Travel insurance is a required part of your challenge. If you’re travelling overseas, you’ll need to have appropriate cover in place before you go.
We strongly recommend sorting your insurance as soon as you’ve signed up. This means you’re covered not just for the trip itself, but also if something unexpected happens before you travel.
The main thing we need from you is specialist insurance that covers your activity from a medical perspective. This includes emergency treatment and evacuation if needed. That part is essential.
Everything else, like cover for luggage, delays, cancellations or personal items, is up to you. It depends on what you feel comfortable with and what fits your budget.
For international trekking challenges, you’ll need to submit your insurance for approval before you travel.
For marathons and organised runs, we still strongly recommend getting the right cover, but we won’t review it. You’ll find more detail in your briefing pack, including information on what’s covered by things like a GHIC/EHIC card versus travel insurance.
There are lots of insurance providers out there, and it’s up to you to choose what works best. Make sure you read the policy details carefully so you know exactly what’s covered.
Some participants have previously used providers like True Traveller and Campbell Irvine Direct, as they offer policies that can meet the requirements for trekking challenges. These are just examples to help you get started.
When looking for suitable insurance cover please ensure it will cover you for all the activities that are featured in your challenge. For example:
Trek Participants
You will need a specialist insurance to be covered for:
A) Trekking up to the maximum trekking altitude of your challenge (up to 6000m for our Everest Base Camp and Kilimanjaro treks; Up to 5000m for the Morocco High Atlas and Machu Picchu Treks.)
B) Medical evacuation (or repatriation), including helicopter evacuation for the trek to Everest Base Camp.
For Everest Base Camp participants, please be aware that we do not mandate coverage for helicopter transport in the event of inclement weather grounding fixed-wing aircraft and many insurance providers do not cover this or have strict requirements around this, currently including Campbell Irvine and True Traveller.
C) The total duration of your trip
Marathon Participants
We will not be reviewing your insurance, but you will want to be covered for:
A) Running a marathon
B) The total duration of your trip
It's worth checking whether you're already covered; some bank accounts and annual travel insurance policies include cover for organised sporting events. You might also be covered under a parents’ policy. Have a look at what you've already got before buying anything new.
Other Sections to Consider
And just some of the other things to pay special attention to when selecting your insurance provider and level of cover:
Does the policy you're considering provide you with sufficient cover for any electronic items you might want to bring?
What about loss, theft or damage to passports or other travel documentation?
And how about cancellation before your trip due to injury, illness or other reasons beyond your control?
If you have any further queries about travel insurance please get in contact with us on +44 (0) 203 773 4140 or email team@chooseachallenge.com
