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Travel insurance for hiking & trekking - World Nomads

Simple and flexible travel insurance to take you trekking around the world.

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For information relating to policies purchased prior to 8 November 2022, please check the Policy Wording provided with your purchase. You can contact us if you need this sent to you again. For policies purchased from 8 November 2022, please see below.

Whether it’s the trek or the view you’re chasing, the world’s great hiking destinations will leave you breathless. From Europe’s alpine trails to the mist-soaked rainforests of Costa Rica, hiking has a magic all its own. 

Preparation is paramount to any hiking adventure abroad; learning about the area, checking the route and making sure you have the right gear in case bad weather rolls in. Along with a trusty map, it helps to pack travel insurance if hiking accidents stop you in your tracks.

What’s covered for hiking and trekking?

Are you an experienced European hiker looking for your next big challenge or are you happier on a relaxed family hike? No matter how adventurous your hiking plans, World Nomads plans may offer cover (up to the benefit limits) for:

  • Emergency medical: overseas emergency medical expenses at a hospital or medical centre if you suffer an unexpected injury or illness while hiking. You’ll first need to contact your private health/private medical insurance (PMI) provider, if applicable, and follow their emergency procedures and claims procedures. Where your PMI provider cannot assist, contact the 24-hour Emergency Assistance team. Expenses must be medically necessary and agreed by the insurer in order to receive reimbursement of your covered expenses.
  • Evacuation: we offer approved overseas emergency medical evacuation to the most appropriate medical facility for treatment or repatriation back to your country of residence. Emergency transport is subject to approval from the 24-hour Emergency Assitance team.
  • Trip cancellation: has a sick or injured travelling companion put a stop to your hiking break? Your plan may be able to recover your unused non-refundable travel expenses.
  • Gear protection: had your camera stolen while hiking in Thailand? Our gear coverage can help with replacing belongings that were swiped from under your nose. You’ll need a police report to submit with your claim as well as copies of the original receipts and supporting documentation.
  • Lost or damaged baggage cover: have your bags or personal items gone missing? You must report all theft or loss to the common carrier, service provider or other local authority as soon as possible. You must also get a Property Irregularity Report or other incident report from the carrier so you can submit it with your claim. Where your belongings have been stolen, you must also report it to the local police and obtain a police report. These reports, and copies of the original receipts and any luggage tickets, can be submitted with your claim.
  • Delayed baggage cover: has your checked-in baggage been delayed for more than 24 hours? Your plan may cover essential items you purchase while you’re waiting for your baggage to arrive.
  • Coronavirus cover: we offer cover for some Coronavirus related events. For more information read our What’s Covered for Coronavirus article which has all of the details, including benefit terms, limits, conditions and exclusions.

Choose a plan that suits your needs

Both our Standard Plan and Explorer Plan may offer many of the same benefits including cover for hiking or trekking up to 6,000 metres, you just need to select the maximum elevation you’ll be hiking to at the time of your quote.

If you’re lucky enough to have some extra adventure or sport activities planned such as kayaking or mountaineering, check out our article on covered sports and activities, which will help you select the optional upgrades you’ll need to add to your plan when you buy your policy as you can’t add them afterwards. Terms and conditions apply, please read your policy wording carefully or contact us if you have any questions.

What’s not covered for hiking?

Sorry – we won’t cover you if you do something reckless (such as tackling an extreme hiking trip into a remote area when you’re only a beginner). Some things we don’t cover include:

  • Pre-existing medical conditions as explained in your policy wording
  • Free mountaineering, climbing in remote or inaccessible regions, exploratory expeditions and new routes, high altitude climbing over 6,000 metres, mountaineering expeditions or expeditions to the Arctic or Antarctica.
  • Search and rescue operations to find or rescue you, as per your policy wording.
  • Any adventure or sport activity you did not specify on your policy.
  • If you refuse to be repatriated or evacuated.
  • If you don’t follow your doctor’s instructions or what we or the 24/7 Emergency Assistance team advise you to do.
  • If you do not follow the local safety advice and warnings.
  • Expenses that can be recovered from other sources e.g. transport carriers, accommodation providers, credit card issuers or other insurance policies.
  • Medical treatment that can wait until your return home.
  • If you don't keep your gear safe and secure at all times. 

How to get the most out of your travel insurance

Before you head for the hills, the following tips can help you maximise your safety and validity of cover. 

  • Inform a local assistance company of your trekking route and policy details.
  • If you require any medical treatment during your trip abroad you first need to contact your private health/private medical insurance (PMI) (if applicable) and follow their emergency medical procedures and claims procedures. Where your PMI provider cannot provide assistance, please contact our 24-hour Emergency Assistance Team before incurring medical costs.
  • Check which countries your trail passes through to ensure your policy covers you for that region.

Traveller Tip: for the intrepid hiker, be aware a higher policy excess applies if you need to be medically evacuated within Nepal.

This is only a summary of coverage and does not include the full terms, conditions, limitations and exclusions of the policy. You can read more about hiking and travel insurance and you should read your policy wording in full so you understand what is and isn’t covered. That way there won’t be any surprises if you need to use it. If you have any questions, please get in touch.

Travel insurance. Simple & flexible.

Travel insurance for independent travelers and intrepid families. Nobody wants to think about all the things that could go wrong on their trip, but these things can and do happen. So be prepared and get your travel insurance today.

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Travel Insurance Benefits: how we can take care of you

Trip Protection

Protect your hard earned vacation from unexpected cancellation before you leave home.

  • Explorer Plan: €10,000
  • Standard Plan: €4,000
Trip Protection
  • Unexpectedly hospitalised?
  • Travel buddy unfit to travel?
  • Close relative suddenly died?

We’ve got your back.

Emergency Abroad Medical Expenses

Take the pain out of medical costs while traveling abroad.

  • Explorer Plan: €12,500,000
  • Standard Plan: €3,750,000
Emergency Medical Insurance
  • Rolled your ankle?
  • Bedridden after a local delicacy?
  • Struggling with altitude?

We’ve got your back.

Emergency Medical Transport

Expenses included in Emergency Medical limits.

Evacuation and Repatriation
  • Road or air ambulance?
  • Flight assistance?
  • Medivac needed home?

Help starts here.

Protect your gear

Covers the loss, theft or damage of your bags, tech and gear (just not sports equipment when in use).

  • Explorer Plan: €2,500
  • Standard Plan: €1,250
Protect your gear
  • Go pro stolen?
  • Gear damaged in transit?
  • Bags delayed?

Help starts here.

  • Overseas Medical & Dental Expenses
  • 24 hour Emergency Assistance
  • Emergency Medical Transport
  • Repatriation & Travel Expenses
  • Pre-Trip Cancellation
  • Trip Interruption (Explorer)
  • Resumption of Trip (Explorer)
  • Travel Delay (Explorer)
  • Missed connection (Explorer)
  • Hijacking (Explorer)
  • Baggage & Personal Items
  • Passport & Travel Documents
  • Personal Liability
  • Rental vehicle insurance excess (Explorer)
  • Personal accident
*This is a general summary only. Restrictions, exclusions and limitations will apply. Coverage may not be available for all countries, states or provinces. Benefit limits may vary depending on the plan chosen. Get a quote for full details.

24/7 emergency assistance

Whether you need medical assistance or emergency evacuation, our teams are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year before and during your trip.

Wherever you are, whatever has happened, our multi-lingual assistance teams are here to help you and your family.

Are you in need of emergency assistance right now?

Country of residence Phone
Belgium +32 (0)2 808 66 32
Denmark +45 89 87 30 23
Germany +49 (0)335 5622 3012
Ireland +353 (0) 90 640 6460
Netherlands +31 (0)20 8080731

Contact the team

FAQ

Here are our most frequently asked questions about hiking & trekking insurance. You can also find the answers to other questions in our Helpdesk or you can ask our customer service team