Travel Insurance when Kayaking and Rafting

A silky-smooth Nordic lake at dawn or a white-knuckled ride down a river in Rocky Mountain National Park, action on the water is often the most memorable part of any holiday, especially for water-loving New Zealanders. If the unexpected happens while you’re soaking up the fun, World Nomads has travel insurance plans to help when your kayaking and rafting trip suddenly takes a nosedive.

• Rafting and Kayaking activities: Is cover available?
• What’s covered?
• Why consider travel insurance when I’m going kayaking/rafting?
• What’s not covered?

Rafting and Kayaking activities: Is cover available?

Planning your kayaking and rafting activities before you leave home means you can arrange the right level of cover. Both our Standard and Explorer plans offer many of the same benefits including cover for level 1 sport and adventure activities such as kayaking (inland or coastal waters within 3 nautical miles), whitewater kayaking/rafting and river boarding on grades 1-5.

For more adventurous nomads you need to upgrade your cover if you’re planning on kayaking, windsurfing or sailing beyond 3 nautical miles from the coast. Simply specify all the activities you have planned for your trip when you get your quote, as you can’t add them afterwards. Terms and conditions apply, check your Policy Document for details or contact us.

If you are planning on taking your own kayak or other gear with you, please note that there is no cover for watercraft of any type (except surfboards). For other sporting equipment, cover is available where the carrier requires it be checked-in due to its size or weight. If you've purchased the Explorer Plan, we'll also pay to hire replacement equipment because your sporting equipment was:

• Accidentally damaged by a carrier; or
• Delayed or lost by a carrier for more than 12 hours (the waiting period).

Note: we won’t cover damage to any sporting equipment while in use, if your sporting equipment is over three years old, or damage or theft of any sporting equipment left unsupervised in a public place.

What’s covered?

Paddling around the hidden coves of Sydney Harbour or rafting on the Ayung River in Bali sound idyllic but if you return to your locked car to find the window smashed and your gear stolen, our Standard and Explorer plans may cover those unforeseen events and injuries to help get your next kayaking/rafting trip back on track.

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

• Loss, theft or damage to baggage or personal items. Remember to keep copies of your original receipts if you need to make a claim and you’ll need a local police report too.
• Overseas emergency medical costs if you need to see a doctor urgently and/or need to be medically repatriated back to New Zealand.
• The non-refundable costs of cancelling your trip if you must return home early due to a sudden injury to you, your close relative or travel buddy.
• Cover for official ‘Do Not Travel’ advice unexpectedly issued for your destination after you’ve received your Certificate of Insurance, which causes you to cancel your trip.
• Replacement costs of buying essential clothing and toiletries if your checked-in baggage is delayed for more than 12 hours (keep your receipts).
• Cover for family plans for 2 adults and up to 8 dependents on the same policy. Plus plans can be extended while still travelling for up to 12 months from your original departure date (terms and conditions apply).
• Car rental damage insurance excess (Explorer Plan only).

Why consider travel insurance when I’m going kayaking/rafting?

If things don’t go smoothly and you’re left bumped, bruised or even broken, the World Nomads 24/7 Emergency Assistance Team is here to help you.

If you’ve seriously injured yourself and require medical treatment, call the Emergency Assistance team as soon as possible so it can direct you to the nearest medical center or hospital. Or in the worst case, contact Emergency Assistance so it can evacuate you to the most appropriate facility for your care, where possible. We may even bring you back home to New Zealand to recover if required.

World Nomads love hearing about those exotic tales from the world’s best kayaking/rafting spots:

• Sjoa River (Norway) for both family rafting adventures and serious thrill-seekers.
• Sri Lanka, everything on offer kayaking through its vast network of tropical waterways.
• Rio Tuichi (Bolivia) for the intrepid traveller, untouched jungle scenery on multi-day rafting trips on grades 1-5.

What’s not covered?

Sorry – we won’t cover you if you do something careless (like getting your gear stolen on the beach while you take a swim). Some things we don’t cover include:

• Any existing medical conditions, which are not listed as automatically covered conditions as per the specific requirements in your policy.
• Undertaking activities above the grade allowed in the Policy Document; hazardous activities; or activities in hazardous locations
• If you do not use a professional qualified and licenced guide or operator where required.
• Any search or rescue operations to find or rescue you from a life-threatening situation.
• If you refuse to be repatriated or evacuated for further treatment on the reasonable recommendation of the Emergency Assistance Team.
• Damage to sporting equipment while in use.
• Unattended baggage or personal items.
• Costs arising from being under the influence of drugs or alcohol
• The policy excess per event where applicable (check the Summary of Benefits in your Policy Document).

Traveller’s Tip: Before you launch, remember to check the International River Grading of the river you’re on so you won’t invalidate your cover. The scale is used for various water sports and activities, such as black and white water rafting, river boarding, white-water canoeing, stand up paddle surfing, and whitewater kayaking.

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.

Kayaking & Rafting: travelling smarter and safer

Here at World Nomads, we love to find ways to help you enjoy your travels: from travelling smarter to travel safety and we endeavor to source the most up to date information about travel destinations. If you are going kayaking or rafting in another country, check out our Travel Safety content - if you are going kayaking in some obscure location, check with us first and avoid known banjo plucking hot spots!

Travel Insurance for Kayaking and Rafting

Aussies love life on the water whether it’s rafting through Hippo Alley on Ethiopia’s Omo River to kayaking around the Greek island of Milos exploring ancient sea caves. Like food for the soul, cast off from the fast hustle and find your own flow on a rafting/kayaking voyage on the world’s most stunning waterways.

• Rafting and Kayaking activities: Is cover available?
• What’s covered?
• Why consider travel insurance when I’m going kayaking/rafting?
• What’s not covered?

Rafting and Kayaking activities: Is cover available?

Planning your kayaking or rafting activities before you leave home means you can plan for the right level of cover. Both our Standard and Explorer plans offer many of the same benefits including cover for level 1 sport and adventure activities such as kayaking (inland or coastal waters within 3 nautical miles),  and whitewater kayaking/rafting and river boarding on grades 1-5.

For more adventurous nomads you need to upgrade your cover if you’re planning on  kayaking, windsurfing or sailing beyond 3 nautical miles from the coast k Simply specify all the activities you have planned for your trip when you get your quote, as you can’t add them afterwards. Terms and conditions apply, check your policy for details or contact us.

If you are planning on taking your own kayak or other gear with you, please note that there is no cover for watercraft of any type (except surfboards). For other sporting equipment, cover is available where the carrier requires it be checked-in due to its size or weight. If you've purchased the Explorer Plan, we'll also pay to hire replacement equipment because your sporting equipment was:

• accidentally damaged by a carrier; or
• delayed or lost by a carrier for more than 12 hours (the waiting period).

Note: we won’t cover damage to any sporting equipment while in use, if your sporting equipment is more than three years old, or to any damage or theft of any sporting equipment left unsupervised in a public place.

What’s covered?

When you finally take off to drift around the Seychelles or raft the canyons of North America, packing travel insurance can help if your trip hits troubled waters.

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

• Loss, theft or damage to baggage or personal items. Remember to keep copies of your original receipts if you need to make a claim and you’ll need a local police report too.
• Overseas emergency medical costs if you need to see a doctor urgently and/or need to be medically repatriated back to Australia.
• The non-refundable costs of cancelling your trip if you must return home early due to a sudden injury to you, your close relative or travel buddy.
• Cover for official ‘Do Not Travel’ advice unexpectedly issued for your destination after you’ve received your Certificate of Insurance, which causes you to cancel your trip.
• Replacement costs of buying essential clothing and toiletries if your checked-in baggage is delayed for more than 12 hours (keep your receipts).
• Cover for family plans for 2 adults and up to 8 dependents on the same policy. Plus plans can be extended while still travelling for up to 12 months from your original departure date (terms and conditions apply).
• Car rental damage insurance excess (Explorer Plan only).

Why consider travel insurance when I’m going kayaking/rafting?

If things don’t go smoothly and you’re left bumped, bruised or even broken, the World Nomads 24/7 Emergency Assistance Team is here to help you.

If you’ve seriously injured yourself and require medical treatment, call the Emergency Assistance Team as soon as possible so it can direct you to the nearest medical centre or hospital. Or in the worst case, contact Emergency Assistance so it can evacuate you to the most appropriate medical facility for your care where possible. We may even bring you back home to Australia to recover if required.

World Nomads love hearing tales from the world’s best kayaking/rafting spots:

• Chattooga River (USA) for beginner and advanced rafting.
• Sri Lanka, everything is on offer for kayaking along its vast network of tropical waterways.
• Krupa River (Croatia) for clear waters and magnificent waterfalls.

What’s not covered?

Sorry – we won’t cover you if you do something careless (such as your gear getting stolen when left on the beach while you take a swim). Some things we don’t cover include:

• Any existing medical conditions, which are not listed as automatically covered conditions as per the specific requirements in your policy.
• Undertaking activities above the grade allowed in the PDS; hazardous activities; or activities in hazardous locations.
• If you do not use a professional qualified and licenced guide or operator where required.
• Any search or rescue operations to find or rescue you from a life-threatening situation.
• If you refuse to be repatriated or evacuated for further treatment on the reasonable recommendation of the Emergency Assistance Team.
• Damage to sporting equipment while in use.
• Unattended baggage or personal items.
• Costs arising from being under the influence of drugs or
• The policy excess per event where applicable (check the Summary of Benefits in your policy).

Traveller’s Tip: before you launch, remember to check the International River Grading of the river you’re on so you won’t invalidate your cover. The scale is used for various water sports and activities, such as black and white water rafting, river boarding, white-water canoeing, stand up paddle surfing, and whitewater kayaking.

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 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.

Kayaking & Rafting: travelling smarter and safer

Here at World Nomads, we love to find ways to help you enjoy your travels: from travelling smarter to travel safety and we endeavor to source the most up to date information about travel destinations. If you are going Kayaking or Rafting in another country, check out our Travel Safety content - if you are going kayaking in some obscure location, check with us first and avoid known banjo plucking hot spots!

Travel Insurance when Kayaking or Rafting

Paddling on a velvet lake at sunrise — or holding your nerve over gripping whitewater, Irish travellers love the action of life on the water. From beginner to expert you’ll find your flow on one of the world’s great waterways on your next kayaking or rafting adventure.

• Rafting and Kayaking activities: Is cover available?
• What’s covered?
• Why consider travel insurance when I’m going kayaking/rafting?
• What’s not covered?

Rafting and Kayaking activities: Is cover available?

Both our Standard and Explorer Plans offer many of the same benefits including cover for Level 1 sports and adventure activities such as kayaking, sea kayaking, canoeing, and for river boarding for grades 1-3 and whitewater and blackwater rafting for grades 1-5 as long as you’re with a fully qualified and licenced guide.

For the thrill seekers among you, check to see if you need to upgrade your level of cover for pursuits such as canonying or scuba diving to 50 metres. Make sure you specify all the activities you have planned for your trip when you get your quote - you can’t add them afterwards. Terms and conditions apply, check your Policy Wording for details or contact us.

As much as we would like to offer insurance for every scenario, unfortunately that is not possible.

Note: we won’t cover any loss, claim or expenses relating to or arising from damage to any sporting equipment while in use, and not for loss, damage, or theft of any sporting equipment left unattended.

What’s covered?

Whether you’re taking a leisurely paddle through the French countryside with the family, or facing off against the roaring Salmon River in the US, both our Standard and Explorer Plans offer cover for the unexpected if your next kayaking or rafting trip hits troubled waters.

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

• Overseas emergency medical treatment for sudden injury or illness.
• Overseas emergency medical evacuation and/or repatriation back to Ireland if required.
• The non-refundable costs of curtailing your trip if you must return home early due to a sudden injury to you, your close relative or travel buddy.
• The Explorer Plan offers cover when official ‘Do Not Travel’ advice is unexpectedly issued for your destination after you’ve received your Certificate of Insurance, which causes you to cancel your trip.
• Reimbursement or replacement of lost, stolen or damaged baggage or personal items (including your passport) up to the benefit limits. Remember to keep copies of your original receipts if you need to make a claim.
• Replacement costs of buying essential clothing and toiletries if your checked-in baggage is delayed for more than 24 hours (keep those receipts).
• Car rental damage insurance excess (Explorer Plan only).
• Our family policies can cover 2 adults and up to 8 dependents. Plus plans can be extended while still travelling for up to 12 months from your original departure date (conditions apply).

You may also have access to World Nomads Coronavirus cover for certain events. Our plans offer:

• Emergency medical cover, evacuation and/or repatriation if you’re diagnosed with Coronavirus (COVID-19) while overseas
• On the Explorer Plan, cover is offered for some Coronavirus-related events, such as cancellation following your diagnosis of COVID-19.

Note: please read your Policy Wording carefully as benefit limits, conditions and exclusions apply; as Coronavirus cover varies depending on your country of residence and the plan you’ve chosen.

Why consider travel insurance when I’m going kayaking/rafting?

If your luck changes and you are injured or get sick, the World Nomads 24/7 Emergency Assistance Team is here to help you. Call the emergency team as soon as possible so we can direct you to the nearest medical centre. In the worst case we may be able to preapprove the costs of your emergency evacuation to the most appropriate facility for your care. We may even bring you back home to Ireland to recover.

Traveller’s Tip: Irish residents please keep in mind that you’ll first need to contact your private medical insurance (PMI) provider (if applicable) and follow its emergency medical procedures and claims procedures. Cover available under this travel insurance policy is in excess of any cover provided by your PMI. Also, provide us with details of your PMI provider to help us co-ordinate your care. Where your PMI provider does not cover you, contact our 24/7 Emergency Assistance Team before incurring medical costs.

Before you cast off, check that our Emergency Assistance Team can reach you if you get into trouble. Remember if you (or someone in your party) do not contact us before your emergency medical and transport costs are incurred, this may affect your cover.

What’s not covered?

Some things we don’t cover include:

• Any pre-existing medical conditions as explained in your Policy Wording.
• Grades higher than those noted in the Policy Wording; extreme or hazardous activities or locations.
• Not using a professional qualified and licenced guide or operator where required.
• Speed boating on white water or outside coastal waters.
• Any search or rescue operations to find or rescue you from a life-threatening situation.
• If you refuse to be repatriated or evacuated for treatment where it is recommended by our Emergency Assistance Team.
• Unattended baggage or personal items.
• Loss or expenses that relate to or arise from being under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
• The policy excess that is payable per person per insured event.

Traveller’s Tip: before you launch your vessel, check the International River Grading of the river you’re on so you won’t invalidate your policy cover. The scale is used for various water sports and activities, such as black and white water rafting, river boarding, white-water canoeing, stand up paddle surfing, and whitewater kayaking. 

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 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.

Kayaking & Rafting: travelling smarter and safer

Here at World Nomads, we love to find ways to help you enjoy your travels: from travelling smarter to travel safety and we endeavor to source the most up to date information about travel destinations. If you are going Kayaking or Rafting in another country, check out our Travel Safety content - if you are going kayaking in some obscure location, check with us first and avoid known banjo plucking hot spots!

Travel Insurance for Kayaking and Rafting

Exotic sunsets, the water lapping at your bow; experiences on the water are often the most unforgettable part of any holiday. From paddling with the family on Lake Superior, to sea kayaking the turquoise waters around Indonesia’s Raja Ampat archipelago, get your next holiday flowing on a kayaking/rafting adventure.

• Rafting and Kayaking activities: Is cover available?
• What’s covered?
• Why consider travel insurance when I’m going kayaking/rafting?
• What’s not covered?

Rafting and Kayaking activities: Is cover available?

While you’re busy making waves, it’s good to know both our Standard and Explorer plans offer cover for level 1 sport and adventure activities such as kayaking for grades 1-3, sea kayaking, snorkeling or stand up paddle boarding.

If you’re planning more adventurous activities, you need to upgrade your cover for activities such as  white water and black water rafting (grades 1-5 only), river boarding (grades 1-3 only), ), jet skiing (grades 1-2 only) or canyoning. Simply specify all the activities you have planned for your trip to get the correct level of cover when you get your quote, as you can’t add activities afterwards. Terms and conditions apply, check your Policy Wording for details or contact us.

As much as we would like to offer insurance for every scenario, unfortunately that is not possible. We won’t cover any loss, claim or expenses relating to or arising from damage to any sporting equipment while in use, and loss, damage or theft of any sporting equipment left unattended.

What’s covered?

If you are injured or become ill, having travel insurance can help with unexpected medical costs. Depending on your Country of Residence and the plan you choose, World Nomads may offer cover (up to the policy limits) for:

• Emergency medical: overseas emergency medical expenses at a hospital or medical center if you suffer an unexpected injury or illness while kayaking/rafting.
• Evacuation: approved overseas medical evacuation to the most appropriate medical facility for treatment or repatriation back to your country of residence. Emergency transport is subject to approval from the 24-hour Emergency Assistance Team.
• Trip cancellation: if a sick or injured close relative or travel companion has put a stop to your trip, you may be able to recover related cancellation or curtailment expenses.
• Gear protection: had your phone snatched or camera stolen? Your plan may help with replacing belongings swiped from under your nose. You’ll need a police report to submit with your claim along with copies of the original receipts and supporting documentation.
• Lost or damaged baggage cover: both our plans offer cover if your transport carrier loses or damages your baggage or personal items, including your travel documents (up to the benefit limits). Remember to keep copies of your original receipts if you need to make a claim.
• Delayed baggage cover: has your checked-in baggage been delayed for more than 24 hours? Your plan offers cover for essential items you purchase while you’re waiting for your baggage (keep those receipts).

Depending on your country of residence and the travel insurance plan you choose, you may also have access to Coronavirus coverage for certain events.  Some of our plans offer:

• Emergency medical cover, evacuation and/or repatriation if you’re diagnosed with Coronavirus (COVID-19) while overseas;
• On the Explorer Plan, cover is offered for some Coronavirus-related events, such as cancellation following your diagnosis of coronavirus

Note: Please read your Policy Wording carefully as benefit limits, conditions and exclusions apply.

Why consider travel insurance when I’m going kayaking/rafting?

Spills and thrills are part of the fun, but if that Huggy Bear rapid wasn’t so soft after all, our World Nomads 24/7 Emergency Assistance Team can help direct you to the nearest medical center to get treatment for any injuries. For general out-patient treatment (that’s unlikely to exceed US$725), keep all your receipts so you can make a claim under your policy for reimbursement.

The big enchilada to having travel insurance is if you need emergency medical evacuation, which can leave you with an enormous bill. Contact the Emergency Assistance Team so we can preapprove the costs of your emergency evacuation to the most appropriate facility for your care. We may even bring you back to your country of residence to recover.. 

Before you cast off, check that our Emergency Assistance Team can reach you if you get into trouble. Remember if you (or someone in your party) do not contact us before your emergency medical and transport costs are incurred, this may affect your cover.

What’s not covered?

Some things we don’t cover include:

• Any pre-existing medical conditions as explained in your Policy Wording.
• Grades higher than those noted in the Policy Wording; extreme or hazardous activities or locations.
• Not using 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).
• Speed boating on white water or outside coastal waters.
• If you refuse to be repatriated or evacuated for treatment where it is recommended by our Emergency Assistance Team.
• Damage to sporting equipment while in use.
• Unattended baggage or personal items.
• Misuse of alcohol or drugs to the extent that it impairs your health or faculties, or your judgement is seriously affected.
• Exploratory expeditions, or mountaineering expeditions or activities in Antarctica, the Arctic or Greenland.
• The policy excess payable per person per insured event.

Traveler’s Tip: before you launch, remember to check the International River Grading of the river you’re on so you won’t invalidate your cover. The scale is used for various water sports and activities, such as black and white water rafting, river boarding, white-water canoeing, stand up paddle surfing, and whitewater kayaking. 

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 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.

Kayaking & Rafting: traveling smarter and safer

Here at World Nomads, we love to find ways to help you enjoy your travels: from traveling smarter to travel safety and we endeavor to source the most up to date information about travel destinations. If you are going Kayaking or Rafting in another country, check out our Travel Safety content - if you are going kayaking in some obscure location, check with us first and avoid known banjo plucking hot spots!