Kayaking and Rafting Travel Insurance Plans
Canadian Residents can protect their fun on the water with travel insurance
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At a glance
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Kayak and Raft With Confidence: World Nomads plans may cover kayaking in inland/coastal waters and whitewater kayaking and rafting for grade/class 1-5, with the ability to pay an extra premium and be covered for sea kayaking outside coastal waters.
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Medical Help When the Water Gets Rough: Coverage for injuries and emergency medical transport if you're hurt while kayaking and rafting.
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Protection for Cancelled or Interrupted Tours: Reimbursement for your non-refundable, unused, prepaid rafting and kayaking tours if you need to cancel, plus coverage for trip delays or trip interruptions due to covered reason.
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Your Paddling Gear, Protected: Baggage and Personal Effects coverage helps cover lost, stolen, or damaged gear and luggage.
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Round‑the‑Clock Assistance Worldwide: Access to 24/7 emergency assistance.
Why should I consider travel insurance for my kayaking or whitewater rafting trip?
Nobody goes whitewater rafting with the intention of falling out of their raft, but it can happen. Even on a leisurely kayaking trip, you could sprain a muscle or suffer heat exhaustion. Travel insurance designed for kayaking and rafting may help you bounce back quickly with support for medical emergencies, trip delays, and travel disruptions. World Nomads offers four plans. You can choose a travel insurance plan that best meets your needs, it’s a way to travel confidently – whether you're navigating rapids or calm waters.
Kayaking and rafting travel insurance: What may be covered?
As paddlers ourselves, we’ve designed our plans to cover kayaking and whitewater rafting while travelling.
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Emergency Medical Expenses
For broken bones, cuts, and sprains after a kayaking or rafting accident -
24/7 Emergency Assistance
Available 24/7 to assist in an emergency situation, on or off the river -
Baggage & Gear Coverage
Damaged or stolen paddling gear, or swimsuits that have gotten lost with your checked luggage -
Trip Delays, Interruptions & Cancellations
A money-saver if an unforeseen covered event throws a wrench into your plans
Terms, conditions, and limitations apply to all coverage mentioned.
Choosing the Right Rafting and Kayaking Travel Insurance Plan
World Nomads offers four plans for Canadian residents – the Standard, Explorer, Epic and Annual Multi-Trip. Each plan has different levels of coverage.
| Standard Plan | Explorer Plan | Epic Plan | Annual Plan |
|---|---|---|---|
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Ideal for: Coverage Includes:
Covering the basics for your kayaking or rafting trip. Get a quote |
Ideal for: Coverage Includes:
Optional 'Cancel for Any Reason' available. Get a quote |
Ideal for: Coverage Includes:
Optional 'Cancel for Any Reason' available. Get a quote |
Ideal for: Coverage Includes:
Get a quote |
When you purchase your policy, you’ll need to list kayaking, rafting, and all of the other activities that you plan to participate in while on your trip. You won’t be able to add or remove activities after you make your purchase, so make sure you add them all at that time.
Kayaking in inland/coastal waters (within three nautical miles of shore), snow rafting, and cave tubing are considered Level 1 activities. Whitewater and blackwater rafting, hydrospeeding, and river boarding for grades/classes 1-5 are Level 1 activities too. All Level 1 activities are automatically covered, but you’ll still need to list them when you purchase your policy. However, you will need to pay an additional premium to be covered for Level 2 and Level 3 activities like sea kayaking and swimming outside of coastal waters. If you are planning to participate in an activity that isn’t listed in our policy wording, you will need to contact us to determine if you will be covered.
Coverage for 250 activities you love + more
What may not be covered when kayaking and rafting?
- Kayaking or whitewater rafting under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Unattended baggage, sporting equipment or personal items
- Kayaking, rafting, or travelling within your home province
- Rafting or kayaking if your doctor has advised against it
- Any Class 6 kayaking or rafting trips
Top safety tips we recommend for your kayaking or rafting trip
- Research your tour operator: If you’re going on a kayaking or whitewater rafting excursion, research the tour company’s credentials ahead of time.
- Know your own limitations: Kayaking and whitewater rafting are physically demanding, so make sure you’re up to it. If you have any concerns, talk to your doctor ahead of time, and make sure you plan a trip within your own skill level. If you decide to go kayaking or rafting after your doctor has told you not to, and then you get hurt, you won’t be covered by your travel insurance for whitewater rafting and kayaking.
- Wear a life jacket: Think less about your tan lines, and more about your safety. Accidents can happen at any time, and if you fall out of your kayak or raft, you may not have time to grab it if you unexpectedly go overboard.
- Store a copy of your rafting and kayaking travel insurance documents in a dry bag: If an accident happens, you’ll want that handy – and dry. Make sure you have the phone number for the 24/7 Emergency Assistance Team easily accessible, as well as your policy number. You may want to save that in your phone as well.
FAQ
Here are our most frequently asked questions about cover for kayaking or rafting. You can also find the answers to other questions in our Help Center or you can ask the customer service team.
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Is kayaking covered under World Nomads Travel Insurance?
Yes, World Nomads offers kayaking travel insurance, but make sure you list this as an activity you’ll be participating in when you purchase your policy. Kayaking within inland/coastal waters is considered a Level 1 activity and is automatically covered, but you’ll still need to list it when you purchase your policy. However, you will need to pay an additional premium to be covered for Level 2 and Level 3 activities like kayaking and swimming outside of coastal waters. If you are doing something else on your trip and aren’t sure if it’s covered, we suggest you contact us to make sure.
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Is whitewater rafting covered under World Nomads Travel Insurance?
Yes, World Nomads offers whitewater rafting travel insurance for grades/classes 1-5, but make sure you list this as an activity you’ll be participating in when you purchase your policy. However, you will need to pay an additional premium to be covered for Level 2 and Level 3 activities like kayaking and swimming outside of coastal waters. If you are doing something else on your trip and aren’t sure if it’s covered, we suggest you contact us to make sure.
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What types of incidents are covered while kayaking or rafting abroad?
If your trip is delayed or interrupted due to an unforeseen covered event, you may be able to recover your travel expenses (up to the policy limits), and this may include unused, pre-paid, non-refundable kayak rentals or rafting excursions. If you fall out of your kayak or raft, get hurt, and require medical assistance, emergency medical coverage may come in handy in the case of an unexpected injury. You may also be covered for unplanned situations such as lost bags.
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Can I get coverage after my trip starts?
Yes. If your trip has already started, World Nomads can still offer you coverage. You may buy a plan online anytime, from almost anywhere in the world. If you buy a plan after departing from your home province, you won’t be covered for any loss or expense related to any injury or sickness that occurs in the 48-hour period after your departure date. Your departure date will be 12:01am local time on the date that you are originally scheduled to start your trip as shown on your policy certificate.
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Does World Nomads Travel Insurance offer coverage for kayaking and rafting outside of Canada?
Yes, there are so many great places around the world where you can kayak or go whitewater rafting, and World Nomads doesn’t want to limit your fun. For example, if you have coverage that includes travel insurance for Asia, you could have the opportunity to go whitewater rafting on the Trishuli River in Nepal or kayaking through the mangroves in Okinawa. When you get a quote for travel insurance for kayaking and rafting, you’ll need to input where you’ll be travelling, and also list kayaking as rafting as activities you’ll be participating in.
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What should I do if I get hurt while kayaking or rafting?
If you have travel insurance for rafting and kayaking and unexpectedly get hurt, you can contact the 24/7 Emergency Assistance team and they can help direct you to nearby medical facilities. They may also translate for you if you’re travelling outside of Canada and your medical team doesn’t speak French or English. Make sure you keep all documentation including doctor reports, invoices, etc. You’ll need those things if you plan to make a claim.
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Does World Nomads Travel Insurance cover other activities during my trip?
Yes, with your rafting and kayaking travel insurance benefits, you may be covered for more than 250 other sports, activities and experiences. Things like hiking, biking, rock climbing, and camping may all be covered. When you purchase your policy, you’ll need to list all of the activities that you plan to participate in while on your trip. You won’t be able to add or remove activities after you make your purchase, so make sure you add them all at that time. If you’re participating in an activity and not sure if it’s covered, you can contact us and ask.
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Do I get my money back if I cancel a trip?
Trip cancellation coverage is included with all four plans offered by World Nomads, and you may be reimbursed for pre-paid, unused, non-refundable expenses like flights, kayak rentals, whitewater rafting excursions, and accommodations if your trip is cancelled for a covered reason. If you want ultimate flexibility to simply change your mind about your trip, you may be able to get optional ‘cancel for any reason’ coverage as well. This optional coverage is available for an additional premium with our Explorer Plan and Epic Plan and can provide reimbursement for up to 50% (Maximum benefit limits apply) of your pre-paid, unused, non-refundable trip costs if you cancel your trip for a reason not otherwise covered under the policy, as long as you cancel at least 48 hours prior to your departure date.
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What happens if my bags are delayed?
When you purchase travel insurance for rafting and kayaking, baggage coverage is also included. If your checked-in bags are delayed more than 12 hours on the way to your destination, your plan may reimburse you for the purchase of necessary personal effects like toiletries and a change of clothes until you and your bag are reunited.
Need destination inspiration?
Not sure where your next paddling adventure should take you? Check out some of our favorite places around the world to go kayaking and rafting and get destination-specific travel insurance tips to help you plan with confidence.
Ecuador Discoveries: Kayaking the Amazon
Kayaking in the Shadow of Giants in Southern Greenland
5 of the Best Places to Kayak Around the US
This article is for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical, legal, insurance, or travel advice and provides only a general summary of certain features that may be available under applicable travel insurance policies. Coverage is subject to the specific terms, conditions, limitations, exclusions, and pre-existing condition provisions of the applicable insurance policy. In the event of any inconsistency between this article and the wording of any insurance policy, the policy wording shall govern and take precedence. It is important that you read and understand your policy before travelling. If you have questions about your coverage or are unsure how your policy applies to your circumstances, please contact us for clarification.Travel Insurance Benefits: how we can take care of you
Trip Cancellation
Insurance protection for your hard earned vacation in the event of unexpected cancellation.
- Standard Plan: $2,500
- Explorer Plan: $10,000
- Epic Plan: $15,000
- AMT Plan: $10,000
Trip Protection
- Unexpectedly hospitalized?
- Travel buddy unfit to travel?
- Close relative suddenly dies?
We’ve got your back.
Emergency Evacuation & Repatriation
We’ll get you to hospital or home quickly.
- Standard Plan: $250,000
- Explorer Plan: $500,000
- Epic Plan: $750,000
- Annual Plan: $500,000
Emergency Evacuation & Repatriation
- Banged up abroad?
- Need a hospital urgently?
- Medevac home?
Help starts here.
Gear & Baggage Protection
Coverage for the theft, damage or delay of your bags, tech and sports gear.
- Standard Plan: $1,000
- Explorer Plan: $2,000
- Epic Plan: $5,000
- Annual Plan: $2,000
Protect your gear
- Passport or tech stolen?
- Airline lost your gear?
- Bags delayed?
Help starts here.
Protect your health
- Emergency Medical & Dental Expenses
- Emergency Evacuation and Repatriation
- Bedside Companion Travel and Subsistence
- Emergency Professional Services
- Return of Remains
- Return of Travel Companion/Dependent Children
Protect your trip
- Trip Cancellation
- Trip Interruption
- Trip Delay
- Optional Cancel for Any Reason (Explorer or Epic)
- Trip Exchange (Explorer, Epic or AMT)
- Rental Vehicle Damage (Explorer, Epic or AMT)
Protect your stuff
- Baggage and Personal Effects Theft or Damage
- Baggage and Sporting Equipment Delay
- Travel Documents Theft or Damage
- Sporting Equipment Theft or Loss by a Common Carrier
- Covered Adventure Sports listed in Policy
Assistance Services
- 24/7 Worldwide Emergency Medical Assistance
- Worldwide Travel Assistance
- Personal Security Assistance
- Adventure Traveller’s Hotline
- Bag Trak
Before your trip, check the latest government advice for any travel alerts for your destination.