World Nomads Travel Insurance Review: Is it Worth The Cost?

Travel insurance can help protect your trip from unexpected setbacks, such as a medical emergency abroad, a delayed flight or a nonrefundable booking that you need to cancel. But not all travel insurance is created equal.

World Nomads is a solid option for adventurous travelers, covering more than 250 activities, including skiing, rafting and bouldering. Although it offers strong emergency medical and evacuation benefits, coverage is available only to individuals between the ages of 18 and 69. Trip cancellation and interruption limits are also capped at a fixed dollar amount, which may not be ideal for expensive trips.

Pricing is comparable to other providers. For a 50-year-old traveler from Texas taking a weeklong international trip, World Nomads plans ranged from $84 to $257, depending on the coverage level.

What is World Nomads?

Founded in 2002, World Nomads is a travel insurance company that provides coverage in most countries, except those under active conflict or U.S. government sanctions. Policies are underwritten by the United States Fire Insurance Co. and administered by Trip Mate.

The United States Fire Insurance Co. was founded in 1824 and holds an A+ (superior) rating from AM Best.

World Nomads travel insurance offerings

World Nomads offers three single-trip plans and one annual (multi-trip) plan.

Single-trip plans are for individuals leaving home, visiting one or more destinations, and returning. Single-trip policies have a maximum trip length of 180 days. Annual trip plans provide 12 months of coverage with a 45-day limit per trip.

Quick overview of single-trip plans:

• Standard: entry-level plan with 250+ covered activities.

• Explorer: higher limits and 300+ activities.

• Epic: highest limits with 340+ covered activities.

A full list of covered sports by plan type is available on the World Nomads site.

» Learn more: How to find the best travel insurance

What World Nomads travel insurance covers

The following benefits are included in all three single-trip plans.

• Trip cancellation: Reimburses nonrefundable prepaid travel expenses if the trip is canceled for a covered reason, such as an illness. 

• Trip interruption: Reimburses unused nonrefundable reservations and additional transportation expenses (to rejoin the trip or return home) if a trip is cut short due to a covered reason.

• Trip delay: Covers meals, lodging and toiletries for delays of six hours or more.

• Emergency accident and sickness medical expense: Pays for eligible medical expenses, such as hospital stays, surgery, dental care and more. 

• Medical evacuation and repatriation: Covers transportation to a suitable medical facility or back home if care isn’t available locally. Also includes luggage transport if left behind during the evacuation.

• Repatriation of remains: Covers transportation of mortal remains if death occurs during the trip.

• Non-medical evacuation: Covers evacuation for political unrest, security threats or natural disasters, along with luggage transport if it is left behind.

• Baggage and personal effects: Reimburses for lost, damaged or stolen luggage.

• Baggage delay: Covers essentials like toiletries if bags are delayed in transit. 

• 24-hour accidental death and dismemberment: Pays a lump sum to a beneficiary if the traveler dies or loses a limb during the trip.

Available only with the Explorer and Epic plans:

• Missed connection: Covers additional transportation costs and nonrefundable expenses if the traveler misses a connection due to a delay of at least three hours.

• Optional Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR is not available to New York residents): Reimburses a portion of nonrefundable trip costs if the trip is canceled for a reason not otherwise covered, provided the add-on is purchased within seven days of the initial trip payment and the cancellation occurs at least two days before departure.

• Rental car damage (not available to Washington residents): Covers repair cost for damaged or stolen rental cars. 

• Trip exchange (not available to Missouri, Montana, New York and Washington residents): Reimburses change fees and penalties for rebooking due to certain covered events. 

• Travel inconvenience (not available to Missouri, Montana, New York and Washington residents): Covers disruptions like cruise port changes or ski resort closures.

• Pet kennel (not available to Washington residents): Reimburses pet boarding fees if return is delayed by six hours or more.

» Learn more: The guide to Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) travel insurance

World Nomads detailed policy overview

The table below compares the Standard, Explorer and Epic plans, highlighting key differences in coverage, benefits and limits.

What isn’t covered by a World Nomads plan?

Trip insurance plans are filled with exclusions, so it's important to know what’s not covered to avoid surprises when filing a claim. Key limitations include:

• Pre-existing conditions: Not covered under the Standard Plan. Explorer and Epic plans include a waiver if the policy is purchased within seven days of the initial trip deposit and the traveler is medically fit to travel.

• Long trips: Coverage is limited to trips of 180 days.

• Age restrictions: Only available to travelers between the ages of 18 and 69.

» Learn more: The best travel insurance companies right now (World Nomads is on the list!)

How much is World Nomads travel insurance?

We requested quotes for all three World Nomads single-trip plans using a sample seven-day trip to Mexico for a 50-year-old traveler from Texas. World Nomads does not require you to input a trip cost when generating a quote, as coverage levels are fixed by the plan type.

Standard plan ($84)

Due to the trip cancellation and interruption limit of $2,500, this plan is best for travelers with trip costs below that amount. The plan offers strong medical coverage and protection for over 250 adventure sports, including bungee jumping and windsurfing. Notably, it doesn’t include rental car or pre-existing conditions coverage.

Explorer plan ($140)

The Explorer plan covers more than 300 adventure sports and includes rental car damage protection, a pre-existing conditions waiver and the option to purchase CFAR. The plan increases trip cancellation and interruption coverage to $10,000 and medical coverage to $150,000.

Epic plan ($257)

The Epic plan is the most comprehensive plan and has the highest limits: $15,000 for trip cancellation and $250,000 for emergency medical. It covers over 340 adventure activities, including more risky sports like cliff diving.

» Learn more: You might not need rental car insurance

How World Nomads compares with its competitors

To create a fair comparison, we used $2,500 as the trip cost (the cancellation limit on the Standard plan) and input the same trip details: a seven-day trip to Mexico by a 50-year old traveler from Texas.

Among the 46 quotes from other insurers, emergency medical limits ranged from $15,000 to $500,000, and plan prices ranged from $82 to $195.

At $84, World Nomads’ Standard plan is one of the most affordable. However, price isn’t the only factor and travelers should also consider plan limits, covered activities and exclusions.

» Learn more: How to find the best travel insurance

Which World Nomads insurance plan is best for me?

Choosing the right World Nomads plan depends on your budget, activities and whether you already have complimentary credit card travel insurance.

Choose the Standard plan if:

• Your nonrefundable trip costs are under $2,500.

• You don't need CFAR or rental car coverage.

• You want solid medical coverage and basic adventure sports protection and don’t have pre-existing conditions.

Choose the Explorer plan if:

• Your nonrefundable trip costs are between $2,500 and $10,000.

• You want CFAR, car rental coverage, missed connection protection and more.

• You’ll be doing higher-risk activities.

Choose the Epic plan if:

• Your nonrefundable trip costs are between $10,000 and $15,000.

• You’re bringing expensive gear.

• You want coverage for the most extreme sports and the highest benefit limits.

Still unsure? Check the table above for a full comparison.

If you have a premium travel credit card

If your credit card offers an adequate amount of trip cancellation and trip interruption benefits, you may only need to get a standalone emergency health care policy. For example, the American Express Platinum Card® offers $10,000 per trip and $20,000 per year in trip cancellation benefits. Terms apply.

If the limits on your card are sufficient, then purchasing a standalone emergency medical policy may be best as the travel insurance provided by credit cards often excludes health care expenses or offers a low limit (the Chase Sapphire Reserve® is one of the few cards to offer emergency medical and dental; however, coverage is capped at $2,500).

» Learn more: The best travel credit cards right now

Does World Nomads offer 24/7 travel assistance?

Yes, all plans include 24/7/365 emergency assistance by phone anytime before and during your trip. Whether you need help finding medical care, arranging an evacuation or dealing with travel issues like a lost passport, the support team is available to help.

Travelers can call 954-334-8143 (collect, outside the U.S.) or 877-289-0968 (toll-free in the U.S. and Canada).

How to file a claim with World Nomads travel insurance

To file a claim, visit World Nomads’ e-claims portal, managed by Trip Mate. You’ll need to create an account using your email and have your plan number (starting with the letter F) and policy number (starting with a “WN”) ready. Submit all required documents, such as receipts and medical records. For questions, contact Trip Mate at 844-207-1930 or [email protected].

Is World Nomads insurance worth it?

World Nomads is a strong pick for active travelers who want solid medical coverage and protection for activities that many other insurers exclude. Its three single-trip plans and an annual option suit digital nomads and international travelers.

However, fixed trip cancellation limits and the age restriction may be a drawback for some travelers.

» Learn more: Is travel insurance worth it in 2025?