Will I be covered for several types of sports and activities while travelling, and is my sports gear covered?

Packing your sporting gear and embarking on an exhilarating adventure of a lifetime? Kia ora! If you’re worried about your equipment not arriving at the airport with your suitcase, we may be able to help. Unfortunately, we can’t be at the airport with a greeting sign, but we can offer you coverage if you arrive at your destination, and your gear does not (or if it rocks up damaged.

At World Nomads, we offer insurance coverage for more than 150 sports, activities, and experiences.

What’s covered

World Nomads offers two travel insurance plans: Standard and Explorer – each with different benefits and limits.

You’re automatically covered while you participate in Level 1 activities. If you intend to participate in higher risk activities (Level 2 and 3) as listed in the Policy Document, you must select all your sports and activities and pay the appropriate additional premium to be covered.

Both policies cover low-risk adventure sports and adventures – think hot air ballooning across the vineyards of the Napa Valley. No matter the adventure, as long as we cover it (and you’re adequately insured with us), and you find yourself in a pickle, our 24/7 Emergency Assistance Team can help with overseas medical costs, and even repatriation home if needed.

Note: all plans are different and may require an upgrade for activity and sports cover to apply. Terms and conditions, limits, and specific exclusions apply. Read the Policy Document carefully to choose the right plan and/or adventure sport option for your trip.

Traveller tip: Take the time (before you leave New Zealand) to plan your trip in detail; locations, activities…everything. Because travelling by the seat of your pants is fun, but being caught up in another country, with a broken body (or gear) can put a dampener on any holiday. Also, if you plan to purchase a World Nomads insurance plan, you can’t upgrade or add activities when you’re already at your destination, so it helps to plan in advance.

Is my sports gear covered?

No matter how well you pack those skis, surfboard, or rock climbing gear, if you’re landing in a busy airport like Denver, or Heathrow things can go wrong, and your sports gear won’t be much good to you if they’re broken (or worse yet, missing).

World Nomads offers various benefits when it comes to protecting your gear, including:

  • Both our Standard and Explorer plan offers cover for gear that’s accidentally damaged or stolen at any time during your trip (up to policy limits)
  • If you hold an Explorer plan, we may cover the cost to hire sporting gear if yours is damaged or delayed by the carrier for more than 12 hours.
  • Sports gear can be expensive. We get it. Which is why we offer an upgrade for high-value baggage and personal items, which increases the cover up to NZ$3,000 for each specified item. Terms and conditions apply, contact us for your personalised quote.

Traveller tip: if your gear is stolen or misplaced, report it to the appropriate authorities immediately (police, airport carrier, etc.) Then contact our Worldwide 24-hour Emergency Assistance Team, who’ll help you with the next steps. Oh, and keep all your paperwork (receipts, tickets, and travel documents), you’ll need them for your claim.

What’s not covered?

While we may cover a broad range of activities and potential mishaps that can happen while travelling abroad, there are some things that we don’t cover, including:

  • Mishaps resulting from participation in or training for a competition or race where you receive a financial reward (i.e. an appearance fee, a wage or salary)
  • Hurting yourself in any adventure sports activity that your policy doesn’t offer cover
  • Being reckless: mate, breaking laws and acting like a goose is never cool – we don’t agree with it, and we won’t cover it.
  • We won’t cover your sporting gear if it is stolen in a public space, and you’ve left it unsupervised.

FAQs

Q. Can I get travel insurance when I’m already travelling?

Yes. Kiwis can buy a World Nomads policy when already overseas. However, there is a waiting period of 72 hours before cover begins.

Q. Can upgrade my sports and activity cover when I’m already travelling?

No. It’s important to plan the activities you’ll be participating in before you travel abroad because you can’t upgrade your policy if you decide to participate in activities not already covered under your current policy. For policy inclusions, compare our Standard and Explorer plans.

Q. If my gear gets stolen, will it be covered when I’m already travelling?

Yes. Provided you were taking appropriate measures to keep it safe – within policy limits, and according to policy terms and conditions.

All travel insurance plans are different, and cover will vary depending on what’s happened, your Country of Residence, the plan you choose, and any options or upgrades you buy. Your Policy Document will always have the full terms, conditions, limits, and exclusions for what you’re covered for.

If you have any further questions about what’s covered and not covered, just ask us.

The information provided is of a general nature and is provided for information purposes only. It does not constitute financial advice in any form and should not be relied on as a substitute for obtaining professional advice that is specific to your circumstances. You should seek advice from a financial advice provider if you would like further information about whether a particular product is appropriate for you and your circumstances.


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Our contact details

We’re here to help if you have a question about travel insurance. We’re available:

  • Monday to Friday 11:00am - 8:00pm (NZST/NZDT)
  • Saturday to Sunday closed (NZST/NZDT)

Contact us

Phone

Within New Zealand:
0800 666 237

From anywhere in the world:
+61 2 8256 1542

Within Australia:
1300 787 375