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Travel insurance for hiking & trekking - World Nomads

Simple and flexible travel insurance to take you trekking around the world.

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Whether it’s the trek or the view you’re chasing, the world’s great hiking destinations will leave you breathless. From Europe’s alpine trails to the mist-soaked rainforests of Costa Rica, hiking has a magic all its own.

Preparation is paramount to any hiking adventure abroad; learning about the area, checking the route and making sure you have the right gear in case bad weather rolls in. Along with a trusty map, it helps to pack travel insurance if hiking accidents stop you in your tracks.

What’s covered for hiking and trekking?

Are you an experienced Irish hiker looking for your next big challenge or are you happier on a relaxed family hike? No matter how adventurous your hiking plans, World Nomads plans may offer cover (up to the benefit limits) for:

Emergency medical: overseas emergency medical expenses at a hospital or medical centre if you suffer an unexpected injury or illness while hiking. You’ll first need to contact your private medical insurance (PMI) provider, if applicable, and follow their emergency procedures and claims procedures. Where your PMI provider cannot assist, contact the 24-hour Emergency Assistance team. Expenses must be medically necessary and agreed by the insurer in order to receive reimbursement of your covered expenses.
Evacuation: we offer approved overseas emergency medical evacuation to the most appropriate medical facility for treatment or repatriation back to Ireland. Emergency transport is subject to approval from the 24-hour Emergency Assitance team.
Trip cancellation: has a sick or injured travelling companion put a stop to your hiking break? Your plan may be able to recover the unused non-refundable travel expenses.
Gear protection: had your camera stolen while hiking in Thailand? Our gear coverage can help with replacing belongings that were swiped from under your nose. You’ll need a police report to submit with your claim as well as copies of the original receipts and supporting documentation.
Lost or damaged baggage cover: have your bags or personal items gone missing? You must report all theft or loss to the police as well as to the common carrier, service provider or other local authority as soon as possible. You must also get a Property Irregularity Report or other incident report from the carrier so you can submit it with your claim, as well as a police report, copies of the original receipts and any luggage tickets.
Delayed baggage cover: has your checked-in baggage been delayed for more than 24 hours? Your plan may cover essential items you purchase while you’re waiting for your baggage to arrive.
Coronavirus cover: we offer cover for some Coronavirus related events.

Choose a plan that suits your needs

Both our Standard Plan and Explorer Plan may offer many of the same benefits including cover for hiking or trekking up to 6,000 metres, you just need to select the maximum elevation you’ll be hiking to at the time of your quote.

If you’re lucky enough to have some extra adventure or sport activities planned such as kayaking or mountaineering, check out our article on covered sports and activities, which will help you select the optional upgrades you’ll need to add to your plan when you buy your policy, you can’t add them afterwards. Terms and conditions apply, please read your Policy Wording carefully or contact us if you have any questions.

What’s not covered for hiking?

Sorry – we won’t cover you if you do something reckless (such as tackling an extreme hiking trip into a remote area when you’re only a beginner). Some things we don’t cover include:

Pre-existing medical conditions as explained in your Policy Wording
Free mountaineering, climbing in remote or inaccessible regions, exploratory expeditions and new routes, high altitude climbing over 6,000 metres, mountaineering expeditions or expeditions to the Arctic or Antarctica.
Search and rescue operations to find or rescue you as per your Policy Wording.
Any adventure or sport activity you did not specify on your policy.
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 Assistance team advise you to do.
If you do not follow the local safety advice and warnings.
Expenses that can be recovered from other sources e.g. transport carriers, accommodation providers, credit card issuers or other insurance policies.
Medical treatment that can wait until your return to Ireland.
If you don't keep your gear safe and secure at all times.

How to get the most out of your travel insurance

Before you head for the hills, the following tips can help you maximise your safety and validity of cover.

Inform a local assistance company of your trekking route and policy details.
If you require any medical treatment during your trip while outside of Ireland you first need to contact your PMI provider (if applicable) and follow their emergency medical procedures and claims procedures. Where your PMI provider cannot provide assistance, please contact our 24-hour Emergency Assistance Team before incurring medical costs.
Check which countries your trail passes through to ensure your policy covers you for that region.

Traveller Tip: for the intrepid hiker, be aware a higher policy excess applies if you need to be medically evacuated within Nepal.

This is only a summary of coverage and does not include the full terms, conditions, limitations and exclusions of the policy. You can read more about hiking and travel insurance and 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.

Reconnect with the world with our travel insurance cover for some Coronavirus-related events

Itching to travel again?

Explore the world with our plans that provide cover for some Coronavirus-related (including COVID-19 related) events, including emergency overseas medical, evacuation, cancellation cover and more. Find out what cover applies to your Country of Residence, and the key benefit limits depending on which plan you purchase. Happy and safe travels!

Overseas Medical Expenses and repatriation home

If a qualified medical practitioner diagnoses you with Coronavirus while you’re travelling, we may offer emergency medical benefits to help you get back on your feet as well, where medically necessary, emergency transport to the nearest or most appropriate medical facility or back home to Ireland to recover.

Standard plan:
€3,750,000

Explorer plan:
€12,000,000

Repatriation of your remains

If the worst happens and you die from Coronavirus while overseas, we offer benefits to help your family with the costs of a funeral, or if available, bringing you back to your home country.

Standard plan:
€5,000

Explorer plan:
€5,000

Coronavirus Travel Costs section (cancellation and curtailment pre and on-trip)

Had to cancel your trip because you, a travel companion or a close relative in Ireland have been diagnosed with Coronavirus? Our cover may help with your cancellation costs.