In recent years, after promoting mountain climbing risks through various channels, the awareness of purchasing insurance among hikers has increased. Coupled with the relaxation of rules allowing even individuals to buy mountaineering insurance, the uptake of such insurance in the past year has been more enthusiastic than before. Property insurance companies report that by the end of July this year, the annual insured amount has already doubled compared to previous years.
According to statistics from the Insurance Development and Research Center, the premium income for mountaineering insurance in 2017 was NT$5.72 million, with claims already amounting to NT$3.5 million, resulting in a claims ratio of 61%. This year, with more cities and counties requiring hikers to purchase mountaineering insurance and allowing individual purchases, the insured amount in the first seven months reached NT$6.047 million, surpassing the full-year total of last year and showing a year-on-year growth of 104%.
Taiwan is one of the countries
The counties and cities currently implementing autonomous regulations on mountain climbing activities include Taichung City, Hualien County, Nantou County, Miaoli County, and Pingtung County. If a mountain-related accident occurs due to violation of these autonomous regulations, the full cost of search and rescue operations will be required to be paid in accordance with the regulations. The public should pay attention to relevant laws and regulations before climbing to protect their own rights and interests.
The approved comprehensive mountain climbing insurance offered by property insurance companies covers death, disability, and medical expenses resulting from mountain climbing accidents (such as landslides, falls, altitude sickness, hypothermia, and heatstroke), as well as costs incurred for search operations, medical evacuation, and body transport due to such accidents.
However, purchasing mountain climbing insurance does not mean that all risks in the event of a mountain accident are transferred to the insurance company. Property insurance companies point out that it is important to be aware of the “exclusions” of mountain climbing insurance. In addition to general exclusions such as intentional acts, criminal behavior, war, and nuclear incidents, emergency rescue expenses incurred by the insured when entering areas without required permits or in prohibited zones will not be covered by the insurance company.
Additionally, search expenses incurred within 24 hours after the insured’s scheduled descent time (except in cases where the insured is missing) also fall under the excluded items.
Fubon Insurance suggests that, in addition to preparing for terrain, environment, temperature changes, and personal equipment before participating in mountain climbing activities, the public should also make good use of insurance to share the pressure after an accident. They expect the sales of mountain climbing insurance to grow steadily.