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Travel Insurance for sailing trips

Don’t let an accident take the wind out of your sails.

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When you’re sailing, you can navigate the storied inlets of the French Riviera or British Virgin Islands, using the wind as your guide.

Along with your boat shoes, boating license and guide to nautical terminology, it’s worth considering bringing travel insurance on board. Having it in your (waterproof) pocket can help if you were to fracture your finger hoisting a sail or lose your wallet to the churning white caps in a squall.

What’s covered for sailing?

Even as a seasoned sailor, you don’t want to be caught up the creek without a paddle (or, in this case, a mast and jib). Here are a few eventualities typically covered in World Nomads plans:

Emergency medical

Even without wet decks and choppy seas, you could find yourself with a medical emergency, be it an ankle sprain or a collarbone fracture. Our coverage may help cover everything from the services of a physician to ambulance services and x-rays in the case of an accident or injury at sea or on shore. World Nomads policy holders also have access to 24/7 Emergency Assistance Team... a wonderful thing if you need to translate your medical needs to your kind, but non-English-speaking doctor.

Ambulance transportation

Most of our earth is covered in water... which means you have plenty of places to sail but could easily hit a snag in a far-flung destination. Your World Nomads emergency medical coverage can cover the cost to transport you by air ambulance to get treatment at an appropriate medical facility if medically necessary, subject to approval of 24/7 Emergency Assistance Team… big sigh of relief!

Baggage protection

Maybe your backpack slipped off the sopping wet stern, or your windbreaker got stolen right off the port. Our baggage and personal effects coverage may provide reimbursement should your gear get stolen, lost or damaged by your common carrier. We cover the depreciated value of the items up to the maximum limits shown in the policy.

Trip interruption

Say your physician advises you to cut your trip short because your emergency medical condition or the Canadian Government or Health Canada issues a travel advisory against travelling to a destination on your itinerary. Under the trip interruption coverage section of your World Nomads policy, you may be able to recover your unused pre-paid, non-refundable travel expenses... handy when you’re ready to re-book the adventure.

World Nomads water sports coverage

Besides inland and coastal water sailing, World Nomads covers other activities, such as:

  • Sailing (outside coastal waters)
  • Dragon boating
  • Deep sea fishing
  • Jet boating
  • Jet skiing
  • Kayaking
  • Kiteboarding
  • Kite surfing
  • Kite wing
  • Outrigger canoeing
  • Paddle boarding
  • Parasailing
  • Sailboarding 
  • Scuba diving 
  • Sea canoeing
  • Sea kayaking
  • Snorkelling
  • Surf boat rowing
  • Swimming

Special conditions and exclusions may apply while taking part in certain sports or activities. For some activities, including sailing outside coastal waters, you may need to purchase an upgrade for an additional premium.

You must upgrade your adventure sport coverage when you initially purchase your policy for coverage to apply for that activity. (For more information, be sure to peruse the nitty gritty details on adventure sports coverage).

What’s not covered?

Not every day is smooth sailing, but if you check the weather forecast, you can avoid some stormy waters. The same is true for travel insurance: if you know what’s excluded beforehand, you’ll be better equipped to navigate any unexpected losses. 

Besides the requirements under our adventure sports coverage, there are some general conditions and exclusions that apply. For example:

  • Sailing outside 60 miles (52 nautical miles) of a safe haven, a protected body of water used by marine craft for refuge from storms or heavy seas.
  • Negligent behaviour (i.e., under the influence of Caribbean sunset cocktails).
  • Racing and/or professional sailing.
  • Boat rental damage or loss
  • Search-and-rescue missions.
  • Extreme sport sailing.
  • Any claims resulting in the violation of local laws.
  • Losses that come from knowingly exposing yourself to needless risk.
  • Any claims resulting in the violation of local laws.
  • Sports equipment such as scuba, snorkel and scuba gear if it’s damaged while in-use.


Be sure to review your policy to understand all the components of coverage. If you have questions, just ask us.

One final tip? In addition to life jackets, floatation devices and other safety gear, be sure to BYO sunscreen. For more travel info, read our ExploreTravel Safety, and Responsible Travel articles.


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 about your coverage, just ask us.

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

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 hospitalized?
  • Travel buddy unfit to travel?
  • Work emergency?

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?
  • Medevac 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.