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Travel Insurance for hiking & trekking

Simple and flexible travel insurance to take you trekking around the world. Buy at home or while traveling, and claim online from anywhere in the world.

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Travel insurance when hiking

From incredible landscapes unfolding beneath well-worn feet to seeking nature’s solace, hiking has a magnetism all its own. Whether it’s walking the windswept fells of England’s Lake District or tackling Europe’s great massifs; hiking puts you front and center in some of the world’s most stunning locations.

Preparation is key to any hiking adventure overseas, learning about the area, checking the route and packing the right gear if the weather rolls in. Along with a trusty map, it can pay to pack travel insurance to help if an unexpected accident or illness stops you in your tracks.

What’s covered for hiking and trekking?

Are you an experienced international hiker looking for your next extreme challenge or do you prefer a relaxed family weekend away? No matter how venturous your hiking plans, depending on your Country of Residence and the plan you choose, World Nomads plans 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.
  • Evacuation: 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 Assistance team.
  • Trip cancellation: has a sick or injured traveling companion put a stop to your hiking break? Your plan may be able to recover the unused, non-refundable travel expenses.
  • Gear protection: had your camera stolen while hiking in Thailand? Our gear coverage can help with replacing belongings 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, stolen or damaged baggage cover: we offer cover for baggage and items which you take with you or buy during your trip if they are stolen, damaged or destroyed, or if lost or damaged by a carrier. You must report all theft or loss to the police as well as to the common carrier, service provider or other local authority as soon as possible. Get a Property Irregularity Report or other incident report from the carrier so you can submit it with your claim, as well as a police report, copies of the original receipts and any luggage tickets.
  • 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.
  • Coronavirus cover: we offer cover for some Coronavirus related events. To find out more click here.

Choose a plan to suit your needs

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

An upgrade for certain sports and activities may be required. Check out our article on covered sports and activities, which can help you select the optional upgrades for the activities you have planned, when you buy your policy; you can’t add them afterwards. Terms and conditions apply, please read your Policy Wording carefully and 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 a week-long hiking trip in 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 activities within Antarctica, the Arctic Circle or Greenland.
  • Search and rescue operations to find or rescue you as per your Policy Wording.
  • If you do not follow the local safety advice and warnings.
  • 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 are unable to contact us before arranging emergency transport or medical treatment, this may impact your cover.
  • 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 you return to your country of residence.
  • 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 maximize your safety and validity of cover. 

  • Inform a local assistance company of your trekking route and policy details.
  • If you’re hiking and need emergency medical treatment, or evacuation, you, or someone with you should contact our 24-hour Emergency Assistance team as soon as possible. They will contact a suitable assistance or ambulance company and arrange medical care.
  • Check which countries your trail passes through to ensure your policy covers you for that region.

Traveler Tip: for the intrepid hiker, be aware a 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 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 Benefits: how we can take care of you

Trip Protection

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

  • Explorer Plan: USD $10,000
  • Standard Plan: USD $5,000
Trip Protection
  • Unexpectedly hospitalised?
  • Travel buddy unfit to travel?
  • Close relative suddenly died?

We’ve got your back.

Emergency Overseas Medical Insurance

Take the pain out of medical costs while traveling overseas.

  • Explorer Plan: Unlimited, up to 12 months
  • Standard Plan: USD $5,000,000
Emergency Medical Insurance
  • Rolled your ankle?
  • Bedridden after a local delicacy?
  • Struggling with altitude?

We’ve got your back.

Emergency Medical Transportation

We'll get you to hospital quickly.

  • Explorer Plan: USD $500,000
  • Standard Plan: USD $500,000
Evacuation and Repatriation
  • Road or air ambulance?
  • Flight assistance?
  • Medivac needed home?

Help starts here.

Protect your gear

Cover your stolen or damaged gear and tech.

  • Explorer Plan: USD $3,500
  • Standard Plan: USD $2,500
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
  • Resumption of Trip
  • Travel Delay
  • Missed connection (Explorer)
  • Hijacking (Explorer)
  • Baggage & Personal Items
  • Passport & Travel Documents
  • Personal Liability
  • Rental vehicle insurance excess (Explorer)
  • Personal accident (Explorer)
*This is a general summary for all residents except from USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Europe, Brazil, China and Philippines. 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.

Are you in need of emergency assistance right now?
Phone:+353 21 237 8008 or +353 21 237 8003 (calls are not toll free. You can claim your itemised call costs)

Contact the team

FAQ

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