The Land of Smiles attracts scores of sun-seeking British tourists every year. Drawn to the tropical conditions, white sandy beaches, fabulous food, the Full Moon parties, and chaotic appeal of the cities like Bangkok, it’s not hard to see why Thailand rates so highly with British travellers.

• What's covered
• How can travel insurance help when visiting Thailand
• What to look out for when travelling around Thailand
• What's not covered

What's covered

World Nomads has two plans - Standard and Explorer - each of them providing cover for a multitude of activities including hiking, kitesurfing, kayaking, surfing and scuba diving. Some activities may require an upgrade where an additional premium has to be paid.

We also offer cover for key events such as:

• Medical evacuation and repatriation back to the UK
• Trip disruption
• Emergency overseas medical
• Delays or missed flights
• Lost, stolen or damaged baggage
• Coronavirus-related events

How can travel insurance help when visiting Thailand

We know the Brits love their cocktails by the beach, island-hopping explorations, and wildlife encounters, but as much fun as a trip to Thailand always is, it is just as important to consider what could go wrong and be prepared for that as best as any traveller can. The following is a list of travel insurance considerations:

• Activities and sports cover: Whether its snorkelling, kayaking, hiking, and cycling our policies may cover you for more than 150 activities you may wish to try while in Thailand. We know Brits are an adventurous bunch, and so long as you are with a professional, and adhere to the conditions, instructions, etc, you may be covered.
• Access to our 24/7 Emergency Medical Assistance Team: We know that when travelling in a foreign country, things can get lost in translation. That’s why we have a 24-hour assistance team available to you for the entirety of your trip. Whether you have a query about the procedures you need to follow if something goes wrong, or you just want to find out about medical providers where you are, the team can assist you.
• Cover for baggage / personal belongings: World Nomads plans offer cover to UK residents for luggage and personal gear. If your baggage is delayed between Heathrow and Bangkok, we may be able to help you with necessities. Same goes for any gear that may be damaged, stolen or destroyed during your travels, so long as it wasn’t a result of recklessness or negligence. Under the Explorer plan, the policy covers accidental loss or theft of your own money while on your person or stolen from a locked safety deposit box. Unfortunately, we don't cover your sports gear while it's in use.
• Medical emergencies: No one plans to injure themselves or spend more time in bed than out exploring the sights; that’s the last thing we want. World Nomads can assist with emergency medical transport, evacuation, and repatriation if you’re medically unfit to continue your travels. Terms and conditions apply.
• Covid 19 and travel insurance: Both our Standard and Explorer plans offer cover for emergency medical assistance should you fall ill with Coronavirus while abroad.

What to look out for when travelling around Thailand

Most travellers let their hair down when they head abroad, sometimes so much so that they often forget that they’re in a foreign country and need to always keep their heads in the game.

• Theft: British travellers need to be aware that pickpockets and bag snatchers are active all over Thailand, so be mindful of your personal belongings when travelling in open transport like Tuk Tuks and don’t think a short nap on a bus is without its risks, especially if you haven’t secured your belongings.
• Drink spiking: Be diligent about not accepting drinks from strangers in bars and don’t leave glasses and cups unattended. Drink spiking has been reported in Thailand, particularly during Full Moon parties. Not only can an incident like this ruin your holiday but it has in the past led to severe illness.
• Fraud: Think twice before handing your passport to a third party; it’s risky and losing sight of your passport is a big no-no anywhere. Keep a keen eye on your debit and credit cards during transactions, always use an ATM within a bank and keep your PIN to yourself. Skimming is an issue across Thailand, so if something looks untoward, wait and find another option.

What's not covered

• Costs associated with ignoring UK Government travel warnings or advice. This includes travelling to an area where there is a ‘Do Not Travel’ alert in place; and/or choosing to remain in a country after such a warning has been issued.
• Medical expenses incurred in the UK.
• Any costs associated with a pre-existing medical condition, unless otherwise stated in your policy.
• Travelling against medical advice.
• Stolen, lost or damaged personal belongings that were left unattended.
• Injury or damage caused by drug abuse or alcohol misuse.
• Participation in a sport or activity not listed in the Policy Wording or agreed by World Nomads where you haven’t paid the required additional premium.

If you have a specific question about World Nomads insurance, please visit our online Help Center or contact us.

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.

For information relating to policies purchased before 27 June 2024, please check HERE for the list of covered activities.

For policies purchased from 27 June 2024, please see below for information:

Adventure Sports and Activities

For many Irish travellers the need to go exploring the great outdoors and seek some adventure activities is a must when on a holiday. While it’s exciting to try out new adrenaline-pumping activities that you don’t get to do back home in Ireland you should also consider travel insurance when preparing for your next adventure.

• Adventure sports, travel insurance and what’s covered by our plans
• What activities are covered?
• What level of sports and activity cover do I get?
• What’s not covered
• Questions to ask when choosing a plan
• List of Adventure, sport and activities covered

Adventure sports, travel insurance and what’s covered by our plans

Whether you’re picking up a new sport or you’re a seasoned outdoors adventure person, World Nomads offers cover (up to the policy limits) for the following:

Activities and sports cover: travel and outdoor adventures go hand-in-hand, that’s why our policies offer cover for more than 150 sports, experiences, and activities. While some activities are considered less dangerous, other types of activities such as rock climbing require an insurance upgrade and payment of an additional premium.

Emergency medical and evacuation coverage overseas – if you unexpectedly get sick or injured at any time during your holiday, seek medical assistance straight away. Contact our 24/7 Emergency Medical Assistance team to advise them of your situation and sort out any further care requirements. They can contact the hospital where you’re staying to arrange payment for your accommodation, treatment, and medications. We may also cover the cost of your repatriation back to Ireland if your injury or illness is serious enough. However, this must be determined by your treating doctor in consultation with our Emergency Medical Assistance team. Exclusions, and in some cases, excesses apply.

See Travel insurance tip 2 below, if you have private medical insurance (PMI) in Ireland.

Baggage and valuables coverage – if any of your luggage or personal items are lost, stolen or damaged, then you may be covered for the costs of replacing these. Make sure you have your receipts as you’ll need to submit these when you claim. Always report any stolen belongings to the local police and request a police report. If there were any witnesses to the incident, then ask them to accompany you to the police station to give their statement. Witness statements should be included with your other supporting documentation.

Extended stays – if you’re having the time of your life on holiday and don’t want to return home to Ireland just yet, then you may extend your travel insurance policy accordingly. Extensions for Single Trip policies can be approved for up to a maximum of 12 months from the starting date listed on your Certificate of Insurance. Applications for policy extensions must be made prior to 11:59pm IST/GMT on the date that your existing policy expires, however we suggest not waiting to the last day to submit your request.

Trip cancellation costs – few things in life are more disappointing than having to cancel a long-awaited holiday due to unexpected sickness or a last-minute injury. Should you or one of your travel companions become injured or sick after making your holiday arrangements, and need to cancel your trip, then we may cover your non-refundable travel expenses such as accommodation and flights. You will need to provide medical evidence to substantiate your claim.

What activities are covered?

While many Irish live and breathe their Gaelic games, rugby, and soccer, we also know that our travellers have a vast range of sporting preferences. That’s why we offer cover for over 150 different sports, activities, and experiences. While the list may seem long, by no means do we cover every single sport or activity.

Always make sure that any planned sports and activities that you’ll be doing are clearly stated. If you’re injured playing a sport that we do not cover, then any claim you submit, may not be approved.

World Nomads offers two travel insurance plans, the Standard Plan and the Explorer Plan. These plans both offer cover for expenses in connection with hospitalisation, lost luggage, repatriation, and more. However, the Explorer Plan costs more than the Standard Plan as it offers higher policy limits and more benefits.

Always read through the Policy Wording to decide which plan is best suited for the activities and sports that you have planned. If you’re not sure if something you’re planning on doing while on holiday is covered, please contact us.

What level of sports and activity cover do I get?

Our travel insurance plans categorise sports and leisure activities into four separate levels. Travellers are covered for all sports and activities listed under the level of cover they select, as well as those leisure pursuits assigned to any lower levels. The following is just a small selection of the sports we cover. Please check below for the full list of the sports and activities we cover.

Level 1

• Camping (to a maximum of 3,000 metres)
• Cricket
• Dance (ballet, ballroom, capoeira, salsa, and interpretive dance)
• Roller skating

Level 2

• Rock climbing
• Rugby (League/Union)
• Running (marathons)
• Water skiing (barefoot)

Level 3

• Mountain biking (downhill)
• Skiing/snowboarding

Level 4

• Mountaineering (to a maximum of 6,000 metres)
• Skiing/snowboarding (terrain park in resort; outside resort boundaries; back country; helicopter/snow; alpine touring) 
• Snow rafting
• Triathlon (full distance)

Travel insurance tip 1: several of our covered activities and sports are listed on multiple levels to reflect the varying degrees of difficulty or intensity. Always check before you go that you have the right level of cover for your desired activities, as you cannot upgrade to a higher level or add any other sports after you buy your policy.

What’s not covered

Here are just a few of our travel insurance exclusions. For the entire list, please check your Policy Wording.

• If your behaviour was reckless, or your actions were in violation of the laws of that country.
• Being intoxicated by alcohol or prohibited substances.
• Unattended belongings and luggage that is stolen, lost, or damaged.
• Pre-existing medical conditions unless otherwise expressly stated in your policy.
• Dental treatment that is not undertaken to alleviate any constant pain or discomfort. An example could be an implant procedure to replace a tooth that had been extracted in a surgery that you had years ago.

Questions to ask when choosing a plan

Before selecting a plan, it’s best to know what types of sports and activities you and your travel buddies will be enjoying when you’re travelling. These are just some of the questions for you to consider when picking a travel insurance plan:

• What sports and activities will I be engaging in on my holiday?
• What sports and activities do my friends have planned? Make sure you ask them about their holiday plans to be certain that they don’t have any surprise activities up their sleeves. A spur of the moment decision to play a sport that you’re not covered for might be fun, but would you really want to take such a risk?
• What types of equipment, footwear, or protective clothing will you need for your preferred activities?
• Do you need a licensed tour guide or instructor for any of your leisure activities? If so, have you checked that the person is in fact certified?
• What are the depths of my dives, altitudes of my hikes, or distances of my walks? These types of details all need to be established before choosing your plan.

Travel insurance tip 2: Irish travellers, if you require any medical treatment during your trip while outside of Ireland (and as soon as you're medically able to do so) you’ll need to contact your private medical insurance (PMI) provider (if applicable) and follow their emergency medical procedures and claims procedures. Where your PMI provider cannot provide assistance, get in touch with our 24-hour Emergency Medical Assistance Team as soon as reasonably possible before incurring medical costs, and also please provide us with details of your PMI provider to help us coordinate your care. For more information on what to do please refer to Section 8 Medical Sections of Cover in your Policy Wording.

Overseas adventure activity tips to help you have a safer experience

Are you fit enough for that?

Holidays offer a selection of leisure activities, many of which you may not have ever tried. Before you go trying new experiences, think about your fitness and plan your activities accordingly. Whatever you’re planning, make sure it’s something you’re physically capable of.

The right gear

When participating in a sport or activity, always wear safety gear. For example, you must wear a helmet when cycling or riding a scooter. Before embarking on that mountain-climbing adventure, ask yourself if you have the right equipment required for such an undertaking.

Your activity operator should be certified/accredited

Make sure operators are certified and/or accredited by the appropriate body. For example, diving instructors should be registered with the Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI). 

Keep a watch on your sporting equipment

Nothing beats the feeling of elation that comes from being victorious in a game of sport. Yet before you rush off to hit the bar with your teammates, it’s a good idea to lock up any sporting equipment first. All too often valuable sporting gear and bags are left unattended or even worse, forgotten about.

Opportunistic thieves can take advantage of these situations. No matter how safe you think your sporting gear is, never leave it unattended. If you can’t take your equipment with you or back to your hotel, then place it in a locker or keep it locked in a room.

This is a summary only. It does not include all terms, conditions, limitations and exclusions of the plans described. Please refer to the Policy Wording for complete details of cover and exclusions. If you are unsure of your level of travel cover, please contact us for help.

For information relating to policies purchased before 27 June 2024, please check HERE for the list of covered activities.

For policies purchased from 27 June 2024, please see below for information:

Adventure Sports and Activities

For many travellers, one of the most exciting parts of planning an overseas holiday is deciding what activities and sports to play during their trip. Overseas holidays present the perfect chance to indulge in all your favourite sports; or try a new adrenaline pumping activity that you don’t get to do back home in the UK.

No matter whether you’re packing your cricket bat or that expensive pair of hiking boots, it might be worth considering travel insurance when preparing for your trip.

• Adventure sports, travel insurance and what’s covered by our plans
• What activities are covered?
• What’s not covered
• Questions to ask when choosing a plan
• List of Adventure, sport and activities covered

Adventure sports, travel insurance and what’s covered by our plans

Whether you’re picking up a new sport or you’re a seasoned outdoors adventure person, World Nomads offers cover (up to the policy limits) for the following:

Activities and sports cover: travel and adventure go hand-in-hand, that’s why our policies offer cover more than 150 sports, experiences, and activities. While some activities are considered less dangerous, other types of activities such as rock climbing require an insurance upgrade and an additional premium.

Emergency medical and evacuation coverage – if you suddenly become sick or injured at any time during your holiday, seek medical assistance straight away. Contact our 24/7 Emergency Medical Assistance team to advise them of your situation and sort out any further care requirements. They can contact the hospital where you’re staying to arrange payment for your accommodation, treatment, and medications. We may also cover the cost of your repatriation back to the UK if your injury or illness is serious enough. However, this must be determined by your treating doctor in consultation with our Emergency Medical Assistance team. Exclusions, and in some cases excesses, do apply. These medical transport and repatriation benefits are payable, subject to our approval, for up to a maximum of 12 months from the date the sudden illness first manifested or the injury happened.

Baggage and personal belongings coverage – if any of your luggage or personal items are lost, stolen or damaged, then you may be covered for the costs of replacing these. Make sure you have your receipts as you will need to submit these when you claim. Always report any stolen belongings to the local police and request a police report. If there were any witnesses to the incident, then ask them to accompany you to the police station to give their statement. Witness statements should be included with your other supporting documentation.

Extended stays – if you’re having the time of your life on holiday and don’t want to return home to the UK just yet, then you may extend your Single Trip travel insurance policy accordingly. Extensions can be approved for up to a maximum of 12 months from the starting date listed on your policy certificate. Applications for policy extensions must be made prior to 11:59pm GMT/BST on the date that your existing policy expires, however we suggest not waiting to the last day to submit your request.

Trip cancellation costs – few things in life are more disappointing than having to cancel a long-awaited holiday due to unexpected sickness or a last-minute injury. Should you or one of your travel companions become injured or sick after making your holiday arrangements, and need to cancel your trip, then we may cover your non-refundable travel expenses such as accommodation and flights. You will need to provide medical evidence to substantiate your claim.

What activities are covered?

While many Brits live and breathe their football and cricket, we also know that our travellers have a vast range of sporting preferences. That’s why we offer cover for over 150 different sports, activities, and experiences. While the list is long, by no means do we cover every single sport or activity.

Always make sure that any planned sports and activities that you’ll be doing are clearly stated. If you’re injured playing a sport that is not listed in your Policy Wording, then any claim you submit, may not be approved.

World Nomads offers two travel insurance plans, the Standard Plan and the Explorer Plan. These plans both offer cover for expenses in connection with hospitalisation, lost luggage, repatriation, and more. However, the Explorer Plan costs more than the Standard Plan as it offers higher policy limits and more benefits.

Always read through the Policy Wording to decide which plan is best suited for the activities and sports that you have planned. If you’re not sure if something you’re planning on doing while on holiday is covered, please contact us.

What level of sports and activity cover do I get?

Our travel insurance plans categorise sports and leisure activities into four separate levels. Travellers are covered for all sports and activities listed under the level of cover they select, as well as those leisure pursuits assigned to any lower levels. The following is just a small selection of the sports we cover. Please check below for the full list of sports and activities we cover.

Level 1

• Camping (to a maximum of 3,000 metres)
• Cricket
• Dance (ballet, ballroom, capoeira, salsa, and interpretive dance)
• Roller skating

Level 2

• Rock climbing
• Rugby (League/Union)
• Running (marathons)
• Water skiing (barefoot)

Level 3

• Mountain biking (downhill)
• Skiing/snowboarding (includes cross country, Nordic on marked trails)

Level 4

• Skiing/snowboarding (terrain park in resort; outside resort boundaries; back country; helicopter/snow; alpine touring)
• Snow rafting
• Mountaineering (to a maximum of 6,000 metres)
• Hiking (to a maximum of 6,000 metres)
• Triathlon (full distance)

Travel insurance tip 1: several of our covered activities or sports are listed on multiple levels to reflect the varying degrees of difficulty or intensity. Always check before you go that you have the right level of cover for your desired activities, as you cannot upgrade to a higher level or add any other sports, after your trip has begun.

What’s not covered

Here are just a few of our travel insurance exclusions. For the entire list, please check your Policy Wording.

• If your behaviour was reckless, or your actions were in violation of the laws of that country.
• Being intoxicated by alcohol or prohibited substances.
• Unattended belongings and luggage that is stolen, lost, or damaged.
• Pre-existing medical conditions unless otherwise expressly stated in your policy.
• Dental treatment that is not undertaken to alleviate any constant pain or discomfort. An example could be an implant procedure to replace a tooth that had been extracted in a surgery that you had years ago.

Questions to ask when choosing a plan

Before selecting a plan, it’s best to know what types of sports and activities you and your travel buddies will be enjoying when you’re overseas. These are just some of the questions for you to consider when picking a travel insurance plan:

• What sports and activities will I be engaging in on my holiday?
• What sports and activities do my friends have planned? Make sure you ask them about their holiday plans to be certain that they don’t have any surprise activities up their sleeves. A spur of the moment decision to play a sport that you’re not covered for might be fun, but would you really want to take such a risk?
• What types of equipment, footwear, or protective clothing will you need for your preferred activities?
• Do you need a licensed tour guide or instructor for any of your leisure activities? If so, have you checked that the person is in fact certified?
• What are the depths of my dives, altitudes of my hikes, or distances of my competitions? These types of details all need to be established before choosing your plan.

Travel insurance tip 2: Where urgent medical assistance is required, get in touch with our 24-hour Emergency Medical Assistance Team as soon as reasonably possible before incurring medical costs. For more information on what to do please refer to the section titled, ‘Health conditions & your policy’ in your Policy Wording.

Overseas activity tips to help you have a safer experience

Are you fit enough for that?

Overseas holidays offer a selection of leisure activities, many of which you may not have ever tried. Before you go trying new experiences, think about your fitness and plan your activities accordingly. Whatever you’re planning, make sure it’s something you’re physically capable of.

The right gear

When participating in a sport or activity, always wear safety gear. For example, wear a helmet when cycling or riding a scooter. Before embarking on that mountain climbing expedition, ask yourself if you have the right equipment required for such an undertaking.

Your activity operator should be certified/accredited

Make sure operators are certified and/or accredited by the appropriate body. For example, diving instructors should be registered with the Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI). 

Keep a watch on your sporting equipment

Nothing beats the feeling of elation that comes from being victorious in a game of sport. Yet before you rush off to hit the bar with your teammates, it’s a good idea to lock up any sporting equipment first. All too often valuable sporting gear and bags are left unattended or even worse, forgotten about.

Opportunistic thieves can take advantage of these situations. No matter how safe you think your sporting gear is, never leave it unattended. If you can’t take your equipment with you or back to your hotel, then place it in a locker or keep it locked in a room.

This is a summary only. It does not include all terms, conditions, limitations and exclusions of the plans described. Please refer to the Policy Wording for complete details of cover and exclusions. If you are unsure of your level of travel cover, please contact us for help.

Get a quote today and find out if our policies are right for you.