How activity lists work
Insurers tier activities by risk: tier one (hiking, snorkelling, city cycling) is covered by default nearly everywhere; tier two (trekking to stated altitudes, scuba to stated depths, kayaking, skiing on-piste) needs an adventure plan or rider; tier three (mountaineering with ropes, off-piste, paragliding, racing) needs the highest tiers or specialist policies; and tier four (BASE, solo unroped climbing) is uninsurable retail.
World Nomads builds its brand on this: 150+ activities standard, 200+ on Explorer. US comprehensive plans invert the model — cheap base, adventure bundle added on demand (Travel Guard, Travelex, Seven Corners).
The numbers that matter: altitude and depth
Trekking cover carries altitude ceilings — commonly 4,500m or 6,000m. Everest Base Camp (5,364m) sits between them, which is exactly why plan tier matters. Scuba carries depth limits (18–40m) and certification requirements: dive within card and limit, or the cover is void.
Winter sports add their own conditions: on-piste standard, off-piste with guide on some plans, heli-ski rarely. Equipment and piste-closure benefits ride along on dedicated winter cover.
Rescue economics
The benefit doing the heavy lifting is evacuation: Nepal helicopter rescues bill $5,000–20,000+, and Himalayan trekking permits increasingly require proof of evacuation cover. Verify the evacuation limit applies to your activity (some plans cover the activity’s medical costs but cap rescue) and whether search — locating you, not just transporting you — is included for remote routes.
Apply this to your actual trip
Run an instant comparison, or tell our consultants the trip — they’ll shortlist plans and confirm live premiums with the insurers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does travel insurance cover scuba diving?
Within depth and certification limits on adventure-inclusive plans (World Nomads standard; add-on bundles elsewhere). Uncertified diving without an instructor, or beyond the stated depth, is excluded everywhere.
Which plan covers Everest Base Camp?
Plans with trekking cover to 6,000m — World Nomads Explorer is the retail standard. Plans capped at 4,500m exclude the trek’s upper days. Kilimanjaro (5,895m) has the same answer.
Is motorbiking abroad covered?
Typically only when licensed for the bike at home, helmeted, and under engine-size caps (often 125–250cc). Unlicensed scooter rental accidents are among the most-denied claims in Southeast Asia.
Keep reading
Premiums shown are indicative estimates compiled from publicly available plan literature and typical market rates — the final premium, terms and issuance are always set by the insurer. Plan benefits, limits and exclusions are summarised for comparison; the policy wording issued by the insurer is the only binding document. Confirm current terms with the insurer or our consultants before purchase.