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Am I covered if I'm sailing?

Cover is provided for sailing/yachting, but before you cast off, it’s wise to know exactly what’s covered under your World Nomads Travel Insurance policy, as not all sailing adventures are covered.

If you’re going to set sail on coastal waters or international waters, both the Standard Plan and Explorer Plan can provide cover for you, in specific circumstances. 

When you buy your policy, you’ll need to select the sailing activities you’ll be undertaking and add them to your policy.  If you can’t see your chosen sailing adventure in the options available, please contact us and we'll tell you what cover is provided.

What cover comes with World Nomads Travel Insurance for sailing/yachting

You must take all the required safety precautions when sailing, as we will not cover you if you’re reckless, do something stupid or sail somewhere dangerous. 

World Nomads travel insurance offers cover for sailing, but you must:

  • Sail with a qualified guide or instructor, or have the right licenses or certification to operate the boat, yacht or other sail craft.  This means being qualified in your own country of residence as well as in the country/s you are doing the sailing in.
  • Sail within 60 miles of a safe haven (and by “safe haven” we mean a protected body of water used by marine craft for refuge from storms or heavy seas). That also means around-the-world trips aren’t likely to be covered.

If you’re accidentally hurt or injured while sailing World Nomads Travel Insurance can provide cover for:

  • Evacuation: If it’s urgent and we decide it’s medically necessary (by the most appropriate means including helicopter when necessary and available).
  • Emergency medical expenses: At a hospital or by a doctor at the local medical centre.
  • Repatriation: Take you home, if we deem this necessary, if you’re seriously ill or injured and unable to continue your trip.

If you believe you are in need of a medical evacuation or repatriation, you or someone with you must contact the 24/7 Emergency Assistance team immediately.

If you are wondering, Who pays for medical treatment?, and by this we mean either you pay upfront and claim later or we pay, the answer is that it depends on what’s happened to you and the necessary treatment required.

In the first instance contact our 24/7 Emergency Assistance team and they can help you access medical help and organise payment for treatment if necessary. 

Any medical claim submitted will have the policy excess deducted per person, per claimable event.

What’s not covered for sailing/yachting?

There’s a number of things our policy doesn’t cover for sailing as well as a number of general exclusions.  Some of these include:

  • If you knowingly expose yourself to any needless risks or act illegally.
  • Search and rescue is not covered if you become lost at sea or at any other time.
  • Racing or sailing competitively.
  • If you go against local authority warnings or enter closed or restricted areas or places or situations known to be unsafe or dangerous.
  • For motorised vehicles, and this can include waterborne craft:
    • (a) If you’re not wearing a helmet as you would normally need to in your country of residence, regardless of the local laws;
    • (b)Getting behind the wheel of a motorised vehicle without a proper licence for the same class of vehicle (or in this case the boat) in your country of residence, and as needed in the country where you're travelling.
  • Personal liability for loss or damage caused by the use of a boat (except for rowing boats, punts or canoes).
  • Any other reason listed under the General Exclusions in your policy wording.

The policy isn’t designed to cover everything. Take the time to read the terms and conditions, limitations and exclusions in the Policy Wording for full details on what is and isn’t covered. That way there are no surprises if you need to use it.

If you are unsure of whether or not you have the right cover, please contact us for help.

Last updated: May 23, 2022 06:44 AM

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We’re here to help if you have a question about travel insurance. We’re available:

  • Monday to Friday 9:00am - 5:00pm (UTC/UTC+1)

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For policies purchase on or after 2 December 2018:


+353 21 237 8007

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For policies purchased before 2 December 2018:


+61 2 8256 1542

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infoRTW@worldnomads.com