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Climbing a challenging mountain.

Rock Climbing

Travel Insurance for Rock Climbing

Get cover for your rock climbing adventure with Redpoint protection

Few activities can make you feel more at one with nature than rock climbing. If you're used to climbing indoors in a gym, then a trip to a major rock-climbing destination can be an epic opportunity to get your adrenaline pumping in the natural world. And there are so many amazing destinations to try it, including Yosemite National Park, the Italian Dolomites, Catalonia, Spain, and Klaymnos, Greece.

But climbing outdoors doesn't come without some risks. Rock-climbing travel insurance is essential if you plan on climbing abroad or on your trip at all, no matter what type of terrain or rock face you're looking to tackle.

Rock climbing gear attached to harness

Medical, health, & safety for rock climbing

Rock climbing is an exhilarating activity, but it’s one that requires a fair amount of preparation and safety precautions.

Always research the area where you plan to climb and understand its difficulty level. If you’re a beginner, take a climbing course or hire a local guide, particularly if you’re unfamiliar with the region or its conditions. You also need to make sure that all your gear — helmet, harness, climbing shoes, and a reliable rope — is in proper working order.

Rock climbing is not something to do under adverse weather conditions, so keep an eye on the forecast at all times. Natural disasters and extreme weather events can be a concern, so staying informed about local weather patterns and having an emergency plan are essential to a safe climbing experience.

Rockfall is a natural hazard in many climbing areas, so assess the terrain for unstable rocks or loose surfaces. Unexpected storms and flash floods in canyons can also pose serious dangers.

When climbing in nature, be mindful of wildlife and local ecosystems. Some areas may be home to potentially dangerous animals, such as snakes, bears, or insects. Learn about the local wildlife and how to avoid encounters or handle them safely.

To minimize your impact and protect climbing sites for future generations, respect the environment by following “Leave No Trace” principles.

Trip insurance benefits & coverage for rock climbing

You may be wondering: Do my travel insurance benefits cover rock climbing? The simple answer is that it depends.

Not all standard travel insurance policies cover rock climbing or sport climbing. But Redpoint travel protection does — both indoor climbing and outdoor climbing — as long as you’re using the proper equipment.

Exclusions often apply, though, so no matter your plan, you’ll want to take a close look at the fine print to make sure certain activities (bouldering, say, or ice climbing) are specifically covered before you buy.

Here are the core coverage areas to look for when shopping for rock-climbing insurance.

  • Trip cancellation and trip interruption insurance: This type of insurance reimburses your non-refundable trip expenses if your traditional climbing trip is canceled or cut short due to a covered reason, like illness, severe weather, or family emergencies. For more flexibility, you may be able to add cancel for any reason (CFAR) coverage to your policy, depending on the insurance company.
  • Travel medical insurance: Climbing is a dangerous activity, and accidents can happen. Travel health insurance covers medical attention and emergency medical expenses for illnesses or injuries that occur on your rock-climbing trip. Your health insurance from home likely won’t be accepted, so any unexpected medical costs or hospital charges will need to be paid out of pocket if you don’t have travel insurance. Keep in mind that if you have any pre-existing conditions, you’ll also need to apply for a waiver when you buy your plan.
  • Emergency medical evacuation insurance: Emergency evacuation coverage reimburses you for emergency transportation to the nearest medical facility or back to the U.S. in extreme or emergency situations. If you’re climbing abroad and traveling in remote areas, this kind of coverage is essential, especially in regions where medical facilities and transportation options are limited. In a worst-case scenario situation, you may also need search-and-rescue coverage and repatriation benefits.
  • Baggage and personal belongings insurance: This covers lost luggage and theft or damage to your belongings, should they go missing or get damaged during your trip. If you’re taking any specialist climbing equipment with you, this is important financial protection to have.
  • Trip delay insurance: Travel delay benefits provide coverage for additional expenses if your trip is delayed before it starts or during any connections or transfers.

For comprehensive rock-climbing travel insurance, Ripcord offers Redpoint’s best coverage. An extensive plan with high limits and enhanced benefits, it includes generous maximums for search and rescue, emergency medical and natural disaster evacuation, and expenses related to medical emergencies, accidents, and sickness.

For casual climbers heading to less remote environs, Redpoint’s other travel insurance plans, Cavalry and Harbor, may be a better fit.

Providing international coverage and comprehensive protection for a wide range of situations, Cavalry is particularly suited for city travel and luxury cultural experiences, while Harbor offers robust coverage for the budget-minded leisure traveler.

For rock-climbing travel insurance costs and more information on rock-climbing insurance in general, check out our purchase page for a quote today.

FAQs about rock climbing

Climber climbs on the rock wall against a blue sky. Climbing gear. Climbing equipment.

What is insurance for rock climbing?

Rock-climbing cover is travel insurance that includes coverage for people who plan to go outdoor rock climbing on their trip. Certain benefits of a comprehensive travel insurance plan — such as travel medical insurance and baggage and equipment coverage — are especially important if you plan to go on a rock-climbing trip.

Does travel insurance cover rock climbing?

Because it's considered a higher-risk activity, not all travel-insurance policies cover climbing, so depending on your policy, you may need to add on specialist cover for extreme sports or adventure activities. At Redpoint, we typically cover rock climbing, as long as you use the proper equipment. We can also cover mountaineering, which is commonly done alongside rock climbing. However, rock climbing without equipment — sometimes called "free solo climbing" — is not covered by Redpoint.

How much is travel insurance for rock climbing?

The cost of rock-climbing insurance varies depending on multiple factors, such as your destination, trip duration, age, the insurance company, and the type of climbing you intend to do. Redpoint's coverage typically runs from 6% to 15% of your total trip cost.

What should your travel insurance cover for rock climbing?

When buying travel insurance for sport climbing, you'll want to read the policy wording carefully to make sure key areas are covered.

The best rock-climbing insurance plans include benefits for medical treatment for accidents and injuries; emergency evacuation; theft, loss, or damage to your belongings and rock-climbing gear, and trip cancellation or interruption, with optional add-ons for high-risk activities or expensive equipment.

If you have a preexisting medical condition, you'll also need to apply for a waiver when you purchase your rock-climbing insurance policy.

What happens if a tourist gets injured while rock climbing?

If you have an accident or injury while you're rock climbing, you should urgently seek out local medical care. If your climbing accident is serious and you cannot physically reach a medical facility — due to impairment or being too far away from facilities — you may need evacuation assistance. Your travel insurance should cover your medical bills, including hospitalization, treatment, and emergency evacuation, if needed.

If you’re injured on a climbing trip and struggling to access the necessary care, contact Redpoint's 24/7 emergency assistance line at +1-415-481-0610. Our dedicated team can help you locate providers and services that are covered by your travel insurance policy.

Protect your trip with Redpoint travel insurance

Whether you’re planning on indoor or outdoor rock climbing, Redpoint’s comprehensive, easy-to-understand travel insurance policies offer cover to suit any type of trip. Explore our three international travel insurance plans — Ripcord, Cavalry, and Harbor — and get a quote for your next trip today.

Abstract image of a two person rope of climbers on a rock tower.