Photo © Getty Images / Thomas Barwick

Travel Insurance for Pickleball

Learn how travel insurance can protect your wallet if you get hurt while playing pickleball.

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For information relating to policies purchased prior to October 23 2024, please check the Policy Wording provided with your purchase. You can contact us if you need this sent to you again. For plans purchased after October 23 2024, please see below. 

Millions of people have fallen in love with the unique combination of tennis, badminton, and ping pong known as pickleball.

As one of the fastest growing sports in the world, more resorts are building pickleball courts to give experienced and new picklers a chance to get in on the action while they are traveling.

While serious injuries are rare in pickleball, even the best of us have lost our balance and taken a tumble when going for an overhead slam.

If pickleball is on your list of activities for your next trip, you may want to consider a travel insurance* plan with adventure sports coverage, as that could help protect you on and off the court when traveling.

Should I consider travel insurance for pickleball? 

Falls are one of the most common pickleball related injuries. You can be proactive and take steps ahead of time to work on your balance, but as you are twisting, turning, and moving across the court, there’s always a possibility of accidents.

If you get hurt, your health insurance may not always cover you when you are traveling to other destinations. However, a travel insurance plan from World Nomads may be able to assist by helping to reimburse expenses like x-rays, medication, a hospital stay, or other emergency medical needs.

People playing pickleball
Don't forget picking the right paddle is very important. Photo credit: Getty Images/FatCamera

What other activities are covered by travel insurance?

You may want to explore even more sports and adventures during your travels. World Nomads covers more than 250 activities for U.S. residents, and you can also have coverage for activities like boating, aerobics, and zip lining.

We offer four plans – Standard, Explorer, Epic and Annual – each with different levels of coverage. When you get a quote, you can compare the plans, which offer coverage up to 180 days per single trip. And if you plan to take numerous trips during the year, the Annual Travel Insurance Plan could be best for you; it has a maximum trip length of 45 days.

If you aren’t sure if something is covered, contact our customer service team and they can help explain what each plan includes.

What else is covered by travel insurance?

Travel insurance is designed to cover losses arising from sudden, unexpected, and unforeseeable circumstances. For US residents, World Nomads may offer coverage for: 

  • Baggage protection: All plans include the non-insurance service Blue Ribbon Baggage, which will track and expedite the return of your airline baggage if it is lost or delayed. If you checked your equipment with a common carrier and it gets lost or damaged, or stolen after your arrival, you could get reimbursed for its current value (which factors in depreciation) or the cost of a replacement, up to a per item and total maximum limit. You must report the incident as soon as possible to the carrier and ensure you get a Property Irregularity Report, or a similar official report, in writing and make a claim directly with the carrier first before making a claim with us. (Please note we do not offer coverage for damage to sporting equipment while in use.)  
  • Emergency medical coverage:  Emergency medical coverage may help reimburse you for expenses like an ambulance rides, medication, or a hospital stay. If you get hurt, your health insurance may not always cover you when you are traveling to destinations outside of your network or plan.  
  • Trip cancellation insurance: If something unexpected happens like an illness or injury, you may be able to recover your unused, prepaid, non-refundable travel expenses through our trip cancellation,  trip interruption and trip delay benefits. 

What are some things travel insurance would not cover?

  • Damage that happens to your pickleball equipment while you are using it.
  • Injuries that happen if you are competing in a professional pickleball competition.
  • Injuries that happen if you are playing pickleball under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
  • Any medical bills related to a pre-existing condition, unless you purchased the Epic or Explorer plan during the time-sensitive period were medically able to travel at the time of purchase.
  • Participation in other activities not listed as covered in your plan.
An aerial shot of people playing pickleball
Photo credit: Getty Images/halbergman

Safety tips for playing pickleball

From our own time on the court, we’ve learned that many injuries can often be avoided. Here are a few tips we have learned from our own experiences as picklers.

  • Drink plenty of water. This can help prevent dizziness, nausea, and cramps that could cause an injury.  
  • Wear the right shoes. Shoes designed for court sports are best.  The soles are really important since you are moving from side to side and shifting your weight.  Try to find a shoe that has good stability on both the inside and outside of your foot.
  • Wear eye protection. The ball is lightweight, but it can travel at high speeds.  You don’t want it flying toward your unprotected eyes. 
  • Pick the right paddle. Higher quality paddles will more effectively absorb some of the impact and could help you avoid elbow and shoulder injuries. Make sure you choose one that isn’t too heavy for you.
  • Warm up. Even a brisk 5-minute walk around the court helps get your heart pumping before you play. 
  • Stretch. Make sure to stretch before and after you play pickleball, focusing on your ankles, legs, groin, lower back, shoulders, and arms.
  • Don’t play on wet courts. Even though the court’s surface is typically gritty to provide extra traction, it can become slick when wet.
  • Wear sunscreen when playing outside. Look for one that has an SPF of 30 or higher and reapply it every two hours. 
  • Check with your doctor. You know your body best. If you have physical conditions that you have concerns about, always talk to your doctor first about any exercise limitations that you may have.  

*All information we provided here is a brief summary. It does not include all terms, conditions, limitations, exclusions, and termination provisions of the plans described.  Please carefully read your state specific plan documents for a full description of coverage. Travel insurance is included as part of your travel protection plan which contains both insurance benefits and non-insurance assistance services. Material included on this page does not represent, nor is it specific to, United States Fire Insurance Company or travel insurance benefits provided on United States Fire Insurance Company’s travel protection plans.


True Claims Stories

  • Never travel without insurance. This was the first time I ever purchased travel insurance and I am so glad I did. A few days into my trip to Spain I twisted my foot heading down to the metro. Thanks to World Nomads I was able to get medical attention in Spain and since, as luck would have it, I had a fracture that required surgery, they got me a flight home the next day. Filing a claim was surprisingly easy and when the claim was finally processed, I was reimbursed for all of my expenses including things like the extra week in the hotel I didn't get to take advantage of.
    L.D.
    U.S. resident in Spain
  • I recently had a serious injury traveling on my own & the team was amazing. Being confused with a brain injury they took care of everything. Claiming was no problem, they were on the phone constantly to see if all was OK. I can't recommend them enough. Absolutely fantastic & l will always travel with World Nomads Insurance. Thanks guys for getting me home safely.
    A.B.
    Australian in Thailand
  • I was bitten by a monkey at the Batu Caves in Kuala Lumpur. I went to a nearby clinic and they gave me a rabies shot, antibiotics to take for 4 days, pain medicine, and anti-inflammatory medicine.
    T.R.
    Canadian in Malaysia

Travel Insurance Benefits: how we can take care of you

Trip Protection

Protect your hard earned vacation from unexpected cancellation.

  • Standard Plan: $2,500
  • Explorer Plan: $10,000
  • Epic Plan: $15,000
  • Annual Plan: $5,000
Trip Protection
  • Unexpectedly hospitalised?
  • Travel buddy unfit to travel?
  • Been made redundant?

We’ve got your back.

Emergency Medical Insurance

Take the pain out of medical or dental costs.

  • Standard Plan: $125,500
  • Explorer Plan: $150,000
  • Epic Plan: $250,000
  • Annual Plan: $100,000
Emergency Medical Insurance
  • Need meds quick?
  • Accidentally injured?
  • Suddenly sick?

We’ve got your back.

Emergency Evacuation

We'll provide assistance to get you to the hospital or home quickly.

  • Standard Plan: $400,000
  • Explorer Plan: $500,000
  • Epic Plan: $700,000
  • Annual Plan: $100,000
Emergency Evacuation
  • 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.

  • Standard Plan: $1,000
  • Explorer Plan: $2,000
  • Epic Plan: $3,000
  • Annual Plan: $2,000
Protect your gear
  • Luggage lost?
  • Airline lost your gear?
  • Tech trashed?

Help starts here.

The amounts listed represent the maximum benefit amount.

Protect your health

  • 24/7 Emergency Assistance Help Line
  • Emergency Medical & Dental Expenses
  • Emergency Evacuations
  • Bedside Companion Travel
  • Emergency Medications

Protect Your Trip

  • Trip Cancellation
  • Optional Cancel for Any Reason (Explorer or Epic)
  • Trip Delay & Trip Interruption
  • Missed Connection (Explorer or Epic)
  • Rental Car Damage (Explorer, Epic or Annual)

Protect Your Stuff

  • Baggage Delay
  • Passport and Visa Loss
  • Lost or Stolen Bags
  • Personal Tech, Equipment & Gear
  • Baggage Return After Evacuation

Non-Insurance Services

  • Medical & Non-Medical 24/7 Emergency Assistance Line
  • Translators Available
  • Runway Health
  • FootprintID
  • Blue Ribbon Bags
This is a general summary for US residents only. Restrictions, exclusions and limitations will apply. Benefits limits may vary depending on the plan chosen. Check the plan documents for full details.

24/7 emergency assistance

Whether you need medical or dental assistance or advice, emergency evacuation or travel assistance, 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 assistance right now?

Contact Generali Global Assistance:
Telephone: +1 954-334-8143 (Collect outside the US)
+1 877-289-0968 (Toll-free in the US and Canada

Contact the team