Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board Rescue insurance

Being an insurance agent, and having most of my day spend examing risk, naturally I've recently become interested in rescue insurance for myself.
Just wondering if anyone here carries it (common in Europe, not so much here), and with whom they carry it?
Cost? etc.
My little research has led me to find that climbing groups and similar associations offer it, often free of charge, but the limits are really low (3-5G) and the policies are rather limited.
Just pondering.
~Daniel

Check out this other thread to help get you started: http://www.summitpost.org/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=28310

Overall there doesn't seem to be any ideal option.

If you buy a Spot Messenger, they're offering a screaming deal on rescue insurance as a service option (~ $8 per year).

http://www.sierradescents.com/reviews/navigation/spot/satellite-messenger.html

http://www.findmespot.com/ExploreSPOT/ServicePricing.aspx

I just bought the insurance offered by AAC

American Alpine Club

Before coming out to Whitney and Yosemite last September, I subscribed to Emergency Assistance Plus (out of Santa Barbara, CA), underwritten by American Travelers. For the benefits provided, the cost seemed well worth it to me.

CaT

Wow, that's a great deal. Especially seeing as it offers 100,000 coverage vs. the others at 5000. Hmmm. Been wanting to play around a bit with a spot anyway. I think fathers day is coming up soon

Does anyone know what a rescue costs? Just wondering.

FYI, In California you are not charged for a rescue, your county is. Understandable cost incurred after a SAR team turns you over to definitive care might be pricey.
Tim

The SPOT system has been discussed here, too:

http://www.mt-whitney.info/viewtopic.php?t=2216

When you consider the SPOT, evaluate the terms of coverage. Terms of the coverage exclude:
"...
a) your situation is caused by circumstances such as a forecast change of weather conditions, which could reasonably have been anticipated at the date you started your trip
b) you have NOT made adequate provision of resources or training or competence needed to complete your planned trip.
..."

These items often have a different face in hindsight than during the planning stages.

Dale B. Dalrymple

You might also consider where you're traveling, and what exactly are the terms of the policy, especially out of country. I used to do a lot of climbing in South America and always bought insurance for the trips. However, the policies required you to pay the cost of services up front (evac, medical, etc), then submit for reimbursement when you get home. Hint: up your credit card limit before leaving.

FYI: Pick up a copy of "Touching the Void" and watch the 'extras'. The third guy in the group describes when Joe Simpson was taken to a hospital in Lima, they wouldn't treat him until he came up with the cash for the services - he was there two days with a shattered knee and no treatment (not even pain medication) before they could get money wired from friends/relatives back home in the U.K.

A friend of mine told me about Adventure Advocates for insurance. I have yet to check them out.

www.adventureadvocates.com

Good Luck