Travel insurance for kayaking and rafting
Everything you need to know about travel insurance for kayaking and rafting
- As featured in:
As featured in:
- What kayaking and rafting do we cover?
- What do those river grades mean?
- Choosing the right policy for you
- What is covered by World Nomads Travel Insurance?
- What's not covered
Going kayaking or rafting on your vacation?
Exotic sunsets, the water lapping at your bow, hurtling down river rapids; experiences on the water are often the most unforgettable part of any holiday. From paddling with the family in the Florida Keys, to sea kayaking the turquoise waters around Indonesia’s Raja Ampat archipelago, get your next holiday flowing on a kayaking or rafting adventure.
What Kayaking and Rafting do we cover?
When you get a travel insurance quote for your kayaking or rafting trip, you need to double-check your policy wording the Adventure Sports & Activities list. Level 1 activities are automatically covered when you buy your policy. You’ll need to pay an additional premium to be covered for Level 2 and Level 3 activities such as kayaking outside coastal waters and sea kayaking beyond three nautical miles. You’ll need to list the activities you plan to participate in when you buy your policy.
The following categories have coverage under our plans:
- Kayaking
- Sea kayaking
- Sea canoeing
- White water rafting
- Black water rafting and cave tubing (grades 1-5)
- Hydrospeeding (grades 1-5)
- River boarding (grades 1-5)
- Snow Rafting
What do those River Grades Mean?
Several activity options above mention International River Grades which can be described as:
- Class 1: Easy
- Class 2: Novice
- Class 3: Beginner/Intermediate
- Class 4: Advanced
- Class 5: Expert
- Class 6: Extreme and Exploratory Rapids
We offer coverage for river grades (also known as classes) from Class 1 to Class 5. We do not offer coverage for Class 6 rapids.
When you are about to head down the river or rapids, always be aware of the rating. Read more about the International River Grading System from the American Whitewater association.
Choosing the Right Policy for You
We offer two plans – Standard and Explorer – each offers different limits and sub-limits of coverage. It is up to you to choose what plan has the right level of coverage to meet your travel needs and that matches your specific activity plans.
In addition to kayaking and rafting, we over coverage for more than 150 adventure activities, sports, work and volunteer experiences for our Canadian nomads. If you don’t see an activity you wish to pursue in the policy wording, please contact us.
What is Covered by World Nomads Travel Insurance?
Our policies may cover you on your kayaking and rafting adventures (up to the policy limits) for:
- Emergency medical: Emergency medical coverage could come in handy if you suffer an accident or injury that results in you going to the hospital. Note, you need to be covered under your province’s GHIP, otherwise coverage will be limited to $40,000.
- Ambulance transportation: your water adventure may be far away from medical facilities. World Nomad plans cover the cost to transport you to the nearest qualified medical service provider.
- Emergency evacuation and repatriation: If your treating physician recommends to us that you return to your home province because of your emergency medical condition, we may be able to via the most cost-effective itinerary to return you home, subject to approval from our 24/7 Emergency Assistance Team. Make sure you contact our emergency assistance team before seeking emergency medical treatment or evacuation.
- Trip cancellation or interruption: if your trip is cancelled or interrupted due to an unforeseen event like an illness or injury, you may be able to recover your nonrefundable, prepaid travel expenses.
- And more! Check out what else is covered on our policies.
Rafting and kayaking: What’s not covered
While there are several kayaking and rafting adventures we can offer coverage for, there are also things we just won’t cover. These include, but are not limited to:
- Any Class 6 kayaking or rafting trips – sorry, but that’s a no-go for us.
- If you travel against medical advice.
- Any pre-existing medical condition unless otherwise expressly stated in your policy.
- Participation in a sport or activity which is shown as being excluded in your policy wording.
- Expenses you incur after you return home.
- Travel within your home province.
- Working or participating professionally as an athlete in any activity or sport.
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, of if you have questions about your coverage, just ask us.
Safety Tips and Handy Hints for your Paddling Trip
- Before you launch, remember to check the International River Grading of the river or water you’re on so you won’t invalidate your coverage.
- Kayaking and rafting are physically demanding – make sure you’re up to it. Plan a trip within your capabilities.
- Check the weather, check your equipment, and check the credentials of your instructor/guides.
- Wear the right gear – it can get cold on the water and being cold and wet can lead to hypothermia.
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)
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 teamTravel insurance for kayaking
Everything Brits need to know about travel insurance for kayaking and rafting
- As featured in:
As featured in:
Travel Insurance for Kayaking and Rafting
Ready to explore the world from a kayak or go rafting in the great outdoors? Whether you’re planning to paddle lakes, beaches and rivers you may need travel insurance for unexpected accidents if you’re already on the water or working out your next kayaking and rafting adventure.
Rafting and Kayaking activities: What am I covered for?
When you get a travel insurance quote for your kayaking or rafting trip, you need to add your kayaking/rafting adventure activity when prompted to. World Nomads plans for British residents cover the following categories of kayaking and rafting:
- Kayaking/canoeing: (inland/coastal waters, grades 1-3 only, Sea kayaking/Sea canoeing)
- White water rafting (grades 1-3): special condition (a)
- Black water rafting (cave tubing) (grades 1-3): special condition (a) and Special Exclusion (iv)
Travel Insurance Tip: for some activities you must be with a professional, qualified and licensed guide, instructor or operator. If you're not sure if the operator you're planning on rafting with is properly licenced ask to see their credentials and if you're still not sure, don't risk it. Not only can it be dangerous rafting with an operator who isn't properly licensed but it can affect your cover for any claims that you may make.
Travel Insurance for British and International River Grades
Whether you’re white water rafting in Alaska, canoeing in the fjords of Norway or kayaking around Patagonia in Chile you’ll need to be aware of international river grades.
International River Grading
- Grade 1: Easy
- Grade 2: Novice
- Grade 3: Intermediate
- Grade 4: Advanced
- Grade 5: Expert
- Grade 6: Extreme and Exploratory Rapids
(Note: We can't insure kayaking or rafting at grades 4 - 6)
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. When you are about to head down the river or rapids, make sure you know the rating as you wouldn’t want to be up a certain creek without a paddle! For more information you can always research the ‘International River Grading System’.
Please note that different activities may have different levels of cover. You may have to upgrade the policy and sporting level to make sure you’re covered for the type of activity you plan to do. Please read your policy documentation carefully before you buy it.
What’s covered: kayaking, rafting and canoeing
There are a number of different things our travel insurance cover can protect you from while you’re out on the water, or making your way to that next rafting hotspot.
Baggage protection: Have you had your kayak and gear stolen while travelling? Our gear cover may help with replacing belongings that were swiped from under your nose.
Emergency medical: Have things not gone to plan while white water rafting? Maybe the rapids got the better of you? Our emergency medical cover may come to the rescue in the case of an accident or injury.
Evacuation: You’ve managed to find a hidden hotspot for your next canoeing adventure but it’s nowhere near a hospital or medical centre that can help you if you get ill or injured. We have cover that can get you transported to the closest medical facility which may be best for your care, subject to approval from the 24/7 Emergency Medical Assistance team.
Trip cancellation: Has a sick or injured travelling companion put a stop to your kayaking trip? Your plan may be able to recover the travel expenses.
How to get the most out of your travel insurance
When it comes to any activity, safety should always come first. Your health ─ and your travel insurance cover ─ depends on your responsible behaviour. Follow these tips to stay alert and aware (and to ensure that you won’t invalidate your travel insurance).
- Know where to go. Don’t frequent bodies of water that are known to be dangerous or go kayaking or canoeing near areas with violent rapids, powerful currents, big drops and steep, congested chutes. Where there are warnings, be careful – and heed them.
- Stay in your skill level. It’s not a good idea to hop in a kayak or go white water rafting if you don’t know how to swim. Don’t attempt white water rafting or kayaking at higher difficulty grades if you don’t have the experience.
- Follow the rules. Check for suitable weather conditions before kayaking, canoeing or rafting.
- Look after your equipment. Don’t leave your limited-edition kayak and gear unattended out on a beach, camping site or in public areas unattended or declare your wallet stolen when you forgot it on the airplane. Those ’I spaced out’ moments don’t qualify for cover.
Your cover will vary according to whether you choose a Standard or an Explorer plan. Read your policy for details on maximum benefit limits and exclusion and conditions of your cover.
Rafting and Kayaking: What’s not covered
Here are some other things we don’t cover:
- If you refuse to be repatriated or evacuated
- If you don’t follow your doctor’s instructions or what we or the 24/7 Emergency Medical Assistance team advise you to do
- Any expenses that relate to a pre-existing medical condition, as explained in the policy wording
- Expenses that can be recovered from another source
- The policy excess as shown in the policy wording
| What’s covered | What’s not covered |
|---|---|
| Whether you’re kayaking, rafting or canoeing our World Nomads plans may cover: • Trip disruption • Medical emergency expenses • Emergency evacuation/repatriation • Baggage delay • Theft of baggage and personal belongings |
We want to make sure that you are having fun out on the water but don’t overdo it as we won’t cover any incidents related to: • If you kayak, canoe or go rafting while under the influence of alcohol or drugs • No pro sports or athletic competitions. Professional sporting activities aren’t covered by travel insurance • Search and rescue costs • Reckless behaviour • Criminal or illegal acts • Changing your mind about your trip |
This is a summary only. It does not include all terms, conditions, limitations and exclusions of the plans described. Please refer to the actual plans for complete details of cover and exclusions.
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
