Photo © Getty Images / John Coletti

Travel insurance when visiting Ecuador

From Old Town Quito to the magnificent Galapagos, Ecuador has plenty to explore. Make sure you're covered.

    As featured in:

  • As featured in:

Ecuador is rich in culture, with historic cities, spectacular scenery and countless opportunities to get active. Exploring Ecuador's UNESCO historic centers in Quito and Cuenca, kayaking through the Amazon and hiking the Andes are all great ways to experience this country. Canadian travellers often consider the biodiverse Galapagos Islands to be the trip of a lifetime.

Emergencies can affect even the best-planned trip: natural disasters, strikes, unexpected illness and theft are just a few things that can derail your travels. You should consider travel insurance in case you need to recover losses resulting from unforeseeable events.

World Nomads may provide cover (up to the policy benefit limits) for:

World Nomads plans also offer 24/7 access to our dedicated Emergency Assistance Team.


San Rafael (Coca) Falls on Quijos River
San Rafael (Coca) Falls on Quijos River. Photo credit: Getty Images / Kevin Schafer

What travel insurance cover should I look out for when travelling to Ecuador?

A travel insurance plan that includes trip cancellation and interruption coverage can help protect your trip investment; baggage cover can help you recoup some costs in case of bag delay or loss; and emergency medical can help if you get sick or injured while on the road.

World Nomads offers two plans to choose from: the Standard Plan and the Explorer Plan. Both plans include a range of benefits such as overseas emergency medical, baggage delay, trip cancellation and cover for more than 150 activities. Our Explorer Plan offers higher benefit limits. Travel insurance does not cover everything so be sure to read your policy wording to make sure it meets your needs.

Trip cancellation and trip interruption

World Nomads Travel Insurance may cover trip cancellation due to certain unforeseen circumstances. If there’s a death in your immediate family, or if you or a close family member becomes sick or injured and a doctor says you can’t travel to Ecuador, travel insurance may reimburse any unused, non-refundable, prepaid trip arrangements. The policy will list the covered risks for trip cancellation.

While you’re on the road, a World Nomads policy can provide important benefits. If you need to cut your trip short due to an emergency back home, your trip interruption benefits may reimburse costs for your return trip home plus any forfeited prepaid, unused, non-refundable trip expenses up to the limits shown in your policy documents.

For example, if prior to your policy start date you paid in advance for a nonrefundable guided hiking trip in the Galapagos, and you are unable to depart on the trip due to a covered reason, you may be reimbursed for this non-refundable and unused trip expense.

When filing a claim for either trip cancellation or interruption, you will need to submit documentation for all forfeited, non-refundable, prepaid trip costs and associated expenses.

Overseas emergency medical coverage

Canada and Ecuador do not have reciprocal healthcare agreements, so having travel insurance that covers emergency medical expenses is a good idea. If you become ill or injured while travelling in Ecuador without overseas emergency medical cover, any emergency medical or dental costs (or even worse, emergency evacuation back to Canada) will be at your expense.

Accidents and illness can happen on vacation, from food poisoning to twisting your ankle on the cobblestones in Quito or getting in the way of an angry sea lion on San Cristobal. A travel insurance plan which offers cover for emergency overseas medical expenses may help in unexpected situations.

For information on COVID-19 related cover, read our What’s Covered for Coronavirus article.

Guayas Province, Guayaquil, Las Penas
Guayas Province, Guayaquil, Las Penas. Photo credit: Getty Images / Westend61

Access to our 24/7 Emergency Assistance Team when you need help

Having a medical emergency while travelling can be scary, but with a World Nomads travel insurance policy, you are not alone. Our 24/7 Emergency Assistance Team can help you find appropriate medical care and offer translation services, liaise with doctors and even arrange upfront payment if required.

Some of the best tourist sites in Ecuador are remote. This is where our Emergency Assistance Team can help arrange emergency medical evacuation to the closest medical facility or repatriation back to Canada when medically necessary and approved in advance by us.

Delayed, lost, or stolen baggage

If you’re checking a bag, there’s always a chance it could take a detour en route to Ecuador. If your checked baggage is delayed for 12 hours or more by an airline or ground carrier, you may be able to claim reimbursement for essential personal items while you wait for your bags.

Lost or stolen baggage and belongings may also be covered; for example, a phone swiped from your bag in a crowded Quito market, or a bag permanently lost by an airline (with travel insurance cover being secondary to airline reimbursement).

To keep your belongings safe, use a concealed money belt or cross-body bag to hold your travel documents, valuables and money. It is also recommended to be mindful of your surroundings, especially in busy tourist areas.

If your bags or belongings are damaged or stolen, file an incident report with local authorities or your airline immediately. Where theft has occurred, this must be reported to the police. You’ll need this documentation and any relevant receipts when you make a claim.

Quito from above
Quito from above. Photo credit: Getty Images / John Coletti

Cover for 150+ activities and sports when in Ecuador

Ecuador boasts no shortage of opportunities to get active, from mountain biking the legendary Mama Rumi trail to rafting on the Quijos River. Surfing, snorkeling and hiking are just a few of the activities on offer in the Galapagos. World Nomads offers travel insurance cover for more than 150 adventure activities, sports, work and volunteer experiences. Be sure to read your policy documents carefully to ensure your chosen activities are covered. You will need to add all the activities you plan on participating in to your policy during the purchase path.

What’s not covered

Travel insurance isn’t designed to cover everything – so make sure you know what you’re covered for. Some things we don’t cover include but are not limited to:

  • Losses caused by negligent policyholder behavior, so no selfies in roped-off areas or riding a scooter without a helmet.
  • Pre-existing medical conditions as explained in your policy wording.
  • Not following orders of your treating physician or Emergency Assistance Team.
  • Participation in activities or sports not listed in the plan you have purchased.
  • Stolen, lost or damaged personal belongings that were left unattended.

This is only a summary of coverage and does not include the full terms and conditions of the policy. It is important you read and understand your policy as it contains benefits, conditions, exclusions and pre-existing condition exclusions. If you do not understand your coverage, or if you have questions about your coverage, just ask us.

Travel Insurance Benefits: how we can take care of you

Trip Cancellation

Been working hard for your trip?

We'll work hard to protect it.

Trip Protection
  • Unexpectedly hospitalised?
  • Travel buddy unfit to travel?
  • Close relative suddenly dies?

We’ve got your back.

Emergency Medical Expenses

Feeling fit and healthy? What if you get sick or injured?

Take the pain out of medical or dental costs.

Emergency Medical Insurance
  • Need meds quick?
  • Accidentally injured?
  • Suddenly sick?

We’ve got your back.

Emergency Medical Transportation

Know where the nearest hospital is?

Don’t stress, we’ll get you there quickly.

Evacuation and Repatriation
  • Banged up abroad?
  • Need a hospital urgently?
  • Medivac home?

Help starts here.

Protect your gear

Love photography, filming or sport?

Cover your bags, tech or gear.

Protect your gear
  • Passport stolen?
  • Airline lost your gear?
  • Bags delayed?

Help starts here.

  • Emergency Overseas Medical & Dental Expenses
  • Emergency Medical Evacuation & Repatriation
  • Trip Cancellation or Interruption
  • 24-Hour Assistance Services
  • Baggage
  • And more (depending on your country of residence)
*This is a general summary only. Restrictions, exclusions and limitations will apply. Coverage may not be available for all countries, states or provinces. Benefit limits may vary depending on the plan chosen. Get a quote for full details.

24/7 emergency assistance

Whether you need medical assistance or emergency evacuation, our teams 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?

Contact the team
Photo © Getty Images / John Coletti

Travel insurance when visiting Ecuador

From Old Town Quito to the magnificent Galapagos, Ecuador has plenty to explore. Make sure you're covered.

    As featured in:

  • As featured in:

Ecuador is rich in culture, with historic cities, spectacular scenery and countless opportunities to get active. Exploring Ecuador's UNESCO historic centers in Quito and Cuenca, kayaking through the Amazon and hiking the Andes are all great ways to experience this country. And many travelers consider the biodiverse Galapagos Islands to be the trip of a lifetime.

Emergencies can affect even the best-planned trip: natural disasters, strikes, unexpected illness and theft are just a few things that can derail your travels. You should consider travel insurance in case you need to recoup losses resulting from unforeseeable events.

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


San Rafael (Coca) Falls on Quijos River
San Rafael (Coca) Falls on Quijos River. Photo credit: Getty Images / Kevin Schafer

What should I look out for when traveling to Ecuador?

A travel insurance plan that includes trip cancellation and interruption coverage can help protect your trip investment; baggage cover can help you recoup some costs in case of bag delay or loss; and emergency medical can help if you get sick or injured while on the road.

World Nomads offers two plans to choose from: a Standard Plan and an Explorer Plan. The Standard Plan includes a range of benefits such as overseas emergency medical, baggage delay, trip cancellation and cover for more than 150 activities. Our Explorer plan offers some additional benefits along with higher benefit limits. Travel insurance does not cover everything so be sure to read your policy wording to make sure it meets your needs.

Trip cancellation and trip interruption

World Nomads Travel Insurance may cover trip cancellation due to unforeseen circumstances. If there’s a death in your immediate family, or if you or a close family member becomes sick or injured and a doctor says you can’t travel to Ecuador, travel insurance may reimburse any non-refundable, prepaid trip arrangements.

While you’re on the road, a World Nomads policy can provide important benefits. If you need to cut your trip short due to an emergency back home, your trip interruption benefits may cover the costs for your return trip home plus any forfeited prepaid, unused, non-refundable trip expenses up to the limits shown in your Summary of Cover.

When filing a claim for either cancellation or interruption, you will need to submit documentation for all non-refundable, prepaid trip costs and associated expenses.

Overseas emergency medical coverage

Your domestic health insurance is unlikely to be accepted in Ecuador. If you become ill or injured while traveling in Ecuador without overseas travel cover, any emergency medical or dental costs (or even worse, emergency evacuation back to your home country) will be at your expense.

Accidents and illness can happen on vacation, from food poisoning to twisting your ankle on the cobblestones in Quito or getting in the way of an angry sea lion on San Cristobal. A travel insurance plan which offers cover for emergency overseas medical expenses may help in unexpected situations.

Depending on your country of residence and the plan you select, you may have cover for some COVID-19-related events. For details on cover available to you, select your Country of Residence and read our What’s Covered for Coronavirus article.

Guayas Province, Guayaquil, Las Penas
Guayas Province, Guayaquil, Las Penas. Photo credit: Getty Images / Westend61

Access to our 24/7 Emergency Assistance Team when you need help

Having a medical emergency while traveling can be scary, but with a World Nomads travel insurance policy, you are not alone. Our 24/7 Emergency Assistance Team can help you find appropriate medical care and translation services, liaise with doctors and even arrange upfront payment if required.

Some of the best sites in Ecuador are remote. This is where our Emergency Assistance Team can help arrange emergency evacuation to the closest medical facility or repatriation when medically necessary.

Delayed, lost, or stolen baggage

If you’re checking a bag, there’s always a chance it could take a detour en route to Ecuador. Bag delay benefits may cover the essentials including a change of clothes until your bag catches up with you. Waiting periods may apply and vary by policy and country of residence.

Lost or stolen baggage and belongings may also be covered, for example, a phone swiped from your bag in a crowded Quito market, or a bag permanently lost by an airline (with travel insurance cover being secondary to airline reimbursement).

To keep your belongings safe, use a concealed money belt or cross-body bag to hold your travel documents, valuables and money.

If your bags or belongings are damaged or stolen, file an incident report with local authorities or your common carrier immediately. Where theft has occurred, this must be reported to the police. You’ll need this documentation and any relevant receipts when you make a claim.

Quito from above
Quito from above. Photo credit: Getty Images / John Coletti

Cover for 150+ activities and sports when in Ecuador

Ecuador boasts no shortage of opportunities to get active, from mountain biking the legendary Mama Rumi trail to rafting on the Quijos River. Surfing, snorkeling and hiking are just a few of the activities on offer in the Galapagos. World Nomads offers travel insurance cover for more than 150 adventure activities and sports. Read your policy to make sure your chosen activities are covered.

What’s not covered

Travel insurance isn’t designed to cover everything – so make sure you know what you’re covered for. Some things we don’t cover include but are not limited to:

  • Losses caused by negligent policyholder behavior, so no selfies in roped off areas or riding a scooter without a helmet.
  • Pre-existing medical conditions as explained in your policy wording.
  • Not following orders of your treating physician or Emergency Assistance Team.
  • Participation in activities or sports not listed in the plan you have purchased.
  • Stolen, lost or damaged personal belongings that were left unattended.

This is a summary of cover only. Travel insurance has terms, conditions, limits and exclusions. Read your chosen policy carefully, and please reach out if you have any questions about what’s covered and what’s not. We’re happy to help.

Travel Insurance Benefits: how we can take care of you

Trip Cancellation

Been working hard for your trip?

We'll work hard to protect it.

Trip Protection
  • Unexpectedly hospitalised?
  • Travel buddy unfit to travel?
  • Close relative suddenly dies?

We’ve got your back.

Emergency Medical Expenses

Feeling fit and healthy? What if you get sick or injured?

Take the pain out of medical or dental costs.

Emergency Medical Insurance
  • Need meds quick?
  • Accidentally injured?
  • Suddenly sick?

We’ve got your back.

Emergency Medical Transportation

Know where the nearest hospital is?

Don’t stress, we’ll get you there quickly.

Evacuation and Repatriation
  • Banged up abroad?
  • Need a hospital urgently?
  • Medivac home?

Help starts here.

Protect your gear

Love photography, filming or sport?

Cover your bags, tech or gear.

Protect your gear
  • Passport stolen?
  • Airline lost your gear?
  • Bags delayed?

Help starts here.

  • Emergency Overseas Medical & Dental Expenses
  • Emergency Medical Evacuation & Repatriation
  • Trip Cancellation or Interruption
  • 24-Hour Assistance Services
  • Baggage
  • And more (depending on your country of residence)
*This is a general summary only. Restrictions, exclusions and limitations will apply. Coverage may not be available for all countries, states or provinces. Benefit limits may vary depending on the plan chosen. Get a quote for full details.

24/7 emergency assistance

Whether you need medical assistance or emergency evacuation, our teams 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?

Contact the team
Photo © Vitalalp/IStock

Travel insurance for bungee jumping

Whether it's called bungee or bungy jumping, be sure you're covered before you leap.

    As featured in:

  • As featured in:

There’s nothing quite as adrenaline-inducing or exciting as bungee jumping! It’ll leave you on a high for days and is sure to create a lasting memory, but before you take a leap of faith find out how our policies may help you just in case things don’t go to plan.

How does World Nomads travel insurance help cover me when going bungee jumping?

Travel insurance is designed to cover some types of sports and activities, including the high intensity ones such as bungee jumping. There are many reasons why you should consider travel insurance. For example, if you were to suffer a severe injury while bungee jumping, and you’re not covered, you could be in hospital recovering for days, meaning a sky-rocketing medical bill that will be causing you added pain in your back pocket.

Under World Nomads plans for our international travelers, bungee jumping is considered a Level 1 activity. This means you could be automatically covered on both the Standard and Explorer plans. However, you must be with a professional, qualified and licensed guide, instructor or operator when going bungee jumping.

You can always upgrade your cover for a range of other activities and sports. You must select the activities (listed as Level 2 and 3 in Section 8.1) and pay any additional premium at the time you purchase your policy.

Travel insurance is designed to cover some types of sports and activities, including the high intensity ones such as bungee jumping. There are many reasons why you should consider travel insurance. For example, if you were to suffer a severe injury while bungee jumping, and you’re not covered, you could be in hospital recovering for days, meaning a sky-rocketing medical bill that will be causing you added pain in your back pocket.

Under World Nomads plans for our international travelers, bungee jumping is considered a Level 1 activity. This means you could be automatically covered on both the Standard and Explorer plans. However, you must be with a professional, qualified and licensed guide, instructor or operator when going bungee jumping.

You can always upgrade your cover for a range of other activities and sports. You must select the activities (listed as Level 2 and 3 in Section 8.1) and pay any additional premium at the time you purchase your policy.

How does it work?

  • If you’ve paid the additional premium for a sport or activity in Level 3, you will be covered for all sports, activities and work listed as Level 1, 2 and 3.
  • If you’ve paid the additional premium for a sport or activity in Level 2, you are covered for all sports and activities and work listed as Level 1 and 2.

Some of the most common events that our nomads have been covered for include, trip cancellations, cover for lost, stolen or damaged baggage, optional extras cover for high value items, and of course cover for any unexpected medical emergencies.

Here are just some of the key benefits of our coverage, depending on your Country of Residence and the plan you’ve selected:

  • Emergency medical and evacuation coverage: if you or a member of your family suffers an injury or accident.
  • Baggage and high-value items cover: if your baggage or items are stolen, lost, damaged or delayed, you may be covered.
  • Adventure activities and sports: we cover more than 150 activities, sports and experiences. Check before you buy that your adventure is covered and find out what policy upgrade options may be available.
  • Cover for Coronavirus-related events: depending on your Country of Residence our policies offer medical coverage for Coronavirus. Our Explorer Plan also offers cover for Coronavirus travel costs.

Why should I consider travel insurance when doing adventure activities and sports?

We want you to have an amazing trip filled with adventure, and so we’ve designed our plans to cover more than 150 activities, sports and experiences, including bungee jumping.

The most common injuries from bungee jumping are dislocations, back injuries, eye trauma and rope burn. Our policies can help with medical costs and evacuation if you suffer an injury whilst bungee jumping and need to seek medical treatment.

Key benefits when buying World Nomads travel insurance

We offer two plans – Standard and Explorer. Each policy provides different levels of coverage depending on what you need and your Country of Residence:

  • The Standard Plan covers a range of benefits and certain adventure activities and has lower coverage limits.
  • The Explorer Plan covers all the benefits of the Standard Plan, with larger coverage limits, more benefits and covers more sports and activities.

Depending on the level of cover you choose, our policies may cover you for:

  • Medical emergencies overseas: if you suffer from an accident or injury whilst travelling or participating in a covered activity, you may be covered for medical expenses incurred including evacuation and even repatriation if you need to return home. With our coverage, you have access to our 24/7 Emergency Assistance Team. They can offer assistance such as arranging medical transport, setting up direct payments to medical facilities and giving support to you and your family.
  • Trip cancellation or trip interruption: sometimes things happen that are outside of your control and result in your trip being cancelled such as serious illness or injury, a travel delay or a natural catastrophe. If this happens, you may be covered.
  • Travel delay: If your trip is delayed you may be covered for reasonable expenses associated with the delay. Check the policy wording for more information.
  • Cover for stolen baggage and gear: if your baggage is lost, stolen or damaged on your trip you may be able to claim to have your gear replaced or repaired. You may also be covered if your bags are delayed when travelling.

What’s not covered

  • Pre-existing medical conditions, including if those conditions become exacerbated by bungee jumping – see the policy wording for details.
  • Participation in a sport or activity not listed or failing to adhere to the terms of coverage for listed sports or activities.
  • A loss arising from a change of mind, disinclination or reluctance to travel or participate in an activity.
  • If you travel against medical advice or neglect to adhere to government ‘Do Not Travel’ warnings issued prior to departure. Check the US Department of State website for more information on international travel updates.
  • Being intoxicated by alcohol or drugs.

Key insurance tips for bungee jumping on your trip

  • Coverage for bungee jumping only applies when jumping with a professional, qualified and licensed guide or operator, so check the credentials of the operator.
  • When you buy your policy make sure you add the activities you intend doing during your trip, including bungee jumping.
  • During your bungee jump make sure you follow all the instructions given by the qualified, licensed instructors. They’re there make sure you have the best experience and keep you safe.
  • Avoid bungee jumping soon after you’ve had a full meal. Eat a light meal a few hours before your jump.

This is only a summary of cover and does not include the full terms, conditions, limitations and exclusions of the policy. You should read your Policy Wording 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.

Traveller tip: When you buy a World Nomads plan, you’ll have access to our 24-hour Emergency Assistance Team to support you in a crisis. Whether your car has broken down in the middle of nowhere, need urgent medical attention, or a referral for roadside assistance, our Emergency Assistance team can help you out in whatever part of the world you’re travelling.

Travel Insurance Benefits: how we can take care of you

Trip Cancellation

Been working hard for your trip?

We'll work hard to protect it.

Trip Protection
  • Unexpectedly hospitalised?
  • Travel buddy unfit to travel?
  • Close relative suddenly dies?

We’ve got your back.

Emergency Medical Expenses

Feeling fit and healthy? What if you get sick or injured?

Take the pain out of medical or dental costs.

Emergency Medical Insurance
  • Need meds quick?
  • Accidentally injured?
  • Suddenly sick?

We’ve got your back.

Emergency Medical Transportation

Know where the nearest hospital is?

Don’t stress, we’ll get you there quickly.

Evacuation and Repatriation
  • Banged up abroad?
  • Need a hospital urgently?
  • Medivac home?

Help starts here.

Protect your gear

Love photography, filming or sport?

Cover your bags, tech or gear.

Protect your gear
  • Passport or tech stolen?
  • Airline lost your gear?
  • Bags delayed?

Help starts here.

  • Emergency Overseas Medical & Dental Expenses
  • Emergency Medical Evacuation & Repatriation
  • Trip Cancellation or Interruption
  • 24-Hour Assistance Services
  • Baggage
  • And more (depending on your country of residence)
*This is a general summary only. Restrictions, exclusions and limitations will apply. Coverage may not be available for all countries, states or provinces. Benefit limits may vary depending on the plan chosen. Get a quote for full details.

24/7 emergency assistance

Whether you need medical assistance or emergency evacuation, our teams 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?

Contact the team
Photo © Vitalalp/IStock

Travel insurance for bungee jumping

Whether it's called bungee or bungy jumping, be sure you're covered before you leap.

    As featured in:

  • As featured in:

Bungee jumping – when it comes to adventure sports, there’s nothing that will give you a bigger adrenaline rush! If you’re planning to unleash your inner daredevil, find out how our policies may help you just in case things don’t go to plan.

How does World Nomads travel insurance help cover me when going bungee jumping?

Travel insurance is designed to include cover for many types of sports and activities, including some high intensity ones such as bungee jumping. There are many reasons why you should consider travel insurance. For example, if you were to suffer a severe injury while bungee jumping, and you’re not covered, you could be in hospital recovering for days, meaning a sky-rocketing medical bill that will cause you added pain in your back pocket.

Under World Nomads plans bungee jumping is considered a Level 1 activity. This means you can be automatically covered on both the Standard and Explorer plans. However, you must be with a professional, qualified and licensed guide, instructor or operator when going bungee jumping.

You can always upgrade your cover for a range of other activities and sports. You must select the activities (listed as Level 2 and 3 in Section 8.1 of the PDS) and pay any additional premium at the time you purchase your policy.

How does activity and sports level cover work?

  • If you’ve paid the additional premium for a sport or activity in Level 3, you will be covered for all sports, activities and work listed as Level 1, 2 and 3.
  • If you’ve paid the additional premium for a sport or activity in Level 2, you are covered for all sports and activities and work listed as Level 1 and 2.

What does World Nomads travel insurance cover?

Some of the key benefits that you may be covered for (up to the policy limits) include:

  • Emergency medical and evacuation coverage: if you or a member of your family suffers an injury or accident and you need to see a doctor urgently and/or need to be medically repatriated back to Australia.
  • Baggage and high value items cover: if your baggage or valuables are stolen, lost, damaged or delayed, you may be covered. Remember to keep copies of your original receipts if you need to make a claim and you’ll need a local police report too.
  • Adventure activities and sports: we cover more than 150 activities, sports and experiences. Check before you buy that your adventure is covered and find out what policy upgrade options may be available.
  • Cover for some Coronavirus-related events: both our policies offer medical coverage for diagnosis of Coronavirus. Our Explorer Plan also has a Coronavirus Travel Costs benefit for certain events. To find out what cover applies to you, read our Coronavirus cover article, which has all of the details, including benefit limits, conditions and exclusions.

Why should I consider travel insurance for adventure activities and sports?

We want you to have an amazing trip filled with adventure, and so we’ve designed our plans to cover more than 150 activities, sports and experiences, including bungee jumping and other high-intensity sports.

The most common injuries from bungee jumping are dislocations, back injuries, eye trauma and rope burn. While that might seem worrying, our policies can help with medical costs and evacuation if you suffer an injury whilst bungee jumping and need to seek medical treatment.

Our policies can also help if your bungee jumping adventure is cancelled by the tour provider due to unforeseen circumstances such as extreme weather and you’re left out of pocket.

Key benefits when considering World Nomads travel insurance

We offer two plans for Australian Residents – Standard and Explorer. Each policy provides different levels of coverage depending on what you need:

  • The Standard Plan covers a range of benefits and certain adventure activities, and has lower coverage limits.
  • The Explorer Plan covers all the benefits of the Standard Plan, with larger coverage limits, more benefits and covers more sports and activities.

Depending on the level of cover you choose, our policies may cover you for the following (up to the policy limits):

  • Medical emergencies overseas: if you suffer from an accident or injury whilst travelling or participating in a covered activity, you may be covered for medical expenses incurred including evacuation and even repatriation if you need to return home. Your policy may cover you for your overseas medical expenses, up to the policy limits and when agreed by us.
  • 24/7 Emergency Assistance: with our coverage, you have access to our 24/7 Emergency Assistance Team. They can offer assistance for a range of urgent events such as arranging medical transport, setting up direct payments to medical facilities and giving support to you and your family.
  • Trip cancellation: sometimes things happen that are outside of your control and result in your trip being cancelled such as serious illness, severe weather or the tour operator cancelling. If this happens, you may be covered.
  • Travel delay: If your trip is delayed as a result of severe weather, natural disaster, or a strike, you may be covered for reasonable expenses associated with the delay.
  • Cover for lost, damaged or stolen baggage and gear: if your baggage is lost, stolen or damaged on your trip you may be able to claim to have your gear replaced or repaired. You may also be covered if your bags are delayed when travelling.

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:

  • Pre-existing medical conditions, including if those conditions become exacerbated by bungee jumping – see the PDS for details.
  • Participation in a sport or activity not listed, or failing to adhere to the terms of coverage for listed sports or activities.
  • A loss arising from a change of mind, disinclination or reluctance to travel or participate in an activity.
  • Traveling to, planning to travel to, or choosing to remain in a country or region that is subject to a ‘Do Not Travel’ warning issued by the Australian Government (see smartraveller.gov.au)
  • Being intoxicated by alcohol or drugs.

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

Key insurance tips for bungee jumping on your trip

  • Coverage for bungee jumping only applies when jumping with a professional, qualified and licensed guide or operator. Check the credentials of the operator.
  • When you buy your policy make sure you add the activities you intend doing during your trip, including bungee jumping.
  • 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 and scuba diving are. Check our list of sports and activities (and avoid uninsured activities).
  • Bungee jumping 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.
  • During your bungee jump make sure you follow all the instructions given by the qualified, licensed instructors. They’re there make sure you have the best experience and keep you safe.
  • Avoid bungee jumping soon after you’ve had a full meal. Eat a light meal a few hours before your jump.

This is only a summary of cover and does not include the full terms, conditions, limitations and exclusions of the policy. You should read your PDS 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.

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

Travel Insurance Benefits: how we can take care of you

Trip Cancellation

Been working hard for your trip?

We'll work hard to protect it.

Trip Protection
  • Unexpectedly hospitalised?
  • Travel buddy unfit to travel?
  • Close relative suddenly dies?

We’ve got your back.

Emergency Medical Expenses

Feeling fit and healthy? What if you get sick or injured?

Take the pain out of medical or dental costs.

Emergency Medical Insurance
  • Need meds quick?
  • Accidentally injured?
  • Suddenly sick?

We’ve got your back.

Emergency Medical Transportation

Know where the nearest hospital is?

Don’t stress, we’ll get you there quickly.

Evacuation and Repatriation
  • Banged up abroad?
  • Need a hospital urgently?
  • Medivac home?

Help starts here.

Protect your gear

Love photography, filming or sport?

Cover your bags, tech or gear.

Protect your gear
  • Passport or tech stolen?
  • Airline lost your gear?
  • Bags delayed?

Help starts here.

  • Emergency Overseas Medical & Dental Expenses
  • Emergency Medical Evacuation & Repatriation
  • Trip Cancellation or Interruption
  • 24-Hour Assistance Services
  • Baggage
  • And more (depending on your country of residence)
*This is a general summary only. Restrictions, exclusions and limitations will apply. Coverage may not be available for all countries, states or provinces. Benefit limits may vary depending on the plan chosen. Get a quote for full details.

24/7 emergency assistance

Whether you need medical assistance or emergency evacuation, our teams 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?

Contact the team
Photo © Sergio Formoso/Getty

Travel insurance when visiting Morocco

Learn more about World Nomads travel insurance for your trip to Morocco.

    As featured in:

  • As featured in:

Whether exploring the mesmerizing Marrakesh Medina, venturing through the Atlas Mountains and its Berber communities, or feeding your cultural curiosity, Morocco will deliver surprising adventures. But before you head to North Africa, you may want to consider travel insurance; it could prevent you from learning a hard lesson the costly way.

The Souk of Marrakech, Morocco
The Souk of Marrakech, Morocco. Photo credit: Getty Images / Andrea Pistolesi

What’s covered?

With World Nomads you can buy travel insurance as soon as your trip is locked in or when you’re already in Morocco (waiting periods apply), it’s entirely up to you.

World Nomads offers two plans – Standard and Explorer – each provides different levels of coverage depending on your Country of Residence and what level of cover you need.

Here are some of the highlights of our cover:

  • Coverage for extended stays
  • World Nomads’ family plans
  • Overseas emergency medical and hospital expenses
  • Cover for 150+ activities, sports, and experiences
  • Unexpected trip cancellation
  • Travel delays /trip interruption
  • Baggage and personal effects cover
  • 24/7 worldwide Emergency Assistance.

What should I look out for when traveling to Morocco?

As intriguing as this North African nation is, there are some things you should have in mind to ensure your holiday is memorable for all the right reasons.

Here are some tips on how to make the most of your trip:

  • Lost, stolen, damaged or delayed baggage cover: in the unfortunate event that your luggage or personal items are accidentally damaged or stolen, you may be able to claim your unexpected costs. In addition, if your luggage is delayed more than 24 hours (more than 12 hours for US residents), you may be entitled to replacement costs. Check your policy wording carefully as terms and conditions apply.
  • Cover for overseas medical emergencies and cover for Coronavirus-related events: depending on your Country of Residence, World Nomads offers cover for some Coronavirus-related events to help if your trip is derailed by COVID-19. Check your policy carefully as benefit limits apply and vary between plans.
  • Adventure activity and sports cover when in Morocco: we cover more than 150 activities, sports and experiences worldwide – including backpacking, kayaking, hiking, and bungee jumping. However, not all are covered under every plan, you can read about the activities covered for your Country of Residence. Many activities also have specific conditions and exclusions you should read up on before you go. Depending on your country of residence and the level of cover you’ve chosen, you may need to add activities to your policy. Terms and conditions apply.
TCap Spartel Lighthouse near Tangier Morocco
Cap Spartel Lighthouse near Tangier Morocco. Photo credit: Getty Images / Albert Engeln

What’s not covered?

Here are some of the things we do not provide cover for:

  • Pre-existing medical conditions –see the policy wording for details.
  • Participation in a sport or activity not listed in the policy wording or agreed by World Nomads where you haven’t paid the required additional premium.
  • Costs arising from refusal to be repatriated once declared medically unfit to continue a trip
  • Non-emergency treatment that can wait until you return home (it's not health insurance, it's travel insurance for medical emergencies)
  • Traveling to, planning to travel to, or choosing to remain in a country or region that is subject to a ‘Do Not Travel’ or in some cases ‘Avoid Essential Travel’ warning issued by the government in your Country of Residence.
  • Expenses you have not made every reasonable attempt to recover from the carrier, accommodation provider, booking or travel agents, any compensation scheme, or other source.

Travel insurance and safety tips when visiting Morocco

As fascinating as Morocco is, following some tips on how to stay safe and make the most of your travel insurance policy will help.

Petty crime in popular Moroccan hotspots

Wandering through the streets of Marrakesh, Casablanca, Tangier, Fez, Agadir and Essaouira can be an insightful experience, but you must keep your wits about you and ensure you always have your valuables in sight. Bag snatching and pickpockets often target these popular tourist areas, and women, if traveling alone, may be the subject of unwanted attention. We offer cover if you're after travel insurance for your tech gear and other high-value items. To upgrade the cover for high-value items, list them on your policy and pay the additional premium.

Terrorism and protests

Terrorist cells do target the Maghreb region of North Africa which includes Morocco, so it’s crucial that you monitor the media. You should always take government warnings and travel alerts seriously. These groups often seek out populated areas and can also be active in mountain regions.

Demonstrations are also possible, and it’s worth bearing in mind that public protests and events that draw large groups of people can turn violent. The status of the Western Sahara has been an issue of dispute, and tensions can boil over. To avoid being caught up in a protest, take care on days of national or commemorative significance and be extra vigilant on weekends, especially around the time of Friday prayers.

World Nomads offers trip delay coverage, and trip interruption may apply if your trip can’t be completed or it’s necessary to return home early. If you actively involve yourself in a protest, you are putting yourself and your insurance cover at risk.

Tourist at Ait Benhaddou at sunrise, Morocco
Tourist at Ait Benhaddou at sunrise, Morocco. Photo credit: Getty Images / Matteo Colombo

Avoid drinking / swimming in freshwater

Some waterborne and foodborne diseases are common across Morocco, so travelers are advised to only drink treated, filtered or bottled water, to avoid ice cubes and not to swim in fresh water.

Contaminated water, which can cause nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps, and diarrhea, can lay you up for days, the most serious outcome of which is dehydration. This can be deadly, so don’t rely on your own instincts, instead seek medical advice immediately.

Our 24/7 Emergency Assistance Team will be able to give you advice on what to do, help locate suitable medical facilities (particularly in remote areas) and will monitor your medical treatments to make sure you are given proper care.

Our policies can offer overseas emergency medical benefits. Check your policy to see what the maximum amount of coverage you have, as it will vary depending on your home country and the plan you’ve selected. If you want to claim your medical expenses, be sure to keep records and receipts of your doctor’s visits and medical treatment, and any other documentation to support your claim.

When to visit Morocco?

If you want to avoid large crowds, the best time to visit Morocco is autumn (September to November) or early spring (March to April). If you are traveling in summer, then the best months are June to August. You should know there will be bigger crowds in the summer months, especially if you plan to visit some of its seaside hot spots such as Tangier, Essaouira and Taghazout.

About World Nomads

World Nomads polices are designed by travelers for travelers to provide simple and flexible travel insurance. Featuring coverage for more than 150 activities, you can get a quote, claim, or extend your policy online at www.worldnomads.com. All the information we provide about travel insurance is a brief summary 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 countries, states or provinces. Please carefully read your policy wording for a full description of coverage.

Traveler Tip 1make copies of all key documents you’ll be traveling with – passport, ID, travel insurance, receipts, vouchers, addresses, transportation tickets – and keep them separate from the originals while abroad so you’ll have backups and proof of purchase if anything happens.

Traveler tip 2: if you’re a victim of theft, to file a claim, be sure you get a police report or other written documentation such as a property irregularity report from your common carrier.

Traveler tip 3:  many countries may require proof of vaccination before you can enter, and some have introduced visas and travel insurance minimum requirements. Do your research before you go as travel insurance does not cover expenses you incur because you don’t have the correct visas to enter your intended destination(s). Make sure you have the required proof of any vaccinations so you can easily produce them while traveling overseas.

Travel Insurance Benefits: how we can take care of you

Trip Cancellation

Been working hard for your trip?

We'll work hard to protect it.

Trip Protection
  • Unexpectedly hospitalised?
  • Travel buddy unfit to travel?
  • Close relative suddenly dies?

We’ve got your back.

Emergency Medical Expenses

Feeling fit and healthy? What if you get sick or injured?

Take the pain out of medical or dental costs.

Emergency Medical Insurance
  • Need meds quick?
  • Accidentally injured?
  • Suddenly sick?

We’ve got your back.

Emergency Medical Transportation

Know where the nearest hospital is?

Don’t stress, we’ll get you there quickly.

Evacuation and Repatriation
  • Banged up abroad?
  • Need a hospital urgently?
  • Medivac home?

Help starts here.

Protect your gear

Love photography, filming or sport?

Cover your bags, tech or gear.

Protect your gear
  • Passport stolen?
  • Airline lost your gear?
  • Bags delayed?

Help starts here.

  • Emergency Overseas Medical & Dental Expenses
  • Emergency Medical Evacuation & Repatriation
  • Trip Cancellation or Interruption
  • 24-Hour Assistance Services
  • Baggage
  • And more (depending on your country of residence)
*This is a general summary only. Restrictions, exclusions and limitations will apply. Coverage may not be available for all countries, states or provinces. Benefit limits may vary depending on the plan chosen. Get a quote for full details.

24/7 emergency assistance

Whether you need medical assistance or emergency evacuation, our teams 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?

Contact the team
Photo © Getty/freemixer

Rock Climbing Travel Insurance Plans

Canadians can protect their rock climbing trips with travel insurance

    As featured in:

  • As featured in:

At a glance:

  • World Nomads offers rock climbing travel insurance to help cover medical emergencies, stolen climbing gear and trip cancellations.
  • Indoor and outdoor climbing may be covered, and you can choose a plan and corresponding activity level based on what type of climbing you’ll be doing.
  • Our plans include emergency medical evacuation coverage if you get injured while rock climbing in remote areas.
  • Climbing gear protection if your equipment is stolen or accidentally damaged by your common carrier during your trip.

Whether you're climbing the granite cliffs in Squamish or taking your adventure outside of Canada to epic spots like Italy’s Dolomite Mountains, it helps to always be prepared for the unexpected. If you’re planning a rock climbing trip, you may want to protect your adventure with World Nomads Travel Insurance for adventure sports. Our adventure travel insurance plans include a range of benefits that could help with everything from stolen climbing gear to unexpected medical expenses.

Why should I consider travel insurance for my rock climbing trip?

Unexpected issues can mess up even the most carefully planned rock climbing trips. Falling rocks can cause injuries and stolen gear can put a halt to your climbing. Adventure travel insurance may help you bounce back quickly with support for medical and travel emergencies, delays, and disruptions. With coverage that is flexible to your needs, it’s a smart way to travel confidently – even if you're just rock climbing indoors with friends. If you have a more adventurous climb planned in the Rocklands and you have travel insurance for Africa, you may be covered as well.

Nomads tip: World Nomads Travel Insurance can also cover your travels within Canada! Your Government Health Insurance Plan is limited once you leave your province. Your travel insurance plan can protect your domestic travels outside of your home province too.

Rock climbing travel insurance: What may be covered?

Rock climbing can test your physical and mental abilities – and as adventurers ourselves, that’s part of what we love. Since unexpected situations can happen when climbing though, we’ve designed our plans so you can add on travel insurance for rock climbing. We also offer coverage for more than 250 other sports, activities and experiences.

  1. Emergency Medical Expenses
    For falls that require emergency medical treatment

  2. 24/7 Non-insurance Emergency Assistance
    Available 24/7 to assist in an emergency situation

  3. Baggage & Gear Coverage
    Damaged or stolen climbing gear

  4. Trip Delays, Interruptions & Cancellations
    Travel protection for your unused, pre-paid, nonrefundable trip costs and unexpected expenses if your trip is interrupted.

Get a quote and compare the plans to see which level of coverage is right for you.

What level of travel insurance coverage do I need for my rock climbing trip?

World Nomads offers two plans for Canadian residents – the Standard and Explorer – each with different levels of coverage. 

  • Standard Plan – This is the most basic plan but includes up to $5,000,000 CAD in emergency medical expenses and $2,500 CAD for trip cancellation.
  • Explorer Plan – This adventure travel insurance plan has higher limits of coverage.

Both plans require you to add additional activity level coverage.

  • Level 2 Activities: Indoor and outdoor rock climbing
  • Level 3 Activities: Ice climbing and outdoor rock climbing up to 6,000 metres (multi-pitch climbing / sport climbing / bolted / aid climbing / traditional climbing / top or bottom rope climbing)

Even when you plan a rock climbing trip, you’ll probably also be doing other things like camping or hiking. That’s totally fine, because there are over 250+ sports, activities and experiences that could be covered when you purchase extreme sports travel insurance. When you purchase your policy, you’ll need to list rock climbing, and all of the other activities that you plan to participate in while on your trip. You won’t be able to add or remove activities after you make your purchase, so make sure you add them all at that time.  Costs may vary depending on the additional activities or rock climbing elevations you list.

If you are planning to participate in an activity that isn’t listed in our policy wording, you will need to contact us to determine if you will be covered. 

Nomads tip: Get a quote and choose your plan first, then the system will prompt you to add the activities you plan to do. Make sure you list them all; you won’t be able to make changes once on your trip.

Get a travel insurance quote

Simple and flexible travel insurance. Buy at home or while traveling, and claim online from anywhere in the world.

Get a quote
A man rockclimbing

What may not be covered when on a rock climbing trip?

Canada has some great places to climb, and you can use your adventure travel insurance benefits inside the country too – but it won’t cover you if you’re rock-climbing or travelling within your home province. Some other things that aren’t covered include:

  • Unattended baggage, climbing gear or personal items
  • Not following government ‘Do Not Travel’ advisories issued by the Canadian government
  • Climbing at elevations over 6,000 metres
  • Unsupported or solo climbing, solo expeditions, free mountaineering or free soloing
  • Climbing in inaccessible regions or exploratory expeditions and new routes
  • Search and rescue operations.
  • Outdoor rock climbing expeditions within the Arctic Circle, the Antarctic, or Greenland

Top safety tips we recommend for your rock climbing trip

  • If you’ve never climbed, take a lesson to learn proper climbing techniques.
  • Always wear a helmet. Accidents can happen on any level of terrain when climbing, and you always need to protect your head.
  • Double check your gear and equipment before climbing. Make sure your rope, harness, and carabiners are properly fastened, and ensure your knots are secure.
  • Climb with a partner and develop good communication with them, including established hand signals. Make sure they are experienced and have the necessary skills to keep you safe.
  • Only climb in places that allow climbing. If you’re trespassing in an area where you shouldn’t be climbing, you won’t be covered by your adventure travel insurance plan.
  • Don’t get in over your head. Be responsible when choosing a rock climbing destination and make sure it suits your experience level.
  • Check with the Public Health Agency of Canada to see if they have issued any travel health notices for your climbing destination.
  • Register with Canadians Abroad to stay updated on emergency situations.
  • Have a copy of your rock climbing travel insurance documents saved in your phone. Save the phone number for the 24/7 Emergency Assistance Team and have that easily accessible as well. Make sure you know the name of the climbing route and the nearest landmark so you can relay the appropriate information if you need help.

FAQ

Here are our most frequently asked questions about cover for rock climbing. You can also find the answers to other questions in our Helpdesk or you can ask our customer service team

  • Are rock climbing trips covered under World Nomads Travel Insurance?

    Yes, rock-climbing is covered under both plans offered by World Nomads Travel Insurance, but make sure you list this as an activity you’ll be participating in when you purchase your policy.

    Indoor rock climbing and indoor rock climbing or bouldering are considered Level 2 activities. Ice climbing and outdoor rock climbing up to 6,000 metres (multi-pitch climbing / sport climbing / bolted / aid climbing / traditional climbing / top or bottom rope climbing) are considered Level 3 activities. You’ll need to pay an additional premium for these activities, so make sure they’re listed. If you aren’t sure if something is covered, we suggest you contact us to ask.

  • Is ice climbing covered under World Nomads Travel Insurance?

    Yes, ice climbing is covered under both plans offered by World Nomads Travel Insurance, but make sure you list this as an activity you’ll be participating in when you purchase your policy. It is considered a Level 3 activity, and you’ll need to pay an additional premium for this activity, so make sure it is listed. You won’t be covered for ice climbing within the Arctic Circle, the Antarctic, or Greenland though, and other exclusions may apply. If you aren’t sure if something is covered, we suggest you contact us to ask.

  • Is ice climbing covered under World Nomads Travel Insurance?

    Yes, ice climbing is covered under both plans offered by World Nomads Travel Insurance, but make sure you list this as an activity you’ll be participating in when you purchase your policy. It is considered a Level 3 activity, and you’ll need to pay an additional premium for this activity, so make sure it is listed. You won’t be covered for ice climbing within the Arctic Circle, the Antarctic, or Greenland though, and other exclusions may apply. If you aren’t sure if something is covered, we suggest you contact us to ask.

  • What types of incidents are covered while on a rock climbing trip?

    If your trip is cancelled, delayed, or interrupted due to an unforeseen event, you may be able to recover your unused, non-refundable, prepaid travel expenses (up to the policy limits), and this could include unused, prepaid, non-refundable tours that you paid for in advance. If you fall and get hurt while rock-climbing and require medical assistance, emergency medical coverage could come in handy in the case of an unexpected injury. You could also be covered for unplanned situations such as lost bags or Canadian government travel advisories advising travellers not to travel to a destination on your itinerary.

  • Does World Nomads offer travel insurance for rock climbing outside of Canada?

    Yes, some of the best rock climbing spots are outside of Canada and World Nomads doesn’t want to limit your fun. For example, if you have travel insurance for Argentina, you could have the opportunity to rock climb in the beautiful Andes Mountains. Outdoor rock climbing expeditions within the Arctic Circle, the Antarctic, or Greenland are not covered though. When you get a quote for adventure travel insurance, you’ll need to input where you’ll be travelling.

Need destination inspiration for your next rock climbing trip?

Not sure where your next climbing adventure should take you? If you want to stay closer to home, there are great places to climb inside Canada, such as Val-David. However, there are plenty of amazing spots around the world to experience, too. Check out a couple of our favorite rock climbing locations and get destination-specific travel insurance tips to help you plan with confidence.

Where to Go in Lisbon to Avoid the Crowds (Rock climbing the cliffs of Cascais)

Seven Day Trips from Kathmandu to Add to Your Itinerary (Rock climbing around Hattiban)

This is only a summary of coverage and does not include the full terms and conditions of the policy. It is important you read and understand your policy as it contains benefits, conditions, exclusions and pre-existing condition exclusions. If you do not understand your coverage, or if you have questions, just ask us.

Travel Insurance Benefits: how we can take care of you

Trip Cancellation

Been working hard for your trip?

We'll work hard to protect it.

Trip Protection
  • Work emergency?
  • Weather delay?
  • Travel companion sick?

We’ve got your back.

Emergency Medical Expenses

Feeling fit and healthy? What if you get sick or injured?

Take the pain out of medical or dental costs.

Emergency Medical Insurance
  • Accidentally injured?
  • Suddenly sick?
  • Need a hospital?

We’ve got your back.

Emergency Medical Transportation

Know where the nearest hospital is?

Don’t stress, we’ll get you there quickly.

Evacuation and Repatriation
  • Ambulance transfers
  • Medevac flights
  • Medical escort services

Help starts here.

Protect your gear

Love photography, filming or sport?

Cover your bags, tech or gear.

Protect your gear
  • Stolen I.D.s
  • Checked-in sports equipment
  • Damaged luggage

Help starts here.

  • Emergency Overseas Medical & Dental Expenses
  • Emergency Medical Evacuation & Repatriation
  • Trip Cancellation or Interruption
  • 24-Hour Assistance Services
  • Baggage
  • And more (depending on your country of residence)
*This is a general summary only. Restrictions, exclusions and limitations will apply. Coverage may not be available for all countries, states or provinces. Benefit limits may vary depending on the plan chosen. Get a quote for full details.

24/7 emergency assistance

Whether you need medical assistance or emergency evacuation, our teams 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?

Contact the team
Photo © Christian Wheatley

Travel insurance for water sports and activities

What to know when getting your adrenaline rush in and around the water

    As featured in:

  • As featured in:

Making the most of stand-up paddle boarding (SUP) in Aruba, a casual reef snorkeling experience in Hawaii, oryou want to dial up the adrenaline and go parasailing in France.

 As fun as they sound, water sports activities aren’t always smooth sailing. World Nomads travel insurance can help you keep your head above water if the unexpected occurs.

What does World Nomads travel insurance cover?

Here are some of the key benefits of our coverage, depending on your Country of Residence and the plan you’ve selected:

  • Emergency medical and evacuation coverage – if you or a member of your family suffers an injury or accident whilst participating in a covered water sports activity.
  • Baggage and high value items cover – if your baggage or items are stolen, lost or damaged you may be covered, including if your bags are delayed.
  • Cover for Coronavirus-related events – depending on your Country of Residence our policies offer medical coverage for Coronavirus. Our Explorer Plan also offers cover for Coronavirus travel costs.
  • Coverage for extended stays – your plan can be extended while still traveling for up to 12 months from your departure date (terms and conditions apply).

Why should I consider travel insurance when doing a water sports activity?

With 71% of the Earth being covered by water, there’s no shortage of wet and wild adventures to be had on your travels. But before you head off it might be worth considering how travel insurance may help you have a safer and fun holiday. 

Our policies can help with medical costs and evacuation if you suffer an injury while sailing the Italian coastline and need to seek medical treatment. Travel insurance can also help if your surfboard is damaged whilst on the way to your surfing adventure in Australia. Having travel insurance can even help if your diving trip in Thailand by is cancelled due to an insured event by the tour provider and you’re left out of pocket.

Make sure that you’ve selected the right travel insurance plan for your specific needs. With World Nomads you can get a quote, make a claim, or extend your policy instantly online, even while traveling.

woman kayaking in Slovenia
Woman kayaking in Slovenia. Photo credit: Getty Images/Brusonja

What's covered by water sports activity insurance?

We want you to have the best experience on your travels, so we’ve designed our plans to cover the water sports that our nomads love the most including:

  • Dragon boating
  • Fishing
  • Jet Skiing
  • Kayaking
  • Snorkelling
  • Scuba diving (qualified to 40 metres)
  • Surfing
  • Stand-up paddle boarding. 

World Nomads offers two plans – Standard and Explorer. Each policy provides different levels of coverage depending on what you need and your Country of Residence:

  • The Standard Plan covers a range of benefits and certain adventure activities and has lower coverage limits.
  • The Explorer Plan covers all the benefits of the Standard plan, with larger coverage limits, more benefits and covers more sports and activities.
  • Both the Standard and Explorer plans offer cover for nominated low-risk water sports under “Level 1” cover. If you plan to participate in higher-risk water sports, as listed in section 8 of the PDS, you may need to upgrade your Standard or Explorer plan to “level 2” or “level 3” cover depending on which water sports activities you plan on participating in.

 Depending on the level of cover you choose and your Country of Residence, our policies may cover you for the following when participating in water sports activities:

  • Medical emergency: if you suffer an accident on injury whilst participating in a water sports activity, you are covered for medical expenses incurred including evacuation and even repatriation if you need to return home.
  • Trip cancellation: if any part your trip is cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances you may be covered for expenses incurred as a result of the cancellation.
  • Cover for stolen baggage and gear: if your gear is lost, stolen or damaged on your trip you may be able to claim to have your gear replaced or repaired.
  • Natural disaster: If a natural disaster impacts your planned water sports adventure our policies may cover you if you need to cancel or interrupt your travel plans.

What's not covered

While there are several circumstances we can offer coverage for, there are also those we just won’t cover. These include, but are not limited to:

  • Damage to any sporting equipment while in use, sporting equipment over 3 years old or damage to or theft of any water sports equipment that are left unsupervised in a public place.
  • Participation in a sport or activity not listed in the policy wording or agreed by World Nomads where you haven’t paid the required additional premium.
  • If you travel against medical advice or neglect to adhere to government ‘Do Not Travel’ warnings issued prior to departure. (see US Department of State).
  • A loss arising from participating in or training for a competition or race where you receive a financial reward (i.e., an appearance fee, a wage or salary).
  • Any pre-existing medical conditions.
  • Any costs related to illegal activities or being under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

    Key tips for water activities and sports

    • Keep your receipts and paperwork:any claim you make will need supporting documentation such as receipts of your purchases. Keep these with you in printed or digital form if you intend to make a claim.
    • It pays to be prepared:check the weather, check your equipment, and check the credentials of your instructors and guides – if any seem unreliable then reconsider if it’s a smart move to go.
    • Monitor weather conditions and consider your fitness: you may want to reconsider your plans for a water-based holiday if you’re traveling to an island nation during the least optimal season weather-wise. You also need to ensure you are fit enough to take on any water-related activities or sports that you plan on doing. There’s no point signing up for cage-diving for instance if you’re prone to panicking or aren’t a proficient swimmer.
    • Don’t get in over your head:be responsible when choosing a water sports activity. Does it suit your experience level? Are you using an accredited tour operator? Make sure to wear appropriate safety gear.

      This is not a full list of what's covered and what's not; please check your Policy Wording for a full list of terms, conditions, limitations and exclusions that may apply to your specific plan. If you are unsure of your level of travel cover, please contact us for help.

       


      True Claims Stories

      • Never travel without insurance. This was the first time I ever purchased travel insurance and I am so glad I did. A few days into my trip to Spain I twisted my foot heading down to the metro. Thanks to World Nomads I was able to get medical attention in Spain and since, as luck would have it, I had a fracture that required surgery, they got me a flight home the next day. Filing a claim was surprisingly easy and when the claim was finally processed, I was reimbursed for all of my expenses including things like the extra week in the hotel I didn't get to take advantage of.
        L.D.
        U.S. resident in Spain
      • I recently had a serious injury traveling on my own & the team was amazing. Being confused with a brain injury they took care of everything. Claiming was no problem, they were on the phone constantly to see if all was OK. I can't recommend them enough. Absolutely fantastic & l will always travel with World Nomads Insurance. Thanks guys for getting me home safely.
        A.B.
        Australian in Thailand
      • I was bitten by a monkey at the Batu Caves in Kuala Lumpur. I went to a nearby clinic and they gave me a rabies shot, antibiotics to take for 4 days, pain medicine, and anti-inflammatory medicine.
        T.R.
        Canadian in Malaysia

      24/7 emergency assistance

      Whether you need medical assistance or emergency evacuation, our teams 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?

      Contact the team

      Travel Insurance Benefits: how we can take care of you

      Trip Cancellation

      Been working hard for your trip?

      We'll work hard to protect it.

      Trip Protection
      • Unexpectedly hospitalised?
      • Travel buddy unfit to travel?
      • Been made redundant?

      We’ve got your back.

      Emergency Medical Expenses

      Feeling fit and healthy? What if you get sick or injured?

      Take the pain out of medical or dental costs.

      Emergency Medical Insurance
      • Need meds quick?
      • Accidentally injured?
      • Suddenly sick?

      We’ve got your back.

      Emergency Medical Transportation

      Know where the nearest hospital is?

      Don’t stress, we’ll get you there quickly.

      Evacuation and Repatriation
      • Banged up abroad?
      • Need a hospital urgently?
      • Medivac home?

      Help starts here.

      Protect your gear

      Love photography, filming or sport?

      Cover your bags, tech or gear.

      Protect your gear
      • Luggage lost?
      • Airline lost your gear?
      • Tech trashed?

      Help starts here.

      • Emergency Overseas Medical & Dental Expenses
      • Emergency Medical Evacuation & Repatriation
      • Trip Cancellation or Interruption
      • 24-Hour Assistance Services
      • Baggage
      • And more (depending on your country of residence)
      *This is a general summary only. Restrictions, exclusions and limitations will apply. Coverage may not be available for all countries, states or provinces. Benefit limits may vary depending on the plan chosen. Get a quote for full details.
      Photo © Christian Wheatley

      Travel insurance for water sports and activities

      What to know when getting your adrenaline rush in and around the water

        As featured in:

      • As featured in:

      With the Earth covered in so much water across oceans, lakes and rivers there’s plenty of opportunity to have some serious adventures on your travel. Whether you’re planning on surfing in Bali, rafting on the Colorado River or sailing the Mediterranean, World Nomads travel insurance can help you and your family if the unexpected happens.

      What does World Nomads travel insurance cover?

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

      • Emergency medical and evacuation coverage – if you or a member of your family suffers an injury or accident whilst participating in a covered water sports activity.
      • Baggage and high value items cover – if your baggage or items are stolen, lost or damaged you may be covered, including if your bags are delayed.
      • Cover for Coronavirus-related events – our policies offer medical coverage if you or your family are diagnosed with Coronavirus. You may also be covered for Coronavirus-related travel costs such as quarantine and trip cancellation, depending on which policy you choose.
      • Coverage for extended stays – your plan can be extended while still travelling for up to 12 months from your departure date (terms and conditions apply).

      Why should I consider travel insurance when doing a water sports activity?

      Before you head off on your adventure it might be worth considering how travel insurance can ensure that your holiday dreams don’t turn into a nightmare.

      Our policies can help with medical costs and evacuation if you suffer an injury while sailing the Galapagos Islands and need to seek medical treatment. Having travel insurance can even help if your diving trip to the Great Blue Hole in Belize by is cancelled by the tour provider due to an insured event and you’re left out of pocket.

      Our policies cover a wide range of water sports activities, so don’t leave your aquatic adventure up to chance.


      Travel insurance 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.



      What's covered by travel insurance for water activities and sports?

      We want you to have the best experience on your travels, so we’ve designed our plans to cover the water sports that our nomads love the most including:

      • Dragon boating
      • Jet Skiing
      • Wakeboarding
      • Kiteboarding
      • Windsurfing
      • Boating (inland and coastal waters)
      • Parasailing
      • Kayaking
      • Snorkelling
      • Stand-up paddleboarding.

      We can even offer cover for experiences that really push the limits including:

      • Outdoor endurance, multi-sport and triathlon events (less than ultra-distance)
      • Shark cage diving
      • Cavern diving (qualified to 40 metres).

      World Nomads offers two plans – Standard and Explorer. Each policy provides different levels of coverage depending on what you need:

      • The Standard Plan covers a range of benefits and certain adventure activities and has lower coverage limits.
      • The Explorer Plan covers all the benefits of the Standard plan, with larger coverage limits, more benefits and covers more sports and activities.
      • Both the Standard and Explorer plans offer cover for nominated low-risk water sports under “Level 1” cover. If you plan to participate in higher-risk water sports, as listed in section 8 of the Policy Document, you may need to upgrade your Standard or Explorer plan to “level 2” or “level 3” cover depending on which water sports activities you plan on participating in. 

      Depending on the level of cover you choose, our policies may cover you for the following when participating in water sports activities:

      • Medical emergency: if you suffer an accident on injury whilst participating in a water sports activity, you may be covered for medical expenses incurred including evacuation and even repatriation if you need to return home.
      • Trip cancellation: if any part your trip is cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances you may be covered for expenses incurred as a result of the cancellation.
      • Cover for stolen baggage and gear: if your gear is lost, stolen or damaged on your trip you may be able to claim to have your gear replaced or repaired.
      • Natural disaster: If a natural disaster impacts your planned water sports adventure our policies may cover you if you need to cancel or interrupt your travel plans.
      woman kayaking in Slovenia
      Woman kayaking in Slovenia. Photo credit: Getty Images/Brusonja

      What's not covered?

      While there are several circumstances we can offer coverage for, there are also those we just won’t cover. These include, but are not limited to:

      • Damage to any sporting equipment while in use, sporting equipment over 3 years old or damage to or theft of any water sports equipment that are left unsupervised in a public place.
      • If you travel against medical advice or neglect to adhere to New Zealand Government ‘Do Not Travel’ warnings issued prior to departure. Find out more at Safe Travel NZ.
      • A loss arising from participating in or training for a competition or race where you receive a financial reward (i.e., an appearance fee, a wage or salary).
      • Any adventure activities or sports that aren’t covered by our policies.
      • Any pre-existing medical conditions.
      • Any costs related to illegal activities or being under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

        Tips for your water activity and sports sports trip

        • Keep your receipts and paperwork:any claim you make will need supporting documentation such as receipts of your purchases. Keep these with you in printed or digital form if you intend to make a claim.
        • It pays to be prepared:check the weather, check your equipment, and check the credentials of your instructors and guides – if any seem unreliable then reconsider if it’s a smart move to go.
        • Don’t get in over your head:be responsible when choosing a water sports activity. Does it suit your experience level? Are you using an accredited tour operator? Make sure to wear appropriate safety gear.

          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.

           


          True Claims Stories

          • Never travel without insurance. This was the first time I ever purchased travel insurance and I am so glad I did. A few days into my trip to Spain I twisted my foot heading down to the metro. Thanks to World Nomads I was able to get medical attention in Spain and since, as luck would have it, I had a fracture that required surgery, they got me a flight home the next day. Filing a claim was surprisingly easy and when the claim was finally processed, I was reimbursed for all of my expenses including things like the extra week in the hotel I didn't get to take advantage of.
            L.D.
            U.S. resident in Spain
          • I recently had a serious injury traveling on my own & the team was amazing. Being confused with a brain injury they took care of everything. Claiming was no problem, they were on the phone constantly to see if all was OK. I can't recommend them enough. Absolutely fantastic & l will always travel with World Nomads Insurance. Thanks guys for getting me home safely.
            A.B.
            Australian in Thailand
          • I was bitten by a monkey at the Batu Caves in Kuala Lumpur. I went to a nearby clinic and they gave me a rabies shot, antibiotics to take for 4 days, pain medicine, and anti-inflammatory medicine.
            T.R.
            Canadian in Malaysia

          24/7 emergency assistance

          Whether you need medical assistance or emergency evacuation, our teams 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?

          Contact the team

          Travel Insurance Benefits: how we can take care of you

          Trip Cancellation

          Been working hard for your trip?

          We'll work hard to protect it.

          Trip Protection
          • Unexpectedly hospitalised?
          • Travel buddy unfit to travel?
          • Been made redundant?

          We’ve got your back.

          Emergency Medical Expenses

          Feeling fit and healthy? What if you get sick or injured?

          Take the pain out of medical or dental costs.

          Emergency Medical Insurance
          • Need meds quick?
          • Accidentally injured?
          • Suddenly sick?

          We’ve got your back.

          Emergency Medical Transportation

          Know where the nearest hospital is?

          Don’t stress, we’ll get you there quickly.

          Evacuation and Repatriation
          • Banged up abroad?
          • Need a hospital urgently?
          • Medivac home?

          Help starts here.

          Protect your gear

          Love photography, filming or sport?

          Cover your bags, tech or gear.

          Protect your gear
          • Luggage lost?
          • Airline lost your gear?
          • Tech trashed?

          Help starts here.

          • Emergency Overseas Medical & Dental Expenses
          • Emergency Medical Evacuation & Repatriation
          • Trip Cancellation or Interruption
          • 24-Hour Assistance Services
          • Baggage
          • And more (depending on your country of residence)
          *This is a general summary only. Restrictions, exclusions and limitations will apply. Coverage may not be available for all countries, states or provinces. Benefit limits may vary depending on the plan chosen. Get a quote for full details.
          Photo © Christian Wheatley

          Travel insurance for water sports and activities

          What to know when getting your adrenaline rush in and around the water

            As featured in:

          • As featured in:

          Water, water everywhere! Whether you’re planning to set sail on your holiday, scuba dive the world’s great reefs, or you’re going to bounce down a canyon on a white-water adventure, World Nomads travel insurance can help you and your family if the unexpected happens.

          What does World Nomads travel insurance cover?

          Some of the key benefits that you may be covered for (up to the befit limits) include:

          • Emergency medical and evacuation coverage – if you or a member of your family suffers an injury or accident whilst participating in a covered water sports activity.
          • Baggage and high-value items cover – if your baggage or items are stolen, lost or damaged you may be covered, including if your bags are delayed.
          • Cover for Coronavirus-related events – our policies offer medical coverage if you or your family are diagnosed with Coronavirus. You may also be covered for Coronavirus-related travel costs such as quarantine and trip cancellation, depending on which policy you choose.
          • Coverage for extended stays – Your plan can be extended while still travelling for up to 12 months from your departure date (terms and conditions apply).

          Why should I consider travel insurance when doing a water sports activity?

          Before you head off on your adventure it might be worth considering how travel insurance can ensure that your holiday dreams don’t turn into a nightmare.

          Our policies can help with medical costs and evacuation if you suffer an injury while sailing in the Greek Islands and need to seek medical treatment. Travel insurance can also help if your surfboard is damaged while on your way to your surfing adventure in Hawaii.

          Having travel insurance can even help if your diving trip to the Great Barrier Reef by is cancelled due to an insured event by the tour provider and you’re left out of pocket.

          Our policies cover a wide range of water sports activities, so don’t leave your aquatic adventure up to chance.

          What’s covered by water sports activity insurance?

          We want you to have the best experience on your travels, so we’ve designed our plans to cover the water sports that our nomads love the most including: 

          • Dragon boating
          • Jet Skiing
          • Kayaking
          • Snorkelling
          • Scuba diving (qualified to 40 metres)
          • Surfing
          • Stand-up paddleboarding.

          We can even offer cover for experiences that really push the limits including:

          • Outdoor endurance, multi-sport and triathlon events (less than ultra-distance)
          • Shark cage diving
          • Cavern diving (qualified to 40 metres).

          World Nomads offers two plans – Standard and Explorer. Each policy provides different levels of coverage depending on what you need:

          • The Standard Plan covers a range of benefits and certain adventure activities and has lower coverage limits.
          • The Explorer Plan covers all the benefits of the Standard plan, with larger coverage limits, more benefits and covers more sports and activities.
          • Both the Standard and Explorer plans offer cover for nominated low-risk water sports under “Level 1” cover. If you plan to participate in higher-risk water sports, as listed in section 8 of the PDS, you may need to upgrade your Standard or Explorer plan to “level 2” or “level 3” cover depending on which water sports activities you plan on participating in.

          Depending on the level of cover you choose, our policies may cover you for the following when participating in water sports activities:

          • Medical emergency: if you suffer an accident on injury whilst participating in a water sports activity, you are covered for medical expenses incurred including evacuation and even repatriation if you need to return home.
          • Trip cancellation: if any part your trip is cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances you may be covered for expenses incurred as a result of the cancellation.
          • Cover for stolen baggage and gear: if your gear is lost, stolen or damaged on your trip you may be able to claim to have your gear replaced or repaired.
          • Natural disaster: If a natural disaster impacts your planned water sports adventure our policies may cover you if you need to cancel or interrupt your travel plans.

          woman kayaking in Slovenia
          Woman kayaking in Slovenia. Photo credit: Getty Images/Brusonja

          What's not covered?

          While there are several circumstances we can offer coverage for, there are also those we just won’t cover. These include, but are not limited to:

          • Damage to any sporting equipment while in use, sporting equipment over 3 years old or damage to or theft of any water sports equipment that are left unsupervised in a public place.
          • If you travel against medical advice or neglect to adhere to Australian Government ‘Do Not Travel’ warnings issued prior to departure. Find out more at Smartraveller.
          • A loss arising from participating in or training for a competition or race where you receive a financial reward (i.e., an appearance fee, a wage or salary).
          • Any adventure activities or sports that aren’t covered by our policies.
          • Any pre-existing medical conditions.
          • Any costs related to illegal activities or being under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

            Tips for your water activity and sports trip

            • Keep your receipts and paperwork:any claim you make will need supporting documentation such as receipts of your purchases. Keep these with you in printed or digital form if you intend to make a claim.
            • It pays to be prepared:check the weather, check your equipment, and check the credentials of your instructors and guides – if any seem unreliable then reconsider if it’s a smart move to go.
            • Don’t get in over your head:be responsible when choosing a water sports activity. Does it suit your experience level? Are you using an accredited tour operator? Make sure to wear appropriate safety gear.

              This is only a summary of cover and does not include the full terms, conditions, limitations and exclusions of the policy. You should read your PDS 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.


              True Claims Stories

              • Never travel without insurance. This was the first time I ever purchased travel insurance and I am so glad I did. A few days into my trip to Spain I twisted my foot heading down to the metro. Thanks to World Nomads I was able to get medical attention in Spain and since, as luck would have it, I had a fracture that required surgery, they got me a flight home the next day. Filing a claim was surprisingly easy and when the claim was finally processed, I was reimbursed for all of my expenses including things like the extra week in the hotel I didn't get to take advantage of.
                L.D.
                U.S. resident in Spain
              • I recently had a serious injury traveling on my own & the team was amazing. Being confused with a brain injury they took care of everything. Claiming was no problem, they were on the phone constantly to see if all was OK. I can't recommend them enough. Absolutely fantastic & l will always travel with World Nomads Insurance. Thanks guys for getting me home safely.
                A.B.
                Australian in Thailand
              • I was bitten by a monkey at the Batu Caves in Kuala Lumpur. I went to a nearby clinic and they gave me a rabies shot, antibiotics to take for 4 days, pain medicine, and anti-inflammatory medicine.
                T.R.
                Canadian in Malaysia

              24/7 emergency assistance

              Whether you need medical assistance or emergency evacuation, our teams 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?

              Contact the team

              Travel Insurance Benefits: how we can take care of you

              Trip Cancellation

              Been working hard for your trip?

              We'll work hard to protect it.

              Trip Protection
              • Unexpectedly hospitalised?
              • Travel buddy unfit to travel?
              • Been made redundant?

              We’ve got your back.

              Emergency Medical Expenses

              Feeling fit and healthy? What if you get sick or injured?

              Take the pain out of medical or dental costs.

              Emergency Medical Insurance
              • Need meds quick?
              • Accidentally injured?
              • Suddenly sick?

              We’ve got your back.

              Emergency Medical Transportation

              Know where the nearest hospital is?

              Don’t stress, we’ll get you there quickly.

              Evacuation and Repatriation
              • Banged up abroad?
              • Need a hospital urgently?
              • Medivac home?

              Help starts here.

              Protect your gear

              Love photography, filming or sport?

              Cover your bags, tech or gear.

              Protect your gear
              • Luggage lost?
              • Airline lost your gear?
              • Tech trashed?

              Help starts here.

              • Emergency Overseas Medical & Dental Expenses
              • Emergency Medical Evacuation & Repatriation
              • Trip Cancellation or Interruption
              • 24-Hour Assistance Services
              • Baggage
              • And more (depending on your country of residence)
              *This is a general summary only. Restrictions, exclusions and limitations will apply. Coverage may not be available for all countries, states or provinces. Benefit limits may vary depending on the plan chosen. Get a quote for full details.