Whether you’re a backpacker aiming to head overseas to work a ski season, looking to study abroad for a semester, or simply taking a gap year, World Nomads can offer travel insurance coverage to help you in case the unexpected happens while exploring the globe.

While travelling overseas brings risk, you can consider managing that risk with travel insurance, so you know you’ll have help at hand if something goes wrong.  

What’s covered when backpacking

The right travel insurance can be very helpful in keeping your trip on track. World Nomads offers two policies – Standard and Explorer - that can be helpful when backpacking overseas.

Our Standard and Explorer plans are designed to provide cover for sudden and unforeseen events on your next overseas adventure, such as being left empty-handed when the airline loses your luggage, if you need to see a doctor if you are hurt or unwell, and for many other reasons.

World Nomads may offer cover for the following (up to the policy limits):

• Cancellation protection: trip cancellations happen from time to time and travel insurance can help when the unexpected forces you to cancel your trip. Depending on what’s happened, we may pay for the value of your unused, non-refundable expenses.
• Overseas emergency medical: exploring the world with a backpack can be great experience, but not if it ends in sickness or an injury. Your policy may cover you for your overseas medical expenses, up to the policy limits and when agreed by us. You can submit a claim to recover unexpected medical expenses while backpacking abroad.
• Family cover: it includes overseas medical expenses for up to 12 months after sudden illness or injury. There’s also cover for dental treatment under both Standard and Explorer plans.
• Delayed baggage: it can be a pain, however, if it’s been 12 hours and there’s no sign of your bags yet, insurance will cover you for the cost of some basic replacements such as pyjamas, toothbrush, and shampoo.

Traveller tip: if you’ve already arrived at your overseas holiday destination and forgot to buy travel insurance before leaving New Zealand, don’t panic. You can visit the World Nomads website at any time of the day or night to purchase a policy.

Does my plan include cover for Coronavirus related events?

Living in a post-pandemic world is still a little worrying, so knowing what Coronavirus coverage you have is smart. If you test positive to Coronavirus after buying your policy the Explorer Plan will cover you for any non-refundable portion of your prepaid travel arrangements.

World Nomads’ travel insurance plans include cover for some Coronavirus-related events. You can read more about it in our Coronavirus cover article, which has all of the details, including terms, conditions, benefit limits and exclusions.

Note: don’t forget to keep all receipts and written reports to support your insurance claim.

Travel insurance tips for backpackers

• Rookie backpacker? Travel light and keep gear to a minimum. For example, instead of a standard towel, take a small microfibre towel which dries faster and takes up less space. Always keep your bags within sight. If your gear gets stolen or accidentally damaged while travelling having travel insurance may cover you so you can replace the important stuff.
• Free-spirited adventurer? Make sure you select the right policy for your adventure sport or activities. You need to know that running with the bulls in Pamplona is not covered but hiking, bungee jumping, and scuba diving are. Check our list of sports and activities (and avoid uninsured activities).
• Safety first: backpacking is about getting out of your comfort zone, trying new things and being spontaneous. However, you should know that your insurance will not cover you for any accidents that happen when drugs, alcohol or reckless behaviour are involved.
• Travelling on a tight budget? Who isn’t? Backpacking is great for the budget-conscious but knowing when to cut costs and when to spend is key. Travel insurance is a worthwhile expense. As a wise person once said, if you can’t afford travel insurance, you can’t afford to travel.
• Travelling long term? If you decide to travel a bit longer than your policy then you can usually extend your coverage, and you can buy while overseas, too.
• Adventurous backpacker? You may need to check which of the adventure sports you want to do is covered by our policies. For example, running with the bulls in Pamplona is not covered (and isn’t ethical anyway) but white-water rafting is covered.
• Working while travelling? There may be some cover for admin work but it’s unlikely that there will be cover for manual labour. An upgrade may be possible to cover work such as maintenance, cleaning or bartending.

What’s not covered

Travel insurance is not designed to cover everything so understanding what’s not covered is important. There are several situations we can cover you for, but there are also some we just won’t cover.

These include, but are not limited to:

• If you ignore government advice, such as a ‘Do Not Travel’ warning you won’t be covered for any costs that arise as a result.
• If you know you’re going to be in close contact (or can’t avoid close contact) with a case of Coronavirus during your trip, then we won’t pay costs associated with your own coronavirus diagnosis.
• If you can’t provide any written evidence of the incident or receipts for your expenses, you won’t be covered.
• If you don’t keep your gear safe and secure at all times.
• Expenses that can be recovered from other sources e.g. transport carriers, accommodation providers or other insurance policies

This is only a summary of coverage and does not include the full terms, conditions, limitations and exclusions of the policy. You should read your Policy Document in full so you understand what is and isn’t covered. That way there won’t be any surprises if you need to use it. If you have any questions, please get in touch.

The information provided is of a general nature and is provided for information purposes only. It does not constitute financial advice in any form, and should not be relied on as a substitute for obtaining professional advice that is specific to your circumstances. You should seek advice from a financial advice provider if you would like further information about whether a particular product is appropriate for you and your circumstances.

Some FAQs

• Am I covered if I travel to a country not specified on my policy?
  Backpacking often means going wherever the breeze blows you, but before you decide to cross the border into a country not specified on your Certificate of Insurance, check with us if your policy will extend to that country or region.

• Can I extend my policy while still travelling?
  Yes, it’s possible to extend your existing policy while still travelling and before its expiry date, for up to 12 months from the start date. Our Help center article on amending, extending, or cancelling a policy may also come in handy.

Some FAQs

• Am I covered if I travel to a country not specified on my policy?
  Backpacking often means going wherever the breeze blows you, but before you decide to cross the border into a country not specified on your Certificate of Insurance, check with us if your policy will extend to that country or region.

• Can I extend my policy while still travelling?
  Yes, it’s possible to extend your existing policy while still travelling and before its expiry date, for up to 12 months from the start date. Our Help center article on amending, extending, or cancelling a policy may also come in handy.

Whether you’re planning on going to Iceland, South Africa, Argentina, Thailand, or Canada, preparation is key when you are including many activities and outdoor adventures. Learning about the sports, checking the route, and packing the right gear if the weather rolls in are just some things to have in mind. You should consider packing travel insurance if an unexpected accident or sudden illness stops you in your tracks.

We’ve designed our travel insurance plans to offer cover for more than 150 adventure sports and activities ranging from hiking, zip lining, dog sledding, scuba diving, skiing, white water rafting and more. Remember to check your policy as your level of activity and sports cover is subject to terms and conditions, limitations and exclusions.

• Adventure sports, travel insurance and what’s covered by our plans
• What activities are covered?
• Questions to ask when choosing a plan
• What’s not covered

Adventure sports, travel insurance and what’s covered by our plans

The following is a small sample of what World Nomads plans offer (up to the benefit limits):

Emergency medical and evacuation coverage: if at any time during your trip, you or any of your traveling companions becomes sick or injured, then you’ll need to contact our 24/7 Emergency Assistance team right away. They can help to locate the nearest hospital or medical centre and will facilitate your repatriation back to your Country of Residence if appropriate

Trip cancellation coverage: if you or anyone in your party gets sick or injured and needs to cancel their holiday plans, we may cover the non-refundable travel expenses. Please note that the traveler must have already been issued with our Certificate of Insurance to be eligible for cancellation coverage.

Coverage for extended stays: if you’re having an awesome time on your trip and choose to delay your return home to your Country of Residence, then you may also extend your travel insurance policy. You must not have had any change to your health, submitted a claim or intend to and are 69 years old or younger at the time to be eligible to extend.  This must be done prior to 11:59pm on the return date that is listed on your policy. The policy may be extended for a total of 12 months from the start date that is indicated on your Certificate of Insurance.

Coverage for baggage and personal belongings: if your baggage or personal items are lost, damaged or stolen, then you’ll need to submit receipts, along with police reports or statements from your carrier (if the belongings were lost in transit).

Your coverage will vary according to your Country of Residence and whether you choose a Standard or an Explorer plan. Read your policy wording for details on terms and conditions, maximum benefit limits, and exclusions of your coverage.

Extra coverage options in case Coronavirus catches you off-guard

You may be covered for medically necessary expenses if you get Coronavirus. To find out what cover applies to you, read our Coronavirus cover article, which has all the details, including benefit limits, conditions, and exclusions.

If you forgot to buy travel insurance before you left home, you can purchase while you’re traveling (a waiting period may apply for some benefits).

What activities are covered?

During your holiday, you may wish to try activities and sports that aren’t commonly done back home in your Country of Residence. 

Before purchasing your travel insurance policy, check your policy wording to make sure that all the sports and activities that you intend to do are covered. World Nomads provides travel insurance for over 150 activities, sports and experiences. While this list might seem immense, it doesn’t cover everything. That’s why you should never take for granted that your preferred activities will be covered.

The following are only some of the many sports and activities covered under our policies:

• Kayaking
• Hiking
• Surfing
• Sandboarding
• Snorkelling

An upgrade for certain sports may be required depending on your Country of Residence and the plan you’ve selected. Our terms and conditions apply for each sport. Check your policy for details or contact us if you have questions.

Questions to ask when choosing a plan

When hunting around for a travel insurance policy, you might be tempted to take the most cost-effective cover without reading through the policy wording first. There are different policies to cover different types of holidays, and although reading this document can be a tedious task, it’s best to familiarise yourself with all the benefits, policy limits and exclusions before you buy your cover.

World Nomads offer two travel insurance plans, the Standard Plan and the Explorer Plan. Both plans may offer protection for many of the same types of risks and can cover the costs associated with hospitalisation, repatriation, replacing lost baggage, as well as other unplanned for expenses.

However, the Explorer Plan offers a wider level of cover, with a greater range of benefits, and higher policy limits. For instance, you might wish to include cover for hiking or diving on your trip. Therefore, when choosing between the two plans, you would need to know the exact altitudes of your hiking trips and the depths of your planned dives.

Please check your policy wording when choosing any activities or sports as you may need to upgrade the policy and sporting level to ensure you’re covered for everything you plan to do. Many activities have specific conditions and exclusions that you should read up on before you go. Before choosing the right type of cover for your holiday, you need to research the details of any activities, sports, and tours you will be participating in, to make sure you make you have an adequate level of cover.

When deciding which policy is best suited to your adventures you might want to consider:

• What kind of activities will I be doing on holiday?
• What activities are my travel buddies planning?
• What cover do the two different plans offer for these activities?
• What exclusions might apply?

Note: It’s important you choose your policy carefully as you can’t upgrade from a Standard Plan to an Explorer Plan mid-trip.

What’s not covered

Here are just a few examples of what is not covered under our plans. Please refer to your policy for the complete list.

• Pre-existing medical conditions.
• If you do not use a professional qualified and licenced guide or operator where required.
• Any search or rescue operations to find or rescue you from a life-threatening situation.
• If you refuse to be repatriated or evacuated for further treatment on the reasonable recommendation of the 24/7 Emergency Assistance Team.
• Damage to any sports or activity equipment while in use.
• Unattended baggage or personal items.
• You are behaving in a reckless manner, or your actions are in breach of the local laws.
• If you participate in any sport or engage in any activity on a professional basis during your overseas holiday.

Overseas adventure activity tips to help you have a safer experience

Your activity operator should be certified/accredited

Whichever country you’re traveling through, it always pays to be prepared. Here are some general tips for international travelers to keep in mind.

Be careful with valuables - wallets poking out of back pockets or unzipped handbags displaying the contents inside are irresistible attractions for pickpockets and muggers. Keep all valuable items safely concealed on your body, or securely locked away in your hotel room when you don’t require them.

Listen to local news updates - during your stay in any country, make sure you pay attention to local news broadcasts, including weather updates. If a violent storm is expected to blast the region in the coming days, then it’s probably wise to postpone any outdoor activities or adventures you had planned until a later date.

Only work with qualified and licensed instructors - if you are planning to participate in any activities that require an instructor, then you should investigate whether that instructor has received the right training. They must be qualified to lead hiking, diving, abseiling, or other types of tours and be registered with the governing association for their recreational activity.

There may be specific terms, conditions, limitations and exclusions that apply depending on what you'll be doing. Of course, always read the full terms, conditions limitations and exclusions in the plan you choose so there’ll be no surprises if you need to use it. If you are unsure of your level of travel cover, please contact us for help.

When planning an overseas holiday with mates, it’s not always easy to agree on the types of activities you’re going to do. Whether it’s hiking, skiing, scuba diving, or other outdoor adventures that you decide on, you may want to consider purchasing travel insurance before you leave.

Even the most careful of travellers should consider having appropriate cover in place, especially if planning on a mix of outdoor activities that will test physical and mental abilities.

• Adventure sports, travel insurance and what’s covered by our plans
• What activities are covered?
• Questions to ask when choosing a plan
• What’s not covered

Adventure sports, travel insurance and what’s covered by our plans

The following is a small sample of what World Nomads plans offer (up to the benefit limits):

Emergency medical and evacuation coverage: if at any time during your trip, you or any of your travelling companions become sick or injured, then you’ll need to contact our 24/7 Emergency Assistance Team right away. They can help find the nearest hospital or medical centre and will facilitate your repatriation back to Australia if your treating doctor believes this to be medically necessary.

Trip cancellation coverage: if you or anyone in your party gets sick or injured and you need to cancel your holiday plans, we may cover the non-refundable travel expenses. Please note that the traveller must have already been issued with a travellers Certificate of Insurance from World Nomads to have cancellation coverage available to them.

Coverage for extended stays: if you’re having an awesome time on your trip, and choose to delay your return home, then you may be eligible to also extend your travel insurance policy. You must not have had any change to your health, submitted a claim or intend to and are 69 years old or younger at the time to be eligible to extend. This must be done prior to 11:59pm on the return date that is listed on your policy. The policy may be extended for a total of 12 months from the start date that is indicated on your Certificate of Insurance.

Coverage for baggage and personal belongings: if your baggage or personal items are lost, damaged or stolen, then you’ll need to submit receipts, along with police reports or statements from your carrier (if the belongings were lost in transit).

Your coverage will vary according to whether you choose a Standard or an Explorer plan. The features and benefits described are a summary of cover only. Cover is subject to the full terms, conditions, limitations and exclusions outlined in the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS).

What activities are covered?

During your holiday, you may wish to try activities and sports that aren’t commonly played back home in Australia.  

Before purchasing your travel insurance policy, check your PDS to make sure that all the sports and activities that you intend to do are covered. World Nomads provides travel insurance for more than 220+ activities, sports and experiences. While this list might seem exhaustive, it doesn’t cover everything. That’s why you should never take for granted that your preferred activities will be covered.

The following are only some of the many sports and activities covered under our policies:

• Kayaking
• Hiking
• Surfing
• Sandboarding

An upgrade for certain sports may be required and terms and conditions apply for each sport. Check your policy for details or contact us if you have questions.

Questions to ask when choosing a plan

When hunting around for a travel insurance policy, you might be tempted to take the most cost-effective cover without reading through the PDS first. There are different policies to cover different types of holidays, and although reading this document can be a tedious task, it’s best to familiarise yourself with all the benefits, policy limits and exclusions before you purchase your cover.

World Nomads offer two travel insurance plans, the Standard Plan and the Explorer Plan. Both plans may offer protection for many of the same types of risks and can cover the costs associated with hospitalisation, repatriation, replacing lost baggage, as well as other unplanned for expenses.

However, the Explorer Plan offers a level of cover, with a wider range of benefits, and higher policy limits. For instance, you might wish to include cover for hiking or diving on your trip. Therefore, when choosing between the two plans, you would need to know the exact altitudes of your hiking trips and the depths of your planned dives.

As with many of the other activities that we cover, there are different levels of cover for hiking. For example, hiking trips to an altitude of 2,000 metres is classed as Level 1. Hikes to an altitude of 6,000 metres are listed as Level 3. There is no cover under our policies for hiking expeditions that exceed an altitude of 6,000 metres.

Before choosing the right type of cover for your holiday, you need to research the details of any activities, sports, and tours you will be participating in, to make sure the cover is adequate for you.

When deciding which policy is best suited to your adventures you might want to consider:

• What kind of activities will I be doing on holiday?
• What activities are my travel buddies planning?
• What cover do the two different plans offer for these activities?
• What exclusions might apply?

Note: It’s important you choose your policy carefully as you can’t upgrade from a Standard Plan to an Explorer Plan mid-trip.

What’s not covered

Here are just a few examples of what is not covered under our plans. Please refer to your policy for the complete list.

• Existing medical conditions: cover is usually not offered for existing medical conditions. Although, there's automatic cover for over 40 existing medical conditions when certain criteria are met. Please check your PDS for the full details.
• If you are under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
• If you do not use a professional qualified and licenced guide or operator where required.
• Any search or rescue operations to find or rescue you from a life-threatening situation.
• If you refuse to be repatriated or evacuated for further treatment on the reasonable recommendation of the 24/7 Emergency Assistance Team.
• Damage to sporting equipment while in use.
• Unattended baggage or personal items.
• You are behaving in a reckless manner, or your actions are in breach of the local laws.
• If you participate in any sport or engage in any activity on a professional basis during your overseas holiday.

Overseas adventure activity tips to help you have a safer experience

Your activity operator should be certified/accredited

Whichever country you’re travelling through it always helps to be prepared, here are some general tips for Australian travellers to keep in mind.

Be careful with valuables – wallets poking out of back pockets or unzipped handbags displaying the contents inside are irresistible attractions for pickpockets and muggers. Keep all valuable items safely concealed on your body, or securely locked away in your hotel room when you don’t require them.

Listen to local news updates – during your stay in any country, make sure you pay attention to local news broadcasts, including weather updates. If a violent storm is expected to blast the region in the coming days, then it’s probably wise to postpone any outdoor activities or adventures you had planned until a later date.

Only work with qualified and licensed instructors – if you are planning to participate in any activities that require an instructor, then you should make sure the instructor has received the right training. They must be qualified and licenced to lead hiking, diving, abseiling, or other types of tours and be registered with the governing association for their recreational activity.

There may be specific terms, conditions, limitations and exclusions that apply depending on what you'll be doing. Of course, always read the full terms, conditions limitations and exclusions in the plan you choose so there’ll be no surprises if you need to use it. If you are unsure of your level of travel cover, please contact us for help.