Travel insurance designed for adventures while traveling.
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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.
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 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.
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.
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
Level 2
Level 3
Level 4
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.
Here are just a few of our travel insurance exclusions. For the entire list, please check your Policy Wording.
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:
Travel insurance tip 2: Where urgent medical assistance is required, get in touch with our 24-hour Emergency 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.
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.
World Nomads covers more than 150 activities and sports, and if it’s not on the list you can contact us and we’ll let you know if we’ll cover it. You can read more about coverage for some specific activities to see the activities covered by the plans available to you.
We offer cover for:
Adventure, Sport and ActivitiesList of Activities covered; including Level 2, 3 and 4 Upgrades: |
UPGRADE FOR LEVELS 2, 3, 4 ACTIVITIES |
---|
Adventure, sport, work, study and volunteer activities |
Level |
Special Conditions that apply |
Special Exclusions that apply |
---|---|---|---|
Abseiling (rappelling, rapping, rap jumping, deepelling, abbing) |
1 |
(a) |
(iv) |
Aerial safari |
1 |
(a) |
(iv) |
Aerobics |
1 |
|
|
Athletics |
1 |
|
|
Badminton |
1 |
|
|
Ballet |
1 |
|
|
Banana boat rides |
1 |
(a) |
|
Baseball |
1 |
|
|
Basketball |
1 |
|
|
Biking (see Cycling, Mountain biking) |
|
|
- |
Black water rafting (Cave tubing) (grades 1-3) |
1 |
(a) |
(iv) |
Boating (inland and coastal waters); see also Speed boating and Sailing |
1 |
(a) or (b) |
Excludes: white water; (v) |
Boating (outside coastal waters); see also Speed boating, and Sailing |
2 |
(a) or (b) and (c) |
(iv); (v) |
Bowling / Bowls / Pétanque / Boules |
1 |
|
|
Boxing (gym or outdoor training) |
2 |
|
Excludes competition, bouts |
Bungee/Bungy jumping |
2 |
(a) |
|
Camel riding (day tour) |
1 |
(a) |
(v) |
Camel trekking (overnight/main mode of transport) |
2 |
(a) |
(v) |
Camogie |
2 |
A helmet must be worn. |
(iv); (v) |
Camping up to 3,000 metres (see also Hiking, and Mountaineering) |
1 |
|
|
Camping up to 4,500 metres (see also Hiking, and Mountaineering) |
2 |
|
|
Camping up to 6,000 metres (see also Hiking, and Mountaineering) |
4 |
|
|
Caving (sightseeing/tourist attraction/recreational only) |
1 |
(a) |
Excludes: where ropes, picks or other specialist climbing equipment is required |
Cheerleading |
1 |
|
|
Clay pigeon shooting |
1 |
(a) or (b) |
(v) |
Cricket |
1 |
|
|
Cruising (cruise ship) |
1 |
|
|
Curling |
1 |
|
|
Cycling/Biking (incidental to the trip) |
1 |
|
(v) |
Cycling (independent cycle touring) |
3 |
|
(v) |
Cycling (on an organised tour) |
2 |
(a) |
(v) |
Dance (ballet, ballroom, capoeira, salsa, interpretive dance) |
1 |
|
|
Darts |
1 |
|
|
Dogsledding / Sleigh rides (horse drawn): on recognised trails |
1 |
(a) |
Excludes: remote areas; racing; time trials; endurance events |
Dragon boating (inland or coastal waters only) |
1 |
|
|
Elephant riding |
1 |
(a) |
|
Elephant riding (overnight/main mode of transport) |
2 |
(a) |
(v) |
Fishing/Angling (ice) |
1 |
(a) or (b) |
|
Fishing (inland or coastal waters): sports / leisure only |
1 |
|
|
Fishing (outside coastal waters, deep sea fishing): sports / leisure only |
2 |
(a) or (b); and (c) |
|
Fitness training |
1 |
|
|
Flag football / rugby / soccer / gridiron: non-contact |
1 |
|
|
Flying (as a fare paying passenger in a licensed scheduled or chartered aircraft or helicopter) |
1 |
(a) |
|
Football (Gaelic football) |
2 |
|
(iv) |
Football (Soccer) including 5 a side |
1 |
|
|
Frisbee / Ultimate Frisbee |
1 |
|
|
Glacier walking / Ice walking |
2 |
(a) |
|
Go karting |
1 |
(a) |
(v) |
Golf |
1 |
|
|
Gym training (aerobics, spinning, Zumba, body pump, weight training, cross training, cross fit) (See also Boxing, and Martial arts) |
1 |
|
Excludes power lifting |
Gymnastics |
1 |
|
|
Handball / Tchoukball |
1 |
|
|
Hiking / trekking / rambling / bushwalking / fell walking: up to 3,000 metres, on recognised routes |
1 |
|
|
Hiking / trekking / rambling / bushwalking / fell walking: up to 4,500 metres, on recognised routes |
2 |
|
|
Hiking / trekking / rambling / bushwalking / fell walking: up to 6,000 metres, on recognised routes |
4 |
|
|
Hockey |
1 |
|
|
Horse riding (leisure/social /non-competitive riding) |
1 |
(a); a helmet must be worn |
Excludes: hunting; (v) |
Hot air ballooning (ballooning) as passenger only |
1 |
(a) |
(v) |
Hurling |
2 |
A helmet must be worn |
(iv); (v) |
Hydro foiling / Kite foiling |
1 |
(a) or (b) |
Excludes: jumping; (v) |
Ice skating (indoor); excludes ice hockey |
1 |
|
|
Ice skating (outdoor) on a commercially managed rink; excludes ice hockey |
1 |
(a) |
|
Jet boating: as a passenger, inland / coastal waters only |
1 |
(a) |
|
Jet skiing: inland / coastal waters, grades 1-2 only |
2 |
(a) or (b) |
(v) |
Kayaking / Canoeing / Sea kayaking / Sea canoeing: inland/coastal waters, grades 1-3 only |
1 |
|
|
Kite boarding / Kite surfing (on land or water); land surfing |
2 |
|
(v) |
Kite buggy |
2 |
|
(v) |
Kite flying |
1 |
|
|
Lacrosse |
1 |
|
|
LARP (Live action role play) |
1 |
|
Excludes: battle re-enactments; (v) |
Martial arts (Judo & Karate only) |
2 |
(a) |
(iv) (v) |
Martial arts training (non-contact) |
1 |
|
|
Moped riding/Scooter biking on road under 125cc |
2 |
(b); a helmet must be worn |
(v) |
Motor racing experience (passenger only) |
1 |
(a) |
|
Motorbiking on road under 125cc, including pillion |
2 |
(b); a helmet must be worn |
(v) |
Mountain biking - downhill (using downhill trails and/or mechanical lifts) |
3 |
|
(v) |
Mountain biking - general (off road/cross country) |
1 |
|
(v) |
Mountaineering to 6,000 metres (with ropes, picks or specialist climbing equipment) |
4 |
Do not venture into any area without taking local advice and appropriate rescue equipment. |
(iii) (iv) |
Netball / Korfball |
1 |
|
|
Orienteering |
1 |
|
|
Outdoor endurance course / obstacle course / assault course / trim trail / tough mudder: up to 3 miles |
1 |
|
|
Outdoor endurance course / obstacle course / assault course / trim trail / tough mudder: up to 8 miles |
3 |
|
|
Outrigger canoeing (inland or coastal waters only) |
2 |
|
|
Outward Bound, up to 3,000 metres |
1 |
(a) |
|
Paint balling/Airsoft |
1 |
(a) or (b) |
(v) |
Parasailing: over water only |
1 |
(a) or (b) |
(iv) (v) |
Rambling. See Hiking if above 3,000 metres |
1 |
|
|
Rifle range/sports shooting |
1 |
(a) or (b) |
(v) |
River boarding / Hydro speeding (grades 1-3); see also Canoeing. |
1 |
(a) |
|
Rock climbing (indoor) |
1 |
|
(v) |
Rock climbing: outdoor / traditional / bouldering / sport climbing / bolted / aid climbing / free climbing; see also Mountaineering |
2 |
|
(iv) |
Rollerblading / Roller Skating / In-line skating |
1 |
|
|
Rowing / Sculling (inland/coastal waters) |
1 |
|
Excludes: white water rowing; (v) |
Rugby (League/Union) |
2 |
|
(iv) (v) |
Running, up to marathon distance; racing exclusion doesn't apply |
2 |
|
|
Running/jogging: half marathon distance or less; racing exclusion doesn't apply |
1 |
|
|
Safari tours |
1 |
(a) |
Excludes: firearms; handling and/or work with dangerous animals; e.g. big cats, crocodiles, alligators, snakes, elephants etc. |
Sail boarding (see wind surfing) |
|
|
|
Sailing / Yachting (inland/coastal waters) |
1 |
(a) or (b) |
(v) |
Sailing / Yachting (outside coastal waters) |
2 |
(a) or (b); and (c) |
(v) |
Sandboarding / Sand skiing |
2 |
|
(v) |
Scuba diving, including Shark cage diving; to 30 metres |
1 |
(e) |
Excludes: free diving; cliff diving; (ii) |
Scuba diving (unqualified/learn to dive course/discover dive with qualified instructor) |
1 |
(a) |
Excludes: free diving; cliff diving; (ii) |
Segway tours |
1 |
(a); a helmet must be worn, safety gear |
(iv) (v) |
Skateboarding (ramp, half pipe, skate park, street) |
1 |
a helmet must be worn, safety gear |
|
Skiing (cross country/Nordic skiing on marked trails) |
3 |
(d) |
(i) |
Skiing (snowblading) |
3 |
(d) |
(i) |
Skiing / Snowboarding |
3 |
(d) |
(i) |
Skiing / Snowboarding: (backcountry/outside of resort boundary/alpine ski touring) |
4 |
(d) |
(i) (iv) |
Skiing / Snowboarding: (by helicopter/snow cat) |
4 |
(d) |
(i) (iv) |
Skiing / Snowboarding: (dry slope) |
3 |
(d) |
(i) |
Skiing / Snowboarding: (terrain park within resort) |
4 |
(d) |
(i) (iv) |
Skydiving/Parachuting (tandem jumps only) |
4 |
(a) or (b) |
(iv) (v) |
Sledding / Tobogganing / Snow sleds / Snow sleighs (on snow) |
1 |
|
(iv) (v) |
Snooker |
1 |
|
|
Snorkelling |
1 |
|
|
Snow rafting / Tubing on snow |
4 |
(a) |
(iv) (v) |
Softball / Rounders |
1 |
|
|
Spearfishing |
2 |
|
(v) |
Speed boating, passenger only: inland/coastal waters only |
1 |
(a) |
|
Squash / Racquetball |
1 |
|
|
Stand up paddle surfing/paddle boarding |
1 |
|
|
Surfing |
2 |
|
|
Swimming (pool; enclosed, inland or coastal waters only) |
1 |
|
|
Swimming with whales/whale sharks (inside or outside coastal waters) |
1 |
(a) |
|
Table tennis |
1 |
|
|
Tennis / Pickleball |
1 |
|
|
Theme parks / Fairgrounds |
1 |
(a) |
|
Trampolining |
1 |
|
|
Triathlon up to full distance / Ironman; racing exclusion doesn't apply |
4 |
|
|
Triathlon up to middle distance; racing exclusion doesn't apply |
2 |
|
|
Triathlon up to sprint distance; racing exclusion doesn't apply |
1 |
|
|
Tubing on rivers (grades 1-2 only) |
1 |
(a) |
(iv) |
Tuk Tuk (as a passenger) |
1 |
(a) |
|
Via Ferrata |
2 |
|
|
Volleyball |
1 |
|
|
Water skiing / Wake skating / Wakeboarding |
1 |
(a) or (b) |
Excludes: jumping; (v) |
Walking (see Hiking) |
|
|
|
War games (online gaming) |
1 |
|
|
War games/military simulation (see Paint balling/airsoft OR Rifle range/sports shooting) |
|
|
|
Water polo |
1 |
|
|
Water skiing (barefoot) |
2 |
(a) or (b) |
Excludes: jumping; (v) |
Weight training (see also Gym training) |
1 |
|
Excludes powerlifting. |
White water rafting (grades 1-3) |
1 |
(a) |
|
Windsurfing / Sailboarding (inland or coastal waters only) |
1 |
|
(v) |
Working: professional, clerical or administrative work; working as a classroom teacher, classroom assistant; au pair, nanny or child minder. |
1 |
|
(v) |
Working: retail, bar or hospitality work involving light duties only. |
1 |
|
(v) |
Working: general work and manual work not involving the use of mechanical or industrial machinery, and not working at a height exceeding 2 metres above ground level. |
2 |
|
(v) |
Yoga |
1 |
|
|
Zip line |
1 |
(a) |
|
Zorbing |
2 |
(a) |
(iv) (v) |
We are unable to provide cover for anyone participating in any sport or activity if you are participating in or training:
Where noted in the List of Activities at
the following Special Conditions and Special Exclusions apply to some activities in addition to all other policy terms, conditions and exclusions.
Special Conditions:
There is no cover for:
Work; working: any work, including volunteer work, work placements, incidental work and work experience, whether paid or unpaid, which can be classified as either:
Level 1 activities in the List of Activities are automatically covered. Your policy can be upgraded to include cover for Level 2, 3 and 4 adventure, sport, work, study and volunteer activities when you select the activity(ies) and pay the additional premium. All activities are subject to the General Conditions:
A bone chipped my front tooth, on the top row, and cracked it. Blood started to run down so I had an emergency visit to the dentist to repair it.
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Take the pain out of medical costs while traveling abroad.
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Expenses included in Emergency Medical limits.
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Cover your lost, stolen or damaged gear and tech.
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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.
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.)
Here are our most frequently asked questions about adventure activities and sports insurance. You can also find the answers to other questions in our Helpdesk or you can ask our customer service team.