Photo © Mickey Wiswedel/Stocksy

Travel Insurance for Hiking and Trekking Adventures

Protect your next hiking trip with World Nomads travel insurance for US residents.

    As featured in:

  • As featured in:

For information relating to policies purchased prior to October 23 2024, please check the Policy Wording provided with your purchase. You can contact us if you need this sent to you again. For plans purchased after October 23 2024, please see below.

Why consider travel insurance when hiking or trekking?

Whether you’re hiking up Mount Kilimanjarotrekking to Base Camp or heading out for a weekend walk in nature, World Nomads travel insurance* may help if an unexpected event tries to derail your next hiking adventure.

From plans with insurance benefits including trip cancellation, rental car damage protection, emergency evacuations, optional cancel-for-any-reason coverage, and reimbursement up to $750 if your plane is stuck on the tarmac or your stuck on bed rest, we’ve got your back.

Here’s what you need to know about travel insurance for hiking and trekking.

Insurance designed by hikers, for hikers

As passionate hikers ourselves, we’ve designed our plans to cover many types of hiking, from a lazy weekend stroll to the most intrepid trek. We offer coverage on some of the world’s most famous hikes and 250 other sports, activities and experiences including:

  • The Inca Trail
  • Trekking in Nepal
  • Kilimanjaro
  • The Appalachian Trail
  • The Pacific Crest Trail
  • The Camino de Santiago
  • Camping, scrambling, trekking and backpacking (elevation restrictions apply)
  • Outdoor rock climbing and mountaineering (elevation restrictions apply).

We offer four plans – Standard, Explorer, Epic and Annual – each with different levels of coverage. The Standard and Annual plans cover hiking activities up to 19,685 feet/6,000 meters. The Explorer plan covers hiking activities up to 21,325 feet/6,500 meters. The Epic Plan covers hiking activities up to 26,247 feet/8,000 meters.

When you get a quote, you can compare the plans, which offer coverage up to 180 days per trip. Choose the one that best meets your travel needs and matches your specific hiking plans. And if you plan to take numerous trips during the year, then the Annual Travel Plan could be best for you.

Terms, conditions, limits, and exclusions apply. Read the wording carefully to choose the right plan for your hiking trip. If you have any questions about your policy, just ask us.

What does travel insurance cover for hiking?

Whether you’re dusting off your boots for a few hours on the trail or going on a multi-day expedition to a far-flung corner of the globe, our plans may cover you for sudden and unforeseen events that could affect your travels.

World Nomads offers coverage (up to the plan limits) for:

  • Emergency medical: if you fall and sprain your ankle while hiking and need medical attention, our emergency medical coverage may offer reimbursement for related expenses so you can get the treatment you need.
  • Medical emergency evacuation: your hiking adventure may be far away from medical facilities. With our coverage, you could get transported to the medical facility best for your care, subject to approval from the 24/7 Emergency Assistance Team. If your injuries are worse than first thought and local facilities aren’t adequate, as assessed by the Emergency Assistance team, you could be repatriated back home. In the event of a life-threatening emergency, call the local emergency authorities first to receive immediate assistance, and then contact the Emergency Assistance Team.
  • Baggage protection: dropped your camera on the trail and damaged it? Our gear coverage may help with reimbursement of the cost to repair or replace damaged, lost or stolen items. If an airline has lost your bag, our plans also include non-insurance service “Blue Ribbon Bags”, which can assist with tracking and expediting the return of your luggage.
  • Trip cancellation: if you need to cancel your trip due to an unforeseen event such as illness, we may be able to reimburse your pre-paid, unused, nonrefundable expenses like flights, tours and accommodations.
  • Natural disaster assistance: if a severe weather event or natural disaster puts a stop to your trekking adventure, or your destination is affected by severe damage, we may offer coverage if you can’t use your booked accommodation or need to move to a safer location.

All plans also include several additional non-insurance services that may support you both before and during your hike. These include pre-trip medical consultations with Runway Health and medical records with FootprintID.

What’s not covered?

There are also some things we just won’t cover. These include, but are not limited to:

  • Hiking or climbing while under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
  • Mountaineering, high altitude climbing, hikes, treks, or expeditions above 26,247 feet/8,000 meters (Epic Plan), 21,325 feet/6,500 meters (Explorer Plan) or above 9,842 feet/3,000 meters (Standard and Annual Plans).
  • Being paid to compete in a sporting event.
  • Search-and-rescue missions.
  • If you travel against medical advice.
  • Any pre-existing medical condition, unless you purchased the Epic or Explorer plan within the time sensitive period and were medically able to travel at the time of purchase.
  • Unattended baggage, sporting equipment or personal items.
  • Travel within 100 miles of your home.

Top tips for your hiking adventure

To make the most of your time on the trail, keep the following tips in mind:

  • Be prepared: check the weather, check your equipment, and if you’re going guided, confirm that you’re using an accredited tour operator.
  • Get hike fit: hiking requires a certain amount of strength and stamina, and in some cases (like the Inca Trail or trekking in Nepal), the ability to handle altitude. Be sure you are physically capable of it. Consider using our non-insurance service partner Runway Health for pre-trip medical support to get travel medicines, like altitude sickness pills, delivered to your door before you leave on your trip.
  • Be responsible: Before you start your trek, make sure your chosen trek suits everyone’s experience level. Wear appropriate safety gear.
  • Keep your receipts and paperwork: any claim you make will need supporting documentation such as receipts of your purchases and a loss or theft report. Keep these with you in printed or digital form if you intend to make a claim.

Get a quote 24/7

With World Nomads travel insurance, you can buy your plan before you go or when you're already traveling, anytime, anywhere, 24-hours a day. When you’re ready, head to our website to get a quote, and reach out if you have any questions.

When you buy a World Nomads plan, rest assured your coverage has been crafted by passionate travelers who have lugged backpacks on multi-week adventures, hiked epic trails, and battled with nature during off-the-grid exploits.

Happy hiking!

*All information we provided here is a brief summary. It does not include all terms, conditions, limitations, exclusions, and termination provisions of the plans described. Please carefully read your state specific plan documents for a full description of coverage. Travel insurance is included as part of your travel protection plan which contains both insurance benefits and non-insurance assistance services. Material included on this page does not represent, nor is it specific to, United States Fire Insurance Company or travel insurance benefits provided on United States Fire Insurance Company’s travel protection plans.

Travel Insurance Benefits: how we can take care of you

Trip Protection

Protect your hard earned vacation from unexpected cancellation.

  • Standard Plan: $2,500
  • Explorer Plan: $10,000
  • Epic Plan: $15,000
  • Annual Plan: $5,000
Trip Protection
  • Unexpectedly hospitalized?
  • Travel buddy unfit to travel?
  • Close relative suddenly died?

We’ve got your back.

Emergency Medical Insurance

Take the pain out of medical or dental costs.

  • Standard Plan: $125,500
  • Explorer Plan: $150,000
  • Epic Plan: $250,000
  • Annual Plan: $100,000
Emergency Medical Insurance
  • Rolled your ankle?
  • Bedridden after a local delicacy?
  • Struggling with altitude?

We’ve got your back.

Emergency Evacuation

We'll provide assistance to get you to the hospital or home quickly.

  • Standard Plan: $400,000
  • Explorer Plan: $500,000
  • Epic Plan: $700,000
  • Annual Plan: $100,000
Emergency Evacuation
  • Road or air ambulance?
  • Flight assistance?
  • Medivac needed home?

Help starts here.

Protect your gear

Covers the loss, theft or damage of your bags, tech and gear.

  • Standard Plan: $1,000
  • Explorer Plan: $2,000
  • Epic Plan: $3,000
  • Annual Plan: $2,000
Protect your gear
  • GoPro stolen?
  • Gear damaged in transit?
  • Bags delayed?

Help starts here.

The amounts listed represent the maximum benefit amount.

Protect your health

  • 24/7 Emergency Assistance Help Line
  • Emergency Medical & Dental Expenses
  • Emergency Evacuations
  • Bedside Companion Travel
  • Emergency Medications

Protect Your Trip

  • Trip Cancellation
  • Optional Cancel for Any Reason (Explorer or Epic)
  • Trip Delay & Trip Interruption
  • Missed Connection (Explorer or Epic)
  • Rental Car Damage (Explorer, Epic or Annual)

Protect Your Stuff

  • Baggage Delay
  • Passport and Visa Loss
  • Lost or Stolen Bags
  • Personal Tech, Equipment & Gear
  • Baggage Return After Evacuation

Non-Insurance Services

  • Medical & Non-Medical 24/7 Emergency Assistance Line
  • Translators Available
  • Runway Health
  • FootprintID
  • Blue Ribbon Bags
This is a general summary for US residents only. Restrictions, exclusions and limitations will apply. Benefits limits may vary depending on the plan chosen. Check the plan documents for full details.

24/7 emergency assistance

Whether you need medical or dental assistance or advice, emergency evacuation or travel assistance, 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 assistance right now?

Contact Generali Global Assistance:
Telephone: +1 954-334-8143 (Collect outside the US)
+1 877-289-0968 (Toll-free in the US and Canada

Contact the team