Travel Insurance for 150+ Adventure Sports and Activities
Travel insurance designed for adventures while travelling.
- As featured in:
As featured in:
Whether you’re planning on going to Brazil, Spain, Thailand or the USA, make sure you’re prepared for any adventure activities you plan to do while abroad. Our plans offer coverage for more than 150 adventure sports and activities, from hiking, snowboarding, scuba diving, hot-air ballooning, skiing, and more. Before you go, be sure you understand the sports cover that is included with your selected World Nomads travel insurance policy, check your itinerary and the weather, and bring the correct gear to ensure you have a safe experience.
- What adventure sports activities are covered by travel insurance?
- What benefits are available for adventure activities?
- What’s not covered?
- FAQs
- Can I extend my policy?
What adventure sports activities are covered by travel insurance?
During your trip, you may want to try activities and sports that aren’t commonly done in Canada. You are automatically covered to participate in various activities under both the Standard Plan and Explorer Plan, however you must add any adventure, sports, work or volunteer activities that you think you’ll be doing while on your trip, at the time you purchase your policy, to make sure you are covered. Check the selected policy before you complete your purchase for the selected limits, as an upgrade for certain sports may be required and terms and conditions, limitations and exclusions apply.
As long as the activity is listed on your policy, if something goes wrong, your coverage may include benefits for:
World Nomads provides travel insurance for more than 150 activities, sports and experiences but it doesn’t cover everything so don’t assume every activity is included and covered.
If you’re planning on doing a specific sport or activity that isn’t listed as Level 1, then you may need to upgrade your policy. Sports and activities listed as Level 2 or Level 3 require an upgrade and an additional premium. Upgrades must be purchased when you buy your policy. Some activities have special conditions and special exclusions. You can contact us if you have any questions around coverage for any activities you plan to do.
What benefits are available for adventure activities?
World Nomads plans offer a variety of benefits that can help when doing adventure sports while overseas, and your coverage benefit limit will vary depending on whether you choose our Standard Plan or our Explorer plan. Read your policy for details on terms and conditions, maximum benefit limits, and any exclusions:
Emergency medical expenses while outside Canada: Our plans offer cover for expenses incurred resulting from injury, sickness or death while on your trip. If at any time during your holiday, you or any of your traveling companions become sick or injured, you’ll need to contact our 24/7 Emergency Assistance team as soon as possible. Our team can assist to locate the nearest hospital or medical facility and may transport you back to Canada if a treating doctor determines this to be medically necessary.
Trip cancellation: If you must cancel your trip due to a covered risk, we cover up to the maximum limit under the policy for your non-refundable prepaid trip costs of your unused travel arrangements. For example, if you or any of your travel companions get sick or injured and you need to cancel your holiday, we may cover prepaid and non-refundable expenses. Please note that you’ll need to submit documents when filing a trip cancellation claim for a covered reason. Depending on your case, you'll need copies of:
- Receipts
- Itineraries
- Doctors/death certificates
- Medical history
- Written documentation from your travel provider outlining any refund you received and their cancellation penalties
Coverage for baggage and personal belongings: The policy provides coverage if your baggage or personal belongings becomes lost or damaged by your Common Carrier or stolen. You’ll need to have receipts, along with reports from the authorities or an incident report from your airline or other carrier (if your belongings were lost in transit) in order to submit a claim.
What’s not covered?
Here are some examples of what is not covered under our plans. Please refer to your policy for the complete list:
- Pre-existing medical conditions (Please refer to the Exclusions for Emergency Medical and Dental Coverage section of the policy wording for more information on coverage for pre-existing medical conditions).
- If you do not use a professional qualified and licensed guide or operator where required.
- Any search or rescue operations to find or rescue you from a life-threatening situation.
- If you refuse to be repatriated or evacuated.
- Damage to any sports or activity equipment while in use.
- Unattended baggage or personal items.
- If you participate in any sport or engage in any activity on a professional basis.
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.
FAQs
What questions should I ask when choosing a plan?
When purchasing your travel insurance policy you may be tempted to take the most cost-effective option without reading the policy first. Whilst reading the policy document can be a time-consuming task, it’s best to familiarize yourself with all the benefits, policy limits and exclusions before you buy your policy.
World Nomads offer two travel insurance plans, the Standard Plan and the Explorer Plan. Both plans offer levels of protection for many of the same types of risks and offer cover for, hospitalization, repatriation, lost, stolen or damaged baggage, and other unexpected costs.
However, the Explorer Plan offers higher policy benefit limits. For example, the Standard Plan offers a maximum benefit limit for emergency medical expenses of $5M, whereas the Explorer Plan offers a maximum benefit limit of $10M.
When choosing which policy is best matched to your needs you should ask yourself:
- How much trip cancellation coverage do I need? (Our Standard Plan covers a maximum limit of $2,500 and our Explorer Plan covers a maximum limit of $5,000)
- How much emergency medical coverage do I need?
- What kind of activities will I be doing on holiday?
- What activities is my travel party planning?
- What coverage do the two different plans offer for these activities?
- What exclusions might apply?
Note: choose your policy carefully as you can’t upgrade from a Standard Plan to an Explorer Plan mid-trip.
Can I buy travel insurance? I’ve already started traveling.
If you forgot to buy travel insurance before you left home, you can still purchase while you’re travelling. Note that a waiting period may apply for some benefits.
Can I extend my policy?
Your policy may be extended up to a maximum 12 months (365 days) from your original policy start date. To qualify and apply for a policy extension:
- You must not have made a claim, or have a reason to claim, on your original policy.
- The request for an extension must be made through, and approved by, World Nomads prior to your original scheduled return date.
You may qualify for a policy extension if you have sought emergency medical treatment or filed a claim for emergency medical treatment prior to extending your trip, however any subsequent medical treatment related to your emergency will not be covered under the extension of coverage.
You must have been eligible for the insurance that you seek to extend at the time of your original booking of your trip and at the time of the request for the extension.
Please note that:
- Policy extensions are not eligible to be refunded.
- The 10-day ‘Right to Examine’ period does not apply.
If you are travelling and want to extend your trip, you can purchase a policy extension by logging into your World Nomads membership account. Select your current policy and follow the prompts to extend your policy.
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.
World Nomads covers more than 150 activities and sports, and if it’s not on the list you can contact us and we’ll let you know if we’ll cover it.
You can read more about coverage for some specific activities, or select your Country Of Residence and click here to see the activities covered by the plans available to you.
We offer cover for:
- 24/7 Emergency Assistance
- Overseas medical assistance
- Cancellation
- Baggage
I bit on something hard
A bone chipped my front tooth, on the top row, and cracked it. Blood started to run down so I had an emergency visit to the dentist to repair it.
B.P. U.S Resident in South Africa.
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)
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 teamFAQ
Here are our most frequently asked questions about overseas medical insurance. You can also find the answers to other questions in our Helpdesk or you can ask our customer service team.
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Does my insurance cover medical costs upfront or do I have to pay and claim later?
Who pays depends on what’s happened! If it’s an emergency situation where hospital admission and/or medical evacuation is required, the insurer covers these costs upfront (provided the incident is covered as per the policy wording, of course).
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Do you have a list of doctors/dentist so I know where to go in case something happens and make sure I’m covered?
We don't publish a list of doctors or dentists. If you need help finding one, call our assistance teams, and they'll guide to the most appropriate medical professional.
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Why don't you cover ongoing treatment at home?
Travel insurance policies are designed for accidents or unexpected illness overseas. They don't stand in place of primary medical insurance or government healthcare.
Travel Insurance for 250+ Adventure Sports and Activities
Travel insurance designed for adventures while traveling.
- As featured in:
As featured in:
For information relating to policies purchased prior to October 23 2024, please check the Policy Wording provided with your purchase. You can contact us if you need this sent to you again. For plans purchased after October 23 2024, please see below.
- What adventure sports and outdoor activities does travel insurance cover?
- What will I be covered for if something goes wrong on my trip?
- Questions to ask when choosing a plan
- What’s not covered?
Whether you’re going rafting in Costa Rica, doing a multi-day hike in Iceland, or taking on the epic bike trails of New Zealand, the more you do to prepare for your adventure ahead of departure, the more enjoyable your trip is likely to be. Learning as much as you can about your route and packing the right gear is essential to have the best possible chance of having a safe, comfortable experience – especially if you’re planning something extreme like a cold-weather camping trip.
Travel insurance* is a smart move no matter what you plan to get up to, but it’s especially important if getting active outdoors is big on your itinerary. Our plans offer coverage for more than 250 adventure sports and activities ranging from hiking and snowboarding to scuba diving, rock climbing, and more.
Be sure to check your plan because your level of activity and sports coverage is subject to terms and conditions, limitations and exclusions.
What adventure sports and outdoor activities does travel insurance cover?
The sweet anticipation of adventure can be intoxicating, but there are some practical tasks to check off before you get too excited. Before purchasing your travel insurance plan, it’s important to ensure that all the sports and activities you intend to do are covered.
All plans, including the Standard and Annual Plans, cover more than 250 activities, sports and experiences, and the Explorer and Epic Plans cover even more than that. The Explorer and Epic Plans offer coverage for more adventurous activities as well, like high altitude hiking or cliff diving. It's important that you know all the activities you may want to do before picking a plan and then making sure your level of protection covers all possible scenarios on your trip. If your plans include hiking, look up the elevations of the highest mountain you plan to climb and then purchase the plan that will cover that. You can contact us if you have questions. We can assist you with making sure you're covered for the activities you plan to do.
Oh, and if you forgot to buy travel insurance before you left home, rest assured that you can still purchase while you’re traveling. Note that a waiting period may apply for some benefits.
What will I be covered for if something goes wrong on my trip?
Once you know your chosen activities are covered, here are some of the benefits that may be available to you (up to benefit limits) if your plans are derailed:
Emergency medical and evacuation: If during your trip, you or your traveling companion becomes sick or injured, then you’ll need to contact the 24/7 Emergency Assistance team as soon as possible. The team may be able to help locate the nearest suitable medical facility or even help get you back to your home to the US if your attending physician and the 24/7 Emergency Assistance Team deems this to be medically necessary.
Trip cancellation: If you, your traveling companion or immediate family member gets sick or injured and you need to cancel your plans, we may cover prepaid and non-refundable travel expenses up to the plan limits. You’ll need to submit documentation when filing a trip cancellation claim for a covered reason listed in your plan.
Our single-trip and annual travel insurance plans all include trip cancellation coverage. Our Epic and Explorer plans also offer the optional ‘cancel for any reason’ benefit. When you get a quote, you can compare the plans side-by-side to determine which one might be right for you.
Coverage for extended stays: if you’re having a great time on your trip and choose to delay your return to the US, you may easily buy a new plan online that will cover the remainder of your trip. You can manage your plans on our member portal, which you will have access to once you purchase a plan.
Coverage for baggage and personal belongings: if your checked baggage has been delayed or lost by the airline, our non-insurance service Blue Ribbon Bags may be able to track and expedite its return so you can get on with your travels. The service covers every flight on every airline anywhere in the world, and you’ll be updated every step of the way. Simply report your delayed or lost airline bags and Blue Ribbon Bags will take it from there.
If your baggage or personal items can’t be located, or they’ve been damaged or stolen, you’ll need to submit receipts, along with police reports or an incident report from your carrier (if your belongings were lost in transit). Your coverage will vary according to your insurance plan. Read your plan for details on terms and conditions, maximum benefit limits, and exclusions of your coverage.
Travel inconvenience: not everything is predictable when you’re on the road, but if you’ve purchased an Explorer and Epic travel insurance plan, you may be covered for many of the hiccups you could encounter. If, for example, you’ve booked a ski or snowboarding trip but the resort facilities are closed during the time you are there, you may be eligible for $250 compensation. Travel inconvenience could also cover expenses related to tarmac delays, rental car breakdowns, cruise diversions and more. There is a time-sensitive period related to this benefit, so be sure to purchase your insurance plan within seven days of making the first payment or deposit towards your trip to be eligible.
Questions to ask when choosing a plan
It may be tempting to consider the cheapest coverage option without reading the plan wording. However, you’ll want to pick the best plan for your trip. A weekend camping trip in a neighboring state will warrant different coverage than a month-long trek through Asia. Although reading the plan documents can be a tedious task, it’s best to familiarize yourself with all the benefits, limits and exclusions before you buy.
When deciding which plan is best matched to your adventures you might want to ask yourself:
- What kind of activities will I be doing on vacation?
- What activities are my travel companions planning?
- What coverage do the different plans offer for these activities?
- What exclusions might apply?
Note: please choose your plan carefully as you can’t upgrade from a Standard plan to an Explorer or Epic plan mid-trip.
What’s not covered?
Here are some examples of what is not covered under our plans. Please refer to your policy for the complete list.
- Any medical bills related to a pre-existing condition, unless you purchased the Explorer or Epic Plan during the time-sensitive period were medically able to travel at the time of purchase.
- If you do not use a professional qualified and licensed guide or operator where required.
- Damage to any sports or activity equipment while in use.
- Unattended baggage or personal items.
- You’re behaving in a reckless manner, or your actions are in breach of the local laws.
- If you participate in any sport on a professional basis (you are getting paid as a professional athlete).
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)
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
