Sailing Travel Insurance Coverage
Canadian residents can protect their sailing trips with travel insurance
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At a glance:
- World Nomads offers travel insurance for sailing in inland/coastal waters, with the ability to pay an extra premium and be covered for sailing outside coastal waters.
- Coverage for injuries and medical transport if you're seriously hurt while sailing.
- Reimbursement for your prepaid, nonrefundable sailing tours that are cancelled, delayed, or interrupted due to a covered event.
- Gear & Baggage Protection helps cover lost, stolen, or damaged gear and luggage.
- Access to emergency assistance anytime, anywhere.
- Why should I consider travel insurance for my sailing trip?
- Sailing travel insurance: What may be covered?
- What level of travel insurance coverage do I need for my sailing trip?
- What may not be covered when sailing?
- Top safety tips we recommend for your sailing trip
- FAQs
Whether you're planning to sail the crystal waters of the Galapagos Islands or keep pace with bottlenose dolphins along the Fumba Peninsula in Zanzibar, you're guaranteed an ocean adventure when you set sail on the open waters. But whenever you're surrounded by water, you should be prepared for the unexpected. Our travel insurance for sailing may help with everything from stolen bags to unexpected medical expenses.
Why should I consider travel insurance for my sailing trip?
From wet decks to choppy seas, unexpected issues can derail even the most carefully planned journey. Travel insurance designed for sailing may help you bounce back quickly with support for emergencies, delays, and disruptions. With coverage that is flexible to your needs, it’s a smart way to travel confidently – whether you're navigating the storied inlets of the French Riviera or the British Virgin Islands.
Sailing travel insurance: What may be covered?
As seafarers ourselves, we’ve designed travel insurance that covers sailing while travelling. We also offer coverage for more than 250 other sports, activities and experiences.
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Emergency Medical Expenses
For broken bones, cuts, and sprains after a slip on a wet deck -
24/7 Non-insurance Emergency Assistance
Available 24/7 to assist in an emergency situation, on or off the water -
Baggage & Gear Coverage
Damaged or stolen sailing gear, or luggage that is lost -
Trip Delays, Interruptions & Cancellations
A money-saver if inclement weather keeps you from setting sail.
Get a quote and compare the plans to see which level of coverage is right for you.
What level of travel insurance coverage do I need for my sailing trip?
World Nomads offers two plans for Canadian residents – the Standard and Explorer – each with different levels of coverage.
- The Standard plan includes travel insurance for sailing.
- The Explorer plan also covers sailing but has higher limits of coverage.
When you purchase your policy, you’ll need to list sailing, and all of the other activities that you plan to participate in while on your trip. Even if your main goal is to go sailing, you’ll probably be doing other fun things like snorkeling and swimming. That’s totally fine, because there’s over 250 other sports, activities and experiences that may be covered. 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.
Sailing in inland/coastal waters (within three nautical miles of shore) 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 activities like sailing outside coastal waters and Level 3 activities like swimming outside 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.
Nomads tip: World Nomads Travel Insurance can also cover your travels within Canada! Your Government Health Plan is limited once you leave your province. Your travel insurance plan can protect your domestic travels, too, while outside your home province.
Get a travel insurance quote
Simple and flexible travel insurance. Buy at home or while traveling, and claim online from anywhere in the world.
Get a quote
What may not be covered when sailing?
Some things we may not cover include:
- Sailing under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Unattended baggage, sporting equipment or personal items
- Sailing or travelling within your home province
- Damage to your sailboat
- Sailing in a competition
- Sailing more than 60 miles (52 nautical miles) outside of a safe haven – a protected body of water used by marine craft for refuge from storms or heavy seas
Top safety tips we recommend for your sailing trip
- Research your tour operator: If you’re going on a sailing excursion, research the tour company’s credentials ahead of time.
- Take a boating safety class: If you’ll be the one at the helm, take the time to learn as much as you can before hitting the water. There are several boating safety courses that are accredited by the Canadian government.
- Check the weather: Before you leave, you’ll want to make sure there are no storms headed your way. Weather conditions can change rapidly, so continue to monitor the weather once you’ve hit the high seas.
- Put on a life jacket: Think less about your tan lines, and more about your safety. Rough water can happen at any time, and you won’t have time to grab that if you unexpectedly go overboard.
- Wear the right shoes: Look for boat shoes with good traction and a non-slip sole. If your shoes are also made from water resistant material, that’s even better.
- Keep a copy of your sailing travel insurance coverage 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 sailing. You can also find the answers to other questions in our Helpdesk or you can ask our customer service team
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Is sailing covered under World Nomads Travel Insurance?
Yes, World Nomads offers travel insurance for sailing, but make sure you list this as an activity you’ll be participating in when you purchase your policy. Sailing within inland/coastal waters (within three nautical miles of shore) is considered a Level 1 activity and is automatically covered, but you’ll 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 sailing 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 sailing abroad?
If your trip is cancelled, 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 sailing tours that you paid for in advance. If you slip and fall on the deck 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 or natural disasters.
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Can I get coverage after my trip starts?
Yes. If your trip has already started, World Nomads may be able to still offer you coverage. You may buy a plan online anytime, from 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.
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Does World Nomads Travel Insurance offer coverage for sailing outside of Canada?
Yes, there are so many great places to sail around the world, and World Nomads doesn’t want to limit your fun. For example, if you have travel insurance for the Caribbean, you could have the opportunity to sail around several picturesque destinations like the Bahamas or Jamaica. When you get a quote for sailing travel insurance, you’ll need to input where you’ll be travelling, and also list sailing as one of your activities.
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What should I do if I get hurt while sailing?
You can contact the 24/7 Emergency Assistance team and they can help direct you to nearby medical facilities. They can also translate for you if you’re traveling 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, when you purchase travel insurance for sailing, you may also 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 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. 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 offered by World Nomads, and you may be reimbursed for pre-paid, unused, non-refundable expenses like flights, sailing tours and accommodations if your trip is cancelled for a covered reason.
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What happens if my bags are delayed?
When you purchase sailing travel insurance, 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 essential items like toiletries and a change of clothes until you and your bag are reunited.
Need destination inspiration for your next sailing trip?
Not sure where your next sailing adventure should take you? Check out some of our favorite places around the world to sail and get destination-specific travel insurance tips to help you plan with confidence.
Trinidad & Tobago Discoveries: Sailing the Caribbean
Kauai: 4 Adventures That Will Get You Off Your Beach Chair
Things to Do in Barbados Beyond the Resorts
Why Maine’s Coast is Best Experienced by Boat
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.
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
- Work emergency?
- Weather delay?
- Travel companion sick?
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
- Accidentally injured?
- Suddenly sick?
- Need a hospital?
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
- Ambulance transfers
- Medevac flights
- Medical escort services
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
- Stolen I.D.s
- Checked-in sports equipment
- Damaged luggage
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
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 teamBefore your trip, check the latest government advice for any travel alerts for your destination.