RIPCORD INSURANCE NOT ACCEPTABLE FOR HIGH ALTITUDE CLIMBING EXPEDITIONS

PART OF OUR RESPONSIBILITY IS TO PROVIDE INSURANCE & RESCUE OPTIONS TO OUR CLIMBERS, SO WE RESEARCH AND CONTACT PROVIDERS THAT CLAIM TO COVER SUCH THINGS, AND ASK DIRECTLY. OUR MOTIVATION IS ONLY TO PREVENT A NASTY SURPRISE SHOULD AN INSURANCE CLAIM EVER BE NEEDED, AND PROVIDERS WHO BACK WHAT THEY CLAIM WE ACTIVELY PROMOTE.

RIPCORD IS NOT ONE OF THOSE PROVIDERS.

WE KNOW CLIMBERS HAVE USED RIPCORD INSURANCE IN THE PAST, BUT AS OF 2023 THEY WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED AS A FORM OF COVERAGE. DESPITE THEIR WEBSITE CLAIMING TO COVER RESCUE, REMOTE LOCATIONS, ADVENTURE TRAVEL AND EVACUATIONS – INCLUDING IMAGES THAT SHOW CLIMBING AND CAMPS IN MOUNTAIN AREAS – WHEN CONTACTED THEY TOLD US THEY DIDN’T COVER ‘THE KIND OF TRIPS’ WE RUN. YES, WE THOUGHT THAT WAS PRETTY VAGUE TOO – DOES IT RELATE TO LOCATION, OR ALTITUDE, OR ACTIVITY, OR WHAT? MAYBE THEY DON’T LIKE OUR ATTITUDE, SPELLING ERRORS OR THE CRAMPS 1950s HORROR FILM FONT – AND A REQUEST FOR SPECIFICS ONLY ENTAILED AND EVEN VAGUER REPLY. THIS IS NOT THE STUFF TO BASE AN EXPENSIVE RESCUE INSURANCE POLICY ON.

FROM THIS WE CAN ONLY RESPOND BY NO LONGER ACCEPTING RIPCORD OR ANY REDPOINT COVERAGE ON OUR TRIPS. HOW THEY RELATE TO OTHER COMPANIES WE HAVE NO COMMENT ON, BUT AS OF 2023 WE WILL NOT CONSIDER RIPCORD AS AN OPTION FOR OUR CLIMBERS EVEN FOR THOSE WHO HAVE USED IT PREVIOUSLY.

WE UNDERSTAND THIS REQUIRES A SOLUTION SO CONTINUE TO RECCOMMEND GLOBAL RESCUE BASED ON THE FACT THEY HAVE BEEN THE ONLY COMPANY WILLING TO ENGAGE OUR SPECIFIC QUESTIONS. BE AWARE THEY ARE A RESCUE OPERATOR, NOT A TRAVEL INSURER, BUT THEY PARTNER WITH AN INSURER TO MATCH UP A WORKABLE OPTION. NOTE TOO THAT AS OF 2023 THEY NOW REQUIRE A HIGH ALTITUDE ADDITION.

THE LESSON HERE IS TO DO YOUR RESEARCH AND NEVER JUST CLICK TO BUY FOR SOMETHING AS IMPORTANT AS INSURANCE AND RESCUE DESPITE ANY COOL PICTURES OR GOOD-SOUNDING CLAIMS THAT THEY MAKE.

WE PARTNER WITH GLOBAL RESCUE, WHICH MEANS A DIRECT LINE TO THEM FOR ANY QUESTIONS, AND ARE HAPPY TO ENGAGE THEM FOR OUR TEAM MEMBERS.