Travelling is about freedom, adventure, and immersing yourself in the unknown. But, the unexpected can happen at any moment.
That’s where travel insurance comes in. World Nomads, like Rise & Shield, has been a favourite among adventurers for years.
Having used World Nomads myself on a couple of trips, I’ve experienced the good and the not-so-good firsthand.
In this review, I’ll break down what you need to know to decide if it’s the right fit for you.
Ready to start my World Nomads travel insurance review?
Let’s roll.
What Is World Nomads Travel Insurance?
Founded by travellers, for travellers, World Nomads is designed to cover adventurers who are always on the go.
They focus on flexibility—you can buy or extend your policy mid-trip—and cater to adrenaline junkies with coverage for over 150 activities like scuba diving, rock climbing, and even skydiving.
I first came across World Nomads when planning a backpacking trip through China.
The ability to start my policy after leaving home was also a lifesaver, especially since I’m notoriously last-minute with admin tasks (oops).
Setting off on my first solo backpacking trip was scary but World Nomads had my back.
Pros and Cons of World Nomads Travel Insurance
Before getting too deep into this review, and if you're in a hurry, here are some of World Nomads’ advantages and disadvantages in a nutshell:
Pros:
- Comprehensive Adventure Coverage: Ideal for travellers engaging in a wide range of activities.
- Flexibility: Ability to purchase or extend coverage while travelling.
- 24/7 Assistance: Access to emergency support at any time.
Cons:
- No Coverage for Pre-Existing Conditions: Travellers with existing health issues may need to look elsewhere.
- Age Restrictions: Limited options for travellers over 70.
- Exclusions on High-Risk Activities: Not all extreme activities are covered.
If this is a dealbreaker for you, Rise & Shield might be worth exploring, as they aim to minimise exclusions in their adventure-focused policies.
Now, let's do this review by first looking at what's included with a World Nomads travel insurance policy.
What's Included in World Nomads Insurance Policies?
World Nomads focus on flexibility. You can buy or extend your policy mid-trip. They also cater to adrenaline junkies.
World Nomads offers two primary plans: Standard and Explorer. Here's a breakdown of their key features:
- Emergency Medical Coverage: Both plans provide coverage for overseas emergency medical expenses due to accidents or sudden illnesses.
- Emergency Dental Treatment: Coverage for dental emergencies is included, which can be a relief if you encounter unexpected dental issues abroad.
- Trip Cancellation, Interruption, or Delay: Reimbursement for non-refundable expenses if your trip is cancelled or interrupted for covered reasons.
- Baggage and Personal Belongings: Coverage for lost, stolen, or damaged baggage and personal items.
- 24/7 Assistance: Access to a 24/7 emergency assistance team to help with medical emergencies, evacuations, and other urgent situations.
If you're looking for equally comprehensive coverage with an emphasis on simplicity and fewer exclusions, you might want to check out Rise & Shield.
With all of this being said, let’s look at what a World Nomads travel insurance policy doesn’t include.
What's Not Covered by World Nomads
No insurance policy covers everything, and World Nomads is no exception.
While their coverage is extensive—especially for adventurers—there are some key exclusions you should be aware of before hitting “buy.”
Here’s the lowdown on what’s not included with a World Nomads travel insurance policy and why it matters:
Pre-Existing Medical Conditions
As someone managing diabetes, I understand the importance of knowing how travel insurance handles pre-existing conditions.
World Nomads' policies generally exclude coverage for medical issues that existed before your policy's start date.
For instance, if I were to experience diabetic ketoacidosis—a serious complication of diabetes—during my travels, World Nomads would likely not cover the treatment costs, as this condition is related to my pre-existing diabetes.
Travelling with a pre-existing condition like diabetes means being prepared for potential health issues abroad. Without coverage, medical expenses can quickly become overwhelming.
High-Risk Activities
Love BASE jumping or deep-sea cave diving? Unfortunately, World Nomads won’t have your back for activities deemed especially dangerous or professional-level sports.
If you’re planning an adventure at the extreme end of the spectrum, check the fine print carefully.
You don’t want to assume you’re covered and then be left scrambling to pay for an expensive rescue or medical care.
Non-Emergency Treatments
Need a routine dental cleaning or a quick check-up? Those aren’t included in World Nomads’ policies either.
Their coverage focuses on emergencies, like breaking a tooth during a trek or needing stitches after an accident.
While this might not be a dealbreaker for most travellers, it’s good to know upfront so you can plan for any routine care before your trip.
Ready for unlimited adventure? Get travel insurance that covers over 150 activities and 190 destinations.
The Long and Short?
These exclusions don’t mean World Nomads isn’t a great option. It just means you need to go in with your eyes wide open.
Personally, I made a habit of double-checking whether my planned activities were covered and making sure my health was in top shape before heading out.
It saved me from nasty surprises (and unexpected bills).
Next, let me explain how to use a World Nomads policy.
Using a World Nomads Policy
Getting a travel insurance policy with World Nomads is refreshingly straightforward, even if you’re like me and tend to procrastinate on these kinds of things. Here’s how it works:
Step One: Get a World Nomads Quote
Simply enter your trip details—like where you’re going and how long you’ll be away—on their website to get a personalised quote.
The process is intuitive and doesn’t take more than a couple of minutes.
I found it helpful that the site breaks down what’s included in each plan so you know exactly what you’re paying for.
That said, if you’re short on time or hate filling out forms (like I do), Rise & Shield offers an even faster online travel quote process.
With fewer steps and a clean interface, you can get a comprehensive quote in record time, which is a huge win when you’re busy planning other aspects of your trip.
World Nomads Explorer covered my bungee jump!
Step Two: Customise Your Coverage
World Nomads gives you the choice between two plans: Standard and Explorer.
If your trip involves adventurous activities like scuba diving or trekking, the Explorer plan might be the better fit, as it covers more extreme sports.
I went with the Explorer plan for my last trip because I wanted to try bungee jumping (spoiler alert: it was terrifying but incredible).
Step Three: Purchase and Manage Your Policy
Once you’ve selected your plan, you can purchase the policy directly online.
Managing your coverage is easy, too. You can log into your account to extend the policy if your trip gets extended (because who doesn’t love the idea of staying in Bali for an extra week?).
On a side note, this is another area where Rise & Shield shines. They not only let you adjust your coverage quickly but also make extending your policy a breeze.
It’s a small thing, but it makes a big difference when you’re in the middle of an adventure and don’t want to deal with tedious admin.
Ready for unlimited adventure? Get travel insurance that covers over 150 activities and 190 destinations.
My Opinion?
At the end of the day, World Nomads makes the process simple and traveller-friendly, but it’s worth comparing with options like Rise & Shield to see which one better suits your needs and style.
For me, having the flexibility to extend coverage on the go was a game-changer—especially for those unexpected moments when your two-week trip magically turns into a four-week escape.
Additional Considerations
When it comes to travel insurance, the devil is in the details.
Even though World Nomads offers solid coverage, there are a few extra things you’ll want to keep in mind to avoid surprises down the road.
Here’s what stood out to me when I was researching my own World Nomads policy:
Age Limitations
World Nomads’ coverage is typically available for travellers up to 70 years old.
If you’re lucky enough to still be adventuring past that age (honestly, goals), you’ll need to look for other options.
Ready for unlimited adventure? Get travel insurance that covers over 150 activities and 190 destinations.
Geographical Restrictions
Not all destinations are created equal when it comes to insurance. Some regions may have exclusions or limited support, depending on the plan.
For example, if you’re headed to remote areas or politically unstable regions, you’ll want to double-check that your policy covers you there.
On a trek through South America, I had to tweak my route after realising certain remote areas weren’t covered by my policy. That was a wake-up call!
Providers like Rise & Shield offer anywhere-to-anywhere travel insurance covering over 190 destinations, which saves a lot of last-minute stress.
Activity Coverage
If you’re anything like me, the whole point of travelling is to dive into new adventures; sometimes quite literally.
World Nomads covers a wide range of activities, but not everything is included.
For instance, while snorkelling and hiking are typically covered, more extreme activities like hang gliding or professional competitions may require additional coverage or fall outside the policy entirely.
Before I booked my first scuba diving trip, I had to comb through the fine print to make sure it was covered.
It was, but now I always double-check my activities list before locking in a policy.
With Rise & Shield, I found the process quicker—they’re upfront about adventure activity coverage, so you don’t have to waste time hunting through the details.
So, what if something horrible happens, and you have to file a claim with World Nomads? Is it quick and easy? Let me explain.
Filing a Claim with World Nomads
Let’s be real: filing a claim isn’t anyone’s idea of fun, but when you’re dealing with a stolen bag, a medical emergency, or a trip gone sideways, having a streamlined process makes all the difference.
World Nomads has an online claims system that tries to make the experience as painless as possible. Here’s how it works and what I learned along the way:
Gather Your Documentation
First things first, you’ll need to collect all the relevant paperwork.
This means medical reports if you’ve been to a hospital, receipts for any expenses you’re claiming, and proof of ownership for lost or stolen items (like that receipt for your fancy camera).
I learned the hard way that having digital backups of your documents is a lifesaver.
Snap photos of receipts and save them to a cloud service, or email them to yourself before you even leave for your trip.
Trust me, it’s way less stressful than hunting through your backpack for that crumpled receipt while jet-lagged.
Ready for unlimited adventure? Get travel insurance that covers over 150 activities and 190 destinations.
Submit Your Claim Online
Once you’ve got everything together, log into your World Nomads account and navigate to the claims section.
The system is straightforward and guides you step-by-step through what’s needed. Be as detailed as possible when filling out the forms to avoid delays.
When I filed a claim for a stolen phone, I included photos of the police report and a timeline of what happened. Adding extra details like this seemed to help speed things along.
Follow Up
After submitting your claim, keep an eye on your email or the portal for updates.
Sometimes the claims team will request additional information, like clarification on expenses or further proof. Responding quickly can help keep things moving.
While I hope you never have to file a claim, knowing how it works—and being prepared with the right documentation—can save you from unnecessary headaches.
Let’s move on to look at some other online World Nomads reviews.
Other Online Reviews of World Nomads
World Nomads has a mixed reputation online, with opinions varying depending on individual experiences.
On Trustpilot, the company scores a respectable 4.1/5, with many users applauding its flexibility and comprehensive adventure coverage.
However, claims delays remain a common frustration.
Over on TripAdvisor, reviewers highlight the exclusion of pre-existing conditions as a drawback.
Discussions on Reddit reveal a similar pattern: travellers often praise the smooth handling of emergency claims but express annoyance at the detailed documentation requirements.
A quick dive into these reviews shows that while World Nomads is beloved for its adventure-ready policies, some users feel the claims process could be faster and more straightforward.
It’s clear that for many, the positives outweigh the negatives, but understanding these nuances can help you decide if World Nomads is the right choice for your needs.
It’s time to wrap up this World Nomads review. Here’s my final verdict.
My Final Verdict
If you’re planning an adventure-packed trip and want reliable coverage for activities like trekking, scuba diving, or cycling, World Nomads is a solid choice.
Their flexibility makes them good for long-term travellers or those who like to keep their plans fluid.
That said, if you have pre-existing health issues or need coverage for extreme activities, you may want to explore alternatives like Allianz, SafetyWing, or Rise & Shield.
In fact, Rise & Shield specialises in offering peace of mind to adventurers with fewer restrictions, making it a strong contender if flexibility and straightforward coverage are your priorities.
Just be sure to read the fine print and weigh your options before committing.
Ready for unlimited adventure? Get travel insurance that covers over 150 activities and 190 destinations.
My Final Thoughts
And there you have it: This concludes my personal World Nomads travel insurance review. Is it the best travel insurance you can find?
Far from it. However, it does a good job. In my opinion, anywhere-to-anywhere travel insurance, like Rise & Shield, is a better World Nomads alternative.