It's really important to understand that while many insurers will cover trekking, you'll want to pay close attention to any restrictions or exclusions.
| Brand | Altitude limit | Must use a licensed operator? | Other conditions | Apply |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Freely | 6,000m | No | Cover for trekking is available under Adventure boost option and if specialist equipment is not required. | Bonus |
 Zoom | 3,000m | No | Does not cover trekking on the Kokoda trail. | Get quote |
 Fast Cover | 3,000m | No | Cover is included if specialist equipment is not required. | Finder AwardBonus |
 Insure4less | 4,000m | No | Does not cover any trekking in Nepal | Get quote |
 Travel Insuranz | 4,000m | No | Does not cover any trekking in Nepal | Get quote |
 | 5,000m | Yes (between 3,000 and 5,000m) | Only covers treks that are available to the general public and do not require special fitness levels or skills | Get quote |
 | 5,000m | Yes (between 3,000 and 5,000m) | Trekking up to 3000m is covered with a standard excess, but if you trek between 3000 - 5000m an extra $250 excess is applied on top of the standard excess if you make a claim. | Bonus |
 World2cover | 3,000m | No | N/A | Get quote |
 Cover-More | 3,000m | No | Cover is included if specialist equipment is not required. | Bonus |
 Southern Cross | 3,000m | N/A | N/A | Finder Award |
 Travel with Kit | 5,000m | No | Cover is included if specialist equipment is not required. | More info |
 Travel with Jane | 5,000m | No | Cover is included if specialist equipment is not required. | More info |
 1cover | 3,500m | N/A | N/A | More info |
 World Care | 3,000m | No | Does not cover trekking on the Kokoda trail | More info |
* Insurers will each have different limitations around mountaineering, climbing and/or abseiling activities that require specialised equipment like support ropes. This table was last updated July 2022
Now that you've compared brands, pop in your trip details to get a quote.
Trekking insurance covers many of the same situations as standard travel insurance, along with added protection for adventure-related activities:
You'll be covered for any medical and/or hospital treatment you need, up to any stated limit as outlined in your travel policy.
Trekking travel insurance with helicopter rescue means that if you desperately need to get to a hospital, and there's no other way to get you there, your helicopter rescue will be covered.
Trekking travel insurance policies will usually offer added protection for expensive gear that gets stolen or is lost, for example, by your airline.
If you're forced to cancel your trek for unexpected reasons like bad weather, if it's listed as a claimable event it can cover the cost of trip expenses.
Adventurous doesn't mean reckless, so each insurer will have a different set of conditions you must follow if you want your claims to succeed. Here are some of the most common conditions you'll find:
As a trekker, you'll often find yourself in inaccessible locations under often treacherous conditions. This makes helicopter rescue cover one of the most important features of trekkers and hikers insurance, and it's why every insurer offers it.
Your insurer will likely place some conditions around helicopter evacuation, so it pays to understand these before you go so you're not caught off-guard by a denied claim.
Here are the two conditions most insurers apply to helicopter rescue:
We have identified two insurers that offer search and rescue cover: Insure4Less and Travel Insuranz. However, most insurers consider search and rescue to be a different beast from medical evacuation, where your location is known. This means that you will pay out of your own pocket for any search and rescue operation that's launched on your behalf.
The best way to avoid this situation is to organise your trek through a licensed tour operator. They may be liable for damages if it's their fault you get lost. Plus, they will have the means and expertise to conduct a search and rescue operation if it's needed.
On average, trekking insurance will be slightly more expensive than normal travel insurance but not all insurers work out their prices in the same way. For example, if you have a policy with Travel Insurance Direct you are automatically covered for trekking with the cost of specialised cover factored in.
On the other hand, if you take out a policy with World Nomads then you're only covered for treks up to 2,000m in altitude. For treks over this height, you will need to upgrade your plan and pay an additional premium on top of what you're paying for the normal policy.
At the end of the day, it's up to you to find or build a few policies that cover you for what you need them to and then compare whatever the final costs turn out to be.
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Does QBE insurance cover trekking to Everest Base Camp (no ropes or mountaineering equipment
Hello Joolian,
Thank you for your query.
While most policies do automatically include trekking and hiking, it’s a good idea to double-check with your policy provider before planning a trek overseas. You would also need to inform your insurer and ask them directly about cover if no ropes or equipment is used.
If you would like, you may also review your options from our
Travel Insurance for Nepal and Everest Base Camp page.
Hope this helps.
Cheers,
Gru
Good Evening,
I will be doing the Three Capes Track in Tasmania in August – it is a 4 day/3night hike.
What type of travel insurance will I need and how much will it cost?
Thank you Caroline
Hi Caroline,
Thanks for your question.
To compare costs for travel insurance policies, please enter your travel details into the quote comparison tool on the domestic travel insurance page.
I hope this was helpful,
Richard