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Travel insurance for surfing

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

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Whether you’re looking for a stunning sunset with a water perspective, or just wanting to escape the crowd and surf at a secluded surf spot half way across the world, it’s always a good idea to be prepared if your gear gets lost or stolen. Our travel cover can help get you back on your feet and back on the surfboard in no time.

Along with packing your surfboard, sunblock and shades, you should look at adding travel insurance. World Nomads can help get you back on your feet if your surf break turns into a total wipe-out.

Travel insurance for surfing

As surf enthusiasts, many of our European travelers can catch the waves with the coverage we provide, from uncharted towns with pristine beaches to the most popular surf breaks.

  • Gear protection: Got your surfboard or stolen while surf town-hopping in Costa Rica? Our gear coverage can help with replacing 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 in handy in the case of an accident or injury.
  • Evacuation: Your bohemian surfer paradise may be far away from the medical facilities that can give you the treatment you need. You can get transported to the medical facility which may be best for your care, subject to approval from the 24/7 Emergency Medical 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 travel expenses.
  • Checked-in baggage: We offer cover if your gear is stolen, lost or accidentally damaged by a common carrier (e.g. airline or bus company). Valubales and gadgets checked-in are only covered where the carrier requires it be checked.

Your coverage will vary according to whether you choose a Standard or an Explorer plan. Read your policy for details on maximum benefit limits and exclusion and conditions of your coverage.

Besides wave surfing, World Nomads may also cover:

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

An upgrade for certain sports may be required and terms and conditions apply for each sport. Check your policy for details or contact us if you have questions.

What's not covered for surfing travel insurance?

Sorry – we won’t cover you if you do something reckless (like tackle big-wave off-shore surfing when you’re only a beginner). Some things we may not cover include:

  • 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 Medical Assistance team advise you to do
  • Any expenses that relate to a pre-existing medical condition, as explained in the policy wording
  • Expenses that can be recovered from another source
  • The policy excess, deductible or co-pay amount as shown in the policy wording
  • If you surf while under the influence of alcohol or drugs… water and alcohol never mix!
  • Search and rescue costs
  • Professional competitive surfing

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 cover─ 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 manoeuvres 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. So cool that your 9-to-5 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 cover.

This is only a summary of cover and does not include the full terms, conditions, limits and exclusions of the policy. You should read your policy wording in full so you understand what is and isn’t covered.

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 dies?

We’ve got your back.

Emergency Abroad Medical Expenses

Take the pain out of medical costs while traveling abroad.

  • Explorer Plan: €10,000,000
  • Standard Plan: €5,000,000
Emergency Medical Insurance
  • Need meds quick?
  • Accidentally injured?
  • Suddenly sick?

We’ve got your back.

Emergency Medical Transport

Expenses included in Emergency Medical limits.

Evacuation and Repatriation
  • Banged up abroad?
  • Need a hospital urgently?
  • Medivac 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: €3,000
  • Standard Plan: €1,500
Protect your gear
  • Passport or tech stolen?
  • Airline lost your gear?
  • Bags delayed?

Help starts here.

  • Overseas Emergency Medical & Dental Expenses
  • 24 hour Emergency Medical Assistance
  • Emergency Medical Transport
  • Repatriation & Travel Expenses
  • Trip Disruption
  • Travel Delay (Explorer)
  • Missed connection (Explorer)
  • Baggage & Personal Items
  • Passport & Travel Documents
  • Personal Liability
  • 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.

Contact our Claims Team

We're here to help if you have a question about your claim. We're available.

Contact us

For policies purchased on or after 27 June 2024

Claim online

Country of residencePhone
Belgium +44 (0) 333 333 9621
Denmark +44 (0) 333 333 9619
Germany +44 (0) 333 333 9618
Netherlands +44 (0) 333 333 9617

Country of residenceEmail
Belgium worldnomads.clmsbe@collinsoninsurance.com
Denmark worldnomads.clmsdk@collinsoninsurance.com
Germany worldnomads.clmsde@collinsoninsurance.com
Netherlands worldnomads.clmsnl@collinsoninsurance.com

For policies purchased before 27 June 2024
Country of residencePhone
Belgium +32 (0)2 808 66 32
Denmark +45 89 87 30 23
Germany +49 (0)335 5622 3012
Netherlands +31 (0)20 8080731

Claim online