There's some things you'll need to do to be covered for hiking or trekking when you purchase your policy.
As we’ve recently changed our insurer, please select the date you bought your policy to find the right information:
Policies purchased on or after 27 June 2024 (GMT)
Policies purchased before 27 June 2024 (GMT)
For policies purchased on or after 27 June 2024:
What you need to do to be covered:
Simply list hiking (or mountaineering if you're the really adventurous type) as one of the activities you want cover for when getting your quote and buying your policy. It’s that simple! You will need to tell us what altitude you’ll be reaching though – e.g. up to 3000 metres, 4500 metres or up to 6000 metres - so make sure you know this before choosing the activity. You may also be required to pay an additional premium depending on the level of the activity you will be participating in.
You must add all the adventures and activities you plan to try on your trip when you buy it to ensure you are covered. You won’t be able to make changes after your policy is issued.
What’s covered:
Depending on the situation you find yourself in, there’s cover for:
- evacuation if it’s urgent and medically necessary (by the most appropriate means, including helicopter when necessary and available) and when agreed to by us;
- emergency overseas medical expenses for treatment at the hospital or local medical centre; and/or
- repatriation home if you’re seriously ill or injured and unable to continue your trip.
If something goes wrong:
If you’re trekking and need emergency medical treatment, evacuation or repatriation, you (or someone with you) must contact the Emergency Medical Assistance Service immediately. They will then make contact with a suitable assistance/ambulance company close to your location / base camp to arrange for suitable treatment or transport, depending on your situation.
We also suggest that before starting the trip, you inform a local assistance company of your policy details and trekking route, so 1) they are aware when and where you are in the mountains, and 2) you are covered by your insurance in case of any problems. This intermediary can then contact the Emergency Assistance Service if necessary for pre-approval of expenses to send a helicopter to assist you.
If you are unable to contact the Emergency Medical Assistance Service before arranging emergency transport or medical treatment, then cover may be limited to the cost had they been contacted and your insurer arranged the transportation/treatment.
If a guide or tour operator wants to arrange your evacuation, please get them to contact our Emergency Medical Assistance Service first to guarantee cover. Please be aware your cover may be limited if our assistance team are not contacted.
Who pays for medical treatment depends on what’s happened to you and the necessary treatment required.
What’s not covered
Travel insurance is not designed to cover everything, so take the time to read the full description of cover in the policy wording so there are no surprises if you do need to use it.
Here are a few of the things that aren’t covered:
- If you hike over 6000 metres, on any plan.
- Search and rescue if you’re lost up there in the mountains, or at any other time.
- Any expenses related to a pre-existing medical condition suffered before the commencement of your policy.
- Medical treatment that can wait until you return home.
- If you put yourself at risk by not following local advice, or if you go to a region where there is a government travel warning against travelling there.
- Participation in any sports or activities where the appropriate level upgrade was not purchased or it is a sport or activity that is specifically excluded.
- Anything else that’s listed in the Specific Exclusions under Section 8 in the policy wording.
For policies purchased before 27 June 2024:
What you need to do to be covered:
Simply list hiking (or mountaineering if you're the really adventurous type) as one of the activities you want cover for when getting your quote and buying your policy. It’s that simple! You will need to tell us what altitude you’ll be reaching though – e.g. up to 3000 metres, 4500 metres or up to 6000 metres - so make sure you know this before choosing the activity. You may also be required to pay an additional premium depending on the level of the activity you will be participating in.
You must add all the adventures and activities you plan to try on your trip when you buy it to ensure you are covered. You won’t be able to make changes after your policy is issued.
What’s covered:
Depending on the situation you find yourself in, there’s cover for:
-
evacuation if it’s urgent and medically necessary (by the most appropriate means, including helicopter when necessary and available) and when agreed to by us;
-
emergency overseas medical expenses for treatment at the hospital or local medical centre; and/or
-
repatriation home if you’re seriously ill or injured and unable to continue your trip.
If something goes wrong:
If you’re trekking and need emergency medical treatment, evacuation or repatriation, you (or someone with you) must contact the Emergency Assistance Service immediately. They will then make contact with a suitable assistance/ambulance company close to your location / base camp to arrange for suitable treatment or transport, depending on your situation.
We also suggest that before starting the trip, you inform a local assistance company of your policy details and trekking route, so 1) they are aware when and where you are in the mountains, and 2) you are covered by your insurance in case of any problems. This intermediary can then contact the Emergency Assistance Service if necessary for pre-approval of expenses to send a helicopter to assist you.
If you are unable to contact the Emergency Assistance Service before arranging emergency transport or medical treatment, then cover may be limited to the cost had they been contacted and your insurer arranged the transportation/treatment.
If a guide or tour operator wants to arrange your evacuation, please get them to contact our Emergency Assistance Service first to guarantee cover. Please be aware your cover may be limited if our assistance team are not contacted.
Who pays for medical treatment depends on what’s happened to you and the necessary treatment required.
What’s not covered:
Travel insurance is not designed to cover everything, so take the time to read the full description of cover in the policy wording so there are no surprises if you do need to use it.
Here are a few of the things that aren’t covered:
-
If you hike over 6000 metres, on any plan.
-
Search and rescue if you’re lost up there in the mountains, or at any other time.
-
Any expenses related to a pre-existing medical condition suffered before the commencement of your policy.
-
Medical treatment that can wait until you return home.
-
If you put yourself at risk by not following local advice, or if you go to a region where there is a government travel warning against travelling there.
-
Participation in any sports or activities where the appropriate level upgrade was not purchased or it is a sport or activity that is specifically excluded.
-
Anything else that’s listed in the Specific Exclusions under Section 8 in the policy wording.
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Before your trip, check the latest government advice for any travel alerts for your destination.