If you're looking for travel insurance that allows you to confidently participate in a wide range of sports and adventure activities around the world, then World Nomads Travel Insurance might be right for you. The company's policies cover travel to almost anywhere on the globe and are available to residents of nearly every country.
Business Insider compared World Nomads to the best travel insurance companies and found it to be a standout option, offering the unique ability to buy travel insurance after you've left for your trip. It also offers some of the most comprehensive adventure sports and activities coverage in the industry.
World Nomads Travel Insurance Pros and Cons
World Nomads Travel Insurance Pros
- Can purchase travel insurance after trip has already started
- All plans have preexisting condition waiver available
- Covers a wide range of adventure sports and activities
- Premiums for Standard and Explorer plans are affordable
World Nomads Travel Insurance Cons
- Window for obtaining CFAR and preexisting condition waiver is short
- World Nomads Epic plan is very expensive
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- Coverage for 200+ activities like skiing, surfing, and rock climbing
- Only two plans to choose from, making it simple to find the right option
- You can purchase coverage even after your trip has started
- If your trip costs more than $10,000, you may want to choose other insurance because trip protection is capped at up to $10,000 (for the Explorer plan)
- Doesn't offer coverage for travelers older than 70
- No Cancel for Any Reason (CFAR) option
- Coverage for 150+ activities and sports
- 2 plans: Standard and Explorer
- Trip protection for up to $10,000
- Emergency medical insurance of up to $100,000
- Emergency evacuation coverage for up to $500,000
- Coverage to protect your items (up to $3,000)
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- Streamlined comparison platform
- Variety of partnered travel insurance companies
- Customer service team is difficult to reach
SquareMouth is an online marketplace that helps you choose a travel insurance policy from 32 companies that shares a comprehensive, streamlined overview page for each insurance provider.
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- Policy coverage includes most pre-existing health conditions
- Generous medical and evacuation amounts for peace of mind
- COVID coverage included by default on all insurance plans
- Offers a wide range of plans for various budgets and travel needs
- Some plans offer CFAR, “cancel for work reasons,” financial default, and unemployment coverage
- Limited add-on coverage options
- Baggage loss and delay coverage is low compared to competitors
Tin Leg travel insurance offers eight travel insurance plans to meet the unique needs of travelers.
Tin Leg- Tin Leg was founded in 2014 by the travel insurance industry experts at Squaremouth. Designed to meet the most common needs of travelers, these policies offer comprehensive Trip Cancellation and Trip Interruption benefits, and a range of Emergency Medical and Medical Evacuation limits.
- Options to cover sports equipment
- Option to increase medical coverage
- Can cancel up to 48 hours before travel when CFAR option is purchased
- Affordable coverage for budget-conscious travelers
- Includes generous baggage delay, loss and trip delay coverage
- Optional "adventure sports" bundle available for riskier activities
- Pricier than some competitors with lower coverage ceilings
- Some competitors offer higher medical emergency coverage
Travelex travel insurance is one of the largest travel insurance providers in the U.S. providing domestic and international coverage options. It offers a basic, select, and America option. Read on to learn more.
Travelex Travel Insurance- Optional CFAR insurance available with the Ultimate plan
- Travel delay insurance starting at $500 with the Advantage plan
- Emergency medical and dental coverage starting at $15,000
World Nomads Travel Insurance Overview
World Nomads is an Australia-based insurance company. It has three tiers of travel insurance for American travelers: Standard, Explorer, and Epic.
Among the best international travel insurance companies, World Nomads is particularly good at insuring adventure travelers, covering well over 300 sports, including skydiving, bungee jumping, and golf. The list of covered activities expand with each tier of coverage.
World Nomads is also a great last-minute purchase, allowing you to purchase coverage even after your trip has started. However, if you purchase a plan after departure, you will have to wait 72 hours before your plan kicks in.
World Nomads offers preexisting condition waivers on all policies, even its standard plan. However, the window for buying this policy is relatively narrow. Travelers must buy their policy within seven days of their initial trip deposit to qualify for the waiver.
World Nomad premiums for its Standard and Explorer plans are generally affordable. However, its Epic plan is far more expensive than the previous two plans, often costing nearly double the Explorer plan and far more than the average travel insurance policy, even for younger travelers.
World Nomads Travel Insurance Plans and Coverages
World Nomads has two basic policies: Standard and Explorer. Each covers essentially the same things, but Explorer has higher amounts than World Nomads is willing to pay out for claims. The company's policies cover more than 150 specific activities. These range from bungee jumping and rock climbing to hang gliding and hot-air ballooning. You can see the full list on the company's website.
| Standard | Explorer | Epic | |
| Trip protection | 100% of trip cost (up to $2,500) | 100% of trip cost (up to $10K) | 100% of trip cost (up to $15K) |
| Trip interruption | 100% of trip cost (up to $2,500) | 100% of trip cost (up to $10K) | 100% of trip cost (up to $15K) |
| Trip delay | $250 per day (up to $1K) | $250 per day (up to $3K) | $500 per day (up to $5K) |
| Trip inconvenience | N/A | $250 per inconvenience (up to $500) | $250 per inconvenience (up to $750) |
| Trip exchange | N/A | 50% of trip cost ( up to $2,500K) | 50% of trip cost ( up to $5K) |
| Missed connection | N/A | $3K | $5K |
| Emergency sickness and medical insurance | $125K | $150K | $250K |
| Emergency dental treatment | $750 | $750 | $1,000 |
| Emergency evacuation and repatriation | $400K | $500K | $700K |
| Emergency dental treatment | $750 | $750 | $1,000 |
| Baggage and personal effects | $500 per item (up to $1K) | $1K per item (up to $2K) | $1K per item (up to $3K) |
| Baggage delay (outward journey only) | $150 per day (up to $750) | $200 per day (up to $1,000) | $250 per day (up to $1,250) |
| Rental car damage – where permissible | N/A | $35K | $50K |
| Accidental death and dismemberment | $7,500 | $10K | $12,500 |
| Pet Kennel | N/A | $200 | $400 |
| Generali Global Assistance 24-hour assistance services | 24/7 access | 24/7 access | 24/7 access |
Additional Coverage Options From World Nomads (Riders)
World Nomads' only additional optional rider is cancel for any reason coverage. Travelers can add CFAR to their Explorer and Epic plans, but not the Standard plan.
CFAR for the Explorer plan covers up to 50% of nonrefundable costs and 75% for the Epic plan.
World Nomads Travel Insurance Cost
You can obtain a quote from World Nomads on its website by providing details about you and your trip. Be prepared to provide the following information:
- Your destination(s)
- Duration of trip
- Your country of residence
- State of residence (if you're from the US)
- Number of travelers
- Traveler(s) age
Notably, World Nomads does not ask you for the price of the trip, which many travel insurance companies factor into the trip of your policy. As such, World Nomads may be a good option if you're going on a particularly expensive trip. However, you'll want make note of cancellation and interruption coverage limits.
We ran a few simulations to offer examples of how much a World Nomads policy might cost.
A 23-year-old from Illinois taking a week-long, $3,000 budget trip to Italy would have the following World Nomads travel insurance quotes:
- World Nomads Standard: $97.60 (3.2% of trip cost)
- World Nomads Explorer: $167.28 (5.6%)
- World Nomads Epic: $308.04 (10.3%)
World Nomads provides the following quotes for a 30-year-old traveler from California heading to Japan for two weeks on a $4,000 trip:
- World Nomads Standard: $109.40 (2.7% of trip cost)
- World Nomads Explorer: $211.09 (5.3%)
- World Nomads Epic: $387.84 (9.7%)
A Texas family (two 40-year-old parents with a 10-year-old and 4-year-old) taking a two-week trip to Australia for $20,000.
- World Nomads Standard: $329.83 (1.7% of trip cost)
- World Nomads Explorer: $635.10 (3.2%)
- World Nomads Epic: $1,169.28 (5.9%)
A 65-year-old couple looking to escape New York for Mexico for two weeks with a trip cost of $6,000 would have the following World Nomads quotes:
- World Nomads Standard: $194.98 (3.3% of trip cost)
- World Nomads Explorer: $375.30 (6.3%)
- World Nomads Epic: $691.20 (11.5%)
Over these quotes, we can see that the standard and explorer plan generally fall within or below the average travel insurance premium, which is 4% to 8%. Plans continue to stay within or under this threshold, even for older travelers.
However, the Epic plan generally exceeds this range, usually by a significant margin.
How to Purchase and Manage a World Nomads Travel Insurance Policy
You'll want to purchase your World Nomads policy soon after you book a trip and make an initial trip deposit.
Once you consider your needs and options, you can start the purchasing process by requesting a quote on World Nomads website. You'll need to provide your age, trip cost, home state, travel dates, and booking date.
Depending on your policy and when you booked the trip, you may be eligible for add-ons like CFAR coverage or preexisting condition waivers as long as you purchase your policy within seven days of your initial trip deposit
Note that you have a 10-day free look period after purchasing, which means you can cancel the policy during this time and receive a refund.
How to File A Claim with World Nomad Travel Insurance
You can start an insurance claim by filing it on the company's website. You must file your claim within 20 days of the loss or as soon as reasonably possible.
You can call toll-free in the U.S. and Canada if you need to reach the company in an emergency at: (877) 289-0968.
Callers from outside the U.S. and Canada can reach the company at: (954)-334-8143.
The email address is: ops@gga-usa.com
You'll need to have the following ready to file a claim:
- Your policy number
- A contact number
- The nature of your problem
- Your location
- Prescribed medication (if any)
Keep any documents related to the claim you're filing, including receipts, notices, and invoices.
World Nomads Travel Insurance Customer Reviews and Ratings
World Nomads has positive reviews overall, receiving an average of 4.2 stars on Trustpilot. Most reviews spoke highly of the purchasing process, reporting that the company has knowledgeable agents. Reviews mention that customer service agents can take anywhere from a few minutes to several days to respond to inquiries. Some negative reviews mention difficulty changing their policy to a different plan.
Let's look at some ratings from third-party organizations for a more well-rounded picture of World Nomads' service.
World Nomads policies are underwritten by United States Fire Insurance Company, which received a 0.26 Company Complaint Index score from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, where 1.00 represents the expected number of complaints given a provider's share of the market. Anything lower indicates that a company has fewer complaints than expected.
United States Fire Insurance Company has an A (Excellent) Financial Strength Rating from AM Best, indicating that it is likely to uphold its financial obligations, like paying out claims.
World Nomads Travel Insurance Alternatives
World Nomads is particularly good at insuring adventure travelers, but let's see how it stacks up against some of its competitors.
World Nomads Travel Insurance vs. Allianz Travel Insurance
Allianz Travel Insurance is a strong competitor against World Nomads, especially for travelers looking for a more business-oriented option. The company has been in business for more than 120 years and offers a wide range of insurance, not just travel-related, around the world.
Allianz offers some nice perks, like child-inclusive pricing on its single trip plans, 80% CFAR coverage, and a SmartBenefit for trip delay expenses that offers a flat $100, simplifying coverage. It also offers a more forgiving 14-day purchasing window for preexisting condition waivers and CFAR coverage, compared to World Nomads' seven-day window.
That said, World Nomads offers its own set of unique benefits, like the ability to purchase your policy after your trip has already started. It offers a wider array of covered adventure sports and activities. It also offers better emergency evacuation and medical coverage.
In terms of cost, Allianz and World Nomads are pretty equal, though older travelers will find more forgiving premiums with World Nomads.
Ultimately, Allianz will be a better option for most travelers, but World Nomads will be better for people planning an adventure trip or for those who have already started their trip.
Read our Allianz travel insurance review.
World Nomads Travel Insurance vs. AIG Travel Guard
Travel Guard, a product backed by insurance conglomerate American International Group, is another potential alternative to World Nomads. AIG is a prominent player in the insurance industry, and the Travel Guard product represents true global coverage.
Both companies have preexisting condition waivers available for all plans, including their cheapest options. However, Travel Guard has a more forgiving purchasing window, giving you 15 days to purchase your policy. If you've made your initial trip deposit more than seven days ago and need the waiver, Travel Guard is the next best option.
Both travel insurance companies use a tiered approach, but Travel Guard has higher dollar amounts across the board. that said, Travel Guard is also significantly more expensive than World Nomads.
Additionally, World Nomads has some unique features that Travel Guard lacks. It has a wide selection of covered adventure sports activities. It also allows you to purchase your policy after departure.
Read our AIG Travel Guard travel insurance review.
Compare World Nomad vs. Credit Card Travel Insurance
If you already have a major credit card in your wallet, you most likely have some travel insurance benefits that come with it. These benefits do vary from card to card. Be sure to check your card's specific policies.
Not all credit cards will feature travel insurance protection. The ones that do may have specific limitations. For example, many credit cards with travel protection require that your airfare is paid for with the card in question for protections to take effect.
Reimbursement isn't guaranteed. The credit cards do require that you file your claim and wait for a decision. World Nomads makes it easy to file a claim online and submit receipts and documentation. The response is fairly quick based on reviews from travelers who have actually had to file claims.
The more premium the credit card, the more likely expanded travel protections are part of its features. If you don't already have a premium credit card, it's better to get travel insurance. This is also the case if you have multiple trips planned. Some credit cards limit not just the total dollar amount, but the number of claims within a 12-month period.
Read our guide on the best credit cards with travel insurance.
World Nomads Travel Insurance FAQs
Yes, you can extend your World Nomads plan while traveling, but you cannot upgrade a standard plan to the Explorer plan.
World Nomads covers COVID-19 like any other illness under its emergency medical coverage.
You can file a claim on World Nomads's website, over the phone, or by mail. Make sure to provide as much documentation as possible to ease the claims process.
World Nomads currently covers well over 300 sports and adventure activities, from ziplining to zorbing.
Yes, you can purchase World Nomads insurance for a trip that has already started. However, a policy purchased during your trip will have a 72-hour waiting period before insurance starts.
Why You Should Trust Us: How We Reviewed World Nomads Travel Insurance
To evaluate World Nomads travel insurance, Business Insider reviewed the following factors.
Coverage amounts: We consider the policies available, what they cover, and how much coverage they offer. We like to see a variety of options available, with a great deal of flexibility to cover as many needs and customers as possible.
Inclusions/Exclusions: We consider common inclusions and exclusions, and how much customers have to pay for certain benefits. For example, many companies offer preexisting condition waivers, but reserve them for their more expensive plans. World Nomads offers waivers for all their policies.
Cost: We obtain quotes for a variety of travelers, including single travelers, families, couples, and older travelers. We see how the quotes compare to the standard costs of travel insurance, which is between 4% and 8% of your total trip cost. We also pay attention to any savings opportunities travelers can take advantage of, like discounts for children. For example, World Nomads offers free coverage for kids, but only on their annual plan.
Customer service: We consider how a company treats its customers by looking at online reviews on sites like Trustpilot, SquareMouth, and the Better Business Bureau. We also look at ratings from third-party organizations like the NAIC and AM Best. We look at any customer service features a company offers, like the 24/7 Generali help line that World Nomads offers.
Unique features: We look to see if a company has any unique features or benefits. For example, World Nomads includes coverage for a wide variety of sports and activities.
Read more about Business Insider's travel insurance ratings methodology.
