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Travel Insurance for Rock Climbing

Stay protected on your rock climbing trips with World Nomads.

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For information relating to policies purchased prior to October 23 2024, please check the Policy Wording provided with your purchase. You can contact us if you need this sent to you again. For plans purchased after October 23 2024, please see below.

Thrills, adventure and awesome natural landscapes... rock climbing delivers on all three. With so many top rock-climbing destinations globally such as the Dolomites in Italy, Kalymnos in Greece, and Yosemite National Park here in the US, adrenaline junkies don’t have to look far.

Rock climbing can also test your physical and mental abilities. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced climber, you may want to consider travel insurance* for all your adventure activities. It may get you the help you need if you’re injured or if severe weather derails your trip. 

What type of rock climbing is covered?

World Nomads offers four plans – Standard, Explorer, Epic and Annual – each with different levels of coverage. We cover several rock climbing activities... everything from an indoor rock-climbing day at your resort to a week away climbing the infamous rocks of Portugal.

  • Rock climbing and bouldering up to 3,000 meters (9,842 feet) is covered by all plans
  • Rock climbing, bouldering and soloing, including sport climbing, traditional climbing and via ferrata up to 6,500 meters (21,325 feet) is covered under our Explorer & Epic Plan.
  • Rock climbing, bouldering and soloing up to 8,000 metres (26,247 feet) is covered under our Epic Plan.
  • Deep water soloing is covered under our Epic Plan.
  • Scrambling up to 8,000 meters (26,247 feet) is covered under our Epic Plan.

When you get a quote, you can compare our plans and choose the one that best meets your specific rock climbing plans. If you aren’t sure if something is covered, contact our customer service team and they can help explain what each plan includes. 

What does travel insurance for rock climbing cover?

Travel insurance is designed to cover losses arising from sudden, unexpected, and unforeseeable circumstances. For US residents, World Nomads may offer coverage for:

  • Baggage and Gear: If the airline loses or delays the bag holding your gear, our non-insurance service Blue Ribbon Bags will track and expedite its return. Simply report your lost airline bags and Blue Ribbon Bags will take it from there. If your baggage or personal items can’t be located, or they’ve been damaged or stolen, our gear coverage may help with reimbursement of the cost to repair or replace damaged, lost or stolen items. You’ll need to submit receipts, along with police reports or an incident report from your carrier (if your belongings were lost in transit).
  • Emergency Medical Expenses: Rock climbing and fresh air can be great for the body and soul but not if it ends up in a bad fall. Emergency medical expense coverage may help if you need urgent medical treatment for an injury. 
  • Emergency Evacuation: Your next rock-climbing adventure may be far away from medical facilities. With medical evacuation coverage, the 24/7 Emergency Assistance Team may help you get transported to a place that offers the level of care you need. If your injuries are worse than first thought and local facilities aren’t adequate, you could be repatriated back home. In a life-threatening emergency, call the local authorities first to receive immediate assistance, then contact the Emergency Assistance Team as soon as you are able.
  • Trip Cancellation or Interruption: Sometimes unexpected things happen – like a sick or injured traveling companion that puts a stop to your rock-climbing adventure. If you need to cancel or interrupt your trip, you may be able to recover your unused, prepaid, non-refundable travel expenses. 

What's not covered?

Travel insurance does not cover:

  • Participation in a professional rock climbing event.
  • Damage that happens to your climbing gear while you are using it.
  • Going against local authority warnings by entering closed or restricted areas.
  • Not following your doctor’s instructions or what the 24/7 Emergency Assistance Team advises you to do.
  • Mountain guiding.
  • Rock climbing higher than the altitude listed in your plan.
  • If travelling domestically, rock climbing within 100 miles of your home.  
  • Any medical bills related to a pre-existing condition, unless you purchased the Epic or Explorer plan during the time-sensitive period were medically able to travel at the time of purchase.

Key travel insurance tips for your rock-climbing trip

  • Got your paperwork? You’ll need the right visas and permits wherever you go to climb – insurance doesn’t cover you for not doing your paperwork.
  • Know where to go… and where not to. Check to make sure you are allowed to camp, climb, or simply be wherever that ‘hot’ climbing spot is.
  • Proof of purchase. Any claim you make will need supporting documentation such as receipts of your purchases. 
  • It pays to be prepared. Check the weather, check your equipment, and check the credentials of your climbing instructor (if it’s a group climb) – if any seem unreliable, then reconsider if it’s a smart move to go.
  • Don’t get in over your head. Be responsible when choosing a rock-climbing destination or activity. Does it suit your experience level? Are you using an accredited tour operator?
  • Keep an eye on your gear. Don’t leave your expensive rock-climbing gear or any other baggage unattended – unattended baggage does not qualify for coverage.
  • Be responsible. Choose a tour operator that promotes responsible tourism, works as part of the local community, and actively helps to conserve the environment.
  • Get climbing fit. Ensure you are physically capable of the climbing routes you plan. Consider using our non-insurance service partner Runway Health for pre-trip medical support to get travel medicines, like altitude sickness pills, delivered to your door before you leave on your trip.

*All information we provided here is a brief summary. It does not include all terms, conditions, limitations, exclusions, and termination provisions of the plans described.  Please carefully read your state specific plan documents for a full description of coverage. Travel insurance is included as part of your travel protection plan which contains both insurance benefits and non-insurance assistance services. Material included on this page does not represent, nor is it specific to, United States Fire Insurance Company or travel insurance benefits provided on United States Fire Insurance Company’s travel protection plans.

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Simple and flexible travel insurance designed by travelers, for travelers. See why over 3 million travelers have chosen World Nomads for more than 20 years.

True Claims Stories

  • Never travel without insurance. This was the first time I ever purchased travel insurance and I am so glad I did. A few days into my trip to Spain I twisted my foot heading down to the metro. Thanks to World Nomads I was able to get medical attention in Spain and since, as luck would have it, I had a fracture that required surgery, they got me a flight home the next day. Filing a claim was surprisingly easy and when the claim was finally processed, I was reimbursed for all of my expenses including things like the extra week in the hotel I didn't get to take advantage of.
    L.D.
    U.S. resident in Spain
  • I recently had a serious injury traveling on my own & the team was amazing. Being confused with a brain injury they took care of everything. Claiming was no problem, they were on the phone constantly to see if all was OK. I can't recommend them enough. Absolutely fantastic & l will always travel with World Nomads Insurance. Thanks guys for getting me home safely.
    A.B.
    Australian in Thailand
  • I was bitten by a monkey at the Batu Caves in Kuala Lumpur. I went to a nearby clinic and they gave me a rabies shot, antibiotics to take for 4 days, pain medicine, and anti-inflammatory medicine.
    T.R.
    Canadian in Malaysia

Travel Insurance Benefits: how we can take care of you

Trip Protection

Protect your hard earned vacation from unexpected cancellation.

  • Standard Plan: $2,500
  • Explorer Plan: $10,000
  • Epic Plan: $15,000
  • Annual Plan: $5,000
Trip Protection
  • Unexpectedly hospitalised?
  • Travel buddy unfit to travel?
  • Been made redundant?

We’ve got your back.

Emergency Medical Insurance

Take the pain out of medical or dental costs.

  • Standard Plan: $125,500
  • Explorer Plan: $150,000
  • Epic Plan: $250,000
  • Annual Plan: $100,000
Emergency Medical Insurance
  • Need meds quick?
  • Accidentally injured?
  • Suddenly sick?

We’ve got your back.

Emergency Evacuation

We'll provide assistance to get you to the hospital or home quickly.

  • Standard Plan: $400,000
  • Explorer Plan: $500,000
  • Epic Plan: $700,000
  • Annual Plan: $100,000
Emergency Evacuation
  • Banged up abroad?
  • Need a hospital urgently?
  • Medivac home?

Help starts here.

Protect your gear

Covers the loss, theft or damage of your bags, tech and gear.

  • Standard Plan: $1,000
  • Explorer Plan: $2,000
  • Epic Plan: $3,000
  • Annual Plan: $2,000
Protect your gear
  • Luggage lost?
  • Airline lost your gear?
  • Tech trashed?

Help starts here.

The amounts listed represent the maximum benefit amount.

Protect your health

  • 24/7 Emergency Assistance Help Line
  • Emergency Medical & Dental Expenses
  • Emergency Evacuations
  • Bedside Companion Travel
  • Emergency Medications

Protect Your Trip

  • Trip Cancellation
  • Optional Cancel for Any Reason (Explorer or Epic)
  • Trip Delay & Trip Interruption
  • Missed Connection (Explorer or Epic)
  • Rental Car Damage (Explorer, Epic or Annual)

Protect Your Stuff

  • Baggage Delay
  • Passport and Visa Loss
  • Lost or Stolen Bags
  • Personal Tech, Equipment & Gear
  • Baggage Return After Evacuation

Non-Insurance Services

  • Medical & Non-Medical 24/7 Emergency Assistance Line
  • Translators Available
  • Runway Health
  • FootprintID
  • Blue Ribbon Bags
This is a general summary for US residents only. Restrictions, exclusions and limitations will apply. Benefits limits may vary depending on the plan chosen. Check the plan documents for full details.

24/7 emergency assistance

Whether you need medical or dental assistance or advice, emergency evacuation or travel assistance, our team is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year before and during your trip.

Wherever you are, we’re here 24/7 to help you in any emergency.

Are you in need of emergency assistance right now?

Contact Generali Global Assistance:
Telephone: +1 954-334-8143 (Collect outside the US)
+1 877-289-0968 (Toll-free in the US and Canada

Contact the team