Photo © IStock/Getty

Travel Insurance Benefits for Adventure Sports and Activities

Canadian adventurers may be covered for 250+ sports and activities while travelling

    As featured in:

  • As featured in:

At a glance

  • World Nomads offers single trip and annual multi-trip travel insurance plans for Canadian residents that may include 250+ adventure sports and activities
  • Covered activities may include kayaking, cycling, hiking, scuba diving, camping, safari tours and more
  • An optional Adventure Sports Coverage Upgrade is required for coverage for Level 2 and Level 3 activities such as skiing, cliff diving, deep sea fishing, and rappelling 
  • Medical emergencies that happen while participating in covered activities may be covered
  • Prepaid, unused, non-refundable trip costs may be reimbursed if your trip gets cancelled or interrupted
  • You may be covered the depreciated value of lost, stolen, damaged or sporting gear

Why should you consider travel insurance that covers adventure sports and activities?

A recent survey shows that over one-fifth of Canadian travellers identify as adventure seekers. For some that may be rafting in Costa Ricahiking in Iceland, or taking on the epic bike trails of New Zealand. No matter what adventures and activities you’re planning on your trip though, there are some things you can’t plan for.

If you get hurt while participating in a covered activity, travel insurance may help with emergency medical coverage that could cover things such as a hospital visit, ambulance ride, prescription medication and x-rays. (Just remember, you must have Government Health Insurance Plan (GHIP) coverage in your home province for your entire trip to be eligible for the maximum emergency medical expenses benefit. If you don't, your total limit for all emergency medical expenses is limited to $40,000 CAD). 

If your trip is cancelled or interrupted due to an unforeseen covered event, you may be able to claim for reimbursement of your prepaid, unused, non-refundable travel expenses (up to the maximum benefit limit shown in your policy), and this may include prepaid, unused, non-refundable tours and activities. If your sporting gear is lost, damaged, or delayed for at least 12 hours by your airline, or it’s stolen, travel insurance may be able to help as well. Because of these unexpected situations that can happen while travelling, you may want to consider getting a quote for travel insurance for activities and adventure sports. Level 1 activities such as snorkeling, kayaking, cycling, hiking, scuba diving, camping, safari tours may be included, but you’ll need to purchase an upgrade to be covered for Level 2 and 3 activities such as skiing, cliff diving, deep sea fishing, and rappelling. 

 Important to know 

  • You’ll need to list out all your activities when purchasing a plan, and you may need to pay an additional premium to be covered for Level 2 and 3 activities
  • Coverage doesn’t include participation as a professional athlete
  • Sporting equipment damaged while you’re using it isn’t covered
  • You must report stolen sporting equipment to the police and get a written report
  • Some adventure sports are excluded or have special conditions, so check the list of covered activities and adventure sports and refer to the policy for complete details

Maximum Limits

Standard PlanExplorer PlanEpic PlanAnnual Plan

Emergency Medical Expenses: Up to $1,500,000 CAD 

Trip Cancellation: Up to $2,500 CAD 

Sporting Equipment Theft or Loss by a Common Carrier: Up to $1,000 CAD, with a $250 CAD per-item limit  

Sporting Equipment Delay: Up to $400 CAD 



Get a quote

Emergency Medical: Up to $5,000,000 CAD 

Trip Cancellation: Up to $10,000 CAD 

Sporting Equipment Theft or Loss by a Common Carrier: Up to $2,500 CAD, with a $500 CAD per-item limit 

Sporting Equipment Delay: Up to $1,000 CAD



Get a quote

Emergency Medical: Up to $10,000,000 CAD 

Trip Cancellation: Up to $15,000 CAD 

Sporting Equipment Theft or Loss by a Common Carrier: Up to $4,000 CAD, with a $750 CAD per-item limit  

Sporting Equipment Delay: Up to $1,500 CAD 



Get a quote

Emergency Medical: Up to $5,000,000 CAD 

Trip Cancellation: Up to $10,000 CAD 

Sporting Equipment Theft or Loss by a Common Carrier: Up to $2,500 CAD, with a $500 CAD per-item limit

Sporting Equipment Delay: Up to $1,000 CAD 



Get a quote

Included Activities 

There are over 250 sports, activities and experiences that may be covered by World Nomads Travel Insurance plans for Canadian residents. When you purchase your policy you’ll need to list out all of your activities and pay an additional premium for Level 2 and 3 activities if any fall in that category.

Some examples of activities that may be included in your travel insurance plan include:

Some activities also have special conditions and special exclusions, so make sure you read your policy and understand what is covered under your policy for activities and adventure sports. You can contact us if you have any questions.

If you decide to purchase the Level 2 upgrade, you’ll be covered for all adventure sports and activities that are listed in Levels 1 and 2. If you decide to purchase the Level 3 upgrade, you’ll be covered for all adventure sports and activities that are listed in Levels 1, 2, and 3.

Questions to Ask When Choosing a Plan

It may be tempting to purchase travel insurance coverage without reading the policy wording. However, you should read and understand the policy and ensure it meets your individual travel insurance needs. You’ll want to pick the plan that has the best travel insurance for the adventure sports and activities you’ll be participating in.

When deciding which plan is best matched to your adventures you might want to ask yourself:

  • What kind of activities will I be doing while I’m travelling?
  • What activities are my travel companions planning? Will I want to participate too?
  • What coverage is offered by the different plans for these activities?
  • What exclusions might apply?

World Nomads offers single trip and annual multi-trip plans for Canadian residents, and when you get a quote for travel insurance, you’ll be able to compare the coverage of each plan side by side. You’ll want to familiarize yourself with all the benefits, limits and exclusions before you buy a plan that includes travel insurance for activities and adventure sports. If you’re participating in a Level 2 or Level 3 activity, make sure you upgrade the plan and pay the additional premium. You will need to list all of the activities you will be participating in when you purchase your policy. If you have any questions about what activities are covered, you can contact us.

FAQ

Here are our most frequently asked questions about cover for adventure sports and activities. You can also find the answers to other questions in our Help Center or you can ask the customer service team.

  • What types of medical expenses may be covered if I get injured?

    All of the single trip and annual multi-trip plans offered by World Nomads include travel insurance for medical emergencies that may cover a variety of expenses, including:

    • Physician costs
    • Hospitalization
    • Prescription medication
    • Tests needed to diagnose your condition
    • Ambulance transport

    Just remember, you must have Government Health Insurance Plan (GHIP) coverage in your home province for your entire trip to be eligible for the maximum emergency medical expenses benefit. If you don't, your total limit for all emergency medical expenses is limited to $40,000 CAD.

  • Will travel insurance pay for sporting equipment lost by my airline?

    World Nomads adventure sports travel insurance includes coverage for baggage and personal effects and sporting equipment. If your checked bag or sporting equipment is lost or damaged by a common carrier, you may be able to be reimbursed for certain items that you can prove you owned (maximum limits and per-item limits apply). You’ll want to speak to the airline about reimbursement first, though. Your travel insurance for your baggage, personal effects and sporting equipment won’t kick in until you’ve exhausted the benefits from the source of your loss.

    If your sporting equipment is delayed by your airline more than 12 hours on the way to your destination, you could also be reimbursed (up to the maximum limit shown in your policy documents) if you need to rent sporting equipment while on your trip.

  • Do I get my money back for activities I paid for in advance if I have to cancel my trip?

    Trip cancellation coverage is included in all World Nomads Travel Insurance plans for adventure sports and activities, and you may be reimbursed for prepaid, unused, non-refundable expenses such as tours and excursions if your trip is cancelled for a covered reason. Other expenses such as prepaid, unused, non-refundable flights and hotel accommodation may be reimbursed as well.

    If you think there’s a possibility that you may cancel your trip for a reason that isn’t included, you may want to consider the optional ‘Cancel for Any Reason’ add-on. The ‘Cancel for Any Reason’ travel insurance coverage isn’t automatically included, but it’s an optional add-on you can select if you purchase the Explorer or Epic plan within 15 days of paying the first payment or deposit for your trip. With ‘Cancel for Any Reason’ coverage, benefits may be paid for up to 50% of prepaid, non-refundable deposits and payments you made towards your cancelled trip (up to policy limits), as long as you cancel your trip at least 48 hours before the scheduled departure date listed on your policy certificate.

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

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.