Photo © Getty Images / Thomas Barwick

Travel Insurance for Live Action Role Playing (LARP)

Learn about the benefits of travel insurance for live action role playing, and why you may want to consider coverage before your next trip.

    As featured in:

  • As featured in:

Whether you are into fantasy, renaissance, steampunk, or horror, the excitement of participating in live action role play (LARP) can be electrifying. You’re able to step away from the mundane reality and responsibilities of life, and temporarily enjoy some adventurous fun in a fictional setting. 

Most game masters take steps to try to keep the environment safe, but some things can’t be avoided. If you are attacked by a crunchy, step back too far when blocking, and trip over a tree root, that fall to the ground will bring you back to reality quickly. If you have plans to participate in a LARP event on your next trip, you may want to consider a World Nomads travel insurance plan with adventure sports coverage.  

Should I consider travel insurance for LARP? 

Trip and falls are some of the most common injuries that happen while LARPing. When you’re engrossed in the moment as a player character or non-player character, you can become so consumed in your actions that you don’t pay attention to the terrain around you. Uneven ground and a twisted ankle can be scarier than the horde of monsters coming towards you. Getting hit in the eye with a spell packet is not any fun either. A travel insurance plan from World Nomads could assist by helping to reimburse expenses for things like an ambulance transfer, prescription medication, hospital stay, or other emergency medical needs if you get hurt while LARPing. You will still need to have Government Health Insurance Plan (GHIP) coverage in your home province while you are on your trip though. If you don’t, your total limit for all emergency medical expenses during your trip is limited to CAD $40,000. 

A group of people live action role playing as vikings
Photo credit: Getty Images/Lorado

Does travel insurance cover other adventure activities I might participate in during my trip?

Are you planning to explore even more sports and adventures while you are travelling? World Nomads covers more than 250 activities for Canadian residents. When you get a quote, you can check out our Standard and Explorer plans to compare coverage side by side and decide on the best travel insurance coverage for your needs. 

You will need to list all the activities that you plan to participate in while on your trip at the time that you purchase your policy. 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. 

Level 1 activities like live action role play, archery, canyoning, and golf are automatically covered, but these will still need to be listed 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 hang gliding, tandem skydiving, or zip lining. Special conditions may also apply. If you plan on participating in an activity that isn’t listed in your policy wording, you will need to contact us to determine  if you will be  covered. 

What else is covered by travel insurance?

World Nomads covers international and domestic trips, when travelling outside of your home province. In addition to emergency medical coverage, travel insurance may help with several other aspects of your trip. For Canadian residents, World Nomads may also offer coverage for: 

  • Baggage and Gear: If the airline lost the bag that held your favorite boffer sword, baggage cover may help reimburse the cost to replace it if it’s lost by a common carrier.  If your baggage going to your destination is delayed by an airline or ground carrier for 12 hours or more, you may also be reimbursed for things like toiletries or a change of clothes until you are reunited with your bag. Check the policy wording for complete details of coverage, conditions, and exclusions.  
  • Trip Interruption and Cancellation Insurance: If something unexpected happens like an illness or injury, and you need to cancel or interrupt your trip, you may be able to recover your unused, prepaid, non-refundable travel expenses. 
  • Evacuation: If you get injured while LARPing in a place where there aren't nearby medical facilities, the World Nomads 24/7 Emergency Assistance Team could help get you transported to a place that offers the level of care you need.  

What are some things travel insurance would not cover?

If you arrive at your event, and aren’t vibing with the plot of your LARP, your adventure travel insurance would not cover you if you wanted to cancel or interrupt of your trip. Some other things that are not covered include:

  • Damage that happens to your LARP equipment while you are using it
  • Injuries that happen if you are LARPing under the influence of drugs or alcohol
  • Pre-existing medical conditions 
  • Participation in other activities not listed as covered in your policy
  • Domestic travel within your home province
A group of people live action roleplaying as vikings
Photo credit: Getty Images/SrdjanPav

Tips for LARPing safely

We’ve learned that every LARP is different, and we encourage you to make sure an event fits your comfort level before participating. Find out ahead of time what type of story you are joining in, and the combat the event allows. Never make assumptions about safety and always ask questions related to the equipment and actions that are classified as safe.  

Here are a few other tips we have found to help keep you safe while LARPing:

  • Drink plenty of water. 
  • Know the safe words beforehand.
  • Read all of the rules. 
  • Listen to the game master and marshal. 
  • Don’t drink and LARP.
  • Wear a helmet.
  • Perform a weapons check.
  • Get rest the day before. 
  • Take breaks when you need to. 

This is only a summary of coverage and does not include the full terms and conditions of the policy. It is important you read and understand your policy as it contains benefits, conditions, exclusions and pre-existing condition exclusions. If you do not understand your coverage, or if you have questions, just ask us.

True Claims Stories

  • Never travel without insurance. This was the first time I ever purchased travel insurance and I am so glad I did. A few days into my trip to Spain I twisted my foot heading down to the metro. Thanks to World Nomads I was able to get medical attention in Spain and since, as luck would have it, I had a fracture that required surgery, they got me a flight home the next day. Filing a claim was surprisingly easy and when the claim was finally processed, I was reimbursed for all of my expenses including things like the extra week in the hotel I didn't get to take advantage of.
    L.D.
    U.S. resident in Spain
  • I recently had a serious injury traveling on my own & the team was amazing. Being confused with a brain injury they took care of everything. Claiming was no problem, they were on the phone constantly to see if all was OK. I can't recommend them enough. Absolutely fantastic & l will always travel with World Nomads Insurance. Thanks guys for getting me home safely.
    A.B.
    Australian in Thailand
  • I was bitten by a monkey at the Batu Caves in Kuala Lumpur. I went to a nearby clinic and they gave me a rabies shot, antibiotics to take for 4 days, pain medicine, and anti-inflammatory medicine.
    T.R.
    Canadian in Malaysia

Travel Insurance Benefits: how we can take care of you

Trip Cancellation

Protect your hard earned vacation from unexpected cancellation.

  • Explorer Plan: $5,000
  • Standard Plan: $2,500
Trip Protection
  • Unexpectedly hospitalised?
  • Travel buddy unfit to travel?
  • Been made redundant?

We’ve got your back.

Emergency Medical Insurance

Take the pain out of medical or dental costs.

  • Explorer Plan: $10 million
  • Standard Plan: $5 million
Emergency Medical Insurance
  • Need meds quick?
  • Accidentally injured?
  • Suddenly sick?

We’ve got your back.

Emergency Evacuation & Repatriation

We’ll get you to hospital or home quickly.

  • Explorer Plan: $500,000
  • Standard Plan: $500,000
Emergency Evacuation & Repatriation
  • Banged up abroad?
  • Need a hospital urgently?
  • Medivac home?

Help starts here.

Protect your gear

Covers the theft, damage or delay of your bags, tech and sports gear.

  • Explorer Plan: $3,000
  • Standard Plan: $1,000
Protect your gear
  • Luggage lost?
  • Airline lost your gear?
  • Tech trashed?

Help starts here.

  • Emergency Medical Expenses
  • Emergency Dental for Injury or Sickness
  • Bedside Companion Travel and Subsistence
  • Emergency Professional Services
  • Emergency Evacuation and Repatriation
  • Return of Travel Companion/Dependent Children
  • Return to Your Trip Destination
  • Return of Remains
  • Travel Accident
  • Flight Accident
  • Trip Cancellation
  • Trip Interruption
  • Trip Delay
  • 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 Included
  • LiveTravelTM Emergency Assistance
  • Worldwide Travel Assistance
  • Adventure Travel Hotline
  • 24/7 Security
  • Travel Medical Assistance
  • Bag Trak
This is a general summary for Canadian residents only. It does not include all terms, conditions, limitations, exclusions and termination provisions of the travel insurance plans described. Coverage may not be available for residents of all provinces. Check the Travel Insurance Policy for full details.

24/7 emergency assistance

Whether you need medical or dental assistance or advice, emergency evacuation or travel assistance, our team are 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?

Telephone +1 866 878 0192 (toll-free from Canada and the Continental U.S.) or +1 416 646 3723 (collect from anywhere else in the world)

Contact the team