Protect the freedom of carrying everything on your back.
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For many nomads, backpacking is a rite of passage – a chance to travel cheaply and adventurously around the world, meeting new people, discovering new cultures, and finding a new purpose. Whether exploring your distant past or setting out to find your future, nothing unmasks a destination like your own footsteps.
Even if you like to travel with everything you need on your back, travel insurance is still a good idea in case backpacking mishaps (or worse) surprise you on the road. World Nomads travel insurance is designed for backpacking abroad – whether you’re heading to Thailand, Vietnam, Spain, and Australia or South America, the Caribbean, Italy, or further afield.
World Nomads travel insurance plans offer cover for sudden and unforeseen costs such as if you’re injured in a traffic accident and need urgent medical treatment, or if your transport carrier damages or loses your much-needed pack with everything in it, or a crafty pickpocket swipes your phone from under your nose.
Our plans offer cover (up to the benefit limits) for:
Our Standard and Explorer plans offer cover for emergency medical assistance if you get sick with Coronavirus (COVID-19) overseas (excluding pre-existing medical conditions, as defined in the policy wording) – cover includes medical assistance, repatriation and hospitalisation benefits.
Our Explorer Plan also offers cover for some coronavirus-related events such as cancellation, trip interruption expenses and some quarantine costs following your diagnosis of coronavirus, as well as additional cover for healthcare workers, residential care workers and law enforcement officers who have their pre-arranged leave cancelled by their employer due to Coronavirus. Exclusions and benefit limits apply.
Some things we do not cover include:
Both our Standard and Explorer Plans have many of the same benefits, while the Explorer Plan offers travellers further covered events and higher benefit limits and/or sub limits.
If you’re planning on doing extra activities such as scuba diving, rock climbing or manual work, for example, our article on covered sports and activities can help you select the optional upgrades you’ll need to add to your plan when you buy your policy. Keep in mind some types of work and high-risk activities may not be covered at all.Backpacking often means going wherever the breeze blows you, but before you decide to cross the border into a country not specified on your Certificate of Insurance, check with our customer service team to check if your policy will extend to that region.
Yes, it’s possible to extend your existing policy while still travelling and before its expiry date, for up to 12 months from the start date.
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, get in touch.
Protect your trip from unexpected cancellation.
We’ve got your back.
Take the pain out of medical costs while traveling abroad.
We’ve got your back.
Expenses included in Emergency Medical limits.
Help starts here.
Cover your lost, stolen or damaged gear and tech.
Help starts here.
World Nomads policies cannot cover claims due to Pre-Existing Medical Conditions (PEMC), regardless of whether the condition is serious or not (this includes if you're on separate or joint policies). You can still purchase a World Nomads policy, but the PEMC exclusion is not removable.
For travel insurance providers that offer cover on PEMC, visit the Money and Pensions Service (MaPS) Money Helper website, or call 0800 138 7777. BIBA's (The British Insurance Brokers' Association) Find Insurance Service offers information on serious PEMCs and travel insurance providers that may cover these conditions. You can also contact them on 0370 950 1790.
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 assistance right now?
For policies purchased on or after 1 September 2021:
+44 (0) 2030931750 (Call via an operator reverse charges. Not toll free.)
For policies purchased before 1 September 2021:
Phone: +353 21 237 8005 (Call via an operator reverse charges. Not toll free.)
Phone: +61 2 8263 0470 (Call via an operator reverse charges. Not toll free.)
Travel insurance for independent travelers and intrepid families. Nobody wants to think about all the things that could go wrong on their trip, but these things can and do happen. So be prepared and get your travel insurance today.