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Travel insurance when kayaking or rafting

Everything international travelers need to know about travel insurance for Kayaking & Rafting

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Travel Insurance for Kayaking and Rafting

Exotic sunsets, the water lapping at your bow; experiences on the water are often the most unforgettable part of any holiday. From paddling with the family on Lake Superior, to sea kayaking the turquoise waters around Indonesia’s Raja Ampat archipelago, get your next holiday flowing on a kayaking/rafting adventure.

Rafting and Kayaking activities: Is cover available?

While you’re busy making waves, it’s good to know both our Standard and Explorer plans offer cover for level 1 sport and adventure activities such as kayaking for grades 1-3, sea kayaking, snorkeling or stand up paddle boarding.

If you’re planning more adventurous activities, you need to upgrade your cover for activities such as  white water and black water rafting (grades 1-5 only), river boarding (grades 1-3 only), ), jet skiing (grades 1-2 only) or canyoning. Simply specify all the activities you have planned for your trip to get the correct level of cover when you get your quote, as you can’t add activities afterwards. Terms and conditions apply, check your Policy Wording for details or contact us.

As much as we would like to offer insurance for every scenario, unfortunately that is not possible. We won’t cover any loss, claim or expenses relating to or arising from damage to any sporting equipment while in use, and loss, damage or theft of any sporting equipment left unattended.

What’s covered?

If you are injured or become ill, having travel insurance can help with unexpected medical costs. Depending on your Country of Residence and the plan you choose, World Nomads may offer cover (up to the policy limits) for:

  • Emergency medical: overseas emergency medical expenses at a hospital or medical center if you suffer an unexpected injury or illness while kayaking/rafting.
  • Evacuation: approved overseas medical evacuation to the most appropriate medical facility for treatment or repatriation back to your country of residence. Emergency transport is subject to approval from the 24-hour Emergency Assistance Team.
  • Trip cancellation: if a sick or injured close relative or travel companion has put a stop to your trip, you may be able to recover related cancellation or curtailment expenses.
  • Gear protection: had your phone snatched or camera stolen? Your plan may help with replacing belongings swiped from under your nose. You’ll need a police report to submit with your claim along with copies of the original receipts and supporting documentation.
  • Lost or damaged baggage cover: both our plans offer cover if your transport carrier loses or damages your baggage or personal items, including your travel documents (up to the benefit limits). Remember to keep copies of your original receipts if you need to make a claim.
  • Delayed baggage cover: has your checked-in baggage been delayed for more than 24 hours? Your plan offers cover for essential items you purchase while you’re waiting for your baggage (keep those receipts).

Depending on your country of residence and the travel insurance plan you choose, you may also have access to Coronavirus coverage for certain events.  Some of our plans offer:

  • Emergency medical cover, evacuation and/or repatriation if you’re diagnosed with Coronavirus (COVID-19) while overseas;
  • On the Explorer Plan, cover is offered for some Coronavirus-related events, such as cancellation following your diagnosis of coronavirus

Note: Please read your Policy Wording carefully as benefit limits, conditions and exclusions apply.

Why consider travel insurance when I’m going kayaking/rafting?

Spills and thrills are part of the fun, but if that Huggy Bear rapid wasn’t so soft after all, our World Nomads 24/7 Emergency Assistance Team can help direct you to the nearest medical center to get treatment for any injuries. For general out-patient treatment (that’s unlikely to exceed US$725), keep all your receipts so you can make a claim under your policy for reimbursement.

The big enchilada to having travel insurance is if you need emergency medical evacuation, which can leave you with an enormous bill. Contact the Emergency Assistance Team so we can preapprove the costs of your emergency evacuation to the most appropriate facility for your care. We may even bring you back to your country of residence to recover.. 

Before you cast off, check that our Emergency Assistance Team can reach you if you get into trouble. Remember if you (or someone in your party) do not contact us before your emergency medical and transport costs are incurred, this may affect your cover.

What’s not covered?

Some things we don’t cover include:

  • Any pre-existing medical conditions as explained in your Policy Wording.
  • Grades higher than those noted in the Policy Wording; extreme or hazardous activities or locations.
  • Not using a professional qualified and licensed guide or operator where required.
  • Any search or rescue operations to find or rescue you from a life-threatening situation).
  • Speed boating on white water or outside coastal waters.
  • If you refuse to be repatriated or evacuated for treatment where it is recommended by our Emergency Assistance Team.
  • Damage to sporting equipment while in use.
  • Unattended baggage or personal items.
  • Misuse of alcohol or drugs to the extent that it impairs your health or faculties, or your judgement is seriously affected.
  • Exploratory expeditions, or mountaineering expeditions or activities in Antarctica, the Arctic or Greenland.
  • The policy excess payable per person per insured event.

Traveler’s Tip: before you launch, remember to check the International River Grading of the river you’re on so you won’t invalidate your cover. The scale is used for various water sports and activities, such as black and white water rafting, river boarding, white-water canoeing, stand up paddle surfing, and whitewater kayaking. 

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, please get in touch.


Kayaking & Rafting: traveling smarter and safer

Here at World Nomads, we love to find ways to help you enjoy your travels: from traveling smarter to travel safety and we endeavor to source the most up to date information about travel destinations. If you are going Kayaking or Rafting in another country, check out our Travel Safety content - if you are going kayaking in some obscure location, check with us first and avoid known banjo plucking hot spots!

Travel Insurance Benefits: how we can take care of you

Trip Protection

Protect your hard earned vacation from unexpected cancellation before you leave home.

  • Explorer Plan: USD $10,000
  • Standard Plan: USD $5,000
Trip Protection
  • Unexpectedly hospitalised?
  • Travel buddy unfit to travel?
  • Close relative suddenly dies?

We’ve got your back.

Emergency Overseas Medical Insurance

Take the pain out of medical costs while traveling overseas.

  • Explorer Plan: Unlimited, up to 12 months
  • Standard Plan: USD $5,000,000
Emergency Medical Insurance
  • Need meds quick?
  • Accidentally injured?
  • Suddenly sick?

We’ve got your back.

Emergency Medical Transportation

We'll get you to hospital quickly.

  • Explorer Plan: USD $500,000
  • Standard Plan: USD $500,000
Evacuation and Repatriation
  • Banged up abroad?
  • Need a hospital urgently?
  • Medivac home?

Help starts here.

Protect your gear

Cover your stolen or damaged gear and tech.

  • Explorer Plan: USD $3,500
  • Standard Plan: USD $2,500
Protect your gear
  • Passport or tech stolen?
  • Airline lost your gear?
  • Bags delayed?

Help starts here.

  • Overseas Medical & Dental Expenses
  • 24 hour Emergency Assistance
  • Emergency Medical Transport
  • Repatriation & Travel Expenses
  • Pre-Trip Cancellation
  • Trip Interruption
  • Resumption of Trip
  • Travel Delay
  • Missed connection (Explorer)
  • Hijacking (Explorer)
  • Baggage & Personal Items
  • Passport & Travel Documents
  • Personal Liability
  • Rental vehicle insurance excess (Explorer)
  • Personal accident (Explorer)
*This is a general summary for all residents except from USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Europe, Brazil, China and Philippines. Restrictions, exclusions and limitations will apply. Coverage may not be available for all countries, states or provinces. Benefit limits may vary depending on the plan chosen. Get a quote for full details.

24/7 emergency assistance

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

Are you in need of emergency assistance right now?
Phone:+353 21 237 8008 or +353 21 237 8003 (calls are not toll free. You can claim your itemised call costs)

Contact the team

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