Don’t worry, be happy. It will soon pass, whatever it is.
You have 3 options - pick one:
OPTION 1: ALLIANZ INSURANCE - SOLID COVER AT LOW COST
New Zealand
- NZ$103 Expedition I - Mera - from here.
- NZ$88 Expedition II - Annapurna - from here.
Australia
- AU$143 Expedition 1 - Mera - from here.
Singapore
- SG$158 Expedition I - Mera - from here.
- SG$136 Expedition II - Annapurna - from here.
Allianz:
Covers all typical needs, including Covid before and after departure (including if a travel companion or family member get Covid, or you are suspected to have Covid as a named close contact).
Does not cover you if any country does a general lock down before or after departure.
“Likely” cover you to 6,500m from NZ (see page 9, #14(xii) vs #14(iv)), do not from SG (see page 30, #12), nor from AU (see page 22).
Optional add-on for Private Expedition I to Mera - While Allianz may do a quality mountain rescue, you can help ensure this by adding Global Rescue Emergency Evacuation for US$169.
If you want more than Allianz offers, hit them up direct, or try CoverMore (no go from NZ) or World Nomads. Otherwise, go for option 2 or 3 below …
OPTION 2: GLOBAL RESCUE INSURANCE - HIGH COVER AT HIGH COST
For a total of US$634 Global Rescue Travel Insurance (US$465) + Emergency Evacuation (US$169) will cover all typical needs (like Allianz above) plus to any altitude from NZ, SG and AU, plus any country’s general lock down.
(Or for a total of US$867 Global Rescue Travel Insurance (US$698) + Emergency Evacuation (US$169) also includes Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) and Interruption For Any Reason (IFAR) add-ons, that pay out 75% of trip costs for ANY cancel/interruption reason).
Problem - Nepal is not currently covered (see page 20, #26) due to current negative USA travel advisory!
OPTION 3: IMG INSURANCE - TOTAL COVER AT HIGH COST
For US$580 IMG Travel Insurance will cover all typical needs (like Allianz above) plus to any altitude from NZ, SG and AU and any country general lock down (like Global Rescue above), plus while there’s a negative USA travel advisory.
(Or for US$871 you can also get Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) and Interruption For Any Reason (IFAR) add-ons that pay out 75% of trip costs for ANY cancel/interruption reason).
Optional add-on for Private Expedition I to Mera - While IMG may do a quality mountain rescue, you can help ensure this by adding Global Rescue Emergency Evacuation for US$169.
But the secret here is to pay US40 for Nepal medical only, by reducing the sum insured to $200 - this covers you to top of the world.
WHAT SHOULD YOU DO?
It all comes down to your personal risk tolerance.
Sarah and Maria will be great with Option 1. So will you all coming from NZ - if you’re happy with Kristen’s (good) assessment.
I selected Option 1 = Allianz (SG$158) for typical coverage (but it will not go over 3,000m) + IMG Travel Insurance (US$41) for full alpine recovery and medical cover.
I may want to add Global Rescue Emergency Evacuation (US$169) to this, if I want total crazy cover.
I am unlikely to to add the CFAR/IFAR add-ons.
TIMELINE TO PAY INSURANCE
Do not pay insurance until its necessary. See more here.