Travel insurance for hiking & trekking - World Nomads
Simple and flexible travel insurance to take you trekking around the world. Buy at home or while travelling, and claim online from anywhere in the world.
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If your boots were made for walking, what better way to use your senses on a hiking adventure? From retracing historic routes of pilgrims, traders and shepherds to roaming in wonder around the fjords of New Zealand, the world’s best trails are calling you.
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 can be good to pack travel insurance to help if hiking accidents stop you in your tracks.
What’s covered for hiking and trekking?
Are you a seasoned British hiker on the lookout for your next pinnacle or do you prefer the simplicity of a family weekend walk? 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. Either you, or someone on your behalf, must contact our 24-hour Emergency Medical Assistance team. Expenses must be medically necessary and agreed by the insurer in order to receive reimbursement of your covered expenses.
- Evacuation: approved overseas emergency medical evacuation to the most appropriate medical facility for treatment or repatriation back to the UK. Emergency transport is subject to approval from the 24-hour Emergency Medical Assistance 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 the cost of 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 need to buy while you’re waiting for your baggage to arrive.
- Coronavirus Cover: we offer cover for some Coronavirus related events. To find out more click here.
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 the Policy Wording.
- Any adventure or sport activity graded above the level of activity cover you have selected.
- 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 the UK.
- 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 peace of mind, 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 the UK please contact our 24-hour Emergency Medical Assistance Team before incurring medical costs.
- Check which countries your trail passes through to ensure your policy covers you for that region.
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.
Travel Insurance Benefits: how we can take care of you
Trip Cancellation
Protect your trip from unexpected cancellation.
- Explorer Plan: £5,000
- Standard Plan: £3,000
Trip Protection
- Unexpectedly hospitalized?
- Travel buddy in an accident?
- Sudden death of an immediate relative?
We’ve got your back.
Emergency Abroad Medical Expenses
Take the pain out of medical costs while traveling abroad.
- Explorer Plan: £10 million
- Standard Plan: £5 million
Emergency Medical Insurance
- Rolled your ankle?
- Bedridden after a local delicacy?
- Struggling with altitude?
We’ve got your back.
Emergency Medical Transport
Expenses included in Emergency Medical limits.
Evacuation and Repatriation
- Road or air ambulance?
- Flight assistance?
- Medical evacuation home?
Help starts here.
Protect your gear
Cover your lost, stolen or damaged gear and tech.
- Explorer Plan: £3,000
- Standard Plan: £1,500
Protect your gear
- GoPro stolen?
- Gear damaged in transit?
- Bags delayed?
Help starts here.
- Emergency Medical Expenses
- Baggage & Personal Belongings
- Cancellation
- Trip Curtailment
- Personal Accident
- Loss of Passport or travel documents
- Personal Liability
- Legal Expenses (Personal Liability)
You are not eligible to buy a policy if you travel against medical advice, travel with the intention of receiving medical treatment, or have a terminal illness. World Nomads policies cannot cover claims due to Pre-Existing Medical Conditions (PEMC), regardless of whether the condition is serious or not. You can still purchase a World Nomads policy, but the PEMC exclusion cannot be removed, and you will be responsible for any related costs.
For information on travel insurance providers that offer cover on PEMC, visit Money Helper or call 0800 138 7777.
24/7 Emergency Medical Assistance
If you need medical assistance or emergency medical evacuation our team is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year before and during your trip.
Wherever you are, we’re here 24/7 to help you in any emergency.
Are you in need of Emergency Medical Assistance right now?
For policies purchased on or after 27 June 2024
+44 (0) 144 444 2021 (Call via an operator reverse charges. Not toll free.)
For policies purchased before 27 June 2024:
Phone: +44 (0) 203 093 1750 (Call via an operator reverse charges. Not toll free.)
FAQ
Here are our most frequently asked questions about buying travel insurance for hiking & trekking. You can also find the answers to other questions in our Helpdesk or you can ask the customer service team.
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What’s covered when I’m hiking?
We’ve tried to give you the freedom to hike from Alberta to Zambia by helping cover some of those nasty accidents. For further info, click here
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How do I get to the medical centre if I’m injured while trekking?
If you can, contact the emergency assistance team to help arrange the care that you need. If you have no connectivity, then contact local authorities and have them call the assistance team once you’re in safe hands. For further info, click here.
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What if the airline loses my gear?
If your gear is lost or damaged by the airline, you have coverage under your policy to help cover some of the cost to replace them. Some exclusions apply. For further info, click here.
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Does my travel insurance cover medical costs upfront or do I have to pay and claim later?
If you’re hospitalized because of an accident, the insurer may help cover these costs upfront. For further info, click here.