Everest Base Camp - Insurance Selection for Malaysians

Malaysia is a beautiful country. We have mountains, rivers, reserved forest, islands, seas... It's a heaven for nature-loving people and adventurers... This encourage and nurtured generations of hikers, mountaineers and outdoor enthusiast.    

Everest Base Camp, though not the toughest, still represents the holy grail for many amateur hikers (at least for me). What could possibly beat the view of the highest point on earth - Mount Everest. In fact, I consider standing 3000m below the summit a lifelong achievement.  

Sunrise view of Everest (8848m - left) and Nuptse (7879m - right) peaks from Kala Patthar (5545m), 22 May 2018.

Insurance is key, especially when you'll heading to the Himalayas. EBC is at an altitude of 5400m, while the view point Kalapattar is at 5550m. At these altitude, anything can happen. Unfortunately, the choices of insurance (Malaysia) is limited. I took time to email all the below insurers to find out the best choice. 

In 2013, my friends and I attempted Annapurna Base Camp (ABC) via Phokara. We took AIG Travel Guard back then, as it gave unlimited altitude coverage. However, fast forward to 2018, the maximum coverage is at 4000m. In other words, anything happens beyond 4000m, you are on your own. An 18-day coverage cost around RM 135.00. 

ABC is at 4130m, and should still be fine. However, for EBC, you'll spend half your time trekking above 4000m. It wasn't very suitable. 

Zurich TravelPac costs almost the same, but would not cover hiking at all. 

Worldnomads is a Dutch insurer, who could cover everything you need for EBC hike. But it costs a whopping USD 112 for a Malaysian Resident. I felt it was a bit expensive. Prior experience to ABC showed that I was fine at the altitude of 4130m, I felt confident. 

AXA Affin, which I once bought for my 2-week backpack in Europe, would not cover any injuries or issues related to Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS). However, they can provide emergency evacuation at any altitude, as long as it is not related to AMS. In other words, should you suffer some life threatening injury not related to AMS, at say 5500m, you should be covered by AXA. It cost RM 112 for 18 days, with maximum claim up to RM300,000. 

I went for AXA Affin, and bought the policy online. Very simple steps. 

I would later claim RM 2200 from AXA Affin due to travel delays. Payment was done online into my bank account. It is important to keep all receipts, flight itinerary, letters indicating delays for insurance claim. 

So far, AXA Affin (https://digital.axa.com.my/travel-insurance-malaysia/) has proved to be a reliable insurer for all my travel insurance needs.