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  1. World Nomads
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Surfing travel insurance

World-class breaks and classic beach towns. Surf’s up! Where’s your travel insurance?

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Point breaks, offshore breezes and the sun beating on your face – surfing the azure ocean blue can create a big adrenaline rush. But surfing can also end in injury caused by wildlife encounters or jagged coral reefs.

  • Baggage protection: had your stuff stolen while surf town-hopping in Costa Rica? Our gear coverage can help replace belongings that were swiped from under your nose.
  • Emergency medical: long lefthanders can be epic to ride but not if it ends up in a crash. Emergency medical coverage may come to the rescue in the case of an accident or injury.
  • Evacuation: your bohemian surfer paradise may be a long way from medical facilities. You can get transported to the medical facility which may be best for your care, subject to approval from the 24/7 Emergency Assistance Team. 
  • Trip cancellation: has a sick or injured traveling companion put a stop to your surf break?  Your plan may be able to recover the prepaid, non-refundable travel expenses.

Besides wave surfing, World Nomads may also cover:

  • Land surfing
  • Stand-up paddle surfing
  • Windsurfing
  • Sandboarding
  • Kitesurfing
  • Wakeboarding

Coverage depends on the upgrade you buy and may require an additional premium. Activities are divided into three risk levels. For more information, read our Help Center article on adventure sports coverage or contact us.

What doesn’t travel insurance cover during surfing vacations?

Sorry – we won’t cover you if you do something careless or out of control (such as tackling big-wave, off-shore surfing when you’re only a beginner).  Some things we may not cover include:  

  • Any expenses that relate to a pre-existing medical condition
  • If you surf while under the influence of alcohol or drugs… water and alcohol never mix
  • Search-and-rescue costs
  • Competition surfing
  • Any damage related to the wear and tear of sports equipment.

How to get the most out of your travel insurance

When it comes to any sport, safety should always come first. Your health – and your travel insurance coverage – depends on your responsible behaviour. Follow these tips to stay alert and aware (and to ensure that you won’t invalidate your travel insurance).

  • Know where to go. Don’t frequent beaches with dangerous shore breaks, riptides or shark sightings or surf near areas with piers, cliffs, rocks and boats. Where there are warnings, be careful – and heed them.
  • Don’t go in over your head.  Not a good idea to hop on a board if you don’t know how to swim. Or attempt big-wave surfing or aerial maneuvers when you’ve only taken one lesson.
  • Follow the rules. Check for suitable weather conditions before heading to the beach; use a surf leash / leg rope.
  • No pro sports or athletic competitions. So cool that your job is spending time on the waves but unfortunately, professional sporting activities aren’t covered by travel insurance.
  • Keep an eye on your equipment. Don’t leave your limited-edition surfboard unattended out on the beach when you go for a water break or declare your wallet stolen when you forgot it on the airplane. Those 'I spaced out' moments don’t qualify for coverage.

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.

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?
  • Close relative suddenly dies?

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
  • Passport or tech stolen?
  • Airline lost your gear?
  • Bags delayed?

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