Travel insurance for kayaking
Everything Brits need to know about travel insurance for kayaking and rafting
- As featured in:
As featured in:
Travel Insurance for Kayaking and Rafting
Ready to explore the world from a kayak or go rafting in the great outdoors? Whether you’re planning to paddle lakes, beaches and rivers you may need travel insurance for unexpected accidents if you’re already on the water or working out your next kayaking and rafting adventure.
Rafting and Kayaking activities: What am I covered for?
When you get a travel insurance quote for your kayaking or rafting trip, you need to add your kayaking/rafting adventure activity when prompted to. World Nomads plans for British residents cover the following categories of kayaking and rafting:
- Kayaking/canoeing: (inland/coastal waters, grades 1-3 only, Sea kayaking/Sea canoeing)
- White water rafting (grades 1-3): special condition (a)
- Black water rafting (cave tubing) (grades 1-3): special condition (a) and Special Exclusion (iv)
Travel Insurance Tip: for some activities you must be with a professional, qualified and licensed guide, instructor or operator. If you're not sure if the operator you're planning on rafting with is properly licenced ask to see their credentials and if you're still not sure, don't risk it. Not only can it be dangerous rafting with an operator who isn't properly licensed but it can affect your cover for any claims that you may make.
Travel Insurance for British and International River Grades
Whether you’re white water rafting in Alaska, canoeing in the fjords of Norway or kayaking around Patagonia in Chile you’ll need to be aware of international river grades.
International River Grading
- Grade 1: Easy
- Grade 2: Novice
- Grade 3: Intermediate
- Grade 4: Advanced
- Grade 5: Expert
- Grade 6: Extreme and Exploratory Rapids
(Note: We can't insure kayaking or rafting at grades 4 - 6)
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. When you are about to head down the river or rapids, make sure you know the rating as you wouldn’t want to be up a certain creek without a paddle! For more information you can always research the ‘International River Grading System’.
Please note that different activities may have different levels of cover. You may have to upgrade the policy and sporting level to make sure you’re covered for the type of activity you plan to do. Please read your policy documentation carefully before you buy it.
What’s covered: kayaking, rafting and canoeing
There are a number of different things our travel insurance cover can protect you from while you’re out on the water, or making your way to that next rafting hotspot.
Baggage protection: Have you had your kayak and gear stolen while travelling? Our gear cover may help with replacing belongings that were swiped from under your nose.
Emergency medical: Have things not gone to plan while white water rafting? Maybe the rapids got the better of you? Our emergency medical cover may come to the rescue in the case of an accident or injury.
Evacuation: You’ve managed to find a hidden hotspot for your next canoeing adventure but it’s nowhere near a hospital or medical centre that can help you if you get ill or injured. We have cover that can get you transported to the closest medical facility which may be best for your care, subject to approval from the 24/7 Emergency Medical Assistance team.
Trip cancellation: Has a sick or injured travelling companion put a stop to your kayaking trip? Your plan may be able to recover the travel expenses.
How to get the most out of your travel insurance
When it comes to any activity, safety should always come first. Your health ─ and your travel insurance cover ─ depends on your responsible behaviour. 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 bodies of water that are known to be dangerous or go kayaking or canoeing near areas with violent rapids, powerful currents, big drops and steep, congested chutes. Where there are warnings, be careful – and heed them.
- Stay in your skill level. It’s not a good idea to hop in a kayak or go white water rafting if you don’t know how to swim. Don’t attempt white water rafting or kayaking at higher difficulty grades if you don’t have the experience.
- Follow the rules. Check for suitable weather conditions before kayaking, canoeing or rafting.
- Look after your equipment. Don’t leave your limited-edition kayak and gear unattended out on a beach, camping site or in public areas unattended or declare your wallet stolen when you forgot it on the airplane. Those ’I spaced out’ moments don’t qualify for cover.
Your cover will vary according to whether you choose a Standard or an Explorer plan. Read your policy for details on maximum benefit limits and exclusion and conditions of your cover.
Rafting and Kayaking: What’s not covered
Here are some other things we don’t cover:
- 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 Medical 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
- The policy excess as shown in the policy wording
| What’s covered | What’s not covered |
|---|---|
| Whether you’re kayaking, rafting or canoeing our World Nomads plans may cover: • Trip disruption • Medical emergency expenses • Emergency evacuation/repatriation • Baggage delay • Theft of baggage and personal belongings |
We want to make sure that you are having fun out on the water but don’t overdo it as we won’t cover any incidents related to: • If you kayak, canoe or go rafting while under the influence of alcohol or drugs • No pro sports or athletic competitions. Professional sporting activities aren’t covered by travel insurance • Search and rescue costs • Reckless behaviour • Criminal or illegal acts • Changing your mind about your trip |
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 cover and exclusions.
Travel Insurance Benefits: how we can take care of you
Trip Cancellation
Protect your trip from unexpected cancellation.
- Explorer Plan: £5,000
- Standard Plan: £3,000
Trip Protection
- Unexpectedly hospitalised?
- Travel buddy unfit to travel?
- Close relative suddenly dies?
We’ve got your back.
Emergency Abroad Medical Expenses
Take the pain out of medical costs while traveling abroad.
- Explorer Plan: £10 million
- Standard Plan: £5 million
Emergency Medical Insurance
- Need meds quick?
- Accidentally injured?
- Suddenly sick?
We’ve got your back.
Emergency Medical Transport
Expenses included in Emergency Medical limits.
Evacuation and Repatriation
- Banged up abroad?
- Need a hospital urgently?
- Medivac home?
Help starts here.
Protect your gear
Cover your lost, stolen or damaged gear and tech.
- Explorer Plan: £3,000
- Standard Plan: £1,500
Protect your gear
- Passport or tech stolen?
- Airline lost your gear?
- Bags delayed?
Help starts here.
- Emergency Medical Expenses
- Baggage & Personal Belongings
- Cancellation
- Trip Curtailment
- Personal Accident
- Loss of Passport or travel documents
- Personal Liability
- Legal Expenses (Personal Liability)
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.
24/7 Emergency Medical Assistance
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.)
