Mountaineering - Rescue Insurance Recommendations

summithunter on 27/05/2025 - 15:08

Hi All,

Planning a trip to Nepal for 21 days to hike and climb a mountain which is over 6500mts. I have been on high altitude expeditions several times in the past (Last trip was in 2022) and never had any medical issues.

I am concerned this time around as I am not fit like i used to be so looking for insurance company recommendations from anyone who have had to use Heli Rescue due to altitude sickness or injury in Nepal .

Did you first have to pay the company and the hospital and then claim it back retrospectively or was it all covered upfront?

Thanks

Travel Mountaineering

Comments

  • MS Paint on 27/05/2025 - 15:11
    +1

    Last time I got a quote for mountaineering insurance I was shocked at the premium. I told them to sherpa up their (profanity).

    • summithunter on 27/05/2025 - 15:25

      I agree - normal costs for heli rescue from above 5000mts to Kathmandu is approx USD 500 to USD700. So worth it if required or its like any other insurance !

      • mapax on 27/05/2025 - 15:27
        +16

        USD $700 sounds like a bargain for a high altitude flight.

        • mskeggs on 27/05/2025 - 15:40
          +8

          If that is the price, why would you insure?

        • summithunter on 27/05/2025 - 22:13

          Its 15 to 20 min one way for one person. Usually if its not too serious its shared with 5 to 6 other climbers.

      • brendanm on 27/05/2025 - 16:38
        +2

        It's only $700us max with no insurance? Why would you bother with the insurance?

      • simplystu on 27/05/2025 - 21:48
        +2

        I know I know - different countries + wages / etc.
        but to put things in perspective … an average helicopter rescue here in AU costs between $10,000 - $30,000.

        it costs roughly $7000 per hour … for helicopter use / rescue / etc.

      • rumblytangara on 28/05/2025 - 10:13

        Sheesh only just saw this post with the cost. USD500-700 for a high altitude chopper rescue is cheap as chips- with all the other costs of mountaineering in Nepal why even worry about this being a factor?

    • mapax on 27/05/2025 - 15:27
      +1

      Tell em to take a hike

  • freefall101 on 27/05/2025 - 15:42

    Does anyone even cover over 6,000m? From what I can see, the limit seems to be 6,000m to insure in Australia

    If you can find someone in Australia, just read the PDS carefully. If it says they will pay, they pay it. If it says they will reimburse, they'll reimburse it.

    • summithunter on 27/05/2025 - 15:45

      Yes they do - Its an additional add on - fast cover calls it adventure pack

    • bargaino on 27/05/2025 - 21:16

      You have to be a bit crazy to go over 6000km. And a bit suicidal (or stupid) to go over 6500m.
      I mean, it is awesome, but so is heroin. Heroin is cheaper and less risky.

      • rumblytangara on 27/05/2025 - 22:55

        That's a bit alarmist imo. There are 6000M peaks which are technically easy and boring, and much shorter peaks that would have vastly more dangerous routes on them.

        • bargaino on 27/05/2025 - 23:26

          Ok, a little hyperbole. Over 8000m is known as the "death zone" , but even at 6000m bad things can happen to previously strong healthy people. Even on easy climbs. Humans are not made for that altitude. I am happy to have scaled the highest peaks on 2 continents. You can guess which :-)

          • rumblytangara on 27/05/2025 - 23:33

            @bargaino: Bad things happen to strong healthy people at sea level all the time… enjoy life whilst you can!

            Personally I didn't find 6000M enjoyable, but I wouldn't discourage anyone who was in decent shape.

  • frondono on 27/05/2025 - 16:08

    how about the austian alpine club? I used zoom last time I went to nepal but they only cover upto 6000m. how about global rescue or world cover?

  • brendanm on 27/05/2025 - 16:41
    +13

    I have a feeling the venn diagram of ozbargainers, and people who have purchased helicopter rescue insurance for altitudes above 6500m in Nepal, has an extremely small amount of overlap

  • shxhshzhz on 27/05/2025 - 16:56

    Username checks out

  • Benoffie on 27/05/2025 - 18:41
    +1

    See what Tokio Marine cover

    https://www.tokiomarine.com.au/products-services/personal-tr…

  • Muppet Detector on 27/05/2025 - 19:11

    Don't use whoever SeaWorld was using in 2023.

  • Hardlyworkin on 27/05/2025 - 20:08
    +2

    Get insured up to 6000m. If you have an issue above 6000m, tell your guide/friends beforehand to make sure the rescue was recorded below 6000m.

    Similar to skiing out of bounds, golden rule among friends is if possible, drag the person over the right side of the fence.

  • Typical16-bitEnjoyer on 27/05/2025 - 22:09
    +1

    With my only experiences being with RACV Roadside Insurance, I don't feel i'm qualified to add to this topic sorry.

  • rumblytangara on 27/05/2025 - 22:53

    Check some of the overseas (Euro/BMC) mountaineering clubs for foreign membership. They'll have insurance options.

    You're asking on the wrong forum, you should at least be asking in a climbing forum.

  • Sendi-Bendi on 29/05/2025 - 21:56
    +2

    Hey!
    Im gonna be doing Island and Lobuche east at the end of this year and was going to buy American Alpine Clubs insurance. They use redpoint as their insurance provider which is the only insurance that compares with global rescue who are soooo expensive. AAC is also a lot cheaper than anything I have found elsewhere and they cover any altitude and have different tiers for benefit amounts. Only downside is that they do not do search and rescue but at 6000m's I do not think it will be necessary, regular heli evac would suffice.

    Here's a photo comparing all the insurances:
    https://imgur.com/a/KolUKza

    • rumblytangara on 30/05/2025 - 09:29

      Lobuche East isn't high traffic- if you're going to rely on pre-fixed ropes, make sure all the fixed ropes are already in place before you start the ascent. Last thing you want is to be waiting at 6000M as your guide is spending ages rigging above you.

      Edit: Why the 6500 concern? (Both peaks are under 6500.)

    • summithunter on 30/05/2025 - 10:01

      Which agency are going ahead with ?

    • summithunter on 30/05/2025 - 11:32

      I had seen this the only hesitation for me is we need to call the American alpine club number to initiate a rescue, and I am unsure how accessible that would be in mountains. It is more than likely for the rescue company to wait for their instructions

      https://americanalpineclub.org/rescue

      • Sendi-Bendi on 30/05/2025 - 17:05

        Hey yeah fair enough, I’m going to stick with AAC as I’m pretty young and need to save money wherever 😅. If you’re hesitant, there’s always global rescue. However, you mentioned accessibility issues but on the link you sent, if you scroll down to the block chart there’s a box that says if you can’t call red point due to legitimate reasons, you can still claim everything back later.

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