Travel insurance for backpackers and other habitual nomads

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Most of us here at World Nomads have spent long stretches of time on the road. Travelling so many nights away from home can cause some serious side effects – forgetting who you are, where you are, and the terms of your travel insurance policy. Be sure to keep a copy of your plan close by so you can refer to the details of your coverage.

What’s covered?

Longer-term travel sets you up for doing way more things than you would on a trip of a week or just a few days. With a World Nomads plan, you’re covered for a wide variety of adventure activities, depending on whether you purchase our Standard or Explorer plan. Additional premiums for certain activities may apply. We also cover:

  • Emergency medical treatment
  • Air Evacuation
  • Trip Cancellation and Interruption; and
  • Baggage delay and theft.

Can I get World Nomads insurance if I'm an expat?

If you call Canada home, but are always on the road, you can still purchase a World Nomads plan as a Canadian. To qualify, you must be a Canadian resident or citizen with proof of a Canadian residential address (a current driver’s license, for example).

Why World Nomads?

World Nomads offers a number of perks that makes buying travel insurance flexible and easy:

Planning a long trip?

Don't forget to pack World Nomads travel insurance for your next trip. Whether you're headed off for a months-long backpacking adventure, or embarking on a gap year, World Nomads will be with you every step of the way with:

  • 24/7 emergency services
  • Medical cover
  • Gear cover
  • Trip cancellation
  • And more...

Altitude Sickness in Peru

After a full-day tour to Chacaltaya and Valle de la luna, I started to get dizzy, had difficulty breathing and strong pains in my chest. The next morning I contacted World Nomads Emergency Assistance and was directed to Clinica del Sur from La Paz, where I stayed 24 hours under medical surveillance for altitude sickness. After being discharged from the hospital, I continued on my next tour. Yet suddenly I felt a strong pain in my chest and got a headache, so I returned to the medical clinic for an hour of oxygen treatment. The next morning, I flew back to Lima, which was safely at sea level.
Canadian in Peru

Travel Insurance Benefits: how we can take care of you

Trip Cancellation

Protect your hard earned vacation from unexpected cancellation.

  • Explorer Plan: $5,000
  • Standard Plan: $2,500
Trip Protection
  • Are you, your family sick, injured or deceased?
  • Strike at your departure or arrival point?
  • Official travel advisory warning not to travel?

We’ve got your back.

Emergency Medical Insurance

Take the pain out of medical or dental costs.

  • Explorer Plan: $10 million
  • Standard Plan: $5 million
Emergency Medical Insurance
  • Accidentally injured?
  • Suddenly sick?
  • Need prescription meds?

We’ve got your back.

Emergency Evacuation & Repatriation

We’ll get you to hospital or home quickly.

  • Explorer Plan: $500,000
  • Standard Plan: $500,000
Emergency Evacuation & Repatriation
  • Banged up abroad?
  • Need to get to a hospital urgently?
  • You or a family member deceased?

Help starts here.

Protect your gear

Covers the theft, damage or delay of your bags, tech and sports gear.

  • Explorer Plan: $3,000
  • Standard Plan: $1,000
Protect your gear
  • Passport or gear stolen?
  • Tech trashed?
  • Bags delayed?

Help starts here.

  • Emergency Medical Expenses
  • Emergency Dental for Injury or Sickness
  • Bedside Companion Travel and Subsistence
  • Emergency Professional Services
  • Emergency Evacuation and Repatriation
  • Return of Travel Companion/Dependent Children
  • Return to Your Trip Destination
  • Return of Remains
  • Travel Accident
  • Flight Accident
  • Trip Cancellation
  • Trip Interruption
  • Trip Delay
  • Baggage and Personal Effects Theft or Damage
  • Baggage and Sporting Equipment Delay
  • Travel Documents Theft or Damage
  • Sporting Equipment Theft or Loss by a Common Carrier
  • Covered Adventure Sports listed in Policy
Assistance Services Included
  • LiveTravelTM Emergency Assistance
  • Worldwide Travel Assistance
  • Adventure Travel Hotline
  • 24/7 Security
  • Travel Medical Assistance
  • Bag Trak
This is a general summary for Canadian residents only. It does not include all terms, conditions, limitations, exclusions and termination provisions of the travel insurance plans described. Coverage may not be available for residents of all provinces. Check the Travel Insurance Policy for full details.

We cover 250+ activities you love

Snow 20 activities
Water 43 activities
Air 13 activities
Land 61 activities
Sports 75 activities
Experiences 12 activities
  • Scuba diving
  • Mountain biking
  • Surfing
  • Bungee jumping
  • Skiing
Activities shown in blue are automatically included in the Standard Plan and the Explorer Plan. Activities shown in orange require an optional upgrade for coverage to apply. Special conditions and exclusions may apply to certain activities, check the Travel Insurance Policy for full details.

24/7 emergency assistance

Whether you need medical or dental assistance or advice, emergency evacuation or travel assistance, our team are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year before and during your trip.

Are you in need of emergency assistance right now?

Telephone +1 866 878 0192 (toll-free from Canada and the Continental U.S.) or +1 416 646 3723 (collect from anywhere else in the world)

Contact the team
Wherever you are, we’re here 24/7 to help you in any emergency.
Aurelie's portrait photo
Aurelie Menard,
Emergency Assistance, World Nomads

Travel insurance. Simple & flexible.

Travel insurance for independent travellers and intrepid families. Nobody wants to think about all the things that could go wrong on their trip, but these things can and do happen. So be prepared and get your travel insurance today.

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FAQ

Here are our most frequently asked questions. You can also visit our community page at Ask a Nomad, or ask the team your own question by pressing the link below.

Can't see your question?

Ask a question

  • What's covered if I need to cancel my trip?
    There's coverage in both Standard and Explorer plans for pre-paid transportation and accommodation expenses if you need to cancel because the doctor certifies that you're medically unfit to travel, or you, your travel companion or a close relative is hospitalized or dies, among other covered reasons. For more details, click here.
  • What if I get sick while travelling?
    If you’re injured in an accident or suddenly get sick while travelling, you can be covered for emergency medical treatment including: hospitalization; out-patient treatment; prescribed medicines, and diagnostic tests; and being brought home if medically necessary. If you’re participating in any adventure sports, make sure your plan covers them. You may need to upgrade depending on your choice of activities.