering trip, it's crucial to be aware of potential risks. For example, flight delays, lost luggage, health emergencies, and the need for evacuation. These risks underline the importance of securing reliable travel insurance.

This article delves into the essentials of travel insurance for mountaineering. We'll talk about features like trip cancellation benefits and emergency medical evacuation. Being well-prepared for any unexpected events on your journey is essential. Continue reading to learn everything you need to know about travel insurance.

If you don't have time to read the whole article, here is our quick recommendation. For those in search of dependable mountaineering insurance, we highly recommend Global Rescue. During our decade in the mountaineering industry running Kilimanjaro group climbs and private adventures, we’ve found their service unparalleled. Especially in their response to emergencies. Though it may not be the cheapest, the peace of mind and security it offers are invaluable. Global Rescue is the industry leader trusted by over one million members worldwide. Ready to embark on your next trekking adventure? Secure your Global Rescue membership through the link below.

Additionally, Global Rescue's partner, IMG, offers a great Travel Insurance that provides Trip Cancellation/Lost Luggage/Medical Expense Benefit. It works on a trip-by-trip basis and protects you from non-refundable trip costs. You can purchase your IMG's Signature Travel Insurance here .

Who needs mountaineering hiking insurance?

Trips to high-altitude mountain peaks require comprehensive and specialized mountaineering insurance. The famous 7 Summits are good examples of such destinations:

• Mount Everest - Asia
• Aconcagua - South America
• Denali - North America
• Mount Kilimanjaro - Africa
• Mount Elbrus - Europe
• Puncak Jaya - Australia and Oceania
• Mount Vinson - Antarctica*

*Global Rescue membership will cover you on all those destinations, excluding Antarctica.

The best insurance for Mount Kilimanjaro climbing

Altezza is the largest operator on Kilimanjaro with hundreds of successful trips. We have plenty of experience with many mountain insurance companies. Global Rescue is simply the best in terms of their policy and service. That is why we have chosen to partner with them, and wholeheartedly recommend their insurance memberships for all mountaineers.

Common risks to consider on climbing trips

Travel insurance provides essential protection against various risks associated with mountaineering trips. It covers illnesses, injuries necessitating emergency medical evacuation, much more. In addition, other risks can be included in the package. These include unexpected trip interruptions, baggage loss, cancellations by tour operators, natural disasters, and death. Such coverage ensures you're prepared for a wide range of potential challenges during your adventure.

Helicopter evacuation and when can you use it

Helicopter rescue is important in rare cases of severe injury or other life-threatening conditions. This is true for Kilimanjaro and other high-altitude peaks.

When is helicopter evacuation necessary? Helicopter evacuation during mountain treks is reserved for life-threatening conditions. For instance, severe mountain sickness, fractures, heart attacks, asthma attacks, and similar emergencies. Helicopter rescue can't be provided in case of relatively mild issues like fatigue. In such cases, evacuation is typically carried out by the local team of your ground operator. This often involves descending on foot or on stretchers. For example, don't expect a helicopter evacuation for knee pain. The ground team will assist you with other evacuation methods. Helicopter rescues are strictly for critical cases when fast medical help is necessary and other forms of descent are not viable.

What can travel insurance protect you against?

Considering these risks, having robust travel insurance coverage becomes essential. Good mountaineering insurance acts as a safety net for all kinds of emergencies.

Medical expenses and repatriation benefits

A major advantage of travel insurance is its coverage for medical expenses. This includes emergency treatments and/or evacuation to a hospital. In more critical health emergencies, repatriation coverage is a useful benefit. It ensures that you are financially protected for a safe return home, complete with the required medical support.

Trip interruption

Additionally, a comprehensive travel insurance policy can be helpful in cases of trip interruption. Imagine you're halfway through a long-awaited African tour. Suddenly, an emergency back home requires your immediate return. Without travel insurance, you'd have to rebook flights and accommodations, often paying hefty fees. Insurance can effectively protect you against this.

Baggage loss

Luggage loss can significantly disrupt travel plans. Imagine arriving at your destination only to find your climbing gear missing. A situation that's more than just inconvenient. In these scenarios, travel insurance proves to be invaluable. It will compensate you for lost items. Moreover, it can cover the cost of renting necessary equipment from local operators.

Altezza Travel also offers a unique solution for such predicaments. If you lose your luggage en route, we will lend you all the required gear at no additional cost.

Trip cancellation

Travel insurance cover often includes a valuable feature: trip cancellation coverage. This becomes crucial when a tour operator cancels a trip and won't refund your payment. In these situations, the travel insurance coverage intervenes to reimburse you for the trip cost.

Please note: at Altezza Travel, we never cancel trips from our end. Once you receive your booking confirmation, your spot in the expedition is secured, and you don't need to worry about potential cancellations.

Many plans offer the flexibility to cancel your trip for any reason. This is particularly beneficial in some cases. Tour operators often have strict cancellation policies and are reluctant to issue refunds. Travel insurance with trip cancellation coverage provides a safety net for such scenarios.

Is regular travel insurance enough for a mountaineering trip?

It's crucial to understand that an ordinary travel insurance package won’t work for a mountaineering trip. Mountain climbing is typically among the exclusions of standard insurance coverage. This is mainly due to the high-risk nature of such trips. Other expeditions or extreme sports also generally require specialized insurance packages.

Considering challenging mountains like Mount Kilimanjaro, Aconcagua, or any of the Himalayan peaks? Getting appropriate mountaineering insurance coverage is essential. Such coverage is designed to address the unique risks of ahigh-altitude mountaineering trek.

When purchasing insurance for mountain climbing or hiking, it’s crucial to note the maximum altitude covered by the policy. For instance, if you sustain an injury at 15,000 feet, but your policy covers only up to 14,000 feet, your claim could be rejected. This is particularly important for treks like Kilimanjaro. Here insurance that covers trekking at altitudes below 6,000 meters (20,000 feet) is essential. Always double-check that the altitude coverage of your travel insurance matches or exceeds the elevation of your mountaineering destination.

When choosing your insurance for Kilimanjaro, ensure it covers mountaineering at altitudes below 6000 meters. For other peaks, it should exceed their maximum elevation. In addition, the insurance package must include emergency medical services post-climb, and helicopter evacuation, often the only viable option in remote or high-altitude expeditions.

Standard health insurance doesn't cover mountain climbing

Typically, standard U.S. health insurance plans like Medicaid, Medicare, Blue Cross Blue Shield, and UnitedHealthcare don't cover international travel. Even when these policies apply overseas, they usually exclude high-risk activities such as mountaineering. Therefore, if you're planning a mountain trek abroad, it's crucial to obtain travel insurance specifically designed for adventure activities.

How do you purchase mountain climbing insurance?

Purchasing insurance packages today is largely a simple, online process. The key information needed includes your passport details, travel dates, and destination specifics. If you're uncertain about the suitability of a plan, consult with your tour operator for advice. At Altezza Travel, we have identified the best insurance options for Kilimanjaro treks and routinely recommend these to our clients.

How much does a good insurance cost?

Travel insurance costs depend on various factors such as the traveler's skill level, age, residency, and destination. At this time, Global Rescue is our top insurance recommendation. For endeavors like a Kilimanjaro climb, the cost of Global Rescue coverage begins at around $530. It is not the cheapest option available on the market, and there are cheaper alternatives. However, we've experienced varying degrees of reliability when it comes to claims and compensations across different companies. As it's impossible for us to predict the situation at the time of your arrival, the only recommendation we can make is Global Rescue that have consistently proven to be trustworthy and reliable. It's important to remember that prices may be higher for older mountaineers due to the increased risk and more comprehensive coverage.

Recommended insurance for a mountaineering trek

For your next mountain expedition, we at Altezza Travel recommend Global Rescue. Distinct from typical insurance providers, Global Rescue functions primarily as an emergency response service. In addition, IMG's Signature Travel Insurance offers extensive assistance for various travel risk factors and unforeseen events. This includes financial coverage and facilitating communication with local operators.

Unique to Global Rescue is their coverage of helicopter evacuations on Mount Kilimanjaro. Elite Exped, renowned for its Himalayan climbs including Everest, also recommends Global Rescue to their clients for robust support during mountain expeditions worldwide.

Click on the link below to get a price estimate for your Global Rescue membership.

Opting for Global Rescue offers more than just standard medical evacuation services. Their coverage extends to situations like natural disasters, civil unrest, and more. This level of support provides an added layer of security and peace of mind. A dedicated team is always on standby to assist you 24/7/365.

IGM Signature Travel Insurance can be purchased in addition to Global Recue's classic membership. It will cover a range of unexpected costs, including:

• TRIP INTERRUPTION OR TRIP CANCELLATION
• LOST OR DAMAGED LUGGAGE
• TRAVEL MEDICAL EXPENSES
• MISSED CONNECTIONS OR CHANGE FEES
• CANCEL FOR ANY REASON (CFAR)

What to do if you need insurance support on the trek?

Your first step should be to contact your insurance provider for guidance and support. However, reaching out during a trek can be challenging due to factors like limited mobile coverage, acute mountain sickness, or adverse weather conditions. In such situations, your mountain guides will be there to help.

Your Kilimanjaro guides will communicate the situation to their base office, which then will contact your insurance provider. This chain of communication ensures you receive assistance even if you're unable to contact them directly. At Altezza Travel, we know how crucial this step is for tough hikes like Kilimanjaro. We collect insurance details from our clients before the hike. This lets us quickly reach your insurance team in emergencies, ensuring fast help and action.

Is insurance included in the standard Kilimanjaro climbing package?

Your climbing package covers certain types of evacuation: by walking / stretchers / rescue car. These are provided by our crew and the rescue service of Kilimanjaro National Park, and your climbing package includes the associated rescue fee.

Additional evacuation-related expenses, such as medical treatment and tests, accommodation and transportation, should be fully covered by your insurance in case of helicopter evacuation. If evacuation is conducted by land (walking / stretchers / rescue car), ONE night in Altezza's properties Aishi Machame Hotel or Brubru Lodge will be provided complimentary. If Altezza's properties are not available, extra accommodations will need to be booked at the property's rate.

How Altezza cooperates with insurance companies

At Altezza Travel, we work closely with medical insurance providers to ensure our clients receive quick assistance in emergencies on the mountain. When our guides initiate an emergency evacuation, we promptly inform the client's insurance company.

Insurance companies typically operate on a reimbursement basis. This means travelers initially cover medical and evacuation costs and later claim these expenses from their insurance provider for a refund. Immediate helicopter evacuations on Kilimanjaro, without upfront payment, are uncommon. They generally require a guarantee letter from the insurance company, which can take over 24 hours to obtain. In emergencies, this delay makes reimbursement a more practical approach. As of 2023, the cost of a helicopter evacuation on Kilimanjaro is around $5,000, inclusive of all required documentation to back up the insurance claim. This sum is initially paid by the traveler but refundable through their insurance post-trek.

However, Global Rescue has a unique advantage: in an emergency, they will cover all your transport arrangements costs (medical up to $500,000, security up to $100,000), without the need to pay upfront.

Why Altezza recommends Global Rescue

We at Altezza Travel have guided thousands of clients to the top of Mt Kilimanjaro and are intimately familiar with the risk of high-altitude trekking. Such experience allowed us to gain a solid understanding of the workings of various insurance companies. And it is no accident that we chose to partner up with the best in the industry — Global Rescue. Let's recap their key membership services:

• WORLDWIDE FIELD RESCUE . Evacuation from the site of illness or injury to the closest, most suitable medical facility.
• MEDICAL EVACUATION AND ADVISORY . Transport or repatriation to the member's preferred hospital at home for those in need of hospitalization.
• 24/7/365 TRAVELER ASSISTANCE . Immediate assistance with local healthcare systems, visa and passport challenges, translation, and more.
• DESTINATION REPORTS AND EVENT ALERTS . Updated travel advisories and comprehensive reports for 215 countries and principalities.

Purchase a Global Rescue membership and IMG's Signature Travel Insurance for your next trekking or climbing adventure to ensure safety and peace of mind.

Disclaimer: This article provides a general overview of benefits and services for informational purposes and should not be considered comprehensive. It doesn't encompass all possible scenarios, coverages, or exclusions of any insurance plan. Note that insurance plan benefits and services are subject to change. The content here is not a substitute for your actual policy/certificate of insurance. In case of discrepancies between this article and your policy/certificate wording, the terms of your policy/certificate will take precedence. If you choose the Global Rescue insurance plan, please refer to their website and plan documents for detailed information.

In 2013, Thomas Becker relocated from Germany to Tanzania, captivated by the country's charm. He explored various regions, immersing himself in local culture, traditions, geography, and wildlife. He personally successfully ascended Kilimanjaro’s highest point - Uhuru Peak.

Prior to joining Altezza in 2023, Thomas held the role of general manager at several lodges, including Kaliwa Lodge. At Altezza Travel, he oversees the operational facets of all expeditions and manages our mountain team of over 1700 members, the largest in the region

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MOUTAINEERING INSURANCE

• Cover for climbing, trekking and more
• Worldwide Mountaineering Travel Insurance
• Cover for ice-climbing available

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Our Mountaineering Insurance policy options

Put simply, we offer three different policy options…

1. Travel Insurance

Our Sports Travel Insurance policy is designed to protect those travelling abroad to take part in activities such as mountaineering. We provide cover for a range of mountaineering disciplines including climbing and trekking.

2. Travel Insurance Bolt-On

If you have an existing travel insurance policy in place with another provider such as your bank but it does not include cover for mountaineering, we can provide a bolt-on style of protection for your trip.

3. Sports Accident Insurance

For those mountaineering in the UK, you may find our Sports Accident Insurance best suited. The policy provides a range of benefits including personal liability and income protection.

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Why choose us

30 years experience.

We have been providing tailored Sports Insurance policies for over 30 years, and today protect more than 57,000 customers a year.

Professional Claims Handling

We work with leading claims handlers to make sure our customers experience a prompt and professional service when making a claim.

Underwritten by Experts

We’re pleased to offer tailored cover from AXA XL, a leading provider of insurance in the sports and leisure industry.

UK Based Customer Service Team

Our highly experienced Sales team are available to help support you with any questions that you might have.

5-Star Customer Service Rating

Thousands of happy customers have awarded us a 5-star customer service score on the independent feedback platform, Feefo.

500+ Sports Covered

Being a specialist in Sports Insurance, we provide cover for over 500 different sports & activities, far more than other providers.

What is mountaineering insurance?

Mountaineering Insurance is designed to protect you against the financial implications should you get injured whilst mountaineering. 

We provide several policy options to keep you protected including our Sports Travel Insurance. This policy is built for people who are travelling abroad to go mountaineering. It includes a long list of benefits such as protection against medical and repatriation costs, trip cancellation and curtailment, equipment cover and more. 

We also provide a policy for people mountaineering in the UK called Sports Accident Insurance. It includes personal accident cover as standard, as well as personal liability protection.

What types of mountaineering activities do you cover? 

We provide cover for over 500 different sports and adventure activities, making it one of the most comprehensive policies by a UK insurance provider. Here are just some of the many mountaineering activities that we can cover:

• Rock climbing
• Ice climbing
• Trekking up to 7,000m
• Glacier walking
• Gorge walking
• Mountain walking
• Multi-pitch rock climbing

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, our Mountaineering Travel Insurance can generally be taken out even if you have a medical condition. We can almost always offer cover at no extra cost, but occasionally our underwriters may apply special terms if you subsequently needed to make a claim relating to your condition.

We provide cover for bouldering, rock climbing, via ferrata, trad climbing, multi-pitch climbing, ice climbing, and sea cliff climbing. You will be covered for your selected sport and any other listed in the same or lower sports groups. You can search for your specific activity in our sports travel group list .

If you are climbing a mountain and planning to use any climbing equipment such as ropes, guides or crampons, we would class this as mountaineering. We can only cover technical ascents up to 4000m.

* 10% online discount applies to our Sports Travel Insurance and Activity TopUp policies only. 

** Data relates to Sports Travel Insurance claims from Jan 2023 to Dec 2023 inclusive.

*** Feefo rating relates to Sports Travel Insurance claims review score from Jan 2023 to Dec 2023 inclusive. 

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Advice for Planning a Mountain Climbing Expedition

Preparing for a mountaineering trip.

Related: How to Plan an International Trip

Mountain Climbing – Group or Solo?

Going solo sounds great if you’re prepared to be your own company and stretching yourself to the limits. You will certainly know a lot more about yourself when you come back down again. Remember that you are also reducing the safety factor that having a partner (or partners) brings. If you’re going with a single partner, you obviously need to be sure it is someone you’ll get along with and whom you can trust completely. Your partner can make or break your trip. On expeditions with more challenging objectives, a group of 3 or more can work better as you can share the workload. For climbing trips, this means you’ll always have company at those long belay stances where dark thoughts about what’s coming up can develop. A final alternative is a larger team. If this is made up of friends, it can work very well and will be a very sociable as well as challenging experience. If you don’t know all the team members, I suggest making lots of effort to get together before departure. This protects against the group breaking up into cliques and allows you to build a team based on the strengths of the individuals.

Research your Mountaineering Trek

After you’ve done your reading and your training, do some online research for the most up-to-date information. Learn about the best times to climb mountains in different regions of the world. If you’re able to and interested in traveling to mountains beyond your own country, this can open up more opportunities with differing alpine seasons around the world. For example, the best climbing in Europe is from June through September, in New Zealand, it’s December to March; and in Alaska, it’s June and July. Within these generalized climbing seasons, there are marked variations of suitability dependent on the number of people climbing, the weather variations that cannot be predicted until they occur and the reality that some seasons are good and some are bad. We are so lucky today – Google is a wonderful guide to all kinds of groups. You can chat with people who have been there and found out what’s best to pack for where you want to go. And that’s where you’ll find out about who your best guides or agents are because you will need someone inside the country to manage the inevitable red tape if not accompany you on the climb. You will need a climbing permit in any case.

Travel Insurance for Mountain Climbing and Mountaineering

Make sure that you are covered for medical emergencies. Purchase a travel medical policy that covers mountaineering. The Atlas Plan is considered the best for mountaineering and covers climbs up to 4,500 meters. For climbs above 4,500 meters contact an agent for specialized coverage. Depending on where you’re going, shots will be required. Check with your doctor a few months ahead to make sure that your immunizations are up-to-date for your destination. Some may require a series of shots, so checking in early is smart. Your doctor or their assistants may also help you plan your medications for the trip. Some doctors are more than willing to send you off with some good general antibiotics for your kit – just in case. And it really won’t hurt to check with your dentist too – there is nothing like a nagging toothache to spoil a climb.

• Emergency medical, evacuation, repatriation benefits
• Choose between the basic and more extensive coverage
• Meets Schengen visa insurance requirements
• 24/7 worldwide travel and emergency medical assistance

Beyond the Basics of Mountaineering

While you’re waiting for the next in that series of immunizations, it’s a good idea to go over your gear and make sure it’s all on hand and in tip-top shape. Your equipment should include:

• Ice ax, ice hammer
• Harness, belay break
• Backpack (lightweight, strong, with hooks for the ice ax and crampons to hang through)
• Ropes and carabiners (The strong ones you need are expensive and usually kept behind counters)
• Tape for abseil loops
• Ice screws, nuts, slings, etc. (these items are dependent on the type of mountain being climbed)
• First aid kit (small)
• Sunscreen and lip salve, sunglasses, goggles
• Tent (this must be one that can withstand high wind and snow; these types of tents tend to be highly specialized and the most expensive; or a bivouac
• Sleeping bag – mountain quality
• Cooking supplies (be sure to get a cooking appliance that is lightweight and will light under dreadful conditions of cold and wind) and lightweight utensils and mug, plate
• Food – high energy food is a must. Read up on the types of food supplies, usually high in fat (chocolate, nuts, sweets, cookies, condensed milk, cheese, dried fruit, sugar lumps, olive oil, energy bars, etc.)
• Water, reconstituted fruit drink (powder)
• Straw to allow you to suck trickles of water from rocks or pools along the way as additional hydration
• Pocket knife (small)
• All-purpose biodegradable soap
• Feces and urine removal kit & toilet paper
• Climbing permit
• Compass, GPS perhaps
• Camera (optional but there are good lightweight ones available now) – be aware that cold batteries don’t work. You may need to keep batteries warm in a pocket and then fumble them into the camera when needed
• Passport and visas, plus photocopies of the same
• A few pens and lots of pencils with a couple of sharpeners. Pens are great, but pencils never freeze.
• A notebook. There’ll be loads of stuff to write down plus you’ll be able to while away the hours in your tent writing an article like this.

Hit the Trail

In the end, before you pack the cat off to the neighbors, pack your troubles in a separate box, and leave them at home. Time to make memories to last a lifetime. Also Read:

• Advice for Buying Travel Insurance
• 12 Top Safety Tips for the International Traveler
• Ten Essentials of Mountaineering Safety
• Tips for Mountaineering
• Winter Sports Insurance

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Travel Insurance for Mountaineering: What are the limits?

Last Updated: June 4, 2019 November 17, 2023

Adventure travel is at an all-time high, and is one of the most common reasons travelers buy travel insurance – for medical coverage during the length of their trip. Many adventurous travelers with planned mountain climbing excursions turn to travel insurance as an extra precaution, however depending on the specifics of the climb, there may not be coverage.

Many travel insurance policies cover hiking and exclude mountain climbing, but the difference between the two isn’t always clear to travelers.

How Are You Climbing?

Travel insurance policies typically differentiate hiking from mountain climbing or mountaineering by the use of equipment. If ropes or guides are used, for example, the activity usually meets the definition of mountain climbing. Travelers planning excursions that fall within this category should look for a policy with Sports & Activities coverage.

How High Are You Climbing?

Travel insurance for mountaineering typically restricts coverage to a certain height. While most policies limit coverage to 15,000 feet, some only extend coverage to 11,500 feet. Any injuries sustained above the listed height will not be covered under the policy, so it is important for travelers to always compare their coverage with their climbing itineraries to make sure their excursion is covered.

How Are You Getting Down?

While some standard policies can provide coverage for mountain climbing, they may not cover other adventure activities travelers plan to participate in while they are on the mountain or on their way back down. Travel insurance policies with Sports & Activities benefits can cover a wide array of mountain-related activities that are often excluded from standard policies, such as mountain biking, ice climbing, and skiing.

To search for travel insurance for mountaineering, travelers can use Squaremouth’s Adventure Travel Insurance activity selection matrix.

Best Trekking Insurance: High Altitude Trekking Travel Insurance

• April 3, 2023

Trekking, hiking, and mountain climbing can be one of the most exhilarating activities for nature lovers. Climbing to new heights, taking in the mountains that tower above us, and feeling a sense of peace and freedom as we trek into the unknown. However, it is important to know what trekking insurance is , to make sure you are protected from any risks associated with it. If you already know the basics, then read on, and find out about the 5 best trekking insurance options to protect yourself in case of an emergency. 

In this article, we are going to provide information on the five best trekking and travel insurance and review the best policy providers for trekking, climbing, and mountaineering insurance!

Quick Answer: Best Trekking Insurance

Editors Choice

World Nomads Insurance

• Coverage for Trekkers
• Coverage until 22,965 feet (7,000 meters)
• Up to $500,000 in coverage

2nd Best Choice

Travelex Trekking Insurance

• Coverage until 20,000 feet (6,000 meters)
• Up to $1 million in coverage

3rd Best Choice

WorldTrips’ Insurance

• Coverage until 15,000 feet (4,500 meters)

Best Trekking and Hiking Insurance Providers

The information below highlights our top five choices for trekking insurance. We must insist that you look through the policies and what they cover before you purchase any hiking insurance. Whereas, it is important that you know 100% that the insurance will cover your climbing trip and all other activities you plan on engaging in before you purchase the insurance.

Our top five choices for trekking insurance are:

1. World Nomads Trekking Insurance

As an entity, World Nomads has been recommended by well known companies in the travel industry such as Lonely Planet and National Geographic — add with the thousands of customer reviews from  Trust Pilot  that they have garnished over the years, it is easy to see the great reputation that World Nomads has.

They are also backed by secure, trusted, and specialist underwriters who provide travelers with great cover, 24-hour emergency assistance, and the highest levels of support and claims management!

Let’s first start with who World Nomads is. You can also read my full World Nomads Insurance Review to take a deep dive into the insurance provider.

Who are World Nomads?

Since 2002, World Nomads have been protecting, connecting and inspiring independent travelers.

They offer simple and flexible travel insurance and safety advice to help you travel.

Because they believe in giving back to the places we travel to, World Nomads also enables you to make a difference with a micro-donation when you buy a policy.

And they’ll help you plan your trip with free downloadable guides, travel tips, responsible travel insights and recommendations from their global community.

World Nomads provides travel insurance for travelers in over 100 countries. As an affiliate, we receive a fee when you get a quote from World Nomads using this link. We do not represent World Nomads. This is information only and not a recommendation to buy travel insurance.

7 things to know about World Nomads trekking insurance

Below are seven things that you should know about World Nomads trekking insurance while considering to purchase a policy.

1. Internationally recognized underwriters: World Nomads is backed by a suite of specialist travel insurers that provide 24/7 emergency assistance, customer service and claims support.

2. 24/7 emergency assistance: If you need medical assistance or emergency medical evacuation, World Nomads’ multi-lingual team is available 24/7 to connect you with medical treatment and transportation during your trip.

3. Buy and claim on the road: Had a change of plans? You can extend your period of cover or claim online at any point in your journey. You can even buy a policy if you’re already travelling.

4. Adventure activity coverage: Designed by travelers, for travelers, World Nomads covers over 150 adventure sports and activities so you can explore your boundaries.

5. Travel safety tips and alerts: World Nomads provides useful and up-to-date travel insurance information and global travel safety advice to help you plan for your journey and navigate the risks.

6. Donate and make a difference: When you buy travel insurance with World Nomads, you can make a micro-donation to a community development project to help change lives in the destinations that need it most.

7. Travel content to help inspire, educate and plan: Plan your trip with free destination guides, develop your travel storytelling skills and learn how you can be a more responsible traveler with World Nomads as your travel companion.

Main Features:

• Standard Plan until 19,685 feet (6,000 meters)
• $500,000 in coverage
• Trip cancellation insurance
• Standard Plan until 22,965 feet (7,000 meters)
• Emergency medical evacuation

Pros and Cons of World Nomads Insurance:

The following are a list of pros and cons, things that we love and hate about the insurance policy:

• Covers a Lot of Countries Worldwide
• High Coverage for Medical Expenses
• Flexible Prices
• Buy or Extend Anytime, Anywhere
• Perfect for adventure-loving travelers
• 24/7 customer service with online claims option
• Limited age coverage for seniors
• Coverage can differ depending on location and nationality
• Limited COVID coverage

Some of the adventure sports and other activities that World Nomad’s trekking insurance covers include:

World Nomads’ Trekking Insurance Covers the Following Adventure Activities:

• Backpacking
• Bungee jumping
• Cage fighting
• Caving and spelunking
• Cliff diving
• Dog sledding
• Free diving (up to 197 feet)
• Hang gliding
• Kiteboarding
• Mixed martial arts
• Mountaineering/Trekking (up to 22,965 feet)
• Paddle boarding
• Rappelling (up to 22,965 feet)
• Rock climbing
• Running of the bulls
• Safari tours
• Salsa dancing
• Scuba diving (up to 165 feet with a commercial instructor or guide)
• Shark cage diving
• Skateboarding
• Skiing or snowboarding by helicopter or snowcat
• Swimming with whales
• Trampolining
• Tree climbing (up to 33 feet)
• Ultimate Frisbee

World Nomads’ Hiking Insurance Does Not Cover the Following:

Additionally, it is important to know about what the climbing insurance does not cover. It is best to talk directly to World Nomads to understand the exclusions and limitations you may face while using this insurance. World Nomads’ insurance for trekking does not cover the following:

• Pre-existing conditions
• Non-emergency medical treatment or surgery
• Routine physical exams
• Traveling for the purpose of medical treatment
• Pregnancy or childbirth (except for complications of pregnancy)
• Participation as an athlete in professional sports
• Participation in extreme sports
• Pregnancy or childbirth costs
• Intentionally harming yourself
• Piloting or learning to pilot an aircraft
• Suicide or attempted suicide
• Cancellations due to war, civil war, acts of foreign enemies, or civil unrest

World Nomads’ Standard Plan vs. Explorer Plan

Below is a comparison table of World Nomads’ Standard plan and Explorer plan and how much coverage travelers can get.

The amount that you will have to pay for your trekking and mountaineering insurance varies depending on your trekking destination, age, country of residence, overall trip cost as well as other factors.

2. Travelex Trekking Insurance:

Our second choice of mountaineering insurance is Travelex insurance. It is a great budget-friendly travel insurance provider that offers affordable rates and coverage for families. Moreover, they offer plan extensions that will allow you to be insured while trekking at high elevations. They provide coverage on individual bases and will allow you to get trekking insurance up to 20,000 feet (6,000 meters) above sea level. This makes it great for climbers looking to hike up to Everest Base Camp trek in Nepal or other places around the world like the Alps, the Andes or Kilimanjaro! 

Another great aspect that we like about the Travelex’s service, is that they have an app that you can download which will provide important information about the country you are traveling to. It will help keep you safe by providing real-time security alerts, information about food and water safety, as well as ATM locations! 

If you are looking for a budget travel insurance plan that will cover the adventure sports aspect of your vacation, Travelex climbing insurance will be a great fit for you! You can get a free quote from hen Travelex climbing insurance . You can also read our full Travelex Insurance review , to learn more about how they are one of the best trekking insurance providers!

• Coverage up to 20,000 feet (6,000 meters) above sea level
• Free coverage for children under 17
• Can apply for pre-existing medical condition waivers
• Travel delay coverage of $2,000

Pros and Cons of Travelex Trekking Insurance:

• The travel insurance will include free coverage for children under the age of 17 if they are with an adult that is covered by the insurance policy
• Offers an adventure sports upgrade, including for high elevation trekking
• You can upgrade the plan to get a “cancel for any reason”
• Medical expense coverage is primary, compared to some competitors’ secondary coverage.
• Provides great travel delay coverage. Providing USD $2,000 per person after an initial five-hour delay.
• “Cancel for any reason” coverage provides 50% reimbursement of the non-refundable deposits – which is lower than most travel insurance providers, who usually provide 75%
• The emergency medical expense coverage for the Travel Select plan is $50,000, compared to higher levels from top competitors.
• Baggage delay benefits only apply after an initial 12-hour wait – longer than most companies

Some of the adventure sports and other activities that Travelex’s trekking insurance covers include:

Travelex’s Trekking Insurance Covers the Following Adventure Activities:

• Travel medical insurance
• Travel delay insurance
• Travel interruption insurance
• Baggage and personal effects
• Car rental collision coverage of $35,000 (upgradable)
• Flight accident or death (upgradable)
• Medical expenses and emergency evacuation (upgradable).
• Coverage for adventure sports activities (upgradable)

Travelex’s Trekking Insurance Does Not Cover the Following:

Additionally, it is important to know about what their climbing insurance does not cover. It is best to talk directly to Travelex to understand the exclusions and limitations you may face while using this insurance. Travelex’s insurance for trekking does not cover the following:

• Intentionally self-inflicted injury
• Normal pregnancy or childbirth
• Mental, nervous or psychological disorders
• Experimental medical treatments
• Injuries due to intoxication or drug abuse
• Routine physical examinations

Travelex Trekking insurance Pricing:

Here are a few examples of trips and costs associated with them, so you can get an idea of what you may have to pay for your trekking insurance with a Travelex Select Plan:

3. WorldTrips’ Trekking Insurance:

For our third choice, we suggest WorldTrips travel insurance plan, as it is a flexible plan that allows travelers to pick and choose which add-on coverage they need. WorldTrips, flexible plans include coverage for pets, adventure sports like high altitude climbing and hiking, destination weddings, and even hunting and fishing equipment.

For travelers looking to take part in various adventure activities, WorldTrips high altitude travel insurance is going to be best for you. However, the elevation coverage is less than the other two plans mentioned above. Whereas, WorldTrips’ only provides trekking travel insurance under 15,000 feet (4,500 meters) above sea level.

Therefore, if you plan on hiking to extreme elevations, you will have to choose a different trekking insurance provider. If the elevation issue is not a problem for your vacation, then WorldTrips is a great hiking travel insurance provider because of the options and upgrades it gives travelers.

• Coverage up to 15,000 feet (4,500 meters) above sea level
• Up to $150,000 in coverage
• Upgrade to “cancel for any reason”
• Flexible plans – travelers can pick and choose coverages

Pros and Cons of WorldTrips Hiking Insurance:

• You can get a “cancel for any reason” upgrade
• You can add an upgrade to your policy to get “interruption for any reason” coverage
• Includes excellent missed connection coverage of $2,000 per person after a three-hour delay.
• Provides travel delay benefits of $2,000 per person.
• WorldTrips offers coverage for travel inconveniences
• The elevation coverage they offer, up to 15,000 feet (4,500 meters) above sea level, is significantly lower than other trekking insurance providers.
• Emergency medical expense coverage of $150,000 is quite low when compared to other policy providers
• You have to wait 12 hours to get baggage delay benefits

Some of the adventure sports and other activities that WorldTrips’ hiking insurance covers include:

WorldTrips’ Trekking Insurance Covers the Following Adventure Activities:

• Indoor and outdoor rock climbing
• Mountain biking
• Mountaineering (at elevations under 4,500 meters)
• Rock scrambling
• Snowboarding (recreational downhill and/or cross country)
• Snow skiing (recreational downhill and/or cross country)
• Zip trekking
• Bodyboarding
• Scuba diving 
• Wakeboarding

WorldTrips’ Trekking Insurance Does Not Cover the Following:

Additionally, it is important to know about what the climbing insurance does not cover. It is best to talk directly to WorldTrips to understand the exclusions and limitations you may face while using their trekking insurance plan. WorldTrips’ insurance for trekking does not cover the following:

• Mental, nervous or psychological disorders (unless hospitalized for more than 72 hours)
• Intoxication
• Participating in organized or contact sports
• Traveling against the advice of a physician
• Elective treatment and procedures
• Medical tourism
• Self-inflicted injury

WorldTrips’ Trekking insurance Pricing:

WorldTrips’ pricing for trekking insurance is broken down by age, and is charged per day. Moreover, depending on the plan you choose, and the amount of medical maximum you are looking for, will also change the overall policy price.

The table below shows the breakdown of costs for traveling outside of the United States. The table is pulled directly from WorldTrips website

4. Global Rescue Insurance:

Global Rescue Trekking Insurance is a well-known provider of rescue memberships in high-altitude and trekking circles. This plan is highly recommended by many of Nepal’s travel and expedition companies.

The most significant advantage for trekkers with Global Rescue’s rescue and evacuation insurance is no elevation limit. Meaning that this policy covers you even when you decide to go to the summit of Everest!

You can get a membership on long term or even short-term basis (7, 14, or 30 days), making the plan extremely flexible and affordable! However, it is important to note that the Global Rescue membership is different than a traditional travel insurance plan. Their altitude travel insurance does not cover travel cancellations, delays, baggage, or medical and dental expenses.

They do offer add-on travel insurance policy with IMG (IMG Signature Travel Insurance), which provides coverage for all these items in addition to your high-altitude and rescue/evacuation coverage.

Make sure to check out my Global Rescue Insurance review blog, it will go into depth about what the medical Helicopter evacuation coverage offers!

• No limitation on altitude for coverage
• Emergency medical coverage — up to $100,000
• Trip cancellation — up to $100,000
• Lost luggage/baggage delay — up to $2,500
• Up to 150% of trip cost insured for trip interruption

Pros and Cons of WorldTrips Hiking Travel Insurance:

The following are a list of pros and cons, things that we love and hate about the hiking insurance policy:

• Secure the value of your entire trip
• Industry’s most complete travel insurance products
• Field Rescue services from the point of injury or illness
• Face-to-face video consultations and advice about your diagnosis
• Prescriptions, lab work, diagnostic imaging
• Help determining the best possible treatment options
• Can be expensive depending on the trekkers usage of the plan
• Have to buy annual membership
• Emergency medical expense coverage of $100,000 is quite low when compared to other altitude insurance policies

Global Rescue Trekking Insurance Membership Covers the Following:

• Worldwide Field Rescue: teams on standby to rescue members in dangerous or remote locations.
• Medical Evacuation: teams capable of transporting members back to their home country hospitals from anywhere in the world.
• Medical & Security Advisory: on-call paramedics, nurses, and military special operations veterans to provide virtual medical assistance and security advice in emergencies.
• Other Travel Assistance Services: include visa and passport support, hospital referrals when needed, translation services, and even logistics management.

Global Rescue Insurance Policy Pricing

Below are the prices you can expect to pay depending on the length of your trekking trip:

*Additional memberships are available. For members adventuring to higher altitudes, the High-Altitude Evacuation Package provides medical transport services to members who travel above 15,000 feet or 4,600 meters at any point during their trip (excluding airplane travel) and who require emergency transport due to injury or illness.

5. SafetyWing

SafetyWing is a well-known travel insurance provider that offers policies designed specifically for digital nomads and long-term travelers. While they offer coverage for some adventure activities like hiking, trekking, and mountaineering, it is important to carefully review their policy to ensure that it covers the specific activities you plan to undertake.

Unfortunately, they will not cover you while trekking above 4,500 meters. This is still pretty high, and depending on the elevation of your trek, it might be just enough for you to get by with!

Their policies generally provide medical coverage, emergency medical evacuation, trip interruption, and travel delay coverage. However, they may not offer as comprehensive adventure activity coverage as other travel insurance providers. It’s essential to carefully read the policy’s terms and conditions, including any exclusions or limitations.

Ultimately, whether or not SafetyWing is a good insurance provider for trekking depends on your individual needs and the level of coverage you require. If you plan to undertake high-risk activities or travel to remote areas, you may want to consider a policy from a provider specializing in adventure travel insurance.

You can read my entire SafetyWing Insurance review for more information about if their travel and trekking insurance are right for you!

• Up to $250,000 for intense care unit
• Up to $5,000 for trip interruption
• Up to $100 a day for Travel delay after a 12-hour delay
• Up to $100,000 for emergency medical evacuation

Pros and Cons of SafetyWing Hiking Insurance:

• Website is easy to navigate and understand
• Can sign up while abroad and be covered immediately
• Young children included – 2 children under 10 per family (1 per adult)
• Trip interruption – Up to $5,000. No deductible
• Easiest and fastest insurance to sign up for
• Visits to home country are covered – After 90 days abroad, you’re covered for brief visits back home for up to 30 days (15 days for US residents).
• Limitations on the adventure activities you will be covered for
• The maximum altitude trekkers are covered is relatively lower than other providers
• Maximum is lower than other providers and is cumulative amongst the family or group the trekker is traveling with

SafetyWing Insurance Covers the Following:

Here are only some of the things that are covered:

• Emergency medical treatment
• Lost luggage
• Travel delay
• Evacuation in the event of terrorism, political disruption, or medical emergencies
• Accommodation in the event of natural disasters
• Transportation of a family member from your home country to you in case you have to stay in the hospital for an extended duration
• Personal liability for losses or injuries to third-parties

SafetyWing Insurance Does Not Cover the Following:

• Trip cancellation and
• Most adventure sports

SafetyWing insurance Pricing:

Below is a breakdown of how much you can expect to pay for insurance with SafetyWing per month. Please note that the price does not include traveling in the USA.

Best travel insurance for trekking up to 6000m

The best trekking insurance up to 6000 meters, are World Nomads, Travelex or Global Rescue insurance policies.

Global Rescue’s coverage does not have an altitude cap. However, World Nomads and Travelex will void your insurance if you go above 6000 meters. Here are a couple of popular trekking routes below 6000 meters that these plans will cover:

• Everest Base Camp Trek (5,364 m): This iconic trek takes you to the base camp of Mount Everest, offering breathtaking views of the Himalayas, Sherpa culture, and stunning landscapes.
• Annapurna Circuit Trek (5,416 m): Known for its diverse scenery, the Annapurna Circuit is a classic trek that takes you through lush valleys, high mountain passes, and traditional villages in the Annapurna region.
• Inca Trail (4,215 m): The Inca Trail is a historic route that leads to the magnificent ruins of Machu Picchu. This trek combines beautiful Andean landscapes, ancient Inca sites, and rich cultural experiences.
• Kilimanjaro Machame Route (5,895m): Mount Kilimanjaro’s Machame Route is a challenging trek that takes you through diverse ecosystems, including rainforests, moorlands, and alpine deserts, culminating in a summit attempt to the highest peak in Africa.

Best Trekking Insurance for Everest Base Camp in Nepal?

While there is no specific travel insurance exclusively for the Everest Base Camp trek , either of my previous three suggestions will provide coverage for this trek. The highest elevation typically reached on the trek is Kala Patthar at 5,644 meters (18,519 feet).

Key Things To Consider When Looking for High Altitude Trekking Insurance:

Having conducted extensive research on travel insurance for my own high-altitude expeditions and treks, and having personally dealt with making insurance claims during my five years of travel, my top recommendation is to thoroughly review the product disclosure statement (PDS).

Here are three things to look for when purchasing trekking insurance:

• Altitude Limits: Check for hidden altitude limit clauses and special conditions regarding the use of ropes or ice axes in trekking insurance.
• Medical Coverage: Consider if medical expenses, overseas hospitalization, and emergency care are included in the insurance policy. Non-traditional rescue memberships may not cover in-country medical treatment.
• Pre-Existing Medical Conditions: Review insurers’ requirements for pre-existing conditions, as complications from altitude-related illnesses may affect coverage for existing heart, brain, or lung issues.

FAQs: High altitude trekking travel insurance

Below are some of the most frequently asked questions when it comes to high altitude trekking travel insurance in Nepal!

The four best trekking insurance for Nepal are: – World Nomads – Travelex – WorldTrips – Global Rescue Membership – SafetyWing

Yes and no. Travel insurance is not mandatory to visit Nepal. However trekking insurance is mandatory to get a TIMS pass and go trekking in most of the routes in the Himalayas.

Yes you can get travel insurance for Nepal. Many companies offer some form of coverage for tourists visiting Nepal. However, if you are going to engage in adventure activities like trekking, you will need a specialize insurance for high altitude treks.

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Best Travel Insurance for Winter, Adventure, and Extreme Sports

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Why Get Adventure Sports Travel Insurance?

Travel insurance often excludes high-risk sports, credit card travel insurance often excludes high-risk activities, travel insurance for high-risk sports, how to get travel insurance for high-risk sports, what sports travel insurance costs, how to choose travel insurance for high-risk sports, the best sports travel insurance plans, final thoughts.

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Planning an adventurous trip? Your travel insurance might not cover everything you want to do — particularly if you plan on adventure activities or winter or extreme sports. 

Whether diving the ocean’s depths or ziplining through a forest, sports travel insurance can help you go confidently on adventures knowing you’re covered if anything goes wrong. Whether you need emergency assistance and evacuation or a reimbursement for a trip cut short by injury, travel insurance with sports coverage can help.

While standard travel insurance typically offers medical coverage, most policies exclude certain activities, particularly risky sports. But you can purchase a travel insurance policy that provides coverage for all your adventures , either as a stand-alone policy or an add-on to a comprehensive travel insurance package.

Let’s explore everything you need to know about travel insurance for sports and adventure activities and how to get that coverage for any high-risk activities you may plan for your travels.

Adventure sports travel insurance covers activities such as mountain climbing or deep-sea scuba diving (i.e. any activity that has a higher risk level than a “regular” travel activity).

While accidents can happen anywhere, you’re particularly vulnerable when away from home. Medical expenses and evacuation can be costly , especially if traveling to remote areas or a foreign country where you’re unsure about quality medical care. Sports travel insurance covers emergency medical expenses, ambulance services, and evacuation.

Some travel insurance companies offer emergency assistance services , which can help you get the medical care you need in a remote location or challenging environment. The travel insurance company can provide access to medical professionals, coordinate your care, and arrange an emergency evacuation if needed.

For example, if you’re climbing a mountain and break a leg, adventure sports travel insurance can help get you off the mountain and connected with medical care.

Adventure sports travel insurance can also help if a sports-related injury requires you to cancel or interrupt your trip or if you experience equipment loss or damage. That can save you money on non-refundable expenses and help you replace sports equipment.

While getting travel insurance is wise, you should understand that standard travel insurance policies may not include coverage for certain sports activities . Some travel insurance plans offer coverage for sports-related injuries and accidents, but others may have exclusions or limitations for high-risk or extreme sports.

When you purchase a travel insurance policy, review the terms and conditions to know which sports and activities are covered and any exclusions or limitations you may need to work with. Usually, travel insurance medical coverage encompasses unexpected accidents or injuries, which can include some sports like hiking or snorkeling, for example. But extreme or high-risk sports such as white water rafting or skydiving may not be included.

Exclusions depend on the insurance policy, but here are some examples of sports and activities that your standard travel insurance policy may not cover:

• Base jumping
• Bungee jumping
• Martial arts and combat sports
• Motor racing and motorsports
• Mountaineering and rock climbing
• Off-piste skiing and snowboarding
• Paragliding and hang gliding
• Scuba diving and deep-sea diving

If you find your travel policy lacking in coverage for the activities you’ve planned, you should consider getting additional coverage, such as a specialized sports travel insurance policy or add-on coverage.

Don’t expect your credit card travel insurance to cover extreme sports. 

While you should read the terms and conditions of the policy, most credit card travel insurance policies exclude risky activities , which extends to sports considered extreme. 

Credit card travel insurance often covers basic medical expenses, trip cancellation or interruption, lost baggage, and travel accidents. For example, the Chase Sapphire Reserve ® has premium travel insurance, offering up to $1 million in travel accident insurance, along with emergency evacuation and transportation insurance, emergency medical and dental benefits, and other travel insurance benefits.

If you plan to do high-risk activities and use credit card travel insurance, check your coverage and consider upgrading your travel insurance to include your desired activities.

Credit card travel insurance is helpful but sometimes limited, especially compared to adventure sports travel insurance policies. You may need to pay for travel insurance if you’re planning extreme sports or activities.

As you plan an adventurous trip, consider which travel insurance coverage may be most appropriate for your plans. Some travel insurance policies are comprehensive and cover multiple types of high-risk sports, while others are more specialized. 

Because there’s a wide variety of what’s covered (or not) on each policy, using a travel insurance comparison service such as Squaremouth can be helpful. You can search for travel insurance policies that cover the activities you’re looking for and compare costs and coverage.

Consider these types of adventure travel insurance policies or add-ons:

• Adventure Sports: On an adventure sports travel insurance policy, look for covered activities such as hiking, mountaineering, or rafting. The policy may encompass injuries, medical expenses, trip cancellations or interruptions, and equipment loss or damage.
• Extreme Sports: Travel insurance for extreme sports typically covers skydiving, bungee jumping, or rock climbing, providing coverage for accidents, injuries, medical expenses, and emergency evacuation.
• Sports Equipment: Some travel insurance offers coverage for sports equipment, which can reimburse you for loss, theft, or damage to your gear.
• Team Sports: A travel insurance policy may cover team-related expenses, such as tournament cancellations or travel delays if you travel for competitive events.
• Water Sports: Water sports travel insurance policies may cover surfing, diving, snorkeling, or water skiing. For diving coverage, you should verify that the policy covers the depths you’re planning and whether you need certifications for coverage.
• Winter Sports: Winter sports travel insurance policies are designed for winter sports enthusiasts, offering coverage for skiing or snowboarding-related injuries and emergency medical expenses or equipment loss or damage. Some also cover ski resort closures.

While you can get travel insurance for sports, including high-risk sports, most travel insurance companies have personal liability requirements . Generally, you’re required to act responsibly to use your coverage. That includes not going against local authority warnings, like entering restricted spaces, working close to dangerous animals, or not using proper safety equipment.

Do some pre-trip planning on your chosen activities to learn about the risks and requirements for everything you want to do. You may need to complete certifications or training to participate safely.

Generally, if you want travel insurance for adventurous activities, you should get quotes for a comprehensive travel insurance plan and add a hazardous sports rider. Or specialized insurance providers may offer comprehensive plans for high-risk sports and activities.

Looking for insurance companies specializing in adventure sports is often a good idea to get comprehensive coverage for all your planned activities. 

With any travel insurance policy, you should review the terms and conditions to verify your planned activities are covered. Read your policy documents for exclusions, limitations, or requirements for your chosen activities. You should also verify your coverage limits. 

If you have a health or life insurance policy, check with your insurance carrier about coverage for high-risk sports during travel. While these are likely not covered, you may be able to add a special endorsement to your policy.

Travel insurance that can evacuate you off a mountain sounds like it would be costly, but it might be more affordable than you’d think. It’s certainly less expensive than calling for your own rescue helicopter.

You should expect to pay around 5% to 10% of your total trip cost for sports travel insurance. Your actual adventure sports travel insurance costs will vary depending on your age, trip cost and duration, location, planned activities, and other factors. 

To give you an idea of what you should expect, we got a quote from IMG for an iTravelInsured Travel Sport policy. For a 29-year-old traveler on a $1,500 5-day skiing trip in the U.S., coverage costs $119.65 . 

This policy includes $1 million in medical evacuation coverage and $50,000 in search and rescue coverage. You’re covered for up to $50,000 for medical expenses due to adventure or organized sports, though hazardous and extreme sports are limited to $5,000.

Consider these factors as you compare high-risk sports travel insurance coverage:

• Claims Process and Customer Support: Get the details on what happens if you need emergency assistance or want to file a claim. For example, find out how to get medical attention if injured in a remote area and whether you’re expected to pay upfront and file for reimbursement.
• Cost: Expect adventure travel insurance to cost more than standard travel insurance. Cheaper policies tend to offer less comprehensive coverage, so consider your needs as you balance cost and coverage.
• Duration: Some sports travel insurance policies limit the length of coverage for certain activities, so make sure you have coverage for your whole trip.
• Emergency Assistance and Evacuation: You may engage in high-risk activities in remote locations or challenging environments where medical attention is unavailable immediately. A travel insurance policy can offer emergency assistance or evacuation for medical care.
• Exclusions, Limitations, and Deductibles: Every policy has limits — even extreme policies. Find out what’s excluded, the limits of what you can claim, and if you’re expected to pay a deductible before getting reimbursed. Also, understand the terms and conditions, such as duration and geographical coverage.
• Medical Coverage: With a greater risk of injuries from extreme sports, you should ensure that the insurance policy has adequate coverage for medical emergencies, including hospitalization, ambulance services, and, if needed, medical evacuation.
• Requirements: You may need to meet age limits and disclose any preexisting medical conditions to get appropriate sports travel insurance coverage.
• Reviews: Consider customer reviews and ratings, which can give insight into a travel insurance provider’s coverage quality, customer service, and claims handling.
• Sports Coverage: Find out which sports and activities are covered so you can verify yours are covered.
• Sports Equipment Coverage: If you’re traveling with costly sports equipment such as scuba gear or snowboarding equipment, compare coverage for loss, theft, or damage to your equipment.
• Trip Cancellation and Interruption: A travel insurance policy should cover trip cancellation or interruption due to sports-related injuries.

Your high-risk sports travel insurance may require you to participate responsibly. For example, terms of coverage may require you to choose reputable operators, obtain proper training or certifications, follow local regulations, and use appropriate safety gear.

Not all travel insurance providers offer sports travel insurance, but you have options. Compare these leading travel insurance policies for sports:

• battleface : battleface’s adventure sports coverage includes cycling, mountain climbing, scuba diving, canoeing, snowboarding, and more, but it has limitations, including how deep you can dive or how high you can climb.
• Cat 70 : Cat 70’s Travel Plan covers some adventure sports, including snowboarding, but excludes bodily contact sports, skydiving, scuba diving, and more.
• HTH Worldwide : The HTH Worldwide Trip Protector Preferred plan offers coverage for adventure sports, including certified divers up to 60 feet and water rafting grades 1 to 3.
• IMG : IMG’s iTravelInsured Travel Sport plan has a wide range of covered activities, including adventure, extreme, hazardous, and organized sports. However, there are exclusions for races, endurance competitions, and piloting or learning to pilot.
• John Hancock : You’re covered for some — but not all — adventure sports with a John Hancock Gold travel insurance plan. Some exclusions include diving deeper than 100 feet, participating in sports competitions, or contact sports.
• Nationwide : With a Prime plan, you can get covered for adventure sports such as cycling, fishing, rafting, and zip lining, but exclusions apply, such as extreme sports, mountaineering, and organized sports.
• Travelex : The Travelex Adventure Sports upgrade covers professional athletic events, mountain climbing, skydiving, and more. Travelex’s Travel Basic and Travel Select plans provide basic coverage for some activities, including skiing, snorkeling, and scuba diving up to 60 feet.
• World Nomads : With the World Nomads Explorer plan, you can get covered for more than 200 activities, including scuba diving, bungee jumping, and mountain biking.

The right travel insurance coverage is essential when embarking on an adventurous trip with high-risk sports or activities. Adventure sports travel insurance can coordinate medical care, offer evacuation, and save you thousands if you’re injured on a trip. Whether bungee jumping or scuba diving, sports travel insurance can provide peace of mind while you’re chasing thrills.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are adventure sports covered by travel insurance.

Adventure sports can be covered by travel insurance, but extreme sports are usually excluded from standard travel insurance coverage. Review your policy’s terms and conditions to determine whether your desired activities are covered. If not, you may want to purchase additional coverage appropriate for the activities you’re planning for your travel.

Does travel insurance cover water sports?

Travel insurance coverage for water sports varies depending on the policy and provider. For example, your standard policy may cover snorkeling, shallow diving, and surfing but could exclude deep-sea diving or white water rafting.

Does travel insurance cover sports injuries?

Travel insurance often covers sports injuries, but it depends on the sport. If you’re injured doing a sport not covered by your policy — such as ziplining or skydiving — medical care for your sports injury will not be covered. 

What travel insurance includes cover for sports equipment?

Sports travel insurance typically offers coverage for sports equipment, which can reimburse you for loss, theft, or damage of your sports equipment while traveling.

What travel insurance company covers me for extreme sports?

Several travel insurance companies cover extreme sports, including battleface, Cat 70, HTH Worldwide, IMG, John Hancock, Nationwide , Travelex, and World Nomads.

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About Jessica Merritt

A long-time points and miles student, Jessica is the former Personal Finance Managing Editor at U.S. News and World Report and is passionate about helping consumers fund their travels for as little cash as possible.

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Trekking Insurance – Better Prepared Than Sorry!

News and Views , Resources

In this article we provide detailed information on travel and trekking insurance .

If you plan to trek at high altitude (up to 6,000 meters) then this article will provide accurate information on key hiking insurance considerations.

Anyone looking to undertake mountaineering activities (i.e. climbing with ropes, crampons or ice axes) should seek specialist insurance like that offered by the British Mountaineering Club . Please remember to read the small print on all policies before purchasing.

Disclaimer : We are not trekking insurance experts. The information provided below is based on our personal experience as well as from recommendations from other trekkers. Please seek professional insurance advice if you are uncertain of any policy wording or limitations.

Hiking Travel Insurance

Key considerations.

Below we have highlighted the five main trekking insurance considerations.

You can get a quote from World Nomads or SafetyWing .

1: High Altitude

Trekking in mountainous regions usually involves going to high altitudes. For example, if you plan to do an Everest Base Camp trek  or reach the summit of Kilimanjaro you will trek to an altitude above 5,500 meters. Many other popular treks get up to 4,500 – 5,000 meters.

At these altitudes, traditional travel insurance just doesn’t cut it. Some insurance providers will cover you up to 3,000 meters, which is great for the alps, but not the Himalayas , Kilimanjaro or Aconcagua .

Why do standard insurance packages not cover high altitude trekking?

The answer is simple: the risk of Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS), and its severe forms of cerebral and pulmonary edema, increase dramatically above 2,800 meters, as do the costs of emergency medical services and evacuation.

This means that you have to specifically select a trekking insurance package that will cover you at high altitudes. For places such as Nepal, Alps, Andes (e.g. Inca Trail treks ) or Africa (e.g. Kilimanjaro), we recommend you get cover up to 6,000 meters .

2: Hiking Accidents

It’s not nice to think about, but accidents do happen regularly on trekking expeditions. Mountains, even when not being climbed, can be dangerous. Falls, rock slides and health complications (e.g. a pre-existing heart condition) can result in serious injury or death.

Even basic injuries like a twisted ankle, can create complications in terms of evacuation at high altitude.

You should ensure that your travel and trekking insurance covers the cost of emergency evacuation or medical assistance should you need one or both on a mountain trek, as well as hospitalisation in whichever country you are hiking in.

3: Off Mountain Accidents and Illnesses

Off mountain accidents and illnesses are of course a risk – the most common being illness associated with gastro issues (hygiene standards are not great in many countries).

Your travel and trekking insurance should cover any accidents and illnesses that can occur whilst abroad.

4: Stolen, Delayed, Damaged or Lost Baggage

There is nothing worse than arriving in a new country only to discover that your baggage has been lost, delayed or damaged. This can be a particularly costly and irritating issue if you are carrying loads of expensive and much needed trekking equipment .

Thankfully, travel insurance policies now cover stolen, damage, delayed and lost baggage as standard. All you need to be aware of is the limit of cover should you be carrying very expensive items like specialist cameras and gear.

It is worth noting that if you are carrying very expensive items that the standard limit can be raised at a small additional cost.

5: General Travel Insurance Cover

Another major point when considering hiking insurance relates to the smooth running of your travel / tour. If for example your flight is delayed or cancelled, or worse, your tour is cancelled due to financial default of your tour operator, then you want to make sure your policy covers these issues.

Like lost, stolen, damaged and delayed baggage, it is pretty standard nowadays for a travel insurance policy to provide cover for flight delays, interruptions or cancellations, as well as curtailment, financial tour operator default and in some cases public liability, should you be involved in an accident and a claim is made against you (this often doesn’t include third party cover).

If you have any further questions or queries regarding trekking insurance, then please don’t hesitate to contact us. We will respond as soon as possible.

Tags : Trekking Insurance, Nepal Insurance, Kilimanjaro insurance, Trekking Insurance Nepal, Travel Insurance Nepal, Nepal Travel Insurance, Travel Insurance Trekking Nepal, high altitude trekking insurance, Machu Picchu trekking insurance, altitude trek insurance

See more hiking resources .

About the author 

Mark Whitman

Mark has trekked extensively in Asia, Europe, South America and Africa. He founded Mountain IQ in 2014 with the sole aim to be the best online information portal to some of the most popular mountain destinations around the world. When not writing for Mountain IQ, Mark is out exploring the outdoors with his wife!

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I am looking for trekking ins above 6000m and for a quote but would like to read policy coverage/excursions before purchasing and can’t figure out how to do so.

Hi Ashley, we are not an insurance provider. The article above is for information purposes only. For insurance coverage over 6000m I recommend contacting your national mountaineering society. For example, in the UK you would contact the British Mountaineering Association (BMA). They will be able to help direct you to a specialist insurance provider for high altitude mountaineering.

on 22.2.2019 I have my friend evacuated from Dengboche, due to HAPE – however, the insurance company decline to provide coverage due to my friend Diabetic Medical History.

My friend and 8 other members from Brunei were on their way to EBC – leaving lukla on the 16.2.2019. on the day of the evacuation, I coordinate the medivac. However, could not provide medical report to support for medivac by insurance preferred company or agencey – but, accept for alternative to use other helicopter services as suggested by Trekking Agent.

Today, we received a letter from the insurance company that they will not cover the medivac due to his Diabetic medical history and current treatment received at CIWEC referring to several clauses in the insurance policy.

Anyone familiar with insurance claim in High Altitude Medical Evacuation in association with current patient’s prevailing conditions. Your advice will be very much appreciated.

The evac was not due to a diabetic condition. So they can deny the claim if any pre-existing conditions exist? I have read a lot of reviews that World Nomads is a scam. I am heading to Annapurna Circuit in a few day and am also a diabetic but pretty healthy. Thanks for the tips. I will review the coverage/terms before buying a travel insurance.

Hi Alan, World Nomads is definitely not a scam. They are one of the largest travel insurance companies in the world. Nepal is a challenging insurance market due to the combination of high risks associated with high altitude hiking, and rampant corruption on the part of some dubious guides and helicopter companies. Effectively, some guides work in partnership with helicopter companies to arrange emergency evacs in situations that don’t warrant an emergency evac. The average evac cost is around $5000. The guide gets a kick back from the helicopter company for every evac they arrange. The issue has really effected genuine emergency evacuation situations as insurance companies are now constantly concerned that they are getting scammed. The lomng and short is that premiums have been driven up across the board and in some cases travel insurance companies have pulled out of Nepal completely.

We work with local guides to offer great value adventures at unbeatable prices

Travel Insurance

Purchasing travel insurance is highly recommended for all trips. Travel insurance policies frequently cover costs associated with plane tickets, personal or medical emergencies, rescue, evacuation, trip cancellation, and theft. Individual participants are responsible for any costs associated with leaving the trip early for any reason.

We have worked with numerous travel insurance groups and have found that Travel Guard is one of the best companies available and one of the few insurance companies that covers climbing/ hiking at altitude.

Please note that there are significant benefits if you purchase this insurance within 15 days of making a trip deposit.

To learn more, click on this link , enter your state of residence and then click on the “More Info” tab under the Adventure Travel Protection Plan. Once your questions are answered, you can then purchase the plan directly from this site.

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Mountaineering Insurance

£10m emergency medical expenses - search and rescue included and £2m personal liability standard on ALL policies.

A GUIDE TO OBTAINING A QUOTE and PRE QUOTE INFORMATION -  questions answered

please ensure you select the correct activity level  for the sports you are insuring and that you insure the full duration of your trip from the UK including departure and return dates on your Snowcard policy - for downhill skiing you will need at least Adventure Plus or Max Adventure for snowboarding

If you have any questions or need guidance on selecting your policy - email [email protected]

N.B. Insurance policies available from this website can only be used by UK, Channel Islands and Isle of Man residents.

Levels of cover

Please start typing your activity in the box below. You are covered for all activities in the level you select and those in lower levels. If you are taking part in multiple activities, make sure you select the highest level that will cover all of your activities.

What is your most extreme activity?

Please check our full activity levels information table - if you cant find a match for your activity - let us know so we can add it.

IMPORTANT - for downhill skiing , you will need at least the Adventure Plus level of cover, do not select Adventure Basic for on and off piste skiing or snowboarding.

If you are taking part in an activity that might be considered out of the ordinary or you are travelling to unusual or remote destinations , please refer full details before proceeding and we will confirm if your trip can be covered.

Annual multi-trip insurance

Cancellation cover (if selected) starts when you book each trip or on the start date entered here and shown on your Insurance Schedule, if this is later. Cover under all other sections of the policy begins when you leave home to go on a trip and ends when you return home from that trip.  The start and finish dates of the trip must fall within the 12 month period of insurance. For trips booked during the 12 month period and that start after the end of the 12 month period, we will provide cancellation cover until the policy ends. Please note that annual multi-trip policies can not be purchased more than 2 months in advance of the policy start date and must be purchased in the UK before departure of your first trip. Cancellation cover commences from the policy start date you specify here.

Single trip limits

Winter sports limits on annual multi-trip policies

Single trip policies

You must insure the full duration of your trip and purchase your insurance before departing from the UK. If you have an annual policy with another insurer and you require higher risk cover with Snowcard for a short duration only, we CANNOT help topping up another insurers policy. You must insure your full trip duration with Snowcard for your policy to be valid.

If you select cancellation cover, it takes effect from the date of policy purchase until your departure date. The insurance for personal belongings, equipment and techno pack (if shown on your Insurance Schedule) is only valid if you have insured the whole duration of each individual trip and starts when you depart from the UK. If you have a Snowcard annual multi trip policy at a lower level of cover, you can purchase single trip top up cover  (medical and emergency expenses only) at a higher level for short durations.

The age band selected must be that of the person who is the lead insured name or the oldest person in the family or group. If a group member is older than 56+, it will be cheaper for the group if the older traveller is insured seperately. For persons aged over 75 contact  https://www.biba.org.uk  for advice.

For annual multi trip policies, use the age band applicable on the policy start date. For single trip policies, use the age band applicable on the date of departure.

Please note a family is 1 or 2 adults and up to 4 children up to the age of 18 – a couple is 2 persons married or living together as married – a group is 2 or more persons travelling together on the same holiday. 

To insure a minor <18 travelling alone, the parent must register their details but insert the name and age of the child when prompted to enter the name of the person to be insured.

Snowcard has been insuring mountaineers and climbers since 1990 and are the leading mountain sports insurer in use by non BMC members (who have their own membership insurance). For non BMC members and BMC members alike, Snowcard is the principal choice for mountaineering insurance, trekking insurance and climbing insurance for UK travellers.

Insurance for mountaineering is not properly understood by most insurers who treat it like standard travel insurance.  Particularly when it comes to the complexities of dealing with emergency services and rescue, most general insurers do not have the experience or 24/7 capacity to deal with the complexities of mountain sports adventure travelers. At Snowcard we understand your needs, serach and rescue is automatically covered on all policies and Snowcard also provide you with the ability to tailor your own climbing insurance policy allowing you to customise and choose your own cover limits for;

• Sports Equipment
• Techno Pack – Cameras and electronic equipment
• Cancellation cover
• Policy excess

Why take out Rock Climbing, Trekking and Mountaineering Insurance with Snowcard?

All mountaineering and rock climbing activities have higher associated risks or injury but not all insurers understand the diversity of mounatin sports, different techniques, equipment and locations involved. That is why we have developed what we believe to be one of the best mountaineering travel insurance cover s  based on over 30 years of underwriting experience in the front line of supporting climbers and mountaineers. Snowcard policies are of the highest quality underwritten by experienced travel insurers. Your peace of mind is our ultimate aim and Snowcard have stood the test of time in proving time and time again we are up to the job!

We know that you may never need us, however, if you do it’s good to know that we’re on hand should something go wrong with access to our 24/7 emergency assistance helpline regardless of where you are in the world.

Staying safe whilst climbing

For more information on climbing safety read these  10 Tips for Safe Climbing  - whether you're climbing, trekking, walking, or mountaineering enjoy your adventure holiday with reassurance that you're properly covered with a specialist Snowcard policy.

What Does Mountaineering Insurance Cover?

Here at Snowcard we have specialist mountain sports travel insurance suitable for recreational mountaineers on adventure holidays.

We offer specialist cover for the following activities:

Alpine mountaineering in Europe

Big wall climbing (multi pitch/multi day ascents), bouldering  , fell running  , glacial crossing/trekking, hill walking, ice climbing  , mountaineering up to 7000m in the greater ranges  , mountain marathons  , multi pitch rock climbing, single pitch and bolted sport climbing, trad climbing (traditional multi pitch climbing), trekking up to 6000m in the greater ranges (eg, everest base camp, inca trail, kilimanjaro), trekking peaks up to 7000m (as designated in the himalaya, e.g. island peak, mera peak etc), via ferrata  , why use a specialist mountaineering travel insurance provider.

Mountaineering activities have significantly more complicated associated risks and standard travel insurers will not have policies that cover the extensive needs of mountain sports travellers, who will be exposed to situations requiring experienced claims handlers.

Here at Snowcard we have developed what we believe to be the best mountaineering travel insurance cover, based on over 30 years of underwriting experience in mountain sports insurance.

Snowcard policies are of the highest quality, with the best underwriting security with experienced market leaders in the field who have supported Snowcard clients for many years and understand their need for reliability and trust in mountain sports insurance.

Climbing search and rescue insurance

see all activities covered

• Best overall
• Best for expensive trips
• Best for exotic trips
• Best for annual plans

How we reviewed travel insurance for seniors

Best travel insurance for seniors of may 2024.

Affiliate links for the products on this page are from partners that compensate us (see our advertiser disclosure with our list of partners for more details). However, our opinions are our own. See how we rate insurance products to write unbiased product reviews.

Reaching your golden years doesn't mean your adventures have to end. In fact, in this stage of life, you'll hopefully have more time and resources to travel. But as a senior citizen, you'll want to ensure you have travel insurance that covers any health-related issues arise while you travel.

Our top picks for the best senior travel insurance

• Best overall: Allianz Travel Insurance
• Best for expensive trips: John Hancock Travel Insurance
• Best for exotic trips: World Nomads Travel Insurance

Best for annual plans: Travel Guard

How we rate the best senior travel insurance companies »

Compare travel insurance for seniors

Your health gets more unpredictable as you age, which makes travel insurance more important for seniors. Unfortunately, it's also more expensive. The best travel insurance for seniors won't have too steep of a price hike compared to rates for younger travelers. It will have high coverage limits for emergency medical coverage, trip cancellations, and and emergency medical evacuation. It's also important that your travel insurance offers pre-existing condition waivers , ideally at no extra cost to the traveler. 

Here are our picks for the best travel insurance coverage for seniors in 2024.

Best overall: Allianz

• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Good option for frequent travelers thanks to its annual multi-trip policies
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Doesn't increase premium for trips longer than 30 days, meaning it could be one of the more affordable options for a long trip
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Some plans include free coverage for children 17 and under
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Concierge included with some plans
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Coverage for medical emergency is lower than some competitors' policies
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Plans don't include coverage contact sports and high-altitude activities
• Single and multi-trip plans available
• Trip cancellation and interruption coverage starting at up to $10,000 (higher limits with more expensive plans)
• Preexisting medical condition coverage available with some plans

Allianz Travel Insurance is one of the most widely recognized names in travel insurance, and it stands out as one of the top travel insurance providers for seniors. It offers a wide range of policies covering medical treatments overseas and emergency medical transport.

Allianz also provides options for varying trip lengths. Its annual multi-trip policies , for example, cover any trip you make during your policy period, even if they aren't yet planned, making it an excellent option for seniors who vacation multiple times per year.

Read our Allianz Travel Insurance review here.

Best for expensive trips: John Hancock

• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Offers 3 travel insurance plans
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Cancel for any reason rider available
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Affordable travel insurance premiums
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Reviews of claims process are mixed
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Buyers may not get specialty coverage for sports equipment and other high value items
• Trip cancellation for 100% of the trip cost
• Trip interruption insurance for up to 150% of the trip cost
• Emergency medical coverage of up to $250,000 per person
• Medical evacuation coverage of up to $1,000,000

John Hancock Travel Insurance plans for seniors offer some of the best coverage available. It provides generous maximum benefit amounts while still offering affordable prices.

Each plan includes coverages like trip cancellation, emergency accident, and emergency medical, with the option to add benefits like CFAR (cancel for any reason) . Plus, getting a free online quote is a quick and straightforward process.

Read our John Hancock Travel Insurance review here.

Best for exotic trips: World Nomads

• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Coverage for 200+ activities like skiing, surfing, and rock climbing
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Only two plans to choose from, making it simple to find the right option
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. You can purchase coverage even after your trip has started
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. If your trip costs more than $10,000, you may want to choose other insurance because trip protection is capped at up to $10,000 (for the Explorer plan)
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Doesn't offer coverage for travelers older than 70
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. No Cancel for Any Reason (CFAR) option
• Coverage for 150+ activities and sports
• 2 plans: Standard and Explorer
• Trip protection for up to $10,000
• Emergency medical insurance of up to $100,000
• Emergency evacuation coverage for up to $500,000
• Coverage to protect your items (up to $3,000)

World Nomads Travel Insurance is a great choice for active senior citizens under 70 who want comprehensive travel insurance. The key difference between World Nomads and many other providers is that it covers 200+ adventurous activities like scuba diving, mountain biking, surfing, skiing, and even bungee jumping. In addition, World Nomads' trip cancellation and emergency medical coverage includes COVID-19-related issues. Many other insurers are excluding that type of coverage now.

For adventurous senior citizens over the age of 70 years, World Nomads suggests working with its partner, TripAssure .

Read our World Nomads Travel Insurance review here.

Trip cancellation coverage for up to 100% of the trip cost and trip interruption coverage for up to 150% of the trip cost

• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Trip cancellation coverage of up to 100% of the cost, for all three plan levels
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. CFAR covers up to 75% of total trip costs (maximum of $112,500 on some plans) 
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Medical coverage of up to $500,000 and evacuation of up to $1,000,000 per person
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Includes COVID coverage 
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Above average baggage loss and delay benefits
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. High medical evacuation coverage
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Premiums may run slightly higher than competitors

Travel Guard is a well-established and highly rated name in the travel insurance industry. It offers three main coverage options to choose from, and in general its policies have above-average coverage for baggage loss and baggage delays, plus high medical evaluation coverage limits.

• Trip cancellation coverage for up to 100% of the trip cost
• Trip interruption coverage for up to 150% of the trip cost
• Preexisting medical conditions exclusions waiver must be purchased within 15 days of initial trip payment
• Annual travel insurance plan and Pack N' Go plan (for last-minute trips) available

Travel Guard  offers comprehensive insurance plans for shorter and longer trips. One of its more unique offerings is its Travel Guard Annual Plan.

This annual travel insurance comes with standard coverage benefits (trip delay, baggage loss, etc.) and substantial coverage amounts, which is important for seniors who travel multiple times per year. Travel Guard also offers a preexisting medical condition waiver, meaning those with certain medical issues can still gain coverage.

Read our AIG Travel Guard Insurance review here.

Understanding travel insurance for seniors

Before diving into the specifics, it's essential to understand what travel insurance is and why it's particularly important for senior travelers. The best travel insurance offers financial protection against unexpected events affecting your trip, such as trip cancellations, medical emergencies, or lost luggage.

Types of coverage

• Medical Coverage: Ensures your medical expenses are covered in case of illness or injury.
• Trip Cancellation/Interruption Coverage: Provides reimbursement if your trip is canceled or cut short due to unforeseen events.
• Baggage Coverage: Covers loss, damage, or theft of personal items during your trip.

Benefits of travel insurance for seniors

• Peace of Mind: Knowing you're covered in case of emergencies can make your travel stress-free.
• Financial Protection: Shields you from potentially overwhelming medical costs and trip cancellations fees.
• Assistance Services: Many plans offer 24/7 assistance services, providing help whenever and wherever you need it.

Making the most of your plan

After choosing a plan, it's crucial to understand your policy fully and know what services are available to you in case of an emergency.

Understanding your policy

• Read the fine print and understand the claims process to avoid surprises.

Emergency assistance services

• Familiarize yourself with the emergency assistance services offered by your plan and keep all necessary contact information handy.

How to pick senior travel insurance

It's wise to compare several different travel insurance policies for the best coverage and pricing, as premiums vary widely between insurers and depend on factors like your age and travel destination.

That said, some of the more essential coverages to look for if you're a senior citizen include:

• Travel medical coverage - This coverage will pay for your medical bills outside the US.
• Medical evacuation coverage - If you're injured or become sick while traveling, this coverage will transport you to the nearest hospital or even back home if your condition necessitates it.
• Preexisting conditions - Coverage for known health conditions. You'll need to purchase travel insurance within a certain time period from when you book your trip to qualify for a preexisting condition waiver .
• Cancel for any reason (CFAR) - The name says it all! It'll cost extra and you'll need to purchase insurance early, but it's the most comprehensive trip cancellation coverage you can get. Note that CFAR insurance usually only covers up to 75% of your trip fees.
• Trip cancellation insurance - This coverage provides reimbursement for your prepaid and nonrefundable costs if you cannot make your trip due to an unforeseen event.
• Baggage delay insurance - This coverage will reimburse you for essentials like toiletries and clothes if your bags are delayed.
• Lost luggage insurance - This coverage will reimburse you up to a specified amount if your bags get lost en route.

Of these, the most critical to note are whether or not your policy covers preexisting conditions and the limits for travel medical insurance and emergency medical evacuation.

Some insurance companies offer a waiver that will cover preexisting conditions. You'll have to follow the requirements for adding a waiver to your policy, like insuring the entire cost of your trip. Or purchase the policy within a specific time after making your first trip deposit payments.

You'll also want to find a policy with high maximum limits for travel medical and emergency medical evacuation coverage. These types of expenses can be substantial, so you want to have appropriate coverage.

When comparing senior travel insurance options, we looked at the following factors to evaluate each travel insurance provider:

• Coverage limits: We looked at each travel insurance company's coverage amounts for benefits like medical emergencies and trip cancellation.
• Flexibility: We looked at how customizable a policy is, so you can choose what your travel insurance policy covers .
• Coverage for preexisting conditions: Preexisting conditions are one of the more critical factors for travel insurance for senior citizens, so we looked at travel insurance companies that offer the best coverage for preexisting conditions.
• Price: We compared travel insurance providers offering reasonable basic and comprehensive coverage rates.
• Benefits geared towards seniors: We compared travel insurance companies that offer solid coverage for senior citizens, like medical evacuation, COVID-19 coverage, and trip cancellation.

You can read more about our insurance rating methodology here.

Seniors should look for travel insurance policies that offer comprehensive medical coverage, including for preexisting conditions and emergency medical evacuation. They should also consider policies with higher coverage limits to ensure adequate protection. Additionally, seniors should seek travel insurance plans that provide 24/7 assistance services, as well as coverage for trip cancellations, interruptions, and baggage protection.

The cost of senior travel insurance coverage can vary depending on your age, overall health, state of residence, travel destination, and length of your trip. However, assuming all other factors are the same, you'll pay more for travel insurance at 70 than at 30.

All travel insurance companies, except World Nomads, included in this guide offer coverage for pre-existing medical conditions as long as you buy your policy within the qualifying period from when you placed your trip deposit.

Allianz is the best travel insurance for seniors due to its wide array of medical coverages and emergency medical transport. Allianz also offers multi-trip insurance policies , which could make sense for seniors who travel frequently.

In some instances, travel insurance companies will have age eligibility restrictions, often only insuring people 80 years old and younger.

Editorial Note: Any opinions, analyses, reviews, or recommendations expressed in this article are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any card issuer. Read our editorial standards .

Please note: While the offers mentioned above are accurate at the time of publication, they're subject to change at any time and may have changed, or may no longer be available.

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