Travel insurance for climbers? Please share your wisdom

Hello! I apologize for posting this on the international partners form, but I figured it was the best way to get my question answered by people who have lived it. I am looking for travel insurance that covers rock climbing and mountaineering. I was originally looking at World Nomad's, but, after some back and forth, I've determined that I would need to hire a guide if I want to be covered. Supposedly Atlas insurance is a good option, but I am wondering if anyone has experience with them or, better yet, has needed to file a claim on one of their policies for a climbing-related accident.

I am doing a round-the-world climbing tip, starting in Peru and Patagonia, so I need to be sure I am covered in the event that I need medical care resulting from a climbing accident overseas. Does anyone have wisdom to share on the insurance front?

P.S. Looking for climbing partners in Peru in September/early October, and Patagonia (probably near El Chalten) in late October/November. PM me!

This is something I'd be interested in too. My research has taken me to LV travel and Alpha, although I think for LV you need to live in the UK. Also, any idea why some company's annual insurance is cheaper than the single trip one? It makes me wonder what's the catch.

If I see anything interesting I'll let you know. Cant talk from own experience.

Unless World Nomads has changed their policy in the last five months, they should cover a climbing injury sustained while participating in un-guided climbing.  Their policies state that they will not cover you if you are guiding a client or putting up new routes.  There is also an altitude restriction (5 or 6k meters - can’t remember) as well. I used them for a month long trip to New Zealand in March and the premium was dirt cheap.  Never needed to file a claim, so I cannot speak to the claims process.  They will also repatriate your dead carcass if you really F-up.

Also, join the American Alpine Club so that you qualify for their rescue reimbursement insurance.  Best $80 you will ever spend, even if you never make a claim. 

I agree with Ron, World Nomads should cover you for rock, ice and mountain, at least up to the altitude restriction.  You must buy the "adventure" package, which is the upgraded version of their policy, but it's not that expensive, especially for a long trip.  I just finished a 2 year trip and used them the entire time, but I never made a claim so can't testify to that part.  This "climbing" coverage plus all the other coverages that come with having travel insurance make it worthwhile in my opinion - just one problem of any sort could pay for your premium.

For anyone reading - the one fine-print thing that worried me was that coverage terminates once you return "home".  Some of you might be like me and have no "home", but I guess you gotta put an address down.

Also for anyone reading - you can buy this coverage for any travel you do further than 200mi (I think that was the distance) from "home".   So if you live in Colorado but are going to Squamish, you can get it, and you probably should consider it since your USA health insurance isn't gonna be as effective in Canada.

I also made sure to keep my AAC membership current.

Good luck, have fun, be safe, or not!   (no, I don't work for World Nomads)

Thank you so much! I did end up going with World Nomads after some lengthy back-and-forth. Eventually, I got it in writing that I would be covered for care resulting from any alpine climbing scenario provided I'm not alone, using proper gear, within the altitude limit, and, if available, consulted the local guide service (but not hired them). You've probably noticed that there are two mountaineering descriptions, one included and one excluded. The exclused listing has the term "unsupported" in it, which they originally defined as not hiring a guide. After explaining that I will never climb alone and consult available guide services and other relevant authorities for beta, they said I would be covered. I have a back-up as my insurance in the States coveres emergency room visits, and my rescue insurance is through GEOS (I have a Spot device), but I agree that this is the best deal out there for what you get.

One thing: aac only covers to the trailhead, right? and no medical coverage

Adventure travel is among quite a dozen of insurance policies but you should always confirm cover. I usually choose my insurance at https://www.aardvarkcompare.com  and then contact the insurance company directly via phone. As to the adventure travel insurance, if someone is unsure which one to choose https://www.aardvarkcompare.com/blog/adventure-travel/ and this mountainproject thread https://www.mountainproject.com/forum/topic/112147720/travel-health-insurance-that-covers-climbing will be of help

Safe travels ))