How to Insure Climbing Competitions Without Breaking the Bank

The Competition Insurance Problem

You want to host a climbing competition. It's great for community building, brings new people into your gym, and can be a solid revenue generator. But then you call your insurance broker about coverage and get quoted $2,500-$5,000 for event insurance.

Suddenly, your profitable competition idea doesn't look so profitable anymore.

What Your Annual Policy Actually Covers

Start here: call your current insurance provider and ask specifically what your general liability policy covers during competitions. Most policies cover:

• Your gym's liability if someone sues due to premises issues
• Basic operational activities that are part of your normal business

What they typically DON'T cover:

• Special event activities outside normal operations
• Participants' medical expenses
• Vendors or sponsors at your event
• Spectators in non-climbing areas

The Smart Way to Bridge the Gap

Instead of buying expensive one-time event insurance, consider per-participant accident coverage. Here's why this works better:

• Cost scales with attendance (20 competitors = much cheaper than 200)
• Covers participants' medical expenses if they get injured
• No annual commitment
• Often cheaper than traditional event insurance

What About Waivers?

Every competitor should sign a waiver—but don't make the mistake of thinking waivers are insurance. A waiver might protect you in court, but it does nothing to pay medical bills or prevent bad publicity when someone gets hurt.

The climbing gyms crushing it with competitions use waivers AND participant protection. Competitors appreciate knowing they're covered, and the gym doesn't get stuck in awkward conversations about who pays for the ER visit.

Youth Competition Considerations

If you're hosting youth competitions, multiply everything by 2x for caution:

• Require parental consent forms
• Medical information on file for every participant
• Higher staff-to-participant ratios
• Absolutely require accident protection coverage

The Revenue Model That Works

Smart gyms build the cost of protection into the registration fee. Instead of charging $30 per competitor and hoping nothing goes wrong, charge $35 and include accident protection.

Competitors see "Registration includes accident coverage" and feel like they're getting extra value. You sleep better knowing that if someone gets hurt, their medical bills are covered. And you earn a commission on the coverage.

Making It Happen

For your next competition:

1. Check with your current insurance provider about what's covered
2. Add per-participant accident protection for all competitors
3. Build the cost into registration fees
4. Market it as a benefit: "All competitors covered by accident protection"

You'll host better events, competitors will appreciate the extra care, and you won't be sweating the liability risk.