Rock climbing life insurance

The UK’s different types of terrain are perfect for hikers, mountaineers, and rock climbers. With its natural peaks, gradients and stunning views, people all over the UK spend their free time climbing.

With rock climbing becoming an Olympic sport in 2020, indoor climbing has exploded in popularity. Approximately 1,000,000 people now indoor rock climb in the UK, including 100,000 regulars[1].

This growth in popularity has also caused a growth in requests for rock climbing insurance.

Through human error, it’s a possibility you could be injured or even worse no matter how much of an experienced climber you are.

Which is why it’s important to secure a life insurance policy to protect loved ones if something were to happen to you.

But can you still secure life insurance with this hobby and will rock climbing impact your premiums?

Please note, there isn't a specific product for rock climbers and this article refers to someone who rock climbs and is applying to standard life cover.

In this article we’ll cover everything you need to know, so you can keep rock climbing and have peace of mind.

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Does rock climbing affect life insurance?

Yes, rock climbing as a hobby or as part of your occupation may influence the price you pay for your life insurance.

However, you could secure adequate life insurance as a rock climber.

Life insurance providers calculate the price you pay based on the level of risk you pose meaning, if high risk factors (such as a high-risk hobby like rock climbing) are identified, you could pay more.

The risks involved with rock climbing can vary and, for this reason, insurers will need to ask additional questions.

Details you’ll need to provide about rock climbing during the application process include:

  • Type of climbing - If you have an indoor rock climbing hobby or you trek with a registered group, your life insurance premiums are likely to be lower than those who rock climb outdoors or remotely
  • Climbing altitude - If you’re a high-altitude mountain climber, your premiums are going to reflect the additional dangers you face
  • Climbing frequency - If you climb casually or only a couple of times a year, your premiums may be cheaper than those who climb all year around, or on difficult terrains and high gradients
  • Climbing qualifications - If you have any mountain leader qualifications or qualifications from the RCI, your premiums may be cheaper than those without. However, your premiums may still be more expensive than someone who doesn’t climb regularly

Do you need insurance for rock climbing?

Life insurance isn’t a necessity for rock climbing but can be beneficial if you have loved ones who would struggle financially if you passed away. However legally, it’s not a requirement.

Life insurance can pay out a cash lump sum to your loved ones if you pass away, meaning they’ll be better equipped to deal with the financial stresses they could face.

Many climbing facilities or registered climbing groups will offer public liability insurance, which would cover the costs of any incidents if you’re climbing with a registered group or company. However, this covers a business as opposed to the person who has died.

For this reason, it’s important to have your own personal cover to protect your loved ones, with the right rock climbing or mountaineering insurance.

Reassured don't offer any form of public liability insurance. However, our friendly team could help you secure life insurance. Simply get in touch.

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Why do climbers need life insurance?

As there can be a risk of death for any climber, no matter how experienced, it’s important to have life insurance to protect the other aspects of your life.

Life insurance policies can help to cover the following:

Mortgage - If you live with a significant other or family members, you want to help them cover the cost of the mortgage if you pass away.

If you’re the main earner for your household, or your family couldn't survive without your financial contribution, life insurance can help to prevent them from defaulting on the mortgage and losing the family home if you're no longer around.

Family living costs - Bills including council tax, utilities and day-to-day expenses can also impact your family’s life and home if unpaid. This can also involve food, travel and any other necessities your family may need to pay each month.

A life insurance pay out can help ensure these payments are covered and don’t become debts.

Care costs - If you have parents, grandparents or other elderly relatives that depend on you financially, a life insurance pay out can help to provide the funds to cover their carer costs, home adaptations or retirement home fees.

Childcare costs - Whether you need to cover the cost of nursery, school supplies or further education, life insurance can help safeguard your children’s education.

Life insurance can also help to cover additional financial aspects of raising children, making sure they have the essentials to reach adulthood and financial maturity.

Funeral costs - If you pass away, it’s important to have a plan for your funeral so it doesn’t impact your family during a difficult period.

Life insurance can help guarantee your family aren’t saddled with your funeral costs on a successful claim.

Inheritance - If you wish, you can bestow a portion of your life insurance to your loved ones. This could be for a wide range of personal reasons and can help them to continue financially if you pass away.

It’s also possible for life insurance funds to be donated to a charitable cause.

How much is rock climbing life insurance?

Premiums for rock climbing life insurance will vary depending on your personal circumstances.

As well as the specific details of your rock climbing hobby, such as:

  • How often you climb?
  • Type of climbing you do?
  • Where you climb?
  • How long you have been climbing for?
  • Whether you have any climbing qualifications?

You’ll also be asked for other key details so that insurers can calculate your life insurance premiums.

These details include:

  • Age - On average, taking out life insurance at a younger age will result in cheaper premiums
  • Smoking status - Due to the amount of health complications that can arise from smoking, premiums are more expensive for those who smoke or use nicotine replacement products
  • Occupation - If your job is more hazardous than average, your premiums will reflect this. If you’re a professional rock climber, then you’ll also pay more due to the frequency of your climbs
  • Length and level of cover - Your premiums will depend on the length of time you want covered and the amount of money you want to be insured for. Cover can last anywhere between a couple of years to until you die, and the sum assured (pay out amount) can be up to £1,000,000
  • Medical history - If you currently or historically have medical issues, insurers will consider this in your premiums. You may also be asked about your family medical history in case there are any hereditary illnesses or illnesses you may have a genetic predisposition too

Comparing quotes is essential as every provider has a different underwriting process so quotes will vary significantly.

Why not contact Reassured to compare quotes from some of the UK’s leading providers to help you find life insurance cover.

Life Insurance Calculator

Calculate how much life insurance you may need by filling in the costs you’d like your policy to cover.

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£137,934 is the estimated mortgage debt per household in the UK.

The purchase of a home is likely to be the largest financial commitment any of us will make in our lifetime. Your life insurance should cover your remaining mortgage balance to allow your loved ones to stay in the family home should anything happen to you.

Source: Moneynerd.co.uk
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The average monthly household budget in the UK is £2,548 (that’s £30,576 per year), which is spent on transport, food & drink, utilities (gas, electricity, water etc), clothing, council tax and leisure activities.

With energy prices hitting a record high and the cost of living rising sharply in the UK, you may wish to factor in utility bills and family living expenses into your cover.

Source: Nimblefins.co.uk
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The average personal debt of UK adults has risen to £34,566 (not including mortgage debt), with credit cards, personal loans and overdrafts being the most common forms of debt.

Factoring in any debts into your life insurance cover means that, if they need to be paid back from your estate after your passing, your loved ones won’t miss out financially.

Source: Money.co.uk
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According to SunLife, the average cost of a funeral in the UK is £3,953 (with the overall cost of dying at £9,200).

Funeral costs have increased by 116% since 2004 and are a significant cost which should be factored into the amount of life insurance you secure.

Source: SunLife.co.uk
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When factoring in cover for your children, you may wish to calculate the amount based on how long it is until they reach financial independence.

This could include childcare (£7,000 per year for part-time care), school expenses (£1,519 per school year for uniforms, lunches, stationary etc), as well as an additional sum for further education (this could be a contribution of up to £5,000 per year).

Sources: Daynurseries.co.uk, Primarytimes.co.uk & Savethestudent.org
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2 in 5 adults say they are relying on an inheritance to fund their retirement.

Factoring in an inheritance to your sum assured could allow loved ones to live a more financially comfortable life. Alternatively, you could leave a cash gift to a charity of your choosing.

Source: Moneyage.co.uk
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If you’re lucky enough to have your own savings or are part of the 30% of UK residents who already have a life insurance policy in place, this can provide financial protection for loved ones.

By entering your current cover, savings or death in service amount you can reduce the sum assured you require.

Source: Scottishbusinessnews.net
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Can I get climbing life insurance?

Yes, it could be possible to get life insurance if you’re a climber.

At Reassured, we don’t offer specific climbing insurance, insurance for mountaineering or insurance for hiking.

However, Reassured could help you secure a life insurance product which meets your individual circumstances and climbing requirements.

The four life insurance products Reassured could help you obtain are:

Level term life insurance for rock climbers

Level term life insurance+

Level term life insurance can help to protect an interest only mortgage or other large expenses.

  • Cover lasts up to a maximum of 40 years
  • The sum assured is fixed
  • Maximum sum assured is £1,000,000
  • Premiums are fixed
  • Critical illness cover can be added for an additional cost
  • Terminal illness cover is included on all term life insurance policies through Reassured
  • Medical information required
Decreasing term life insurance for rock climbers

Decreasing term life insurance+

Decreasing term life insurance can help to protect a repayment mortgage.

  • Cover lasts up to a maximum of 40 years
  • The sum assured will decrease over the policy lifetime
  • Maximum sum assured is £1,000,000
  • Premiums are fixed
  • Critical illness cover can be added for an additional cost
  • Terminal illness cover is included on all term life insurance policies through Reassured
  • Medical information required
Whole of life insurance for rock climbers

Whole of life insurance+

Whole of life insurance guarantees a pay out to help you provide an inheritance for your loved ones.

  • Policy pays out when you pass away, not if
  • Fixed sum assured
  • Sum assured can be up to £1,000,000
  • Premiums are fixed
  • Critical illness cover can’t be added
  • Terminal illness cover isn’t included
  • Medical information required
Over 50 life insurance for rock climbers

Over 50s life insurance

Guaranteed cover for UK residents aged 50 - 85 years old, without the need to provide medical information.

  • Cover is guaranteed for life (after initial 12 -24 month waiting period)
  • Fixed sum assured
  • Sum assured can be up to £20,000
  • Premiums are fixed
  • Critical illness cover can’t be added
  • Terminal illness cover is available with certain insurers
  • Medical information not required

+You'll need to disclose your rock climbing for an accurate policy and premiums

Critical illness cover and terminal illness cover are products which provide additional levels of cover:

Critical illness cover - This is a product which is designed to pay a lump sum if you’re diagnosed with a life altering illness.

You’ll receive a pay out if you are still alive 14 days after your diagnosis. Thirty common conditions are usually covered but this is subject to your providers terms and conditions. You may also have exclusions based upon your medical history and your climbing hobby/occupation.

For example, total disability may be added as an exclusion due to the risk of falling while climbing. Total disability refers to disability that’s permanent and will stop you working in any capacity. However, the definition of total disability can vary between providers.

Critical illness can be added to all term-based life insurance through Reassured for an additional cost. However, it can’t be added to whole of life insurance or over 50s plans.

Terminal illness cover - This product allows an early claim on your life insurance policy if you’ve been diagnosed with a terminal illness, leaving you less than 12 months to live.

The funds received can help to cover your end of life care or anything the you and your loved ones choose. The policy would then be terminated once a successful claim has been made.

Terminal illness cover is included with all term-based life insurance through Reassured. Cover is available with certain insurers for over 50s life insurance and can't be included with whole of life insurance.

At Reassured, critical illness cover, and terminal illness cover can't be bought as standalone policies. We can, however, help you arrange life insurance with critical illness cover.

Will life insurance pay out if I die while climbing?

Yes, as per the terms and conditions of your policy, your loved ones could receive a pay out if you pass away while rock climbing (within the term of the policy).

Is rock climbing safe?

Like any extreme sport or hobby, rock climbing can be fatal and, most of the time, it’s down to human error.

You’re less likely to die or be gravely injured under supervision on an indoor wall than free climbing solo outdoors, but rock climbing deaths do happen.

Impaired risk team

If you’ve been refused life insurance in the past, it doesn’t mean you can’t get any form of cover.

Reassured have a specialist impaired life insurance team who focus on finding some form of cover for applicants who have previously been declined.

This doesn't necessarily have to relate to your climbing - it can also be if you’ve been rejected due to medical conditions or other factors.

Contact our award-winning team for your no-obligation, fee-free quote.

Compare rock climbing quotes at Reassured

It’s important to have life insurance in place to protect your family if something happens to you.

Reassured are FCA-regulated and can help you secure life insurance tailored to your individual circumstances. Our friendly UK based call agents can help you find our best quotes from our panel of insurers.

Quotes are completely fee-free, no-obligation and are from our award-winning call centre. Simply get in contact.

Compare Life Insurance for Rock Climbers »

Sources:

[1] https://www.abcwalls.co.uk/about/

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