World Nomads Standard vs Explorer: An Ultimate Guide to The Best Travel Insurance for Your Adventure

World Nomads Travel Insurance offers great coverage that I’ve depended on for countless adventures around the world.  However, weighing your options between World Nomads standard vs explorer coverage can be an annoying and mind-breaking task. Don’t sweat! In this guide, we’ll share everything you need to know to choose the travel insurance that’s right for you.

Note: This article may contain affiliate links

The major advantage of World Nomads over other travel insurance, like SafetyWing or Revolut Travel insurance, is their extensive coverage of adventure sports and adventure travel in general.  Unfortunately, comparing the World Nomads Standard Plan vs. the Explorer plan can get a little confusing, as can be deciding whether it is worth the extra cost when deciding whether it is worth it to pay a little extra upfront instead of paying for unexpected emergency medical expenses later. 

The main difference between the two plans is which adventure sports are covered under the travel insurance. To make it easier to pick which coverage is best for you I’ve organized a list of the covered sports.  If any of your planned sports falls in the explorer plan, opt for the explorer plan.  If not, save your hard earned cash and stick with the standard plan and the other coverages (trip interruption, emergency medical, lost baggage) will be more than enough

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Below you’ll find a list of all adventure sports covered by World Nomad’s Travel Insurance and the policy you’ll need to purchase for that specific coverage

For the full original list, updates, and World Nomad’s fine print (Terms and Conditions) please visit World Nomad’s full list of covered adventure sports.

Contents of this Guide to Choosing the Right Travel Insurance for Your Adventure: World Nomads Standard vs Explorer

• Standard Policy Adventure Sports Coverage
• Explorer Policy Adventure Sports Coverage
• Excluded Adventure Sports Not Covered by World Nomads
• Common Trip Issues: Are they covered under your preferred World Nomads Coverage?
• Review of World Nomads Coverage Limits with Coverage Explanations
  • Emergency Medical Expenses
  • Emergency Medical Evacuation
  • Gear Protection
  • “Cancel For Any Reason” Option: Does World Nomads offer it?
  • World Nomads Age Limit
• What isn’t covered under World Nomads

ADVENTURE SPORTS COVERED UNDER WORLD NOMADS STANDARD POLICY

Acrobatics (gymnastics or trapeze)	Standard Policy
Aerial safari	Standard Policy
Aerobics	Standard Policy
Air guitar	Standard Policy
Airsoft	Standard Policy
American football (Gridiron)	Standard Policy
Angling	Standard Policy
Archery	Standard Policy
Athletics	Standard Policy
ATVs	Standard Policy
Au Pair / Nanny (paid or volunteer childcare)	Standard Policy
Backpacking	Standard Policy
Badminton	Standard Policy
Ballet	Standard Policy
Ballroom dancing	Standard Policy
Banana boat rides	Standard Policy
Barefoot water skiing	Standard Policy
Baseball	Standard Policy
Basketball	Standard Policy
Bicycle polo	Standard Policy
Bicycle touring	Standard Policy
Bikepacking	Standard Policy
Black Water Rafting (grades 1 – 5)	Standard Policy
BMX (on road / off road / on track / cross country)	Standard Policy
Boating	Standard Policy
Bobsled (non-snow track)	Standard Policy
Bobsleigh	Standard Policy
Bowling (lawn, ten-pin, nine-pin, candlepin, duckpin and five-pin bowling, bowls, pétanque & boules)	Standard Policy
Boxing (gym or outdoor training)	Standard Policy
Broomball (hockey)	Standard Policy
Bungee/Bungy jumping	Standard Policy
Bushcraft	Standard Policy
Bushwalking	Standard Policy
Butoh	Standard Policy
Camel riding / trekking	Standard Policy
Camping (up to 19,685 feet/6,000 meters)	Standard Policy
Canoeing	Standard Policy
Canyon swing	Standard Policy
Canyoning	Standard Policy
Capoeira Dancing	Standard Policy
Cave tubing (grades 1 – 5)	Standard Policy
Caving (sightseeing/tourist attraction)	Standard Policy
Cheerleading	Standard Policy
Clay pigeon shooting	Standard Policy
Competing at international events as a national representative	Standard Policy
Cricket	Standard Policy
Croquet	Standard Policy
Cruising (crewing on a cruise ship)	Standard Policy
Cruising (passenger on a cruise ship)	Standard Policy
Curling	Standard Policy
Cycle touring	Standard Policy
Dance (ballet, ballroom, capoeira, salsa, interpretive dance)	Standard Policy
Darts	Standard Policy
Deep sea fishing	Standard Policy
Disc golfing	Standard Policy
Dirt boarding	Standard Policy
Dodge ball	Standard Policy
Dog sledding	Standard Policy
Dragon boating	Standard Policy
Dune buggy	Standard Policy
Elephant riding / trekking	Standard Policy
Environmental or conservation work (paid or volunteer manual work)	Standard Policy
Equestrian activities	Standard Policy
Fell running / walking	Standard Policy
Fencing	Standard Policy
Fishing (deep sea, inland, ice fishing)	Standard Policy
Fitness training	Standard Policy
Floorball	Standard Policy
Flying (as a passenger in a glider or ultralight)	Standard Policy
Flying (as a passenger in a private, licensed scheduled or chartered aircraft or helicopter)	Standard Policy
Football (soccer)	Standard Policy
Frisbee	Standard Policy
Fruit picking (paid or volunteer WWOOFing, general farm work, manual work)	Standard Policy
Glacier walking (up to 19,685 feet/6,000 meters)	Standard Policy
Gliding	Standard Policy
Go karting	Standard Policy
Golf	Standard Policy
Gridiron	Standard Policy
Gym training (aerobics, spinning, zumba, body pump, weight training, cross training, crossfit)	Standard Policy
Gymnastics	Standard Policy
Handball	Standard Policy
High diving up to 10 meters	Standard Policy
Hiking or tramping (up to 19,685 feet/6,000 meters)	Standard Policy
Hockey	Standard Policy
Horse riding (equestrian, dressage, show jumping, eventing, polo)	Standard Policy
Horse riding (leisure, social, bare back, non-competitive riding)	Standard Policy
Hospitality, bar work (paid or volunteer manual work)	Standard Policy
Hunting (excluding big game)	Standard Policy
Hurling	Standard Policy
Hydrofoiling	Standard Policy
Hydrospeeding (grades 1-5)	Standard Policy
Ice fishing	Standard Policy
Ice hockey	Standard Policy
Ice Skating	Standard Policy
Indoor skydiving	Standard Policy
In-line skating	Standard Policy
Jet boating	Standard Policy
Jet skiing	Standard Policy
Kayaking	Standard Policy
Kite boarding (on land or water)	Standard Policy
Kite buggy	Standard Policy
Kite flying	Standard Policy
Kite surfing	Standard Policy
Kite wing	Standard Policy
Korfball	Standard Policy
Lacrosse	Standard Policy
Land surfing	Standard Policy
Lawn bowling	Standard Policy
Martial arts (Judo, karate)	Standard Policy
Martial arts (non contact)	Standard Policy
Microflight	Standard Policy
Mongol Rally	Standard Policy
Moped riding	Standard Policy
Motorcycling (no coverage for motorcycle)	Standard Policy
Motor biking (on or off road, trail bike riding)	Standard Policy
Motor biking (pillion passenger)	Standard Policy
Motor racing experience (passenger only)	Standard Policy
Mountain biking	Standard Policy
Netball	Standard Policy
Obstacle course/assault course/trim trail	Standard Policy
Office work (paid or volunteer clerical, non-manual work)	Standard Policy
Orienteering	Standard Policy
Outdoor endurance / multi-sport (less than ultra distance)	Standard Policy
Outrigger canoeing	Standard Policy
Outward Bound	Standard Policy
Paddle boarding	Standard Policy
Paint balling	Standard Policy
Parasailing	Standard Policy
Parascending (over land)	Standard Policy
Parkour	Standard Policy
Polar Plunge	Standard Policy
Power lifting	Standard Policy
Quad biking	Standard Policy
Racquetball	Standard Policy
Rambling	Standard Policy
Raquet ball	Standard Policy
Retail work (paid or volunteer shop assistant / store manager, general retail, manual work)	Standard Policy
Rifle range/sports shooting	Standard Policy
Riverboarding (grades 1-5)	Standard Policy
Rock climbing or bouldering (indoor)	Standard Policy
Rock fishing	Standard Policy
Roller blading	Standard Policy
Roller derby	Standard Policy
Roller hockey	Standard Policy
Roller skating	Standard Policy
Rounders	Standard Policy
Rowing	Standard Policy
Rugby (Leage/Union)	Standard Policy
Running / walking (less than ultra distance)	Standard Policy
Running of the bulls (spectator)	Standard Policy
Safari tours	Standard Policy
Sail boarding	Standard Policy
Sailing	Standard Policy
Salsa dancing	Standard Policy
Sandboarding	Standard Policy
Sandskiing	Standard Policy
Scooter riding	Standard Policy
Scrambling (up to 19,685 feet/6,000 meters)	Standard Policy
Scuba diving (to 165 feet/50 meters)	Standard Policy
Scuba diving (unqualified/learn to dive course/discover dive with qualified instructor)	Standard Policy
Scuba diving to 50 metres	Standard Policy
Sculling	Standard Policy
Sea canoeing	Standard Policy
Sea kayaking	Standard Policy
Segway polo	Standard Policy
Segway tours	Standard Policy
Shooting (rifle range / sports)	Standard Policy
Skateboarding (ramp, half pipe, skate park, street)	Standard Policy
Skeleton	Standard Policy
Ski joring	Standard Policy
Skidoos	Standard Policy
Skiing (cross country/nordic skiing on marked trails)	Standard Policy
Skiing (dry slope)	Standard Policy
Skiing (on piste or off piste within resort boundaries)	Standard Policy
Skiing (power assisted skiing)	Standard Policy
Skiing (snowblading)	Standard Policy
Sledding/Snow Sleds/Snow Sleighs (on snow)	Standard Policy
Sleigh rides	Standard Policy
Snooker	Standard Policy
Snorkelling	Standard Policy
Snow biking	Standard Policy
Snow kiting	Standard Policy
Snow mobiling	Standard Policy
Snow rafting	Standard Policy
Snowboarding (on piste or off piste within resort boundaries)	Standard Policy
Snowboarding (dry slope)	Standard Policy
Snowshoeing	Standard Policy
Soccer	Standard Policy
Softball	Standard Policy
Spearfishing	Standard Policy
Speed boating	Standard Policy
Speed flying	Standard Policy
Speed trials	Standard Policy
Sports coaching paid or volunteer (ball sports, surfing, swimming)	Standard Policy
Squash	Standard Policy
Stand up paddle surfing/paddle boarding	Standard Policy
Stilt walking	Standard Policy
Stoolball	Standard Policy
Surf boat rowing	Standard Policy
Surfing	Standard Policy
Swimming	Standard Policy
Swimming with whales/whale sharks	Standard Policy
Table tennis	Standard Policy
Target Shooting	Standard Policy
Tchoukball	Standard Policy
Teaching (paid or volunteer work)	Standard Policy
Ten pin bowling	Standard Policy
Tennis	Standard Policy
Theme parks / fairgrounds	Standard Policy
Tobogganing	Standard Policy
Trail bike riding	Standard Policy
Trail running (up to 19,685 feet/6,000 meters)	Standard Policy
Trampolining	Standard Policy
Tree Climbing (trees up to 10 meters)	Standard Policy
Trekking (up to 19,685 feet/6,000 meters)	Standard Policy
Triathalon (less than ultra-distance)	Standard Policy
Tubing on rivers	Standard Policy
Tubing on snow	Standard Policy
Tuk Tuk (as a passenger)	Standard Policy
Ultimate frisbee	Standard Policy
Unicycling	Standard Policy
Volleyball	Standard Policy
Volunteering (childcare, teaching, environmental, wildlife or animal care, WWOOF)	Standard Policy
Wake skating	Standard Policy
Wakeboarding	Standard Policy
Walking (up to 19,685 feet/6,000 meters)	Standard Policy
War games (online gaming)	Standard Policy
Water polo	Standard Policy
Water skiing	Standard Policy
Weight training	Standard Policy
White water kayaking	Standard Policy
White water rafting	Standard Policy
Wildlife and animal care (paid or volunteer manual work)	Standard Policy
Windsurfing	Standard Policy
WWOOFing (general farm work, fruit picking, manual work)	Standard Policy
Yachting	Standard Policy
Yoga (class, alone/home practice)	Standard Policy
Yoga (yoga teacher)	Standard Policy
Yungas Road (Death Road)	Standard Policy
Zip line	Standard Policy
Zorbing	Standard Policy

For the full original list, updates, and World Nomad’s fine print (Terms and Conditions) please visit World Nomad’s full list of covered adventure sports.

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ADVENTURE SPORTS COVERED UNDER WORLD NOMADS EXPLORER POLICY

Sport	Covered By
Abseiling (indoor or outdoor up to 22,965 feet/7,000 meters)	Explorer Policy
Aviation	Explorer Policy
Ballooning	Explorer Policy
Bobsled (in snow)	Explorer Policy
Bouldering or soloing (up to 22,965 feet/7,000 meters)	Explorer Policy
Bull riding	Explorer Policy
Camping (up to 22,965 feet/7,000 meters)	Explorer Policy
Cave diving (to 165 feet/ 50 meters)	Explorer Policy
Cavern diving (to 165 feet/ 50 meters)	Explorer Policy
Caving/spelunking/potholing	Explorer Policy
Cliff diving	Explorer Policy
Cliff jumping	Explorer Policy
Construction or renovation work (paid or volunteer manual work painting, using power tools, labourer, operating machinery, roadwork, working at height)	Explorer Policy
Deep water soloing	Explorer Policy
Deepelling (up to 22,965 feet/7,000 meters)	Explorer Policy
Diving	Explorer Policy
Fly by wire	Explorer Policy
Flying (as a passenger while stunt flying, performing aerobatics)	Explorer Policy
Flying (as a pilot or crew of any aircraft)	Explorer Policy
Free diving (to 60 meters)	Explorer Policy
Free soloing	Explorer Policy
Hang gliding	Explorer Policy
Heli-skiing / boarding	Explorer Policy
High Wire	Explorer Policy
Hiking or tramping (up to 22,965 feet/7,000 meters)	Explorer Policy
Horse riding (rodeo)	Explorer Policy
Hot air ballooning	Explorer Policy
Ice climbing (up to 22,965 feet/7,000 meters)	Explorer Policy
Jet pack	Explorer Policy
Lifeguarding	Explorer Policy
Martial arts (cage fighting, mixed martial arts, kick boxing, Muay Thai)	Explorer Policy
Medical and health care paid or volunteer work (health education, medical services, medical practitioner)	Explorer Policy
Motocross	Explorer Policy
Motor racing (driver or passenger in a motor sport show, race, competition or rally)	Explorer Policy
Mountaineering, high altitude climbing or expeditions (up to 22,965 feet/7,000 meters)	Explorer Policy
Outdoor endurance / multi-sport (ultra distance or more)	Explorer Policy
Paid or volunteer high risk work (offshore, underground or caves, commercial diving)	Explorer Policy
Parachuting	Explorer Policy
Paragliding	Explorer Policy
Parapenting	Explorer Policy
Potholing	Explorer Policy
Rap jumping (indoor or outdoor up to 22,965 feet/7,000 meters)	Explorer Policy
Rapelling (indoor or outdoor up to 22,965 feet/7,000 meters)	Explorer Policy
Rickshaw Run	Explorer Policy
Rock climbing (outdoor up to 22,965 feet/7,000 meters)	Explorer Policy
Running / walking (ultra marathon or more)	Explorer Policy
Running of the bulls (with the bulls)	Explorer Policy
Scrambling (up to 22,965 feet/7,000 meters )	Explorer Policy
Scuba diving – paid or volunteer instructor or guide (to 165 feet/50 meters)	Explorer Policy
Scuba diving (Cave or cavern diving to 165 feet/ 50 meters)	Explorer Policy
Scuba diving (commercial to 165 feet/50 meters)	Explorer Policy
Shark cage diving (to 165 feet/50 meters)	Explorer Policy
Ski instructor or guide (paid or volunteer)	Explorer Policy
Skiing (acrobatics, free-style, jumping, flying, stunting)	Explorer Policy
Skiing (backcountry/outside of resort boundary/alpine ski touring)	Explorer Policy
Skiing (by helicopter/snow cat)	Explorer Policy
Skiing (racing)	Explorer Policy
Skiing (terrain park within resort)	Explorer Policy
Skiing with a miniwing (speed riding)	Explorer Policy
Skydiving	Explorer Policy
Skydiving from hot air balloon	Explorer Policy
Snowboarding (acrobatics, free-style, jumping, flying, stunting)	Explorer Policy
Snowboarding (backcountry/outside of resort boundary/alpine ski touring)	Explorer Policy
Snowboarding (by helicopter/snow cat)	Explorer Policy
Snowboarding (racing)	Explorer Policy
Snowboarding (terrain park within resort)	Explorer Policy
Snowboarding instructor or guide (paid or volunteer)	Explorer Policy
Spelunking (caving)	Explorer Policy
Stunt flying	Explorer Policy
Tandem skydiving	Explorer Policy
Tough Mudder	Explorer Policy
Trapeze	Explorer Policy
Trekking (up to 22,965 feet/7,000 meters)	Explorer Policy
Triathalon (ultra-distance or more)	Explorer Policy
Tuk Tuk (racing, hire without licensed driver, Rickshaw Run)	Explorer Policy
Via ferrata	Explorer Policy
Volunteering (medical, health care, construction, renovation projects, NGO support, disaster relief)	Explorer Policy
War games (military simulation)	Explorer Policy
Wingsuit flying	Explorer Policy
Acrobatics (gymnastics or trapeze)	Standard and Explorer Policy
Aerial safari	Standard and Explorer Policy
Aerobics	Standard and Explorer Policy
Air guitar	Standard and Explorer Policy
Airsoft	Standard and Explorer Policy
American football (Gridiron)	Standard and Explorer Policy
Angling	Standard and Explorer Policy
Archery	Standard and Explorer Policy
Athletics	Standard and Explorer Policy
ATVs	Standard and Explorer Policy
Au Pair / Nanny (paid or volunteer childcare)	Standard and Explorer Policy
Backpacking	Standard and Explorer Policy
Badminton	Standard and Explorer Policy
Ballet	Standard and Explorer Policy
Ballroom dancing	Standard and Explorer Policy
Banana boat rides	Standard and Explorer Policy
Barefoot water skiing	Standard and Explorer Policy
Baseball	Standard and Explorer Policy
Basketball	Standard and Explorer Policy
Bicycle polo	Standard and Explorer Policy
Bicycle touring	Standard and Explorer Policy
Bikepacking	Standard and Explorer Policy
Black Water Rafting (grades 1 – 5)	Standard and Explorer Policy
BMX (on road / off road / on track / cross country)	Standard and Explorer Policy
Boating	Standard and Explorer Policy
Bobsled (non-snow track)	Standard and Explorer Policy
Bobsleigh	Standard and Explorer Policy
Bowling (lawn, ten-pin, nine-pin, candlepin, duckpin and five-pin bowling, bowls, pétanque & boules)	Standard and Explorer Policy
Boxing (gym or outdoor training)	Standard and Explorer Policy
Broomball (hockey)	Standard and Explorer Policy
Bungee/Bungy jumping	Standard and Explorer Policy
Bushcraft	Standard and Explorer Policy
Bushwalking	Standard and Explorer Policy
Butoh	Standard and Explorer Policy
Camel riding / trekking	Standard and Explorer Policy
Camping (up to 19,685 feet/6,000 meters)	Standard and Explorer Policy
Canoeing	Standard and Explorer Policy
Canyon swing	Standard and Explorer Policy
Canyoning	Standard and Explorer Policy
Capoeira Dancing	Standard and Explorer Policy
Cave tubing (grades 1 – 5)	Standard and Explorer Policy
Caving (sightseeing/tourist attraction)	Standard and Explorer Policy
Cheerleading	Standard and Explorer Policy
Clay pigeon shooting	Standard and Explorer Policy
Competing at international events as a national representative	Standard and Explorer Policy
Cricket	Standard and Explorer Policy
Croquet	Standard and Explorer Policy
Cruising (crewing on a cruise ship)	Standard and Explorer Policy
Cruising (passenger on a cruise ship)	Standard and Explorer Policy
Curling	Standard and Explorer Policy
Cycle touring	Standard and Explorer Policy
Dance (ballet, ballroom, capoeira, salsa, interpretive dance)	Standard and Explorer Policy
Darts	Standard and Explorer Policy
Deep sea fishing	Standard and Explorer Policy
Disc golfing	Standard and Explorer Policy
Dirt boarding	Standard and Explorer Policy
Dodge ball	Standard and Explorer Policy
Dog sledding	Standard and Explorer Policy
Dragon boating	Standard and Explorer Policy
Dune buggy	Standard and Explorer Policy
Elephant riding / trekking	Standard and Explorer Policy
Environmental or conservation work (paid or volunteer manual work)	Standard and Explorer Policy
Equestrian activities	Standard and Explorer Policy
Fell running / walking	Standard and Explorer Policy
Fencing	Standard and Explorer Policy
Fishing (deep sea, inland, ice fishing)	Standard and Explorer Policy
Fitness training	Standard and Explorer Policy
Floorball	Standard and Explorer Policy
Flying (as a passenger in a glider or ultralight)	Standard and Explorer Policy
Flying (as a passenger in a private, licensed scheduled or chartered aircraft or helicopter)	Standard and Explorer Policy
Football (soccer)	Standard and Explorer Policy
Frisbee	Standard and Explorer Policy
Fruit picking (paid or volunteer WWOOFing, general farm work, manual work)	Standard and Explorer Policy
Glacier walking (up to 19,685 feet/6,000 meters)	Standard and Explorer Policy
Gliding	Standard and Explorer Policy
Go karting	Standard and Explorer Policy
Golf	Standard and Explorer Policy
Gridiron	Standard and Explorer Policy
Gym training (aerobics, spinning, zumba, body pump, weight training, cross training, crossfit)	Standard and Explorer Policy
Gymnastics	Standard and Explorer Policy
Handball	Standard and Explorer Policy
High diving up to 10 meters	Standard and Explorer Policy
Hiking or tramping (up to 19,685 feet/6,000 meters)	Standard and Explorer Policy
Hockey	Standard and Explorer Policy
Horse riding (equestrian, dressage, show jumping, eventing, polo)	Standard and Explorer Policy
Horse riding (leisure, social, bare back, non-competitive riding)	Standard and Explorer Policy
Hospitality, bar work (paid or volunteer manual work)	Standard and Explorer Policy
Hunting (excluding big game)	Standard and Explorer Policy
Hurling	Standard and Explorer Policy
Hydrofoiling	Standard and Explorer Policy
Hydrospeeding (grades 1-5)	Standard and Explorer Policy
Ice fishing	Standard and Explorer Policy
Ice hockey	Standard and Explorer Policy
Ice Skating	Standard and Explorer Policy
Indoor skydiving	Standard and Explorer Policy
In-line skating	Standard and Explorer Policy
Jet boating	Standard and Explorer Policy
Jet skiing	Standard and Explorer Policy
Kayaking	Standard and Explorer Policy
Kite boarding (on land or water)	Standard and Explorer Policy
Kite buggy	Standard and Explorer Policy
Kite flying	Standard and Explorer Policy
Kite surfing	Standard and Explorer Policy
Kite wing	Standard and Explorer Policy
Korfball	Standard and Explorer Policy
Lacrosse	Standard and Explorer Policy
Land surfing	Standard and Explorer Policy
Lawn bowling	Standard and Explorer Policy
Martial arts (Judo, karate)	Standard and Explorer Policy
Martial arts (non contact)	Standard and Explorer Policy
Microflight	Standard and Explorer Policy
Mongol Rally	Standard and Explorer Policy
Moped riding	Standard and Explorer Policy
Motorcycling (no coverage for motorcycle)	Standard and Explorer Policy
Motor biking (on or off road, trail bike riding)	Standard and Explorer Policy
Motor biking (pillion passenger)	Standard and Explorer Policy
Motor racing experience (passenger only)	Standard and Explorer Policy
Mountain biking	Standard and Explorer Policy
Netball	Standard and Explorer Policy
Obstacle course/assault course/trim trail	Standard and Explorer Policy
Office work (paid or volunteer clerical, non-manual work)	Standard and Explorer Policy
Orienteering	Standard and Explorer Policy
Outdoor endurance / multi-sport (less than ultra distance)	Standard and Explorer Policy
Outrigger canoeing	Standard and Explorer Policy
Outward Bound	Standard and Explorer Policy
Paddle boarding	Standard and Explorer Policy
Paint balling	Standard and Explorer Policy
Parasailing	Standard and Explorer Policy
Parascending (over land)	Standard and Explorer Policy
Parkour	Standard and Explorer Policy
Polar Plunge	Standard and Explorer Policy
Power lifting	Standard and Explorer Policy
Quad biking	Standard and Explorer Policy
Racquetball	Standard and Explorer Policy
Rambling	Standard and Explorer Policy
Raquet ball	Standard and Explorer Policy
Retail work (paid or volunteer shop assistant / store manager, general retail, manual work)	Standard and Explorer Policy
Rifle range/sports shooting	Standard and Explorer Policy
Riverboarding (grades 1-5)	Standard and Explorer Policy
Rock climbing or bouldering (indoor)	Standard and Explorer Policy
Rock fishing	Standard and Explorer Policy
Roller blading	Standard and Explorer Policy
Roller derby	Standard and Explorer Policy
Roller hockey	Standard and Explorer Policy
Roller skating	Standard and Explorer Policy
Rounders	Standard and Explorer Policy
Rowing	Standard and Explorer Policy
Rugby (Leage/Union)	Standard and Explorer Policy
Running / walking (less than ultra distance)	Standard and Explorer Policy
Running of the bulls (spectator)	Standard and Explorer Policy
Safari tours	Standard and Explorer Policy
Sail boarding	Standard and Explorer Policy
Sailing	Standard and Explorer Policy
Salsa dancing	Standard and Explorer Policy
Sandboarding	Standard and Explorer Policy
Sandskiing	Standard and Explorer Policy
Scooter riding	Standard and Explorer Policy
Scrambling (up to 19,685 feet/6,000 meters)	Standard and Explorer Policy
Scuba diving (to 165 feet/50 meters)	Standard and Explorer Policy
Scuba diving (unqualified/learn to dive course/discover dive with qualified instructor)	Standard and Explorer Policy
Scuba diving to 50 metres	Standard and Explorer Policy
Sculling	Standard and Explorer Policy
Sea canoeing	Standard and Explorer Policy
Sea kayaking	Standard and Explorer Policy
Segway polo	Standard and Explorer Policy
Segway tours	Standard and Explorer Policy
Shooting (rifle range / sports)	Standard and Explorer Policy
Skateboarding (ramp, half pipe, skate park, street)	Standard and Explorer Policy
Skeleton	Standard and Explorer Policy
Ski joring	Standard and Explorer Policy
Skidoos	Standard and Explorer Policy
Skiing (cross country/nordic skiing on marked trails)	Standard and Explorer Policy
Skiing (dry slope)	Standard and Explorer Policy
Skiing (on piste or off piste within resort boundaries)	Standard and Explorer Policy
Skiing (power assisted skiing)	Standard and Explorer Policy
Skiing (snowblading)	Standard and Explorer Policy
Sledding/Snow Sleds/Snow Sleighs (on snow)	Standard and Explorer Policy
Sleigh rides	Standard and Explorer Policy
Snooker	Standard and Explorer Policy
Snorkelling	Standard and Explorer Policy
Snow biking	Standard and Explorer Policy
Snow kiting	Standard and Explorer Policy
Snow mobiling	Standard and Explorer Policy
Snow rafting	Standard and Explorer Policy
Snowboarding (on piste or off piste within resort boundaries)	Standard and Explorer Policy
Snowboarding (dry slope)	Standard and Explorer Policy
Snowshoeing	Standard and Explorer Policy
Soccer	Standard and Explorer Policy
Softball	Standard and Explorer Policy
Spearfishing	Standard and Explorer Policy
Speed boating	Standard and Explorer Policy
Speed flying	Standard and Explorer Policy
Speed trials	Standard and Explorer Policy
Sports coaching paid or volunteer (ball sports, surfing, swimming)	Standard and Explorer Policy
Squash	Standard and Explorer Policy
Stand up paddle surfing/paddle boarding	Standard and Explorer Policy
Stilt walking	Standard and Explorer Policy
Stoolball	Standard and Explorer Policy
Surf boat rowing	Standard and Explorer Policy
Surfing	Standard and Explorer Policy
Swimming	Standard and Explorer Policy
Swimming with whales/whale sharks	Standard and Explorer Policy
Table tennis	Standard and Explorer Policy
Target Shooting	Standard and Explorer Policy
Tchoukball	Standard and Explorer Policy
Teaching (paid or volunteer work)	Standard and Explorer Policy
Ten pin bowling	Standard and Explorer Policy
Tennis	Standard and Explorer Policy
Theme parks / fairgrounds	Standard and Explorer Policy
Tobogganing	Standard and Explorer Policy
Trail bike riding	Standard and Explorer Policy
Trail running (up to 19,685 feet/6,000 meters)	Standard and Explorer Policy
Trampolining	Standard and Explorer Policy
Tree Climbing (trees up to 10 meters)	Standard and Explorer Policy
Trekking (up to 19,685 feet/6,000 meters)	Standard and Explorer Policy
Triathalon (less than ultra-distance)	Standard and Explorer Policy
Tubing on rivers	Standard and Explorer Policy
Tubing on snow	Standard and Explorer Policy
Tuk Tuk (as a passenger)	Standard and Explorer Policy
Ultimate frisbee	Standard and Explorer Policy
Unicycling	Standard and Explorer Policy
Volleyball	Standard and Explorer Policy
Volunteering (childcare, teaching, environmental, wildlife or animal care, WWOOF)	Standard and Explorer Policy
Wake skating	Standard and Explorer Policy
Wakeboarding	Standard and Explorer Policy
Walking (up to 19,685 feet/6,000 meters)	Standard and Explorer Policy
War games (online gaming)	Standard and Explorer Policy
Water polo	Standard and Explorer Policy
Water skiing	Standard and Explorer Policy
Weight training	Standard and Explorer Policy
White water kayaking	Standard and Explorer Policy
White water rafting	Standard and Explorer Policy
Wildlife and animal care (paid or volunteer manual work)	Standard and Explorer Policy
Windsurfing	Standard and Explorer Policy
WWOOFing (general farm work, fruit picking, manual work)	Standard and Explorer Policy
Yachting	Standard and Explorer Policy
Yoga (class, alone/home practice)	Standard and Explorer Policy
Yoga (yoga teacher)	Standard and Explorer Policy
Yungas Road (Death Road)	Standard and Explorer Policy
Zip line	Standard and Explorer Policy
Zorbing	Standard and Explorer Policy

For the full original list, updates, and World Nomad’s fine print (Terms and Conditions) please visit World Nomad’s full list of covered adventure sports.

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ADVENTURE SPORTS EXCLUDED FROM WORLD NOMAD’S COVERAGE

Base jumping	Excluded
Mountain guide (mountaineering; rock climbing instructor or guide using ropes or specialist equipment)	Excluded
Mountaineering, high altitude climbing or expeditions (over 22,965 feet/7,000 meters, unsupported or solo expeditions, exploratory expeditions or new routes)	Excluded

For the full original list, updates, and World Nomad’s fine print (Terms and Conditions) please visit World Nomad’s full list of covered adventure sports.

Back to top

Things Keep in Mind when Weighing World Nomads Standard vs. Explorer Coverage

• Existing issues (rash, injuries, etc.) from before your coverage period will not be covered.
• If you are under the influence of drugs or alcohol, your issue/accident will likely not be covered, so act accordingly
• If you ride a motorbike without a helmet or under the influence of drugs or alcohol as driver or passenger, any related accident or injuries will most likely not be covered, so act accordingly
• For general global assistance, while covered under World Nomads, contact the following numbers for assistance
  • General Global Assistance: +1 954-334-8143 or +1 877-289-0968
• Keep all of the following with you when you travel, to make getting assistance as easy as possible
  • Contact number for World Nomads
  • A contact number you can be reached at
  • Your designated emergency contacts and their phone numbers/contact information
  • Your policy number
  • A copy of your passport

Common Trip Issues: Are they Covered under World Nomads?

• Theft: Violent and petty crime, including loss of your belongings due to no fault of your own and emergency medical coverage, may be covered under your World Nomads policy, so check the fine print.
• Muggings/robbery/Assault: Covers ambulance transportation, hospitalization, day surgery, outpatient treatment, medications, extra expenses to travel home caused by the incident
• Motorbike accidents: Emergency medical for injuries is covered as long as you were wearing a helmet, riding legally, and not intoxicated
• Adventure sports accidents: Adventure and sport-related accidents (Surf accidents, trekking accidents, etc.) are covered on a sport by sport and activity by activity basis in accordance with the coverages of your chosen policy (standard vs. explorer)
• Illness: Unexpected illness, such as travelers diarrhea, Bali belly, Dengue, etc., or illnesses common to your destination region are commonly covered – along with treatment, hospitalization, and evacuation flights if necessary – confirm to make sure by reading your polic
• Animal Issues: Bites, attacks, and the follow on emergency treatment are generally covered in World Nomads policies
• Emergency medical treatment:
• Emergency medical evacuation: Emergency medical evacuation is covered when recommended by a doctor and preapproved by World Nomads’ 24/7 support team and covers air ambulance, Medevac flights, sea level airlift, helicopter evacuation, and ground ambulance
• Political evacuation
• Delayed baggage: When baggage is delayed more than 12 hours, your policy covers purchase of essentials so you can continue your travels
• Trip delay: Airline flight delays of 6 hours or more trigger trip delay coverage and your coverage will trigger reimbursement for basic expense you have to pay additionally due to the delay in addition to compensation for non-refundable or prepaid portions of the trip forfeited due to the delay.
• Scams: Unfortunately, common scams pulled on travelers likely are not covered by World Nomads insurance, however, if theft or assault has occurred, file a police report and contact World Nomads for help
• Travel accidents: Motorbike accidents (while driving legally and responsibly) and adventure sports accidents are covered generally, but confirm coverage levels and activities in your chosen policy

Note: This is a quick summary of coverages to help in your research however, please visit **World Nomads information** as policies vary in coverage based on chosen coverages and your home country.

Other issues covered by World Nomads (list case plus example)

• Terrorist attacks: Hospitalization, emergency care, medical transport home, trip interruption and travel cancellation
• Emergency dental (overseas): Such as broken tooth, an infection or a injury to your mouth or jaw.  General checkups and routine medical (fillings, implants, etc.) are not covered
• Overseas medical: For unexpected medical issues, such as illness, motorbike accidents, or animal attacks, World Nomads covers hospitalization, outpatient medical treatment, prescribed medicines, X-rays, lab tests, and transportation home if required.  Additionally, World Nomads has a 24 hour multi-lingual support team to guide you through treatment and confirm your next actions are covered.
• COVID-19

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Review of World Nomads Coverage Limits and Coverage Explanations

World Nomads coverage is extensive and great for most travelers. However, you need to understand the primary coverages and coverage limits to be sure World Nomads in general is right for you.

Trip Cancellation Coverage

• Explorer Plan: $10,000
• Standard Plan: $2,500

If a covered emergency causes you to miss your trip, World Nomads’ trip cancellation coverage will reimburse you for any pre-paid, nonrefundable trip costs such as transportation, accommodation, and tours.

Common covered emergencies include sickness or illness, natural disasters, terrorism, and transportation industry strikes.

Emergency Medical Insurance Expenses

If you get sick or injured while you’re traveling, World Nomads will cover hospitalization, outpatient treatment for emergencies, necessary labs and X-rays, and transport home if medically necessary

World Nomads emergency medical coverage limits are:

• Explorer Plan: $100,000
• Standard Plan: $100,000

Emergency Medical Evacuation and Transportation and Medical Repatriation

Medical evacuation covers transporting a patient to a hospital or treatment center to respond to a medical emergency and in order to be treated.

Medical repatriation covers transporting a patient back home at the recommendation of a doctor due to injuries or illness.

Both medical evacuation and medical repatriation are covered under World Nomads with the following coverages:

• Explorer Plan: $500,000
• Standard Plan: $300,000

Protecting Your Gear: Does World Nomads cover your personal belongings?

Yes, World Nomads covers against loss, theft, or damage to your bags and belongings with limits of $3,000 for the Explorer and $1,000 for the Standard Plan

• Explorer Plan: $3,000
• Standard Plan: $1,000

World Nomads, Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) Travel Insurance Explained

Cancel For Any Reason travel insurance is any travel insurance with a clause or option that allows you to cancel your policy after you have already purchased it and receive a refund.

World Nomads does not allow you to cancel a policy after it has been “used” or started, however, World Nomads insurance has a cooling-off period of 21 days from the purchase of the policy that allows you to cancel for any reason your planned coverage and receive a refund of 100% of the premium and fees you paid.

In order for your cancellation to qualify for World Nomads’ Cancel for Any Reason (before traveling) clause, you must not have started your policy and you must not have used your policy. 

“You must not have used your policy” according to World Nomads means:

• you haven’t travelled under your policy or started your trip; and 
• you have not made a claim and do not intend to make a claim; and 
• you are not exercising any other right under the policy.  

If all of these conditions apply, and you are within 21 days of your policy purchase date, you can cancel for any reason and receive a refund – whether your vacation dates from work have changed, you found a better destination, you decided to stay longer where you’re at, or your fear of travel simply kicked in, you’ll be covered.

Click here to learn more about how to cancel your World Nomads policy for any reason

24/7 emergency assistance

World Nomads maintains a multi-lingual team available 24/7 to advise you in responding to travel issues and emergencies and to approve use of major coverages, such as medical evacuation or repatriation.

To contact the World Nomads team, keep these numbers handy – General Global Assistance: +1 954-334-8143 or +1 877-289-0968

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World Nomads Age limits: Under 70 Years Old

You need to be under 70 years old to qualify for a World Nomads policy.

What isn’t covered under World Nomads insurance

• Preexisting conditions
• Accidents that occur while using or under the influence of drugs or alcohol
• Trip delays that are caused by a situation you are
• Any situation that occurs before the policy has started
• Injuries resulting from a fight you started with someone or placed yourself in danger
• Injuries from riding a motorbike without a helmet or under the influence of drugs or alcohol
• Lost baggage replacement items that are clearly higher value than the lost items
• Routine medical, anything that happens because of taking drugs or alcohol, preexisting conditions, non-emergency treatment, care or treatment that can be covered under any other insurance
• Routine dental, general checkups, cosmetic dental work, major dental work such as dentures, implants, bridges, non-emergency dental
• Non-emergency issues
• Accidentally leaving your gear behind
• Items stolen due to negligence
• Medications prescribed before your trip
• Items stolen if there is no theft or loss report from the police or authorities
• Continuation of medical care at home
• Any loss related to illegal behavior or activities
• Trip delay or interruption due to not having an appropriate passport, visa, or fulfilled entry requirements at your destination
• Personal delays resulting in missing a flight
• Accidents resulting from participating in a sport or activity not explicitly covered under the chosen policy
• Search and rescue missions
• Claims that lack “proper documentation”
• Evacuation and emergency not authorized by World Nomads

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What Next? Is World Nomads coverage right for you?

World Nomads is fantastic insurance, from my experience. Whether you’re adventuring through the Andean mountains of South America and the Himilayas, or diving in the beautiful waters of Southeast Asia, World Nomads coverage has proven reliable enough (for myself and other travelers) that it is very much worthwhile.

However, if you’re a young, nearly broke backpacker on a budget (or a quietly frugal millionaire), is World Nomads right for you?

Honestly, if you are in a travel period wherein you’re not heading to the highest heights or the lowest depths of the planet, you still need travel insurance, however, there are other, better, and cheaper options available.

If you are not adventuring hard at the moment, and have a credit card that can cover your emergency medical expenses in the short term (to be repaid by your travel insurance later) there are other, cheaper travel insurances available that are just as practical.

I highly recommend reading our Safety review, which shares everything you need to know about this travel insurance for nomads that costs roughly $1 per day.