Travel Insurance Recommendations
Please Note: We are not insurance professionals neither are we an insurance agency. Policies change all the time and/or we may have misunderstood policy text. Therefore we recommend to never rely on any representation made from our side regarding any policy recommended below but rather thoroughly read through the policies themselves.
Emergency medical insurance is mandatory for participation in all OnTop Mountaineering (OnTop ltd) Trips.
Please direct any and all questions about coverage to your insurance provider, whether it relates to medical, trip, or travel insurance. If you do not have suitable insurance coverage for you or your child, you assume that risk. You also agree to take full responsibility, where applicable, for any related losses, expenses, or fees, regardless of whether they are covered by insurance.
We recommend our clients purchase an adventure travel insurance package to protect themselves from the cost related to emergencies in the mountains, cancellations, or the downfalls of international travel (delays, lost luggage, theft).
Be aware that most travel insurance policies commonly sold by travel agents DO NOT include high-risk outdoor pursuits, such as mountaineering, backcountry skiing, via ferrata, glacier travel, and sometimes not even high-level trekking. Look out for terms like “off-piste” or “roped travel” under the coverage exclusions in the fine print of your policy.
Here are some Insurance recommendations:
1) Canadian Residents Travelling Abroad + All Participants Joining our Trips in Canada
TuGo™ Travel Insurance: send us an email to info@ontopmountaineering.com or your trip coordinator and we will put you in touch with an insurance agent. They will contact you with further information about their policies.
They offer an “Adventure Sports Coverage” add-on – with coverage for mountaineering up to 6,000m plus outdoor rock climbing, via ferrata, ice climbing, backcountry skiing/snowboarding, mountain biking, canyoneering.
2) US Residents
For participants residing in the US we recommend WorldNomad – Make sure to enquire directly with the insurer about all products they offer, and to confirm that your activities with us will be included in their insurance plan.
Other Rescue / Evacuation Insurance Solutions
If you are not interested in a comprehensive insurance travel insurance package or if you are not a resident of North America we recommend the policies that are connected with membership in one of the European Alpine Clubs:
The British Mountaineering Council offers 5 different policies that are tailored to particular mountaineering activities. For most of our trips, the “Alpine and Ski” policy seems to be most appropriate. The “Trekking” insurance appears to be sufficient for Via Ferrata Treks and non-technical treks or any treks that don’t involve glacier travel. The hitch: Subscribers have to be residents of the UK or Ireland.
The German Alpine Club (DAV) membership includes a comprehensive policy that is available for all members regardless of country of residence or nationality. It includes emergency medical hospital coverage up to 45 days abroad and search and rescue costs to Euro 25,000, however, body recovery and repatriation are limited to Euro 5000. Members residing in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland can also buy additional policy options to ensure more benefits for a small additional fee. Unfortunately, all policy descriptions and materials are in German – but thank goodness for Google translations! If you are interested in this option and if you are booked on one of our trips, we can arrange a membership in the Heidelberg Section of the German Alpine Club – please inquire at least 3 weeks before your departure.
The Austrian Alpine Club (OEAV) offers a similar policy as the German Club but the limits are lower: Search and rescue to Euro 25,000 and emergency medical to Euro 10,000 but repatriation unlimited. The easiest way to sign up is to join the UK Section of the Austrian Alpine Club.
The French Alpine Club (CAF) also offers a policy that appears to be available to all members regardless of their place of residence. The policy description can be found in English and Spanish at the bottom of the page linked above. There is a comprehensive package included in the membership plus an extended policy available at an additional fee. If you are traveling to Chamonix, the easiest way to become a member is to drop by the office of the Chamonix section, which you will find close to the Chamonix train station. Here is a link to their contact page.
Svalbard Trips
Our Svalbard trips take place north of the Arctic circle at latitudes up to (max) 79.6°N; many insurance policies exclude travel above the Arctic circle, and we know of none which provide insurance north of 80°. Coverage with Global Rescue Services (click link to enroll) has long been recognized as the most bulletproof remote and extreme locations rescue insurance available worldwide. This insurance is suitable for all of our trips including Svalbard.