Travel insurance for water sports and activities
What to know when getting your adrenaline rush in and around the water
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Making the most of stand-up paddle boarding (SUP) in Aruba, a casual reef snorkeling experience in Hawaii, oryou want to dial up the adrenaline and go parasailing in France.
As fun as they sound, water sports activities aren’t always smooth sailing. World Nomads travel insurance can help you keep your head above water if the unexpected occurs.
- What does World Nomads travel insurance cover?
- Why should I consider travel insurance when doing a water sports activity?
- What’s covered by water sports activity insurance?
- What's not covered
- Key tips for water activities and sports
What does World Nomads travel insurance cover?
Here are some of the key benefits of our coverage, depending on your Country of Residence and the plan you’ve selected:
- Emergency medical and evacuation coverage – if you or a member of your family suffers an injury or accident whilst participating in a covered water sports activity.
- Baggage and high value items cover – if your baggage or items are stolen, lost or damaged you may be covered, including if your bags are delayed.
- Cover for Coronavirus-related events – depending on your Country of Residence our policies offer medical coverage for Coronavirus. Our Explorer Plan also offers cover for Coronavirus travel costs.
- Coverage for extended stays – your plan can be extended while still traveling for up to 12 months from your departure date (terms and conditions apply).
Why should I consider travel insurance when doing a water sports activity?
With 71% of the Earth being covered by water, there’s no shortage of wet and wild adventures to be had on your travels. But before you head off it might be worth considering how travel insurance may help you have a safer and fun holiday.
Our policies can help with medical costs and evacuation if you suffer an injury while sailing the Italian coastline and need to seek medical treatment. Travel insurance can also help if your surfboard is damaged whilst on the way to your surfing adventure in Australia. Having travel insurance can even help if your diving trip in Thailand by is cancelled due to an insured event by the tour provider and you’re left out of pocket.
Make sure that you’ve selected the right travel insurance plan for your specific needs. With World Nomads you can get a quote, make a claim, or extend your policy instantly online, even while traveling.
What's covered by water sports activity insurance?
We want you to have the best experience on your travels, so we’ve designed our plans to cover the water sports that our nomads love the most including:
- Dragon boating
- Fishing
- Jet Skiing
- Kayaking
- Snorkelling
- Scuba diving (qualified to 40 metres)
- Surfing
- Stand-up paddle boarding.
World Nomads offers two plans – Standard and Explorer. Each policy provides different levels of coverage depending on what you need and your Country of Residence:
- The Standard Plan covers a range of benefits and certain adventure activities and has lower coverage limits.
- The Explorer Plan covers all the benefits of the Standard plan, with larger coverage limits, more benefits and covers more sports and activities.
- Both the Standard and Explorer plans offer cover for nominated low-risk water sports under “Level 1” cover. If you plan to participate in higher-risk water sports, as listed in section 8 of the PDS, you may need to upgrade your Standard or Explorer plan to “level 2” or “level 3” cover depending on which water sports activities you plan on participating in.
Depending on the level of cover you choose and your Country of Residence, our policies may cover you for the following when participating in water sports activities:
- Medical emergency: if you suffer an accident on injury whilst participating in a water sports activity, you are covered for medical expenses incurred including evacuation and even repatriation if you need to return home.
- Trip cancellation: if any part your trip is cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances you may be covered for expenses incurred as a result of the cancellation.
- Cover for stolen baggage and gear: if your gear is lost, stolen or damaged on your trip you may be able to claim to have your gear replaced or repaired.
- Natural disaster: If a natural disaster impacts your planned water sports adventure our policies may cover you if you need to cancel or interrupt your travel plans.
What's not covered
While there are several circumstances we can offer coverage for, there are also those we just won’t cover. These include, but are not limited to:
- Damage to any sporting equipment while in use, sporting equipment over 3 years old or damage to or theft of any water sports equipment that are left unsupervised in a public place.
- Participation in a sport or activity not listed in the policy wording or agreed by World Nomads where you haven’t paid the required additional premium.
- If you travel against medical advice or neglect to adhere to government ‘Do Not Travel’ warnings issued prior to departure. (see US Department of State).
- A loss arising from participating in or training for a competition or race where you receive a financial reward (i.e., an appearance fee, a wage or salary).
- Any pre-existing medical conditions.
- Any costs related to illegal activities or being under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
Key tips for water activities and sports
- Keep your receipts and paperwork:any claim you make will need supporting documentation such as receipts of your purchases. Keep these with you in printed or digital form if you intend to make a claim.
- It pays to be prepared:check the weather, check your equipment, and check the credentials of your instructors and guides – if any seem unreliable then reconsider if it’s a smart move to go.
- Monitor weather conditions and consider your fitness: you may want to reconsider your plans for a water-based holiday if you’re traveling to an island nation during the least optimal season weather-wise. You also need to ensure you are fit enough to take on any water-related activities or sports that you plan on doing. There’s no point signing up for cage-diving for instance if you’re prone to panicking or aren’t a proficient swimmer.
- Don’t get in over your head:be responsible when choosing a water sports activity. Does it suit your experience level? Are you using an accredited tour operator? Make sure to wear appropriate safety gear.
This is not a full list of what's covered and what's not; please check your Policy Wording for a full list of terms, conditions, limitations and exclusions that may apply to your specific plan. If you are unsure of your level of travel cover, please contact us for help.
True Claims Stories
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)
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?
- Been made redundant?
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
- Need meds quick?
- Accidentally injured?
- Suddenly sick?
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
- Banged up abroad?
- Need a hospital urgently?
- Medivac 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
- Luggage lost?
- Airline lost your gear?
- Tech trashed?
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)
Before your trip, check the latest government advice for any travel alerts for your destination.