What to do if you can’t travel because someone at home is sick or injured
- As featured in:
As featured in:
1. Rearrange or cancel your bookings
As soon as you know that you won’t be able to use any pre-booked or pre-paid accommodation, transport or tours, you must try to rearrange them, or if necessary, cancel.
Just remember, if you decide to rearrange, we’ll only pay up to the benefit amount. If you don’t rearrange or cancel as soon as reasonably possible, we won’t cover any additional rearrangement or cancellation costs that arise as a result. But you should only cancel arrangements when it’s absolutely necessary. For example, if your doctor says you can’t fly for two days, but you cancel a three week trip, rather than putting it back by two days, we’ll only cover cancellation of two days’ worth of accommodation, not the entire booking.
2. Get it in writing
To support your claim, you’ll need to get the following:
- Doctor or other medical practitioner’s report, confirming what happened and the nature of the illness or injury.
- Hospital admission report (if the person was admitted to hospital).
- Ambulance report (if they were involved).
- Police report (if they were involved).
- Any other relevant documentation related to what happened.
3. Keep your itineraries and receipts
You’ll need to keep your receipts, itineraries and booking and cancellation confirmations including details of any refunds received for any affected transport and accommodation.
4. What if someone gets COVID-19 and I can’t travel?
Having a sick relative is stressful enough, let alone having to cancel a trip overseas too. For policies purchased after 17 June 2021 we offer cover for some Coronavirus-related travel events (Explorer Plan only), including having to cancel or postpone your trip abroad because you or a close relative is diagnosed with Coronavirus.
We’ve also included cover for overseas medical expenses and medical evacuation and repatriation related to your Coronavirus diagnosis which is available on both the Standard and Explorer plans.
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.
Please note: COVID-19 cover depends on your Country of Residence and varies between plans.
Our policies aren’t designed to cover everything, so take the time to read the terms, conditions, limitations and exclusions in the Policy Wording for full details so that there are no surprises if you need to use it. If you’re not sure if something is covered, get in touch.
How Do I Make A Claim on My Travel Insurance?
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 in an accident?
- Sudden death of an immediate relative?
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?
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
- Injured abroad?
- Need a hospital urgently?
- Medical evacuation 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 teamWhat to do if you’re hurt in an accident
- As featured in:
As featured in:
1. Safety first
Make sure everyone is safe. If you need immediate help, contact the local emergency services.
2. Seek medical attention
Contact the local emergency services and get medical help from a doctor or hospital as soon as possible.
If it's an emergency situation, where you are aware you will be admitted as an inpatient for at least one night, contact our 24/7 Emergency Medical Assistance Team as soon as you can.
Once you’re able to contact our 24/7 Emergency Assistance team, please be ready with the following:
- Your policy number
- A contact number for where you are now
- The nature of your problem
- Your location
Depending on where you’re travelling, there may be Reciprocal Health Care Agreements in place (the Emergency Assistance team will let you know). The terms of your policy require that you use the public health system where possible, particularly when travelling in a country with reciprocal health agreements.
3. Get it in writing
Most claims need supporting documentation and medical claims are no different. So while it may be the last thing on your mind, get copies of documents that will support your claim before you leave the medical facility such as:
- Doctor or other medical practitioner’s report, confirming what happened and the nature of your injury.
- Hospital Admission report (if you’re admitted to hospital).
- Ambulance and Medical evacuation reports (if relevant).
- Provide written evidence to verify your claim, such as a police report (if they were involved).
- Any other relevant documentation related to the accident.
4. Keep your receipts
You’ll need to keep all your receipts, along with your itineraries and booking and cancellation confirmations for any affected travel arrangements for when you claim. If you don’t do this, we may reduce or reject your claim.
5. Need to know more?
This information may help you when things go wrong and you want to make a claim. All travel insurance plans are different and cover will vary, depending what's happened, your country of residence, the plan you choose and any options or upgrades you buy. Your policy will always have the full details.
If you have questions about what's covered and not covered, just ask us.
How does my travel insurance policy help me in an emergency?
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 in an accident?
- Sudden death of an immediate relative?
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?
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
- Injured abroad?
- Need a hospital urgently?
- Medical evacuation 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 teamWhat to do if you have to cancel your trip due to illness or injury
- As featured in:
As featured in:
1. Rearrange or cancel your bookings
As soon as you know you won’t be able to use any pre-booked or pre-paid accommodation, transport or tours, you must try to rearrange them, or if necessary, cancel.
Just remember, if you decide to rearrange, we’ll only pay up to the benefit amount. If you don’t rearrange or cancel as soon as reasonably possible, we won’t cover any additional rearrangement or cancellation costs that arise as a result. But you should only cancel arrangements when it’s absolutely necessary.
For example, if your doctor says you can’t fly for two days, but you cancel a three-week trip, rather than putting it back by two days, we’ll only cover cancellation of two days’ worth of accommodation, not the entire booking.
2. Get it in writing
To support your claim, you’ll need to get the following:
- Doctor (or other medical practitioners) report, confirming what happened and the nature of the illness or injury.
- Hospital Admission report (if the person was admitted to hospital).
- Ambulance report (if they were involved).
- Police report (if they were involved).
- Any other relevant documentation related to what happened.
- Proof of residence (e.g. utility bills in your name, tenancy agreements, other insurance certificates)
What does my travel insurance cover?
3. Keep your itineraries and receipts
You’ll need to keep your receipts, itineraries and booking and cancellation confirmations including details of any refunds received for any affected transport and accommodation.
This information may help you avoid unnecessary costs, gather the right evidence and help keep your claim hassle free.
Am I covered if I cancel my trip due to COVID-19?
The Coronavirus has made planning a trip harder than ever – which is why we’ve tried to add some certainty to the process with cover available on both Standard and Explorer plans. Cover is provided if you’ve had to cancel or rearrange your trip due to your or a member of your travelling party’s Coronavirus diagnosis.
Please note, there will be no automatic cover to cancel if you have been just diagnosed with COVID-19. You will need to be certified from a medical practitioner that you are too ill to travel. Diagnosis must be made after you’ve bought your policy and benefit limits apply.
If you have no option but to cancel your trip and the event is unforeseen and out of your control you may be covered for the following:
- If you, or a member of your travelling party are certified as too ill to travel due to COVID-19 by a medical practitioner, we will pay the non-refundable portion of your pre-paid travel arrangements.
- If your immediate relative in the UK is hospitalised or dies due to Coronavirus and you have to cancel your trip, we will pay the non-refundable portion of your pre-paid travel arrangements.
- If you or a member of your travelling party are permanently employed as a healthcare worker, member of the armed forces, fire department or law enforcement officer, and your or their pre-arranged leave is cancelled by the employer, we will pay the non-refundable portion of your pre-paid travel arrangements.
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.
Please note: COVID-19 cover depends on your Country of Residence and may vary based on wen the policy was purchased.
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 in an accident?
- Sudden death of an immediate relative?
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?
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
- Injured abroad?
- Need a hospital urgently?
- Medical evacuation 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 teamBuy Travel Insurance Away From Home
Get covered by World Nomads, even if you're already on the road.
- As featured in:
As featured in:
We know it can be easy to forget to buy travel insurance when you’re planning a much-needed overseas holiday. If you’ve left the UK without travel insurance, or your policy is due to expire and you’re still on the road, you can still purchase travel insurance with World Nomads.
Waiting periods can apply whether you have boarded your transportation for international departure or even if you have simply left your home for a domestic trip within the UK (Annual Multi-Trip only).
If you are already travelling and have left the UK all you need is a stable internet connection and you can buy or extend your travel insurance anytime, anywhere.
If you buy a policy while travelling, waiting periods, conditions and restrictions on cover do apply.
What is a Waiting Period?
You may have to wait 72 hours (waiting period) before any cover is activated, depending on when you purchase your policy as explained in ‘When cover starts & ends’ in your policy wording. This means certain benefits (such as our pre-trip cancellation cover) may not apply as you’ve already started your trip.
Most policies can cover you straight away if you're injured in an accident after you buy a policy. Your Policy Wording will have full details to understand the cover, limits and exclusions.
- Buy while travelling
- Get cover 24/7 online
- Instant confirmation
- Ongoing traveler support
- 24/7 Emergency Medical Assistance
Waiting periods apply
Left home without travel insurance?
Learn how you can buy your travel insurance policy while travelling anytime from anywhere in the world by watching this video.
Malaria at Christmas.
In the 25th of December I woke up feeling nausea, fever, headache, and lethargy. After two days with the symptoms not ceasing I went to a clinic and was admitted with severe malaria. I stayed in the hospital for two days taking shots for malaria and also saline drip.
A.G. Brazilian Nomad in Zambia.
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 in an accident?
- Sudden death of an immediate relative?
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?
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
- Injured abroad?
- Need a hospital urgently?
- Medical evacuation home?
Help starts here.
Protect your gear
Love photography, filming or sport?
Cover your bags, tech or gear.
Protect your gear
- Luggage lost?
- Passport pilfered?
- 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)
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 teamWhat to do if You Fall Suddenly Ill
Follow these handy travel insurance tips if your trip is cut short by sudden illness.
- As featured in:
As featured in:
1. Seek medical attention
Get medical help from a doctor or hospital.
If it's an emergency situation, contact the local emergency services first, then contact our 24/7 Emergency Medical Assistance team as soon as you can, where you are admitted as an inpatient for at least one night.
Once you’re able to contact our 24/7 Emergency Medical Assistance team, please be ready with the following:
- Your policy number
- A contact number for where you are now
- The nature of your problem
- Your location
Please be aware that depending on where you’re travelling to, there may be Reciprocal Health Care Agreements in place (the Emergency Medical Assistance team will let you know). The terms of your policy require that you use the public health system where possible, particularly when travelling in a country with reciprocal health agreements.
2. Get it in writing
All claims need supporting documentation and medical claims are no different. So, while it may be the last thing on your mind, get copies of documents that will support your claim before you leave the medical facility such as:
- Doctor or other medical practitioner’s report confirming your illness.
- Hospital Admission report, if you’re admitted to hospital.
- Ambulance and Medical evacuation reports if relevant.
In some cases, we may need to obtain your past medical history from your usual GP back in the UK but we’ll let you know if this is the case.
3. Keep your receipts
You’ll need to keep all your receipts, along with your itineraries and booking and cancellation confirmations for any affected travel arrangements for when you claim. If you don’t do this, we may reduce or reject your claim.
Cover for British nomads if COVID-19 derails your overseas trip
If you, a relative or someone in your travelling party falls ill due to Coronavirus you may be covered for a number of insured events under our Medical and Trip Disruption benefit sections.
Cover does vary between our Standard and Explorer plans. If you are diagnosed with Coronavirus while overseas your benefits include:
- 24/7 access to our Emergency Medical Assistance team, who can help you access local medical care.
- Medical costs including hospitalisation.
- Evacuation or repatriation back to the UK if deemed necessary by us and in consultation with your attending physician.
Benefit limits apply and vary between the plans.
Our COVID-19 cover benefits have been created to give British travellers options to travel knowing that they have overseas emergency medical insurance benefits on our Standard and Explorer plans.
Please note: COVID-19 cover depends on your Country of Residence.
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.
4. Need to know more?
This information may help when things go wrong and you want to make a claim. All travel insurance plans are different, and cover will vary, depending on what's happened, your country of residence, the plan you choose and any options or upgrades you buy. Your policy will always have the full details of what you’re covered for.
If you have any further questions about what's covered and not covered, just ask us.
How does my travel Insurance policy help me in an emergency?
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 in an accident?
- Sudden death of an immediate relative?
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?
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
- Injured abroad?
- Need a hospital urgently?
- Medical evacuation 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 teamWhat to do if your luggage is delayed
- As featured in:
As featured in:
1. Report it to your carrier straight away
Once you realise your luggage is delayed, report it to the carrier as soon as possible. For lengthy delays, you should ask them to compensate you to replace essential items you may need while you wait for your bags to be returned.
2. Get a written report
Get a written report of what’s happened from the carrier, for example a Property Irregularity Report, from the carrier confirming the delay was greater than 24 hours from your arrival and any compensation they offer to you.
3. Keep your receipts
Keep the receipts for any essential items you buy such as toothbrushes, prescription medication or a change of clothes. Your expenses must be supported by receipts dated prior to the delivery of your delayed baggage and after 24 hours from your arrival.
Before you go shopping for an entire new wardrobe to replace your designer jeans or a new ball-gown for that special event, because you believe everything you own is "essential", there will be limits on what your policy can and cannot cover, so check your policy wording carefully or contact us (Yes, we've seen claims like this!)
Original receipts may be necessary if you intend to make a claim and your policy covers these expenses.
4. Need to know more?
This information could help you when things go wrong and you want to make a claim. All travel insurance plans are different and cover will vary, depending what's happened, your country of residence, the plan you choose and any options or upgrades you buy. Your policy wording will always have the full terms, conditions and exclusions that apply.
If you have questions about what's covered and not covered, just ask us.
Does my insurance cover my tech?
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 in an accident?
- Sudden death of an immediate relative?
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?
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
- Injured abroad?
- Need a hospital urgently?
- Medical evacuation 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 teamWhat to do if your passport is stolen
- As featured in:
As featured in:
Having your passport stolen really sucks. Thankfully World Nomads’ policies may help cover your extra costs while you arrange an emergency replacement passport. Here’s how...
1. Report the incident ASAP
Report the incident to the relevant authorities and get a report from them. This may include:
- The local police (within 24 hours);
- Your nearest embassy, diplomatic or consular mission for your country of citizenship;
- For visas and passports from other countries – contact the relevant embassy;
- Any other relevant authorities, such as the airline, hotel or tour operator.
Travel Insurance tip: for certain countries, it is an offence not to report the loss or theft or your passport as soon as you learn of the loss. It may also affect your travel insurance cover if you don't report it as soon as reasonably possible.
2. Arrange a replacement or emergency passport
Carefully check the process to apply for an emergency or replacement passport with the British embassy. You may need to attend an appointment at your nearest British embassy, High Commission or consulate after you’ve applied online on the FCDO website. You must provide us with copies of all documentation provided by the foreign government agency and the UK government. You will also need a written police report when your passport has been stolen.
If you need to travel to a different location to apply in person or collect your emergency passport, you should arrange to do this.
Travel Insurance tip: emergency passports do not permanently replace your passport. They can be issued quickly with limited validity so you can return back to the UK or continue with your trip.
3. Rearrange or cancel any affected travel arrangements
Once you’ve confirmed that any travel arrangements are going to be affected, contact any accommodation, tour, transport and other providers to rearrange or cancel any arrangements you may have. Make sure you get confirmation from them in writing of the changes or cancellation, and details of any refunds or extra fees paid.
4. Keep your receipts
If you think you'll need to claim, make sure you keep the official reports you were given and all original receipts as evidence to support your claim including your itineraries, booking and cancellation confirmations for any affected transport, accommodation and additional expenses.
5.Need to know more?
This information may help you when things go wrong and you want to make a claim. All travel insurance plans are different and cover will vary, depending on what's happened, your country of residence, the plan you choose and any options or upgrades you buy. Your policy will always have the terms, conditions, limitations and exclusions that apply.
If you have questions about what's covered and not covered, 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 in an accident?
- Sudden death of an immediate relative?
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?
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
- Injured abroad?
- Need a hospital urgently?
- Medical evacuation 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 teamKayaking and Rafting Travel Insurance Plans
Canadian Residents can protect their fun on the water with travel insurance
- As featured in:
As featured in:
At a glance:
- World Nomads plans may cover kayaking in inland/coastal waters and whitewater kayaking and rafting for grade/class 1-5, with the ability to pay an extra premium and be covered for sea kayaking outside coastal waters.
- Coverage for injuries and medical transport if you're seriously hurt while kayaking and rafting.
- Reimbursement for your non-refundable, prepaid rafting and kayaking tours if you need to cancel, plus coverage for trip delays or trip interruptions due to covered events.
- Gear & Baggage Protection helps cover lost, stolen, or damaged gear and luggage.
- Access to emergency assistance anytime, anywhere.
- Why should I consider travel insurance for my kayaking or whitewater rafting trip?
- Kayaking and rafting travel insurance: What may be covered?
- What level of travel insurance coverage do I need for my kayaking or whitewater rafting trip?
- What may not be covered when kayaking or rafting?
- Top safety tips we recommend for your kayaking or rafting trip
- FAQs
From kayaking alongside glaciers in Alaska to whitewater rafting down the Balsa River in Costa Rica, there’s plenty of ways to have fun on the water with a kayaking or rafting adventure. Our travel protection plans include a range of travel insurance benefits for kayaking and rafting that may help with everything from stolen bags to unexpected medical expenses.
Why should I consider travel insurance for my kayaking or whitewater rafting trip?
Nobody goes whitewater rafting with the intention of falling out of their raft, but it can happen. Even on a leisurely kayaking trip, you could sprain a muscle or get heat exhaustion. Travel insurance designed for kayaking and rafting may help you bounce back quickly with support for emergencies, delays, and disruptions. With coverage that is flexible to your needs, it’s a way to travel confidently – whether you're navigating rapids or calm waters.Kayaking and rafting travel insurance: What may be covered?
As paddlers ourselves, we’ve designed our plans that may cover kayaking and rafting while traveling. We also offer coverage for losses related to more than 250 other sports, activities and experiences.
-
Emergency Medical Expenses
For broken bones, cuts, and sprains after a kayaking or rafting accident -
24/7 Non-insurance Emergency Assistance
Available 24/7 to assist in an emergency situation, on or off the river -
Baggage & Gear Coverage
Damaged or stolen paddling gear, or swimsuits that have gotten lost with your checked luggage -
Trip Delays, Interruptions & Cancellations
A money-saver if an unforeseen covered event throws a wrench into your plans
Terms, conditions, and limitations apply to all coverage mentioned.
What level of travel insurance coverage do I need for my kayaking or whitewater rafting trip?
World Nomads offers two plans for Canadian residents – the Standard and Explorer – each with different levels of coverage.
- The Standard plan includes travel insurance for kayaking, snow rafting, cave tubing, and sea kayaking. Whitewater rafting and kayaking, blackwater rafting, hydrospeeding, and river boarding for classes 1-5 are also included.
- The Explorer plan also covers these activities, but has higher limits of coverage.
When you purchase your policy, you’ll need to list kayaking, rafting, and all of the other activities that you plan to participate in while on your trip. There’s over 250 other sports, activities and experiences that may be covered. 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.
Kayaking in inland/coastal waters (within three nautical miles of shore), snow rafting, and cave tubing are considered Level 1 activities. Whitewater and blackwater rafting, hydrospeeding, and river boarding for grades/classes 1-5 are too. All Level 1 activities are automatically covered, but you’ll still need to list them when you purchase your policy. However, you will need to pay an additional premium to be covered for Level 2 and Level 3 activities like sea kayaking and swimming outside of coastal waters. 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.
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
What may not be covered when kayaking and rafting?
- Kayaking or whitewater rafting under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Unattended baggage, sporting equipment or personal items
- Kayaking, rafting, or travelling within your home province
- Rafting or kayaking if your doctor has advised against it
- Any Class 6 kayaking or rafting trips
Top safety tips we recommend for your kayaking or rafting trip
- Research your tour operator: If you’re going on a kayaking or whitewater rafting excursion, research the tour company’s credentials ahead of time.
- Know your own limitations: Kayaking and whitewater rafting are physically demanding, so make sure you’re up to it. If you have any concerns, talk to your doctor ahead of time, and make sure you plan a trip within your own skill level. If you decide to go kayaking or rafting after your doctor has told you not to, and then you get hurt, you won’t be covered by your travel insurance for whitewater rafting and kayaking.
- Wear a life jacket: Think less about your tan lines, and more about your safety. Accidents can happen at any time, and if you fall out of your kayak or raft, you may not have time to grab that if you unexpectedly go overboard.
- Store a copy of your rafting and kayaking travel insurance documents in a dry bag: If an accident happens, you’ll want that handy – and dry. Make sure you have the phone number for the 24/7 Emergency Assistance Team easily accessible, as well as your policy number. You may want to save that in your phone as well.
FAQ
Here are our most frequently asked questions about cover for kayaking and rafting. You can also find the answers to other questions in our Helpdesk or you can ask our customer service team
-
Is kayaking covered under World Nomads Travel Insurance?
Yes, World Nomads offers kayaking travel insurance, but make sure you list this as an activity you’ll be participating in when you purchase your policy. Kayaking within inland/coastal waters is considered a Level 1 activity and is automatically covered, but you’ll still need to list it when you purchase your policy. However, you will need to pay an additional premium to be covered for Level 2 and Level 3 activities like kayaking and swimming outside of coastal waters. If you are doing something else on your trip and aren’t sure if it’s covered, we suggest you contact us to make sure.
-
Is whitewater rafting covered under World Nomads Travel Insurance?
Yes, World Nomads offers whitewater rafting travel insurance for grades/classes 1-5, but make sure you list this as an activity you’ll be participating in when you purchase your policy. However, you will need to pay an additional premium to be covered for Level 2 and Level 3 activities like kayaking and swimming outside of coastal waters. If you are doing something else on your trip and aren’t sure if it’s covered, we suggest you contact us to make sure.
-
What types of incidents are covered while kayaking or rafting abroad?
If your trip is cancelled, delayed, or interrupted due to an unforeseen event, you may be able to recover your travel expenses (up to the policy limits), and this may include unused, pre-paid, non-refundable kayak rentals or rafting excursions. If you fall out of your kayak or raft, get hurt, and require medical assistance, emergency medical coverage may come in handy in the case of an unexpected injury. You may also be covered for unplanned situations such as lost bags.
-
Can I get coverage after my trip starts?
Yes. If your trip has already started, World Nomads can still offer you coverage. You may buy a plan online anytime, from anywhere in the world. If you buy a plan after departing from your home province, you won’t be covered for any loss or expense related to any injury or sickness that occurs in the 48-hour period after your departure date.
-
Does World Nomads Travel Insurance offer coverage for kayaking and rafting outside of Canada?
Yes, there are so many great places around the world where you can kayak or go whitewater rafting, and World Nomads doesn’t want to limit your fun. For example, if you have coverage that includes travel insurance for Asia, you could have the opportunity to go whitewater rafting on the Trishuli River in Nepal or kayaking through the mangroves in Okinawa. When you get a quote for travel insurance for kayaking and rafting, you’ll need to input where you’ll be travelling, and also list kayaking as rafting as activities you’ll be participating in.
-
What should I do if I get hurt while kayaking or rafting?
If you have travel insurance for rafting and kayaking and unexpectedly get hurt, you can contact the 24/7 Emergency Assistance team and they can help direct you to nearby medical facilities. They may also translate for you if you’re travelling outside of Canada and your medical team doesn’t speak French or English. Make sure you keep all documentation including doctor reports, invoices, etc. You’ll need those things if you plan to make a claim.
-
Does World Nomads Travel Insurance cover other activities during my trip?
Yes, with your rafting and kayaking travel insurance benefits, you may be covered for more than 250 other sports, activities and experiences. Things like hiking, biking, rock climbing, and camping may all be covered. When you purchase your policy, you’ll need to list all of the 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. If you’re participating in an activity and not sure if it’s covered, you can contact us and ask.
-
Do I get my money back if I cancel a trip?
Trip cancellation coverage is offered by both plans offered by World Nomads, and you may be reimbursed for pre-paid, unused, non-refundable expenses like flights, kayak rentals, whitewater rafting excursions, and accommodations if your trip is cancelled for a covered reason.
-
What happens if my bags are delayed?
When you purchase travel insurance for rafting and kayaking, baggage coverage is also included. If your checked-in bags are delayed more than 12 hours on the way to your destination, your plan may reimburse you for essential, reasonable items like toiletries and a change of clothes until you and your bag are reunited.
Need destination inspiration for your next kayaking or rafting trip?
Not sure where your next paddling adventure should take you? Check out some of our favorite places around the world to go kayaking and rafting and get destination-specific travel insurance tips to help you plan with confidence.
Ecuador Discoveries: Kayaking the Amazon
Kayaking in the Shadow of Giants in Southern Greenland
5 of the Best Places to Kayak Around the US
Whitewater Rafting in Nepal: 7 Best Places to Go
Canada Discoveries: Rafting the Exploits River
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)
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
