A solution has emerged for Greenland’s strict new insurance rules for adventure travel, which threatened to derail the season. French insurer Groupama will meet the government’s new coverage requirements.
“The insurance premium is much higher…and the company may refuse the application if it deems your experience is not convincing enough,” says Eric Bonnem of Lyon-based Expeditions Unlimited.
The Greenland Expedition Office now requires groups to secure $139,000 to cover a potential Search and Rescue. Individuals need $39,000 or $83,000 for evacuation, depending on location. Expeditions north of 78° require the higher amount.
Insurers must also guarantee direct reimbursement to the Danish or Greenland government, covering all evacuations, including those due to negligence. These strict terms have led major insurers, including IF Insurance, to refuse coverage, leaving expeditions scrambling for alternatives.
How to apply
A number of the roughly 40 applicants for 2025 expeditions have used Groupama. The company asks that adventurers seeking coverage give a detailed description of their plans, information on all team members’ experience, and a copy of their Greenland expedition permit application. Teams seeking a quote can contact Mr. Regis de Joussineau (rdejoussineau@neaurisk.fr) and submit the required documents in English or French.
The western edge of the Greenland Ice Sheet. Photo: Ash Routen
While this is a solution, it comes at a cost. Bonnem estimates that the cost per team member ranges from $4,300 for a west-east ice sheet crossing to $6,500 for a south-north snowkite journey, depending on the project and group size. Expedition costs decrease with larger groups, since Greenland authorities expect to evacuate entire parties during rescues rather than leave anyone behind.
This added financial burden may deter many from attempting independent crossings in the future.
