🧳 Travel Insurance Guide for Trekkers & Travelers
✅ Why You Need Travel Insurance
Travel insurance helps cover unexpected costs due to:
- Medical emergencies (including altitude sickness)
- Trip cancellations or interruptions
- Lost/stolen baggage
- Evacuation and rescue (essential for high-altitude trekking)
- COVID-19 coverage (if still applicable in the region)
🏥 Key Coverage to Look For
| Coverage Area | Details |
|---|---|
| Emergency Medical | Hospital, doctor visits, medication – usually up to $100,000+ |
| Medical Evacuation | Air rescue, helicopter evacuation – must cover altitudes you’ll reach |
| Trip Cancellation/Interruption | Refunds for illness, death in family, etc. |
| Baggage Loss/Delay | Compensation for lost, stolen, or delayed items |
| Adventure Activities | Make sure hiking, trekking, climbing are not excluded |
| Repatriation | Return to home country in case of death or serious illness |
| COVID-19 / Infectious Diseases | Some policies include testing, treatment, and isolation costs |
🏔️ High-Altitude & Trekking Insurance Tips
- Altitude Limit: Many policies exclude claims above 3,000–4,500m. Make sure your policy covers your planned altitude (e.g., Everest Base Camp = 5,364m).
- Adventure Sports Add-on: Required for trekking, mountaineering, skiing, etc.
- Rescue Coverage: Ensure helicopter rescue is included (especially in Nepal, Peru, or Himalayas).
- Country Restrictions: Some insurers exclude coverage for specific countries or conflict zones.
🏢 Recommended Insurance Providers (Popular for Trekking)
| Provider | Known For |
|---|---|
| World Nomads | Great for adventure travel and high-altitude trekking |
| Allianz Travel | Reputable global provider |
| SafetyWing | Flexible and good for digital nomads |
| IMG Global | Offers custom trekking and evacuation plans |
| InsureMyTrip | Comparison site for multiple insurers |
| Tugo (Canada) | Used often for Nepal trekking insurance |
📝 Before You Buy
- Declare your trekking plans – elevation, region, days.
- Read the fine print – especially exclusions.
- Confirm 24/7 emergency assistance – some policies offer mobile apps or hotlines.
- Take your policy documents with you – both digital and printed.
🗺️ Example for Nepal (Everest Base Camp)
You’ll need:
- Coverage up to 6,000 meters
- Helicopter evacuation
- Trekking add-on
- Medical coverage $100,000+
