Comprehensive coverage that protects your trip
Pros
- Coverage can be extended while traveling.
- Policies cover trips up to 180 days, making them ideal for digital nomads.
- Stronger coverage for adventure sports compared to many other insurers.
- Straightforward selection between two plan options.
Cons
- Extreme sports are not included in coverage.
- No option for an annual travel insurance plan.
- • Trip cancellation and interruption coverage has a fixed dollar limit
About World Nomads Travel Insurance
Founded in 2002, World Nomads operates under the underwriting of Pacific International Insurance Pty Ltd. The company provides travel insurance through its Standard and Explorer policies, the latter being a more comprehensive coverage option.
With a philosophy of being “built by travelers, for travelers,” World Nomads emphasizes giving back to the communities it serves. To support this mission, the company enables policyholders to make micro-donations to charities and foundations in the destinations they visit when purchasing a policy. This feature may appeal to travelers who value philanthropy as part of their journeys.
What is World Nomads?
World Nomads provides Standard and Explorer travel insurance plans, with a strong focus on coverage for sports and adventure activities. In addition, it offers reliable protection for trip delays, baggage delays, and lost luggage.
The company’s policies cover travel to a wide range of destinations and are available to residents in most countries. In the United States, World Nomads policies are managed by Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company, a Fortune 100 company known for its diverse insurance and financial services.
The World Nomads Explorer Travel Insurance policy is ideal for travelers who engage in recreational sports and activities while abroad. While many activities are covered by default, travelers also have the option to add extra coverage, making this plan a great choice for those with an active lifestyle.
What sets World Nomads apart from other providers is its focus on adventure travel. Its plans automatically include coverage for over 200 activities, such as skiing, rafting, backpacking, and bouldering. However, extreme sports are not included. Every plan also comes with trip protection, emergency medical coverage, emergency evacuation, and gear protection to ensure travelers are well-covered during their journeys.
Plans
World Nomads provides different coverage levels for its travel insurance plans, but both fall under single-trip policies. Currently, coverage is available for travelers up to 70 years old, with plans to extend eligibility to older age groups in the future. For those traveling with children, the policy also includes dependents aged 20 or younger, as long as they meet certain criteria: they must not be employed full-time, travel with you for most of the trip, and be listed on the insurance certificate.
Single-trip travel insurance plans are designed for travelers who depart from their home country, visit one or more destinations, and then return home. These plans typically offer comprehensive coverage, including trip cancellation, trip interruption, and medical benefits.
World Nomads provides two options: Standard and Explorer. The Explorer plan offers higher coverage limits and includes expanded protection for adventure sports, making it a better choice for more active travelers.
Extend Trip Coverage
World Nomads’ travel insurance plans can be purchased for trips lasting up to 180 days, with the option to extend coverage while traveling. The cost of a policy varies based on trip length and destination(s). One standout feature is unlimited trip cancellation coverage, though sub-limits apply, particularly for travel agent cancellation fees.
Trip Cancellation/Interruption
World Nomads does not provide specific coverage for missed connections, but it does offer trip cancellation and interruption protection for covered events. These may include severe weather, natural disasters, hijacking, strikes, and other situations detailed in the product disclosure statement.
Personal Liability
While fraudulent credit card transactions are not covered, the policy includes personal liability protection of up to $2.5 million. Additionally, travelers can receive car rental excess coverage of up to $3,000.
Lost Luggage
The World Nomads Explorer Travel Insurance policy covers lost luggage up to $10,000. However, there are sub-limits for certain items, such as portable electronic devices or cash.
Medical
The Explorer Plan also includes unlimited overseas medical expenses. For those with pre-existing medical conditions, more than 40 conditions are automatically covered, as long as specific requirements are met. Conditions like epilepsy, certain vitamin deficiencies, and allergies are included. However, other pre-existing conditions not specifically listed are not covered under the policy.
Sports and Activities
For travelers who enjoy recreational sports and activities, the World Nomads Explorer policy provides extensive coverage. The plan automatically includes protection for over 100 activities, ranging from go-karting and wake-skating to paintballing.
For higher-risk activities, additional coverage can be purchased based on the level of risk. Activities are categorized into three tiers: Level One (included by default), Level Two, and Level Three (both available as optional add-ons). The premium cost increases with each higher level of coverage.
Level Two sports include activities such as barefoot waterskiing, zip-lining, and marathon running, while Level Three covers skydiving, snowboarding, skiing, and abseiling. If you choose to upgrade to Level Two or Level Three coverage, you will still be covered for all Level One activities, ensuring a broad range of sports and adventure options during your trip.
Pricing
To determine the cost of a World Nomads insurance plan, you simply need to provide your trip details, age, and state of residence. Unlike many other insurers, you are not required to enter the cost of your trip when getting a quote, as trip cancellation and interruption benefits are capped at a fixed dollar amount rather than being based on a percentage of the trip cost.
For illustration, we entered a sample trip: a two-week vacation to Italy in December 2023 for a 30-year-old traveler from Illinois. Below are some example World Nomads insurance prices based on this scenario.
| World Nomads | Standard Plan Coverage Limits | Explorer Plan Coverage Limits |
| Cost | $86. | $155. |
| Trip Interruption | $2,500. | $10,000. |
| Trip Cancellation | $2,500. | $10,000. |
| Trip Delay | $500. | $3,000. |
| Emergency Accident & Sickness Medical Expense | $100,000. | $100,000. |
| Emergency Dental | $750. | $750. |
| Non-Medical Emergency Transportation | $25,000. | $25,000. |
| Emergency Evacuation | $300,000. | $500,000. |
| Repatriation of Remains | $300,000. | $500,000. |
| Baggage & Personal Effects | $1,000. | $3,000. |
| Combined Maximum Benefit (for watches, jewelry, silver, gold, or platinum items, or furs) | $500. | $500. |
| Per Article Limit | $500. | $1,500. |
| Outward Journey Baggage Delay | $750. | $750. |
| Daily Limit | $150. | $150. |
| Rental Car Damage (NY, OR, and TX excluded) | Not included. | $35,000. |
| Accidental Death & Dismemberment | $5,000. | $10,000. |
| Adventure Sports & Activities | Standard Plan Sports & Activities as listed for U.S. residents. | Standard & Explorer Plan Sports & Activities as listed for U.S. residents. |
| Generali Global Assistance 24-Hour Services | Unlimited. | Unlimited. |
Standard Plan
The Standard Plan ($86) is a solid option for those who are comfortable with trip cancellation and interruption coverage of up to $2,500, do not require rental car damage protection, and are satisfied with the plan’s coverage limits. It’s also suitable for those who do not need protection for certain adventure sports.
That said, the Standard Plan stands out for its sports coverage, including activities like windsurfing and bungee jumping, which are often excluded by other insurers. A complete list of covered sports by plan type can be found on the World Nomads website.
Explorer Plan
The Explorer Plan ($155) offers all the benefits of the Standard Plan but with higher coverage limits, rental car damage insurance (where available), and additional coverage for adventure sports such as skydiving and heli-skiing. This plan is also suitable for travelers whose trip costs are under $10,000, as it provides a maximum of $10,000 for trip cancellation and interruption protection.
Choosing the right plan for your trip depends on the coverage you need. If you have a premium travel card that offers adequate trip cancellation and interruption benefits, you may only require a standalone emergency health insurance policy.
However, if the coverage provided by your card is insufficient, inapplicable, or you didn’t use the card to pay for the trip, a more comprehensive insurance plan, such as the Standard or Explorer plan, may be a better fit.
If you don’t require adventure sports coverage and your trip costs under $2,500 (or you already have trip cancellation and interruption coverage through your card), the Standard Plan would likely meet your needs.
How to FIle a Claim?
To file a claim with World Nomads Travel Insurance, you can either log into your online account and submit a claim via their website, or you can email claimsAUS@worldnomads.com or call 1300 787 375.
While World Nomads provides 24/7 emergency assistance for travelers, its customer service outside of emergencies is more limited. It offers an online form for general inquiries, along with an email address and phone number that are available Monday to Friday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.. Unfortunately, there is no live chat support, and customer service is not available on weekends.
It’s important to note that, based on nearly 300 customer reviews, World Nomads Travel Insurance has earned a 2.7-star rating.
Coverage Exclusions
Travel insurance plans, including those from World Nomads, often come with a range of exclusions. It’s important to review what’s covered and what’s not to avoid any surprises. Here are some key exclusions with World Nomads:
- Pre-existing conditions: If you received treatment for any illness or condition within the 90 days before the policy begins and then require care for the same issue during your trip, you may be responsible for the costs, as World Nomads does not cover pre-existing conditions.
- Dental: Dental coverage is not included in the unlimited overseas medical coverage under the World Nomads Explorer Travel Insurance policy. Instead, emergency dental treatment is only available for sudden and acute pain affecting healthy natural teeth, with a limit of $1,000.
- Pregnancy: The World Nomads Explorer policy provides coverage for pregnancy up to week 26, as long as there are no pre-existing complications. However, conditions related to pregnancy, such as gestational diabetes or hyperemesis, are excluded from coverage. It is important for pregnant travelers to thoroughly review the product disclosure statement before purchasing the policy to ensure they are aware of any potential limitations on medical claims related to pregnancy.
- Intentional acts: Losses resulting from self-harm, intoxication, drug use, or criminal activities are not covered under the policy.
Conclusion
The World Nomads Explorer policy is a comprehensive travel insurance option that’s ideal for adventurous travelers. It covers over 100 sports and activities by default, with the option to pay an additional premium to include higher-risk activities, making it a great choice for those planning thrilling or bucket-list trips. This policy is also well-suited for travelers who may be unsure about the exact length of their trip, as it allows for coverage extensions during the vacation.
