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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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If surfing at Pipeline in Hawaii or heading to Kuta beach in Bali is on your next surf break abroad then it’s a good idea to know how you could be covered if you happen to have your gear lost or stolen. If your surf trip is cut short our coverage can help get you back on your feet and back on the surfboard in no time.

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

Travel insurance for surfing

As surf enthusiasts, Brits can get ready to hit the surf 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. 
  • 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). Sporting equipment checked-in is only covered where the carrier requires it be checked-in due to its size or weight.

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 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 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 or athletic competitions. 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 a summary only. It does not include all terms, conditions, limitations and exclusions of the plans described. Please refer to the actual plans for complete details of cover and exclusions.

Travel Insurance Benefits: how we can take care of you

Trip Cancellation

Protect your trip from unexpected cancellation.

  • Explorer Plan: £5,000
  • Standard Plan: £3,000
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 million
  • Standard Plan: £5 million
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

Cover your lost, stolen or damaged gear and tech.

  • Explorer Plan: £3,000
  • Standard Plan: £1,500
Protect your gear
  • Passport or tech stolen?
  • Airline lost your gear?
  • Bags delayed?

Help starts here.

  • Emergency Medical Expenses
  • Baggage & Personal Belongings
  • Cancellation
  • Trip Curtailment
  • Personal Accident
  • Loss of Passport or travel documents
  • Personal Liability
  • Legal Expenses (Personal Liability)
This is a general summary for United Kingdom residents only. Restrictions, exclusions and limitations will apply. Benefit limits may vary depending on the plan chosen. Check the plan documents for full details.
Pre-existing medical conditions

You are not eligible to buy a policy if you travel against medical advice, travel with the intention of receiving medical treatment, or have a terminal illness. World Nomads policies cannot cover claims due to Pre-Existing Medical Conditions (PEMC), regardless of whether the condition is serious or not. You can still purchase a World Nomads policy, but the PEMC exclusion cannot be removed, and you will be responsible for any related costs.

For information on travel insurance providers that offer cover on PEMC, visit Money Helper or call 0800 138 7777.

24/7 Emergency Medical Assistance

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

Wherever you are, we’re here 24/7 to help you in any emergency.

Are you in need of Emergency Medical Assistance right now?

For policies purchased on or after 27 June 2024
+44 (0) 144 444 2021 (Call via an operator reverse charges. Not toll free.)

For policies purchased before 27 June 2024:
Phone: +44 (0) 203 093 1750 (Call via an operator reverse charges. Not toll free.)

Contact the team