World Nomads Travel Insurance offers great coverage that I’ve depended on for countless adventures around the world. However, weighing your options between World Nomads standard vs explorer coverage can be an annoying and mind-breaking task. Don’t sweat! In this guide, we’ll share everything you need to know to choose the travel insurance that’s right for you.
The major advantage of World Nomads over other travel insurance, like SafetyWing or Revolut Travel insurance, is their extensive coverage of adventure sports and adventure travel in general. Unfortunately, comparing the World Nomads Standard Plan vs. the Explorer plan can get a little confusing, as can be deciding whether it is worth the extra cost when deciding whether it is worth it to pay a little extra upfront instead of paying for unexpected emergency medical expenses later.
The main difference between the two plans is whichadventure sports are covered under the travel insurance. To make iteasier to pick which coverage is best for you I’ve organized a list of thecovered sports. If any of your plannedsports falls in the explorer plan, opt for the explorer plan. If not, save your hard earned cash and stickwith the standard plan and the other coverages (trip interruption, emergencymedical, lost baggage) will be more than enough
Below you’ll find a list of all adventure sports covered byWorld Nomad’s Travel Insurance and the policy you’ll need to purchase for thatspecific coverage
Sport | Covered By |
Abseiling (indoor or outdoor up to 22,965 feet/7,000 meters) | Explorer Policy |
Aviation | Explorer Policy |
Ballooning | Explorer Policy |
Bobsled (in snow) | Explorer Policy |
Bouldering or soloing (up to 22,965 feet/7,000 meters) | Explorer Policy |
Bull riding | Explorer Policy |
Camping (up to 22,965 feet/7,000 meters) | Explorer Policy |
Cave diving (to 165 feet/ 50 meters) | Explorer Policy |
Cavern diving (to 165 feet/ 50 meters) | Explorer Policy |
Caving/spelunking/potholing | Explorer Policy |
Cliff diving | Explorer Policy |
Cliff jumping | Explorer Policy |
Construction or renovation work (paid or volunteer manual workpainting, using power tools, labourer, operating machinery, roadwork, workingat height) | Explorer Policy |
Deep water soloing | Explorer Policy |
Deepelling (up to 22,965 feet/7,000 meters) | Explorer Policy |
Diving | Explorer Policy |
Fly by wire | Explorer Policy |
Flying (as a passenger while stunt flying, performingaerobatics) | Explorer Policy |
Flying (as a pilot or crew of any aircraft) | Explorer Policy |
Free diving (to 60 meters) | Explorer Policy |
Free soloing | Explorer Policy |
Hang gliding | Explorer Policy |
Heli-skiing / boarding | Explorer Policy |
High Wire | Explorer Policy |
Hiking or tramping (up to 22,965 feet/7,000 meters) | Explorer Policy |
Horse riding (rodeo) | Explorer Policy |
Hot air ballooning | Explorer Policy |
Ice climbing (up to 22,965 feet/7,000 meters) | Explorer Policy |
Jet pack | Explorer Policy |
Lifeguarding | Explorer Policy |
Martial arts (cage fighting, mixed martial arts, kick boxing,Muay Thai) | Explorer Policy |
Medical and health care paid or volunteer work (healtheducation, medical services, medical practitioner) | Explorer Policy |
Motocross | Explorer Policy |
Motor racing (driver or passenger in a motor sport show, race,competition or rally) | Explorer Policy |
Mountaineering, high altitude climbing or expeditions (up to22,965 feet/7,000 meters) | Explorer Policy |
Outdoor endurance / multi-sport (ultra distance or more) | Explorer Policy |
Paid or volunteer high risk work (offshore, underground orcaves, commercial diving) | Explorer Policy |
Parachuting | Explorer Policy |
Paragliding | Explorer Policy |
Parapenting | Explorer Policy |
Potholing | Explorer Policy |
Rap jumping (indoor or outdoor up to 22,965 feet/7,000 meters) | Explorer Policy |
Rapelling (indoor or outdoor up to 22,965 feet/7,000 meters) | Explorer Policy |
Rickshaw Run | Explorer Policy |
Rock climbing (outdoor up to 22,965 feet/7,000 meters) | Explorer Policy |
Running / walking (ultra marathon or more) | Explorer Policy |
Running of the bulls (with the bulls) | Explorer Policy |
Scrambling (up to 22,965 feet/7,000 meters ) | Explorer Policy |
Scuba diving – paid or volunteer instructor or guide (to 165feet/50 meters) | Explorer Policy |
Scuba diving (Cave or cavern diving to 165 feet/ 50 meters) | Explorer Policy |
Scuba diving (commercial to 165 feet/50 meters) | Explorer Policy |
Shark cage diving (to 165 feet/50 meters) | Explorer Policy |
Ski instructor or guide (paid or volunteer) | Explorer Policy |
Skiing (acrobatics, free-style, jumping, flying, stunting) | Explorer Policy |
Skiing (backcountry/outside of resort boundary/alpine ski touring) | Explorer Policy |
Skiing (by helicopter/snow cat) | Explorer Policy |
Skiing (racing) | Explorer Policy |
Skiing (terrain park within resort) | Explorer Policy |
Skiing with a miniwing (speed riding) | Explorer Policy |
Skydiving | Explorer Policy |
Skydiving from hot air balloon | Explorer Policy |
Snowboarding (acrobatics, free-style, jumping, flying, stunting) | Explorer Policy |
Snowboarding (backcountry/outside of resort boundary/alpine skitouring) | Explorer Policy |
Snowboarding (by helicopter/snow cat) | Explorer Policy |
Snowboarding (racing) | Explorer Policy |
Snowboarding (terrain park within resort) | Explorer Policy |
Snowboarding instructor or guide (paid or volunteer) | Explorer Policy |
Spelunking (caving) | Explorer Policy |
Stunt flying | Explorer Policy |
Tandem skydiving | Explorer Policy |
Tough Mudder | Explorer Policy |
Trapeze | Explorer Policy |
Trekking (up to 22,965 feet/7,000 meters) | Explorer Policy |
Triathalon (ultra-distance or more) | Explorer Policy |
Tuk Tuk (racing, hire without licensed driver, Rickshaw Run) | Explorer Policy |
Via ferrata | Explorer Policy |
Volunteering (medical, health care, construction, renovationprojects, NGO support, disaster relief) | Explorer Policy |
War games (military simulation) | Explorer Policy |
Wingsuit flying | Explorer Policy |
Acrobatics (gymnastics or trapeze) | Standard and Explorer Policy |
Aerial safari | Standard and Explorer Policy |
Aerobics | Standard and Explorer Policy |
Air guitar | Standard and Explorer Policy |
Airsoft | Standard and Explorer Policy |
American football (Gridiron) | Standard and Explorer Policy |
Angling | Standard and Explorer Policy |
Archery | Standard and Explorer Policy |
Athletics | Standard and Explorer Policy |
ATVs | Standard and Explorer Policy |
Au Pair / Nanny (paid or volunteer childcare) | Standard and Explorer Policy |
Backpacking | Standard and Explorer Policy |
Badminton | Standard and Explorer Policy |
Ballet | Standard and Explorer Policy |
Ballroom dancing | Standard and Explorer Policy |
Banana boat rides | Standard and Explorer Policy |
Barefoot water skiing | Standard and Explorer Policy |
Baseball | Standard and Explorer Policy |
Basketball | Standard and Explorer Policy |
Bicycle polo | Standard and Explorer Policy |
Bicycle touring | Standard and Explorer Policy |
Bikepacking | Standard and Explorer Policy |
Black Water Rafting (grades 1 – 5) | Standard and Explorer Policy |
BMX (on road / off road / on track / cross country) | Standard and Explorer Policy |
Boating | Standard and Explorer Policy |
Bobsled (non-snow track) | Standard and Explorer Policy |
Bobsleigh | Standard and Explorer Policy |
Bowling (lawn, ten-pin, nine-pin, candlepin, duckpin andfive-pin bowling, bowls, pétanque & boules) | Standard and Explorer Policy |
Boxing (gym or outdoor training) | Standard and Explorer Policy |
Broomball (hockey) | Standard and Explorer Policy |
Bungee/Bungy jumping | Standard and Explorer Policy |
Bushcraft | Standard and Explorer Policy |
Bushwalking | Standard and Explorer Policy |
Butoh | Standard and Explorer Policy |
Camel riding / trekking | Standard and Explorer Policy |
Camping (up to 19,685 feet/6,000 meters) | Standard and Explorer Policy |
Canoeing | Standard and Explorer Policy |
Canyon swing | Standard and Explorer Policy |
Canyoning | Standard and Explorer Policy |
Capoeira Dancing | Standard and Explorer Policy |
Cave tubing (grades 1 – 5) | Standard and Explorer Policy |
Caving (sightseeing/tourist attraction) | Standard and Explorer Policy |
Cheerleading | Standard and Explorer Policy |
Clay pigeon shooting | Standard and Explorer Policy |
Competing at international events as a national representative | Standard and Explorer Policy |
Cricket | Standard and Explorer Policy |
Croquet | Standard and Explorer Policy |
Cruising (crewing on a cruise ship) | Standard and Explorer Policy |
Cruising (passenger on a cruise ship) | Standard and Explorer Policy |
Curling | Standard and Explorer Policy |
Cycle touring | Standard and Explorer Policy |
Dance (ballet, ballroom, capoeira, salsa, interpretive dance) | Standard and Explorer Policy |
Darts | Standard and Explorer Policy |
Deep sea fishing | Standard and Explorer Policy |
Disc golfing | Standard and Explorer Policy |
Dirt boarding | Standard and Explorer Policy |
Dodge ball | Standard and Explorer Policy |
Dog sledding | Standard and Explorer Policy |
Dragon boating | Standard and Explorer Policy |
Dune buggy | Standard and Explorer Policy |
Elephant riding / trekking | Standard and Explorer Policy |
Environmental or conservation work (paid or volunteer manualwork) | Standard and Explorer Policy |
Equestrian activities | Standard and Explorer Policy |
Fell running / walking | Standard and Explorer Policy |
Fencing | Standard and Explorer Policy |
Fishing (deep sea, inland, ice fishing) | Standard and Explorer Policy |
Fitness training | Standard and Explorer Policy |
Floorball | Standard and Explorer Policy |
Flying (as a passenger in a glider or ultralight) | Standard and Explorer Policy |
Flying (as a passenger in a private, licensed scheduled orchartered aircraft or helicopter) | Standard and Explorer Policy |
Football (soccer) | Standard and Explorer Policy |
Frisbee | Standard and Explorer Policy |
Fruit picking (paid or volunteer WWOOFing, general farm work,manual work) | Standard and Explorer Policy |
Glacier walking (up to 19,685 feet/6,000 meters) | Standard and Explorer Policy |
Gliding | Standard and Explorer Policy |
Go karting | Standard and Explorer Policy |
Golf | Standard and Explorer Policy |
Gridiron | Standard and Explorer Policy |
Gym training (aerobics, spinning, zumba, body pump, weighttraining, cross training, crossfit) | Standard and Explorer Policy |
Gymnastics | Standard and Explorer Policy |
Handball | Standard and Explorer Policy |
High diving up to 10 meters | Standard and Explorer Policy |
Hiking or tramping (up to 19,685 feet/6,000 meters) | Standard and Explorer Policy |
Hockey | Standard and Explorer Policy |
Horse riding (equestrian, dressage, show jumping, eventing,polo) | Standard and Explorer Policy |
Horse riding (leisure, social, bare back, non-competitiveriding) | Standard and Explorer Policy |
Hospitality, bar work (paid or volunteer manual work) | Standard and Explorer Policy |
Hunting (excluding big game) | Standard and Explorer Policy |
Hurling | Standard and Explorer Policy |
Hydrofoiling | Standard and Explorer Policy |
Hydrospeeding (grades 1-5) | Standard and Explorer Policy |
Ice fishing | Standard and Explorer Policy |
Ice hockey | Standard and Explorer Policy |
Ice Skating | Standard and Explorer Policy |
Indoor skydiving | Standard and Explorer Policy |
In-line skating | Standard and Explorer Policy |
Jet boating | Standard and Explorer Policy |
Jet skiing | Standard and Explorer Policy |
Kayaking | Standard and Explorer Policy |
Kite boarding (on land or water) | Standard and Explorer Policy |
Kite buggy | Standard and Explorer Policy |
Kite flying | Standard and Explorer Policy |
Kite surfing | Standard and Explorer Policy |
Kite wing | Standard and Explorer Policy |
Korfball | Standard and Explorer Policy |
Lacrosse | Standard and Explorer Policy |
Land surfing | Standard and Explorer Policy |
Lawn bowling | Standard and Explorer Policy |
Martial arts (Judo, karate) | Standard and Explorer Policy |
Martial arts (non contact) | Standard and Explorer Policy |
Microflight | Standard and Explorer Policy |
Mongol Rally | Standard and Explorer Policy |
Moped riding | Standard and Explorer Policy |
Motorcycling (no coverage for motorcycle) | Standard and Explorer Policy |
Motor biking (on or off road, trail bike riding) | Standard and Explorer Policy |
Motor biking (pillion passenger) | Standard and Explorer Policy |
Motor racing experience (passenger only) | Standard and Explorer Policy |
Mountain biking | Standard and Explorer Policy |
Netball | Standard and Explorer Policy |
Obstacle course/assault course/trim trail | Standard and Explorer Policy |
Office work (paid or volunteer clerical, non-manual work) | Standard and Explorer Policy |
Orienteering | Standard and Explorer Policy |
Outdoor endurance / multi-sport (less than ultra distance) | Standard and Explorer Policy |
Outrigger canoeing | Standard and Explorer Policy |
Outward Bound | Standard and Explorer Policy |
Paddle boarding | Standard and Explorer Policy |
Paint balling | Standard and Explorer Policy |
Parasailing | Standard and Explorer Policy |
Parascending (over land) | Standard and Explorer Policy |
Parkour | Standard and Explorer Policy |
Polar Plunge | Standard and Explorer Policy |
Power lifting | Standard and Explorer Policy |
Quad biking | Standard and Explorer Policy |
Racquetball | Standard and Explorer Policy |
Rambling | Standard and Explorer Policy |
Raquet ball | Standard and Explorer Policy |
Retail work (paid or volunteer shop assistant / store manager,general retail, manual work) | Standard and Explorer Policy |
Rifle range/sports shooting | Standard and Explorer Policy |
Riverboarding (grades 1-5) | Standard and Explorer Policy |
Rock climbing or bouldering (indoor) | Standard and Explorer Policy |
Rock fishing | Standard and Explorer Policy |
Roller blading | Standard and Explorer Policy |
Roller derby | Standard and Explorer Policy |
Roller hockey | Standard and Explorer Policy |
Roller skating | Standard and Explorer Policy |
Rounders | Standard and Explorer Policy |
Rowing | Standard and Explorer Policy |
Rugby (Leage/Union) | Standard and Explorer Policy |
Running / walking (less than ultra distance) | Standard and Explorer Policy |
Running of the bulls (spectator) | Standard and Explorer Policy |
Safari tours | Standard and Explorer Policy |
Sail boarding | Standard and Explorer Policy |
Sailing | Standard and Explorer Policy |
Salsa dancing | Standard and Explorer Policy |
Sandboarding | Standard and Explorer Policy |
Sandskiing | Standard and Explorer Policy |
Scooter riding | Standard and Explorer Policy |
Scrambling (up to 19,685 feet/6,000 meters) | Standard and Explorer Policy |
Scuba diving (to 165 feet/50 meters) | Standard and Explorer Policy |
Scuba diving (unqualified/learn to dive course/discover divewith qualified instructor) | Standard and Explorer Policy |
Scuba diving to 50 metres | Standard and Explorer Policy |
Sculling | Standard and Explorer Policy |
Sea canoeing | Standard and Explorer Policy |
Sea kayaking | Standard and Explorer Policy |
Segway polo | Standard and Explorer Policy |
Segway tours | Standard and Explorer Policy |
Shooting (rifle range / sports) | Standard and Explorer Policy |
Skateboarding (ramp, half pipe, skate park, street) | Standard and Explorer Policy |
Skeleton | Standard and Explorer Policy |
Ski joring | Standard and Explorer Policy |
Skidoos | Standard and Explorer Policy |
Skiing (cross country/nordic skiing on marked trails) | Standard and Explorer Policy |
Skiing (dry slope) | Standard and Explorer Policy |
Skiing (on piste or off piste within resort boundaries) | Standard and Explorer Policy |
Skiing (power assisted skiing) | Standard and Explorer Policy |
Skiing (snowblading) | Standard and Explorer Policy |
Sledding/Snow Sleds/Snow Sleighs (on snow) | Standard and Explorer Policy |
Sleigh rides | Standard and Explorer Policy |
Snooker | Standard and Explorer Policy |
Snorkelling | Standard and Explorer Policy |
Snow biking | Standard and Explorer Policy |
Snow kiting | Standard and Explorer Policy |
Snow mobiling | Standard and Explorer Policy |
Snow rafting | Standard and Explorer Policy |
Snowboarding (on piste or off piste within resort boundaries) | Standard and Explorer Policy |
Snowboarding (dry slope) | Standard and Explorer Policy |
Snowshoeing | Standard and Explorer Policy |
Soccer | Standard and Explorer Policy |
Softball | Standard and Explorer Policy |
Spearfishing | Standard and Explorer Policy |
Speed boating | Standard and Explorer Policy |
Speed flying | Standard and Explorer Policy |
Speed trials | Standard and Explorer Policy |
Sports coaching paid or volunteer (ball sports, surfing,swimming) | Standard and Explorer Policy |
Squash | Standard and Explorer Policy |
Stand up paddle surfing/paddle boarding | Standard and Explorer Policy |
Stilt walking | Standard and Explorer Policy |
Stoolball | Standard and Explorer Policy |
Surf boat rowing | Standard and Explorer Policy |
Surfing | Standard and Explorer Policy |
Swimming | Standard and Explorer Policy |
Swimming with whales/whale sharks | Standard and Explorer Policy |
Table tennis | Standard and Explorer Policy |
Target Shooting | Standard and Explorer Policy |
Tchoukball | Standard and Explorer Policy |
Teaching (paid or volunteer work) | Standard and Explorer Policy |
Ten pin bowling | Standard and Explorer Policy |
Tennis | Standard and Explorer Policy |
Theme parks / fairgrounds | Standard and Explorer Policy |
Tobogganing | Standard and Explorer Policy |
Trail bike riding | Standard and Explorer Policy |
Trail running (up to 19,685 feet/6,000 meters) | Standard and Explorer Policy |
Trampolining | Standard and Explorer Policy |
Tree Climbing (trees up to 10 meters) | Standard and Explorer Policy |
Trekking (up to 19,685 feet/6,000 meters) | Standard and Explorer Policy |
Triathalon (less than ultra-distance) | Standard and Explorer Policy |
Tubing on rivers | Standard and Explorer Policy |
Tubing on snow | Standard and Explorer Policy |
Tuk Tuk (as a passenger) | Standard and Explorer Policy |
Ultimate frisbee | Standard and Explorer Policy |
Unicycling | Standard and Explorer Policy |
Volleyball | Standard and Explorer Policy |
Volunteering (childcare, teaching, environmental, wildlife oranimal care, WWOOF) | Standard and Explorer Policy |
Wake skating | Standard and Explorer Policy |
Wakeboarding | Standard and Explorer Policy |
Walking (up to 19,685 feet/6,000 meters) | Standard and Explorer Policy |
War games (online gaming) | Standard and Explorer Policy |
Water polo | Standard and Explorer Policy |
Water skiing | Standard and Explorer Policy |
Weight training | Standard and Explorer Policy |
White water kayaking | Standard and Explorer Policy |
White water rafting | Standard and Explorer Policy |
Wildlife and animal care (paid or volunteer manual work) | Standard and Explorer Policy |
Windsurfing | Standard and Explorer Policy |
WWOOFing (general farm work, fruit picking, manual work) | Standard and Explorer Policy |
Yachting | Standard and Explorer Policy |
Yoga (class, alone/home practice) | Standard and Explorer Policy |
Yoga (yoga teacher) | Standard and Explorer Policy |
Yungas Road (Death Road) | Standard and Explorer Policy |
Zip line | Standard and Explorer Policy |
Zorbing | Standard and Explorer Policy |
Note: This is a quick summary of coverages to help in your research however, please visit **World Nomads information** as policies vary in coverage based on chosen coverages and your home country.
World Nomads coverage is extensive and great for most travelers. However, you need to understand the primary coverages and coverage limits to be sure World Nomads in general is right for you.
If a covered emergency causes you to miss your trip, World Nomads’ trip cancellation coverage will reimburse you for any pre-paid, nonrefundable trip costs such as transportation, accommodation, and tours.
Common covered emergencies include sickness or illness, natural disasters, terrorism, and transportation industry strikes.
If you get sick or injured while you’re traveling, World Nomads will cover hospitalization, outpatient treatment for emergencies, necessary labs and X-rays, and transport home if medically necessary
Medical evacuation covers transporting a patient to a hospital or treatment center to respond to a medical emergency and in order to be treated.
Medical repatriation covers transporting a patient back home at the recommendation of a doctor due to injuries or illness.
Both medical evacuation and medical repatriation are covered under World Nomads with the following coverages:
Yes, World Nomads covers against loss, theft, or damage to your bags and belongings with limits of $3,000 for the Explorer and $1,000 for the Standard Plan
Cancel For Any Reason travel insurance is any travel insurance with a clause or option that allows you to cancel your policy after you have already purchased it and receive a refund.
World Nomads does not allow you to cancel a policy after it has been “used” or started, however, World Nomads insurance has a cooling-off period of 21 days from the purchase of the policy that allows you to cancel for any reason your planned coverage and receive a refund of 100% of the premium and fees you paid.
In order for your cancellation to qualify for World Nomads’ Cancel for Any Reason (before traveling) clause, you must not have started your policy and you must not have used your policy.
If all of these conditions apply, and you are within 21 days of your policy purchase date, you can cancel for any reason and receive a refund – whether your vacation dates from work have changed, you found a better destination, you decided to stay longer where you’re at, or your fear of travel simply kicked in, you’ll be covered.
World Nomads maintains a multi-lingual team available 24/7 to advise you in responding to travel issues and emergencies and to approve use of major coverages, such as medical evacuation or repatriation.
To contact the World Nomads team, keep these numbers handy – General Global Assistance: +1 954-334-8143 or +1 877-289-0968
You need to be under 70 years old to qualify for a World Nomads policy.
World Nomads is fantastic insurance, from my experience. Whether you’re adventuring through the Andean mountains of South America and the Himilayas, or diving in the beautiful waters of Southeast Asia, World Nomads coverage has proven reliable enough (for myself and other travelers) that it is very much worthwhile.
However, if you’re a young, nearly broke backpacker on a budget (or a quietly frugal millionaire), is World Nomads right for you?
Honestly, if you are in a travel period wherein you’re not heading to the highest heights or the lowest depths of the planet, you still need travel insurance, however, there are other, better, and cheaper options available.
If you are not adventuring hard at the moment, and have a credit card that can cover your emergency medical expenses in the short term (to be repaid by your travel insurance later) there are other, cheaper travel insurances available that are just as practical.
I highly recommend reading our Safety review, which shares everything you need to know about this travel insurance for nomads that costs roughly $1 per day.