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Am I covered by Travel Insurance if I'm hiking or trekking?

Crossing the landscape on foot is the classic nomadic experience. World Nomads travel insurance may help if there’s an emergency, excluding search and rescue.
Whether you’re strolling, trekking, hiking, hillwalking, backpacking, rambling or scrambling, World Nomads Standard Plan and Explorer Plan include cover for up to 4500 meters above sea level.
Want to go higher? An optional upgrade extends the policy’s cover to hikes up to 6000 meters.
Just remember, to be covered, please stick to recognized routes that don’t need ropes, picks or other specialist climbing equipment.
And choose carefully when you buy, as you can’t upgrade your policy after it is issued. If you do need to upgrade during your trip, you can always buy a new policy while travelling.
Please note that emergency medical evacuation by air ambulance or helicopter in Nepal is subject to an excess, and must be pre-approved by our 24/7 Emergency Assistance team.

What’s covered for hiking and trekking?

The beauty of nature combined with that cardiovascular buzz – hiking is popular for good reason. But mountains and trails also have special risks, such as altitude sickness, or unstable or uneven ground. If you experience a sudden illness or injury while hiking, there is cover for:

  • Emergency overseas medical expenses for treatment.

  • Emergency medical transport by the most suitable mode of transport (for example, helicopter or ground transport) depending on the location and your medical situation, as determined by our 24/7 Emergency Assistance team.

  • Evacuation and repatriation expenses if our 24/7 Emergency Assistance team deems it medically necessary.

What should I do if there’s an emergency?

If you’re hiking and need emergency medical treatment, medical evacuation or repatriation, you must contact our 24/7 Emergency Assistance team as soon as possible. They will contact a suitable assistance or ambulance company and arrange medical care.
If you are unable to contact us before arranging emergency transport or medical treatment, this may impact your cover.

What’s not covered for hiking and trekking?

Travel insurance is not designed to cover everything, so take the time to read the full description of cover in the policy wording, so there are no surprises if you do need to use it.
Here are a few of the things that are not covered:

  • You hike above the height limits of your policy.

  • Hiking where you require picks or other specialist climbing equipment.

  • Free mountaineering.

  • Mountaineering expeditions.

  • Climbing in remote or inaccessible regions.

  • Exploratory expeditions and new routes.

  • Expeditions and activities in Antarctica, the Arctic Circle or Greenland.

  • Search and rescue if you’re lost up there in the mountains, or at any other time.

  • Any expenses related to pre-existing medical conditions.

  • Medical treatment that can wait until you return home.

  • Any expenses incurred once you return home.
 

This is only a summary of cover and does not include the full terms and conditions 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 policies purchased on or after 1 August 2019, your policy is underwritten by nib Travel Services Limited. For policies purchased between 2 December 2018 and 31 July 2019: Your policy is underwritten by nib Travel Services Limited, formerly known as Nomadic Insurance Limited.

Last updated: Dec 05, 2019 12:40 PM

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We’re here to help if you have a question about travel insurance. We’re available:

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For policies purchase on or after 2 December 2018:


+353 21 237 8007

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For policies purchased before 2 December 2018:


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