Climbing and mountaineering are growing as a sport yet they can be potentially hazardous and occasionally fatal. By asking the right questions about the type of climbing, underwriters can ensure the correct price is charged for the risk explains Nicky Bray
We tend to think about 'mountaineering' in terms of trying to reach the peak of the highest of them all, Mount Everest, or of expeditions such as the one recently completed by the Red Nose Comic Relief team to reach the summit of Kilimanjaro.
However, there are actually thousands of hills and peaks across the world which could be called 'mountains' and, with the definition of a mountain varying between countries, it can sometimes be difficult for walkers and climbers to categorise what they do. In the UK, we normally think of a mountain as any hill or peak over either 600 or 900 metres, or 3,000 feet in Scotland.
According to The Active People Survey 2 carried out on behalf of Sport England between October 2007 and 2008, 'mountaineering' - which included rock climbing, indoor climbing, solo climbing, sport climbing, high altitude mountaineering and hill trekking - was the tenth fastest growing sport in England. This increase is echoed in figures from the British Mountaineering Council (BMC), with membership doubling since 1995 to a current level of over 67,000 members.
Different types of climbing bring different risks. Hillwalking, hiking, trekking and scrambling involve only easy climbing and, at least in summer months, rarely require any special skills, training or equipment.
Rock climbing, whether indoors on an artificial wall, or outdoors on a rock face or cliff will have different levels of severity, with various systems of grading used in different countries. In the UK, rock climbing tends to be graded from 'easy', through 'moderate' and 'difficult', up to 'extreme' and including nine grades of 'extreme' from E1 up to above E9.
Indoor climbing tends to be relatively safe with the climber either fully roped or landing on soft crash-mats if they fall. Outdoor rock climbing may be done on 'bolted' climbs where the rope is looped through pre-fixed bolts on the rock and another person 'belays' or holds the other end of the rope; in this way, if the climber slips, the belayer will stop them falling by using their weight on the other end of the rope. Solo or free climbing i.e. without the use of ropes or aids, is much more dangerous and can result in serious injuries including spinal and head injuries.
The risks of traditional mountaineering are generally in relation to the altitude that the climber reaches and the weather conditions. Without any change in the weather, the temperature will normally fall by 1%C for every 200 metres of height gained. During long climbs, people may fall prey to the changing conditions and risk hypothermia. The deaths of climbers on Snowdon this year, including four fatalities in the space of eight days in February, have highlighted the risks associated with climbing in winter conditions even at lower heights.
As discovered by the Comic Relief team on their ascent of Kilimanjaro, the risk of acute mountain sickness (AMS) including high altitude cerebral oedema and high altitude pulmonary oedema increases at altitudes over 3,000 metres (10,000 feet). Symptoms include light-headedness, drowsiness and confusion which increase the risks of a climber either getting lost, slipping or falling, or making potentially fatal wrong decisions.
At the very extreme end of climbing is ice or glacier climbing. This is an advanced form of mountaineering which requires strength, agility and a good knowledge of how ice behaves in different conditions.
Assessing risk - important questions your customer may be asked:
- What type of climbing do they participate in?
- Whereabouts do they climb e.g. UK only, or if not, where else in the world?
- Do they ever climb alone?
- How often do they climb?
- The maximum heights and grade/severity of the climbs?
- Do they, or have they, ever taken part in any special expeditions?
- Are they a member of the BMC or any other recognised organisation?
- Have they had any training or hold any professional qualifications and if so, from which organisation?
Rating risk
Indoor climbing, hillwalking, scrambling and trekking in the UK would normally be acceptable at ordinary rates for life cover.
For those doing outdoor rock climbing or traditional mountaineering at altitudes up to 4,000 metres a loading of up to two per mille (£2 extra per annum for every £1,000 of cover) would usually be charged with exclusions imposed for disability benefits. However, if the climbing is only in the UK and they are a member of the BMC then acceptance may be given at ordinary rates.
For climbing outside the UK and over altitudes of 4,000 metres then the loadings will range from two per mile upwards although professional mountaineers and those climbing above the 'death zone' of 8,000 metres may not be able to obtain any terms.
As various national organisations attempt to tackle obesity through encouraging more walking activities, we are likely to see more insurance applications disclosing climbing in future.
- Nicky Bray is senior underwriting developer at Zurich UK Life
Sources:
www.thebmc.co.uk
www.sportengland.org
www.munichre.com
www.rgarre.com
ww.bjsportmed.com
www.north-wales.police.uk.
