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 250 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 250 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 250 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 Benefits for Trips With Adventure Sports and Activities
US Residents may be covered for 250+ adventure sports and activities while on a trip
- As featured in:
As featured in:
At a glance
- World Nomads offers plans that include travel insurance benefits and non-insurance services for 250+ adventure sports and activities
- The Epic and Explorer plans cover even more activities and adventures
- If you get seriously injured while traveling and participating in covered activities, you may be reimbursed for things such as x-rays, a hospital visit, and prescription medication
- Why should you consider travel insurance that may cover adventure sports and activities?
- What May Be Covered for 250+ Adventure Sports and Activities
- Important to Know
- Maximum Benefit Amounts for Accident & Sickness Medical Expenses
- What activities are included?
- Questions to ask when choosing a plan
- FAQs
Why should you consider travel insurance that may cover adventure sports and activities?
Whether you’re going rafting in Costa Rica, hiking in Iceland, or taking on the epic bike trails of New Zealand, the more you do to prepare for your adventure, the more enjoyable your trip is likely to be. There are some things you can’t always plan for, though, like a trip getting canceled because of a hurricane or fracturing a rib while mountain biking. Because of these unexpected situations that can happen while traveling, you may want to consider getting a quote for a single-trip or annual travel protection plan that includes travel insurance benefits for activities and adventure sports.
What May Be Covered for 250+ Adventure Sports and Activities
- Emergency medical expense coverage
- Trip cancellation, trip interruption, and trip delay coverage
- Stolen, delayed, or lost baggage
- Access to non-insurance services, including one that lets you have access to your portable health records when traveling
Important to Know
- You can’t participate in any sport on a professional basis
- Damage to any sports or activity equipment while in use is not covered
- Only trips more than 100 miles from your home may be covered
- Some adventure sports are excluded or have special conditions, so check the list of covered adventure sports
Maximum Benefit Amounts for Accident & Sickness Medical Expenses
| Standard Plan | Explorer Plan | Epic Plan | Annual Plan |
|---|---|---|---|
| Up to $125,000 per person Get a quote |
Up to $150,000 per person Get a quote |
Up to $250,000 per person Get a quote |
Up to $100,000 per trip Get a quote |
What activities are included?
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. Some examples of adventure sports and activities travel insurance benefits may cover include:
- Skiing
- Kayaking
- Cycling
- Scuba diving
- Surfing
- Bungee jumping
- Camping
- Hiking
- Rock climbing
- Sailing
- Safaris
- Pickleball
- Live Action Role Playing (LARP)
- Volunteering
The Explorer and Epic Plans offer coverage for more adventurous activities as well, like high altitude hiking or cliff diving. The full list of 250+ activities can be found here. If you’re not sure if an activity is covered, you can contact us and ask.
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 plan that has the best travel insurance benefits for the specific activities you’ll be participating in.
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?
You’ll want to familiarize yourself with all the benefits, limits and exclusions before you buy a plan that includes travel insurance benefits for adventure sports and activities. Contact us if you have any questions about what activities are covered by each plan.
FAQ
Here are our most frequently asked questions about cover for adventure activities. You can also find the answers to other questions in our Help Center or you can ask the customer service team.
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What adventure sports and activities may be covered by travel insurance benefits?
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. A few examples of activities that may be covered include: Skiing, Kayaking, Cycling, Scuba diving, Surfing, Bungee jumping, Camping, Hiking, Rock climbing, Sailing, Safaris, Pickleball, Live Action Role Playing (LARP), and Volunteering. Make sure you familiarize yourself with all the benefits, limits and exclusions, and if you have any questions about what activities are covered, you can contact us.
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Can I purchase a plan after my trip starts?
Yes. If your trip has already started, World Nomads can still offer you coverage. You can buy a plan that includes travel insurance coverage for adventure sports and activities online anytime, from anywhere in the world. World Nomads Travel Insurance for U.S. residents takes effect at 12:01 a.m. local time the day after you purchase your plan. If you’re already traveling and want to get coverage for a particular activity, you’ll need to buy your insurance at least the day before you need coverage.
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Are adventure sports and activities covered if I’m traveling in the United States?
Yes, you may be covered for trips within the United States, but only if you’re traveling more than 100 miles from your home. You’ll still need to make sure the activities you’re participating in are covered within your chosen plan too.
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What should I do if I get hurt while on my trip?
If you get hurt while participating in a covered adventure sport or activity, contact local authorities as soon as you’re able to do so for immediate attention. World Nomads Travel Insurance may reimburse the cost of medical treatment, hospital stays, or even emergency medical evacuation if needed (subject to approval.) Access to a 24/7 Non-Insurance Emergency Assistance team is also included for support anytime, anywhere when you purchase a travel protection plan.
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If the airline loses or damages my sporting gear, will it be covered?
Your travel insurance benefits for adventure sports and activities includes baggage and gear coverage. If your checked gear is lost or damaged by a common carrier, you may be reimbursed for certain items that you can prove you owned. You’ll want to speak to the airline about reimbursement first though. Your plan is considered secondary coverage, and your travel insurance benefits for baggage and gear may kick in after you’ve exhausted the benefits from the source of your loss.
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Do I get my money back for excursions and tours if my trip is canceled?
Trip cancellation coverage is offered by all plans offered by World Nomads, and you may be reimbursed for pre-paid, unused, non-refundable expenses that include tours, excursions, and activities if your trip is canceled for a covered reason. U.S. residents (except those that live in New York) also have the ability to add additional cancel for any reason coverage when certain World Nomads plans are purchased. Terms and conditions apply.
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 hospitalized?
- 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?
- Medevac 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)
