Should mountain climbers buy evacuation insurance?

[gulfcoastliberal]

You might not know this, but there are insurance packages for mountain climbers that need emergency services. The insurance is reasonably priced. For instance, I typed in a fictional person born in 1969 traveling in Oregon. Cost of MedEvac insurance? $69 for AIG.

Sodo you think it's fair to charge stranded climbers who were too cheap tp buy such an inexpensive safety net?

[gulfcoastliberal]

1. kick for frenzied mountaineers

[donheld]

2. Of course they should

In Colorado, last I knew, it was very inexpensive.

[Berserker]

3. Should mountain climbers buy evacuation insurance?

ABSOLUTELY they should. It should also be mandatory and approved by the state or park they are climbing in.
Great post K&R

[goddess40]

4. Yes and it shouldn't take up time on the news when they get lost

I'm sorry that things didn't go well and that at least one of them died but they knew the risks.
I'm not a climber but this sure doesn't seem like the right time of year to be climbing, the weather is so unpredictable.

[gulfcoastliberal]

6. Amazing what they blast as "news" at us, isn't it?

Nothing but personal tragedies that the entire nation needs not know of and/or what celebrity is currently copulating with some other celebrity.

[Missy M]

5. Yes and thank you for this post.....

the insurance is reasonable and I'm sure every mountain climber could afford it.

[gulfcoastliberal]

7. Here's just one example:

Your quote and policy benefits
Start date December 23, 2006
End date January 5, 2007
Destinations Domestic
Round-trip to destinations at least 100 miles from your main place of residence
Type Single
Age limit 60
Underwritten by BCS Insurance Company
Price: USD $54

Single Benefits

A summary of the benefits are set out below. Please read the policy wording carefully for full details and age limits of any accompanying children.
Emergency Medical & Dental USD $50,000

Provides benefits for emergency medical and dental expenses you incur within the date of your policy. Services must be provided by a licensed provider and must take place during your trip. A $100 deductible applies to outpatient care. There is a $500 maximum on all covered dental expenses.
Emergency Medical Evacuation USD $500,000

Pays for emergency medical transportation services, authorized in advance and organized by the World Access Hotline Center, and medically required as a result of an injury or illness which occurs during the coverage period, to have you moved to the nearest appropriate facility. Once you are able, we will also pay to have you returned home.
Travel Accident USD $10,000

Provides lump sum coverage for death and serious dismemberment directly resulting from a covered Accident. The loss must occur within 365 days of the covered Accident.
Baggage USD $2,500

Provides benefits for loss, damage or theft of baggage and personal effects provided you have taken all reasonable measures to protect, save and/or recover your property. Coverage is secondary to coverage provided by a common carrier.
Sporting Equipment USD $1,000

Provides coverage for specialist sporting equipment due to loss or damage by a common carrier or theft of equipment during the trip.
Trip Cancellation or interruption USD $1,000

Provides financial protection for expenses related to trip cancellation or trip interruption caused by a covered event. Trip cancellation provides reimbursement for prepaid, non-refundable expenses, up to the amount of coverage.

Trip interruption coverage provides reimbursement for the unused, non-refundable portion of your trip and increased transportation costs for you to return home following a loss caused by a covered event.


TOTAL USD $56

[lynne]

9. I don't see any coverage for a rescue operation of this nature -

- there's medical evacuation, travel accident (injury or illness), loss of baggage, death and dismemberment, equipment loss, trip cancellation/interruption.

Where does this coverage say it will pay for search and rescue to fetch you off a mountain if you get lost or stuck due to bad weather? :shrug:

[gulfcoastliberal]

11. Considering you can buy insurance to get medevaced off of Mt Everest...

I think Mt.Hood would be covered. They have policies that cover$80,000 everest expeditions. Including trip cancellation, stolen luggage, helicopter evac fees, medical fees, etc. There's no reason when mountaineering or engaging in other hazardous outdoor adventures not to buy trip insurance. Unlessyou're rich andoptto self-insure.

[lynne]

12. Must be a different policy than the one quoted -

- but I would think there would be such coverage, too. Is there a link to coverage specifically for climbers?

[ashling]

15. Knowing Insurance Companies

does "helecopter evacuation" cover more than simply flying to get you and bringing you out. Does it cover, for instance, all of the expenses of a military helecopter to fly around for days looking for you, and for food, supplies, et al. for a team of experienced climber/rescuers to comb the mountain for days looking for snow caves or, in this case, tombs?

[Little Star]

8. With extreme hobbies....

maybe a gps system on their wrist os such might save their lives and not endanger so many who try to rescue them. Sorry, Ya gotta pay to play in these extreme hobbies. IMHO

[lynne]

10. Many of these policies EXCLUDE Extreme Sports Activities

http://www.bootsnall.com/travel-insurance/emergency-evacuation-insurance.html

Link above compares different policies. Scroll down for Extreme Sports exclusions. The majority of Emergency Evacuation policies is for situations where you acquire an injury or illness in a KNOWN place - cruise ship, group tour overseas, etc. - and have to be transported home for treatment. NOT for search and rescue operations.

[gulfcoastliberal]

13. Ok, check this out..this company insures Everest expeditions

http://www.ingleinternational.com/peakfreaks/english/products.asp?siteId=141&languageId=1

And any knowledgeable climber knows that REI also sells S&R insurance.

[Double T]

14. Yes, otherwise DON'T EXPECT to be rescued.............

people that take risks WITHOUT properly outfitting THEMSELVES for the extreme environment and conditions DO NOT deserve to be rescued at the taxpayers expense. Mountain climbers need to be PROPERLY TRAINED, PROPERLY EQUIPPED and PROPERLY INSURED to provide for their own safety and rescue needs. I climb mountains and the mountain climbers lost on Mount Hood were NOT ADEQUATELY EQUIPPED or PREPARED for the conditions in December.