Surfing travel insurance
World-class breaks and classic beach towns. Surf’s up! Where’s your travel insurance?
- As featured in:
As featured in:
- What types of surfing are covered?
- Choosing the right policy for you
- What's covered?
- What's not covered?
- Tips to get the most out of your surfing trip
Point breaks, offshore breezes and rays of sun beating on your golden-tanned face. Surfing the azure ocean blue can create a big adrenaline rush ─ but so can stingray encounters, jagged coral reefs and (gulp!) shark attacks. But don’t worry, World Nomads can help get you back on your feet if your surfing trip turns into a wipe-out.
What types of surfing are covered?
Besides hanging ten from the breakers of Australia to Maui, did you know we can also cover:
- Land surfing
- Stand-up paddle surfing
- Windsurfing
- Sandboarding
- Kitesurfing
- Wakeboarding (excluding jumps)
Our policies can cover up to 150 other sports, activities and experiences so if you’re combining your surfing trip with camping or a road trip, you can rest easy knowing we’ve got your back.
An upgrade for certain sports may be required and terms and conditions apply for each sport. Check your policy wording for details or contact us if you have questions.
Choosing the right policy for you
We offer two plans – Standard and Explorer – each of which offers different levels of coverage. It is up to you to choose what plan has the right level of coverage to meet your travel needs and that matches your specific surfing plans.
What’s covered?
As surf enthusiasts, you can catch the waves with the coverage we provide, from uncharted towns with pristine beaches to the most popular surf breaks. Depending on your Country of Residence, our policies offer cover (up to policy limits) for:
- Emergency overseas medical: Long lefthanders can be epic to ride, but not if it ends up in a crash. Emergency medical coverage may come in handy in the case of an accident or injury.
- Evacuation: Your bohemian surfer paradise may be far away from the medical facilities that can give you the treatment you need. You can get transported to the medical facility which may be best for your care, subject to approval from us.
- 24/7 Emergency Assistance: Our multilingual Emergency Assistance team is here to help facilitate a range of services in whatever part of the world you’re traveling.
- Baggage protection: Got your stuff stolen while surf town-hopping in Costa Rica? Our gear coverage may help with replacing belongings that were swiped from under your nose.
- Trip cancellation: Has a sick or injured traveling companion put a stop to your surf break? Trip cancellation cover may be able to help recover the travel expenses.
Your coverage will vary according to your Country of Residence and whether you chose a Standard or an Explorer plan. Read your policy for details on maximum benefit limits and exclusion and conditions of your coverage. If you have any questions about your cover, just ask us.
What's not covered?
Sorry – we won’t cover you if you do something stupid (like tackle big-wave off-shore surfing when you’re only a beginner). Some things we may not cover include:
- If you refuse to be repatriated or evacuated
- If you don’t follow your doctor’s instructions or what we or the 24/7 Emergency Assistance team advise you to do
- Any expenses that relate to a pre-existing medical condition, as explained in the policy wording
- Expenses that can be recovered from another source
- If you surf while under the influence of alcohol or drugs… water and alcohol never mix!
- Search and rescue costs
- Competition surfing
Tips to get the most out of your surfing trip
When it comes to any sport, safety should always come first. Your health ─ and your travel insurance coverage ─ depends on your responsible behavior. Follow these tips to stay alert and aware (and to ensure that you won’t invalidate your travel insurance).
- Know where to go. Don’t frequent beaches with dangerous shore breaks, riptides or shark sightings or surf near areas with piers, cliffs, rocks and boats. Where there are warnings, be careful – and heed them.
- Don’t go in over your head. Not a good idea to hop on a board if you don’t know how to swim. Or attempt big-wave surfing or aerial manoeuvres when you’ve only taken one lesson.
- Follow the rules. Check for suitable weather conditions before heading to the beach; use a surf leash / leg rope.
- Keep an eye on your equipment. Don’t leave your limited-edition surfboard unattended out on the beach when you go for a water break or declare your wallet stolen when you forgot it on the airplane. Those “I spaced out” moments don’t qualify for coverage.
This is a summary only. It does not include all terms, conditions, limitations and exclusions of the plans described. Please refer to the actual plans for complete details of coverage and exclusions.
Travel Insurance Benefits: how we can take care of you*
Trip Cancellation
Been working hard for your trip?
We'll work hard to protect it.
Trip Protection
- Unexpectedly hospitalised?
- Travel buddy unfit to travel?
- Close relative suddenly dies?
We’ve got your back.
Emergency Medical Expenses
Feeling fit and healthy? What if you get sick or injured?
Take the pain out of medical or dental costs.
Emergency Medical Insurance
- Need meds quick?
- Accidentally injured?
- Suddenly sick?
We’ve got your back.
Emergency Medical Transportation
Know where the nearest hospital is?
Don’t stress, we’ll get you there quickly.
Evacuation and Repatriation
- Banged up abroad?
- Need a hospital urgently?
- Medivac home?
Help starts here.
Protect your gear
Love photography, filming or sport?
Cover your bags, tech or gear.
Protect your gear
- Passport or tech stolen?
- Airline lost your gear?
- Bags delayed?
Help starts here.
- Emergency Overseas Medical & Dental Expenses
- Emergency Medical Evacuation & Repatriation
- Trip Cancellation or Interruption
- 24-Hour Assistance Services
- Baggage
- And more (depending on your country of residence)
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?
Contact the team
Before your trip, check the latest government advice for any travel alerts for your destination.