Climbing...Just how dangerous is it?

OK...so I just went through the hassle of trying to get a life insurance policy as a climber.
Obviously insurance companies seem to think that climbers are much more likely to die climbing than in another manner. So much so, the qoutes I got back were trippled just because of my climbing. So here is the question: Are there actual statistics out there on the percentage of people who climb and die while climbing? I'd be interested to see how much more likely I am to die climbing than driving, drowning, or choking on a hotdog.

The AAC probably has some stuff; especially in the realm of actual technical climbing and not just hiking.

Aflac has a good one -- get hurt while roped climbing = zero; get hurt while climbing unroped = payday.

I recall seeing some statistics about the various forms of climbing probably in a magazine awhile ago. The only sort of valid numbers would be fatalities per user hour or user day or something like that. Insurance companies definitely categorize climbing right along with scuba diving and small aircraft flying. There are probably wide differences in risk between aplinism and sport climbing.

Primo,

My wife fights insurance companies for a living. Because I am an armchair fighter in this war, I would advise you to inform your insurance co if you expect them to pay up in the event you get hurt or die climbing.

Insurance companies are the scum of the earth and will do everything they can to not make good on their deal. Believe it. They probably have legal cause to not pay up if you omitted this info which ironically takes some of the scum out of it.

It is not beyond them to subpoena this very thread in negotiations to not pay up. Rat bastards.

Unfortunately...if you die climbing, the insurance company is going to do a very detailed investigation to find out how long you have been climbing for and if you lied on your initial application before giving anything to your surviving family. If they figure out you lied...no money.

Dangerous is a relative term as we all know. I think taking a cab ride in New York City is dangerous!!!!

Sucks though, I lost some really good clients because there Life Insurance company wouldn't cover them anymore because they were climbing, they gave it up for there policy, That is messed up.

I'm with Primo, they are the scum of the earth. I don't know but I would guess that statistically speaking in time, more people have died in cars and airplanes then climbing. So how come the insurance companies still give policies to people who fly and drive! It's ass backwards if you ask me!

Primo Boudreaux wrote:Why would you tell your insurance company that you climb? If you never mentioned it to them, it could have been something you took up AFTER you started your policy with them, so they're obligated to cover you, for no extra cost. Lifestyle changes in the interest of "fitness" legally can't cost more.

It's possible you won't be around to vouch. Hitory is easy to dig up.

It's possible that some insurance companies may not ask those specific questions. A good insurance broker may be able to direct you to policies that don't discriminate against climbers.

Dunno........

I have 250k on my head with a private life insurance policy thru AAA.....

I read all the fine print and there was nothing in there about climbing

Ha.. It's kinda like people who've had cancer trying to get health insurance on the open market... as climbers we all have a preexisting condition as far as life insurance companies are concerned... kinda sucks!

by Daniel A. Crowl has some older statistics. I believe it gave the FAR for rock climbing as 200 (deaths per 10^8 hours?), but it has been awhile since I looked. Statistics for other sports are there as well.

This is the same rhetoric bullshit that insurance companies use to deny people who need health insure. The company does not care one bit about you man. FUCK THEIR SHIT MAN!! If done properly climbing can be safe. Sure there are some risks, but they can be managed. Your climbing is probably going to make you much more fit and able bodied for longer.

You should get care not mater who you are, or what you do. And in the political rant spirit, this is the reason why our country should have single payer health care. You would be able to have fun and know that if you get hurt that you wont go broke over it.

Nate Brown wrote:Primo, My wife fights insurance companies for a living. Because I am an armchair fighter in this war, I would advise you to inform your insurance co if you expect them to pay up in the event you get hurt or die climbing. Insurance companies are the scum of the earth and will do everything they can to not make good on their deal. Believe it. They probably have legal cause to not pay up if you omitted this info which ironically takes some of the scum out of it. It is not beyond them to subpoena this very thread in negotiations to not pay up. Rat bastards.

What a racket they have going too!! Yes it's nice to have $$ come in when you get hurt etc, but in reality they get paid "in case" something happens. Things DO happen, but how many billions of dollars get paid out by people nothing happens to!

(hope I didn't just jynx myself!)

Can't really comment on how dangerous it is, but I did spend a fair amount of time trying to get life insurance over the last few months. Ended up going with SBLI. Rate increased about 55% over a non climber. Sucks, but a whole lot better than double or triple. They only seemed to be concerned with whether you have plans to climb outside North American in the next 12 months. I think high altitude climbing scares them.

Even if an insurance company doesn't specifically ask if you rock climb or mountain climb, you better disclose it. A Colorado resident didn't disclose the fact that he went heli skiing annually (he told the insurance company he skied, they didn't ask any more about it) and when he died heli skiing, the insurance company went to court and got the policy voided.

Basically, if you have too much fun, you ain't covered!

Further, if you go exploring in NH in any "aggressive-manner" you may be punished for making others look bad on the news.

Sheep going outside? Poppycock! get back in your cubicles before you hurt yourselves!!

that reminds me:

almost time for another inclement weather ascent...

I have health insurance through my wife employer...I didn't specifically go out and get insurance. Will they cover an injury from climbing in that case? It wasn't like I filled out a questionnaire or anything starting my activities.

I won't even comment on the state of the US health care system as we've already seen the firestorm that generates.

Ok I can't resist...US private health insurance BLOWS! completely for profit medical care is so wrong. I think we need some hybrid system between government and private enterprise to satisfy everyone and keep some financial benefit in there. That way we keep all the richy rich doctors happy and stay competitive that way. F*&K the insurance executives!

oh no we'll be SOCIALISTS! I know, I know all my friends in Europe HATE their government controlled lives where everyone gets medical treatment. THE HORROR!

That's a good point, I got my Heath insurance though work also. They didn't ask me any questions, I don't think. So would they deny coverage if I get hurt climbing because I didn't call them up and specifically tell them?

Paul Hunnicutt wrote:I have health insurance through my wife employer...I didn't specifically go out and get insurance. Will they cover an injury from climbing in that case? It wasn't like I filled out a questionnaire or anything starting my activities. I won't even comment on the state of the US health care system as we've already seen the firestorm that generates. Ok I can't resist...US private health insurance BLOWS! completely for profit medical care is so wrong. I think we need some hybrid system between government and private enterprise to satisfy everyone and keep some financial benefit in there. That way we keep all the richy rich doctors happy and stay competitive that way. F*&K the insurance executives! oh no we'll be SOCIALISTS! I know, I know all my friends in Europe HATE their government controlled lives where everyone gets medical treatment. THE HORROR!

OOO thats opening a can of worms...don't let Fox news fans read this.. :P

Robin like the bird wrote:This is the same rhetoric bullshit that insurance companies use to deny people who need health insure. The company does not care one bit about you man. FUCK THEIR SHIT MAN!! If done properly climbing can be safe. Sure there are some risks, but they can be managed. Your climbing is probably going to make you much more fit and able bodied for longer. You should get care not mater who you are, or what you do. And in the political rant spirit, this is the reason why our country should have single payer health care. You would be able to have fun and know that if you get hurt that you wont go broke over it.

I'm starting a new thread related to this comment here.

Paul Hunnicutt wrote:I have health insurance through my wife employer...I didn't specifically go out and get insurance. Will they cover an injury from climbing in that case?

I've had one or two very minor injuries related to climbing, and never had any trouble getting the claims paid via my employers health plan.

I also have a life insurance policy thru an industry association - there were NO questions asked about 'leisure activities'. That might be an avenue to consider.