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.
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 policy certificate, check with our customer service team to check if your policy will extend to that region.
Yes, it’s possible to extend your existing Single Trip 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.
You are not eligible to buy a policy if you travel against medical advice, travel with the intention of receiving medical treatment, or have a terminal illness. World Nomads policies cannot cover claims due to Pre-Existing Medical Conditions (PEMC), regardless of whether the condition is serious or not. You can still purchase a World Nomads policy, but the PEMC exclusion cannot be removed, and you will be responsible for any related costs.
For information on travel insurance providers that offer cover on PEMC, visit Money Helper or call 0800 138 7777.
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 Medical Assistance right now?
For policies purchased on or after 27 June 2024
+44 (0) 144 444 2021 (Call via an operator reverse charges. Not toll free.)
For policies purchased before 27 June 2024:
Phone: +44 (0) 203 093 1750 (Call via an operator reverse charges. Not toll free.)