
Ice climbing can be a challenging activity that demands skill, commitment, stamina and the ability to operate in bad weather and hostile environments. All of these factors deem ice climbing a high risk sport. This means that you may be particularly interested in ice climbing insurance for financial peace of mind. Whether you participate in ice climbing for leisure, pleasure or personal challenge, speak to Sports Financial Services about ice climbing insurance for life, mortgage protection, income protection and critical illness cover.
Sports Financial Services were originally founded (over 20 years ago) as Summit Financial Services. Over time we discovered that many of those initial climbers and mountaineers that took cover with us, also enjoyed a mix of many other outdoor activities (e.g., mountain biking, skydiving, caving, canoeing, cycling and skiing). As a result, we began to develop an expertise in a wider number of outdoor activities for which people were seeking cover. Sports Financial Services was subsequently created to meet the needs of the wider outdoor sports market.
Whatever your level of participation in ice climbing, do not hesitate to get in touch. If you have previously been refused an ice climbing insurance policy, or even have another policy in place we would still love to hear from you. We may be able to find you a better level of cover at the best rates.
What is ice climbing?
Ice climbing can involve various climbing techniques, for example, front pointing. This involves securely placing ice axes and then placing or kicking the front points of the crampons into the ice. This repeated action is then used as a means of ascent. In a similar approach to rock climbing the leading climber will, depending on the nature of the route, place rock and/or ice protection (e.g., ice screws) as they ascend.
Unlike winter hillwalkers who may use articulated crampons and longer ice axes, technical ice climbers may utilise slightly different equipment such as step in rigid crampons and shorter technical axes.
Some examples of ice climbing equipment are:
- Winter mountaineering climbing boots
- Crampons
- Harness
- Climbing helmet (to protect from falls, rockfalls and falling ice as the leader ascends)
- Ice axes
- Belay device
- Carabiners
- Slings
- Ice screws
- Ice climbing / rock climbing protection
- Ropes
- Gloves
- Goggles / eye protection
- Appropriate winter climbing clothing
In addition, operating in cold climates with long approaches may require a wide range of additional skills and knowledge. This may include knowledge of ice axe self-arrest, skiing, snowshoeing, map reading, navigating, keeping warm in cold environments, avalanche awareness, knowledge of hypothermia, first aid and cold weather survival.
What is Ice climbing Insurance?
The underwriting of life insurance, income protection and critical illness cover for ice climbing can vary depending on your insurance provider as well as your level of participation in ice climbing. For this reason, specialist advice can be beneficial in obtaining the right cover for you, your circumstances and all aspects of your chosen sport and lifestyle.
Because we have been working for many years with people who enjoy the outdoors, we have a great deal of experience assisting with a large number of outdoor sports such as ice climbing, rock climbing, mountaineering, scuba diving, skydiving and skiing.
When you enquire, we’ll want to discuss things like the number of times you go ice climbing each year, whether you work as an instructor and any ice climbing you take part in internationally.
Often, when looking for specialist insurance for extreme pursuits like ice climbing you may come across additional requirements in order for underwriters to fully understand your activities. Some extreme sports and occupational financial protection may cost more due to these additional requirements.
Our 20-year history of helping extreme sports people means that we understand sports and when it comes to ice climbing insurance, we understand the needs of those who participate in hazardous sports and occupations.
Here are some areas that insurers might consider when assessing your enquiry for life insurance for ice climbing:
- How is your health and lifestyle? (e.g., alcohol consumption, exercise and smoking)
- What is your current employment and does it take you on international travel? (e.g., UK, Europe and/or worldwide)
- What type of ice climbing , climbing and mountaineering activities do you participate in?
- Do you participate in ice climbing as a hobby or as part of your occupation?
- What Winter grade do you climb to?
- Do you participate in any rock climbing and to what grade?
- Do you undertake any professional or instructional ice climbing work?
- Are you a member of a Sport’s Governing Body? (e.g., the British Mountaineering Council www.thebmc.com, Mountaineering Scotland www.mountaineering.scot )
Such questions will help us find the facts that insurance companies require in relation to you, your sport and your lifestyle.
Types of ice climbing insurance
Critical Illness Cover:
Critical illness cover is a way to cover specific illnesses or medical conditions that might disrupt your life, family and finances. Anyone who takes part in hazardous pursuits like ice climbing and enquires about critical illness cover will have their enquiry assessed against the activities they pursue. Cover for different types of climbing and ice climbing activities will be assessed differently.
Cover for some sports can be offered at standard rates with no special terms imposed whilst participation in other sports may result in premium loadings, special terms, restrictions or exclusions. Your sports specialist at Sports Financial Services will talk you through the options available to you based on a number of factors such as your ice climbing activities, occupation and lifestyle.
Income Protection:
Another important cover to consider is income protection, particularly if you take part in high-risk pursuits like ice climbing. Income protection could provide you with peace of mind if you are unable to work due to injury or sickness.
If you have a loan, mortgage, credit cards, regular bills or family financial commitments then you may want to consider what would happen if you were unable to meet the payments because of a loss of income if you are unable to work.
Applications for income protection are dependent on many factors, for example, whether you have previously suffered any injuries as a result of ice climbing and whether they have caused you to have a significant amount of time off work.
Again, like critical illness cover, participation in some sports and activities may result in premium loadings, restrictions or exclusions. But, don’t worry, your adviser will discuss your needs and the options available to you.
Why Choose Sports Financial Services for ice climbing insurance?
Whatever drives your interest in ice climbing – adrenaline driven challenge, adventure, exercise, exploration, social connection – we are here to discuss your protection needs.
Sports Financial Services are a team of insurance specialists with many years of experience working with those who pursue hazardous sports and occupations. We know how important it is to find life insurance for ice climbing at the right price.
The main types of protection that you may want to discuss with us include:
- Life Insurance
- Mortgage Protection
- Critical Illness Cover
- Income Protection
Also, if you keep up a health regime and participate in a regular fitness plan, you may also want to speak to us about policies that monitor your fitness and reward you for keeping fit and healthy.
Even if you have an insurance policy in place, have been declined life insurance for ice climbing in the past or have previously experienced problems obtaining life insurance then you should speak to our extreme sport and occupation experts.
In addition, different insurers come to the market over time and others may change their terms. This may mean that different terms are available in the market place than when you first applied for ice climbing insurance.