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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. 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: 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 as emergency transport to the nearest or most appropriate medical facility or back home to the UK to recover.

Standard plan:
£5,000,000

Explorer plan: 
£10,000,000

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 the UK have been diagnosed with Coronavirus? Our cover may help with your cancellation costs.

Standard plan:
Not available

Explorer plan:
£1,250*

Coronavirus Travel Costs section (travel and accommodation costs on-trip)

If during your travels you’re unable to stay at your pre-booked accommodation, because it’s closed for cleaning due to a confirmed case of Coronavirus we may pay for reasonable additional travel and accommodation nearby. Did someone clip your wings? If you’re unable to board your plane, train or other scheduled transport because you’re suspected of having Coronavirus, we may offer cover for unexpected additional accommodation, meals and transport costs as needed.

Standard plan:
Not available

Explorer plan:
£1,250*

Coronavirus Travel Costs section (on-trip quarantine related cost)

Stuck in your hotel room due to Coronavirus? If you or your travel companion must go into compulsory quarantine due to a diagnosis of, or a confirmed close contact with, a case of Coronavirus, we may be able to help with cover for reasonable additional travel, meals and accommodation, including in-room entertainment.

Standard plan:
Not available

Explorer plan:
£1,250*

Coronavirus Travel Costs section (Essential Workers)

Are you or a member of your travelling party an essential healthcare worker? If you’re permanently employed as a healthcare or residential care worker or a law enforcement officer, and your pre-arranged leave is cancelled because of Coronavirus then our cover can help.

Standard plan:
Not available

Explorer plan:
£1,250*

Coronavirus Travel Costs (pet and childcare costs on-trip)

If while travelling you’re diagnosed with Coronavirus and unable to take care of your dependent children and/or pets, our travel insurance policies may help with cover for reasonable additional childcare and pet care costs. Pet care services covered include kennel and cattery boarding fees or pet sitting services, in the UK.

Standard plan:
Not available

Explorer plan:
£1,250*

Disclaimer: *This is the maximum limit (per insured person) available for all events combined under the Coronavirus Travel Costs section. All of the information we provide about travel insurance is a brief summary only. It does not include all terms, conditions, limitations, exclusions and termination provisions of the travel insurance plans described. Make sure you read your Policy Wording carefully for a full description of coverage.

Travel insurance. Simple & flexible.

Travel insurance for independent travellers and intrepid families. Nobody wants to think about all the things that could go wrong on their trip, but these things can and do happen. So be prepared and get your travel insurance today.

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 unfit to travel?
  • Close relative suddenly died?

We’ve got your back.

Emergency Medical Insurance

Take the pain out of medical costs.

  • 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

We'll get you to hospital pronto.

  • Explorer Plan: £10 million
  • Standard Plan: £5 million
Evacuation and Repatriation
  • Road or air ambulance?
  • Flight assistance?
  • Medivac needed home?

Help starts here.

Protect your gear

Cover your lost, stolen or damaged gear and tech.

  • Explorer Plan: £2,000
  • Standard Plan: £1,000
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
This is a general summary for United Kingdom residents only. Restrictions, exclusions and limitations will apply. Benefit limits may vary depending on the plan chosen. Check the plan documents for full details.
Customers with pre-existing medical conditions

You can still purchase a World Nomads policy if you have a Pre-Existing Medical Condition (PEMC) – whether it is serious or not – but we won’t cover any claim/s made by any traveller under the policy as a result of this condition (this includes if you’re on separate or joint policies). This exclusion can’t be removed from the policy.   

The Money and Pensions Service (MaPS) has a travel insurance directory on its Money Advice Service website, or you can contact the service on 0800 138 7777. This service provides details on what may be considered a PEMC, and travel insurance providers that may cover serious PEMCs, which may assist travellers wanting cover for these conditions. 

24/7 emergency 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.

Are you in need of emergency assistance right now?

For policies purchased on or after 1 September 2021:
+44 (0) 2030931750 (Call via an operator reverse charges. Not toll free.)

For policies purchased before 1 September 2021:
Phone: +353 21 237 8005 (Call via an operator reverse charges. Not toll free.)
Phone: +61 2 8263 0470 (Call via an operator reverse charges. Not toll free.)

Contact the team
Wherever you are, whatever has happened, our multi-lingual assistance teams are here to help you and your family.
Aurelie's portrait photo
Aurelie Menard,
Emergency Assistance, World Nomads

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.