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World Nomads' U.S. plans are designed by Trip Mate and underwritten by United States Fire Insurance Company, and in October 2026 IMG, a SiriusPoint company, completed its purchase of World Nomads from Australia's nib, with existing policies unchanged. It is a legitimate travel insurance brand. It is a strong fit for backpackers and active travelers, since even the Standard plan covers 250 plus activities and you can buy cover after you've left home. The tradeoffs are secondary (excess) medical coverage, modest cancellation limits on Standard ($2,500) and Explorer ($10,000), no pre-existing condition waiver on Standard and an F rating on a small BBB file with 12 complaints in 3 years.
Your options
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World Nomads This review Backpackers, solo travelers and adventure travelers who want activities like diving, skiing and trekking covered without extra riders.
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Freely Alternative Healthy U.S. travelers who want solid medical and evacuation coverage and like adding ski, adventure or rental car coverage only on the days they need it.
- Owner
- IMG (International Medical Group), a subsidiary of SiriusPoint Ltd.; purchase from nib Group announced February 2026 and completed October 1, 20263
- U.S. underwriter
- United States Fire Insurance Company, Morristown, New Jersey; plans developed and claims administered by Trip Mate, a Generali Global Assistance brand1
- Plans
- Standard, Explorer, Epic and Annual for U.S. residents1
- Emergency medical
- $125,000 Standard, $150,000 Explorer, $250,000 Epic, up to $100,000 per trip on Annual; secondary to your own health insurance1
- Medical evacuation
- $400,000 Standard, $500,000 Explorer, $700,000 Epic, up to $100,000 per trip on Annual1
- Trip cancellation
- $2,500 Standard, $10,000 Explorer, $15,000 Epic, $5,000 per coverage term on Annual1
- Cancel For Any Reason
- Optional on Explorer (50%, up to $5,000) and Epic (75%, up to $11,250); cancel at least 2 days before departure; not sold in New York1
- Price
- Not published; quoted by trip length, destination, plan and travelers. Up to 7 dependents under 25 added free on single-trip plans1
Pros
- 250 plus adventure activities covered even on the Standard plan
- You can buy a plan after you've already left home
- Medical evacuation up to $700,000 on Epic
- Up to 7 dependents under 25 added free on single-trip plans
- Cancel For Any Reason available on Explorer and Epic
Cons
- Medical coverage is secondary to your own health plan
- Cancellation limits of $2,500 and $10,000 on Standard and Explorer are low for costly trips
- No pre-existing condition waiver on Standard
- No published prices
- F rating on a small BBB file
Best for: Backpackers, solo travelers and adventure travelers who want activities like diving, skiing and trekking covered without extra riders.
Skip it if: You're insuring an expensive cruise or tour, need primary medical coverage or want the highest medical limits.
World Nomads vs. competitors
| Company | Emergency medical | Medical evacuation | Trip cancellation | Cancel For Any Reason | Next step |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| World Nomads | $125,000 to $250,000, secondary | $400,000 to $700,000 | $2,500 to $15,000 | Explorer 50% or Epic 75% | Visit site |
| WorldTrips (Atlas Journey) | $50,000 excess to $250,000 primary | $250,000 to $1,000,000 | Up to 100% of insured trip cost | Optional, 50% or 75% | Visit site |
| Allianz OneTrip Prime | $50,000 | $500,000 | Up to $100,000 | Cancel Anytime, 80% | Visit site |
| Faye | Up to $250,000 primary | Up to $500,000 | Up to 100% of trip cost | 75% | Visit site |
Travel insurance we reviewed
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World Nomads This review BestGuide rating: 4.0 out of 5. Set by our editorial team from published factors such as cost, credentials, reputation, customer experience, services and guarantees. Verified partners are scored on our partner verification program and can be listed first; they are always labeled BestGuide Partner. Best for: Backpackers, solo travelers and adventure travelers who want activities like diving, skiing and trekking covered without extra riders. -
Freely BestGuide rating: 4.5 out of 5. Set by our editorial team from published factors such as cost, credentials, reputation, customer experience, services and guarantees. Verified partners are scored on our partner verification program and can be listed first; they are always labeled BestGuide Partner. Best for: Healthy U.S. travelers who want solid medical and evacuation coverage and like adding ski, adventure or rental car coverage only on the days they need it. -
InsureMyTrip BestGuide rating: 4.5 out of 5. Set by our editorial team from published factors such as cost, credentials, reputation, customer experience, services and guarantees. Verified partners are scored on our partner verification program and can be listed first; they are always labeled BestGuide Partner. Best for: Travelers with fixed trip dates and costs who want to compare several insurers' plans with a licensed agent's help. -
WorldTrips BestGuide rating: 4.5 out of 5. Set by our editorial team from published factors such as cost, credentials, reputation, customer experience, services and guarantees. Verified partners are scored on our partner verification program and can be listed first; they are always labeled BestGuide Partner. Best for: U.S. travelers who want strong primary medical and evacuation coverage with trip cancellation, or travelers who need medical-only coverage for long stays abroad. -
Allianz BestGuide rating: 4.3 out of 5. Set by our editorial team from published factors such as cost, credentials, reputation, customer experience, services and guarantees. Verified partners are scored on our partner verification program and can be listed first; they are always labeled BestGuide Partner. Best for: Large U.S. companies and multinationals that need specialty or cross-border coverage placed through a broker. -
Faye BestGuide rating: 4.3 out of 5. Set by our editorial team from published factors such as cost, credentials, reputation, customer experience, services and guarantees. Verified partners are scored on our partner verification program and can be listed first; they are always labeled BestGuide Partner. Best for: U.S. travelers who want primary medical coverage abroad and prefer to handle the whole policy, including claims, in an app. -
Generali BestGuide rating: 3.8 out of 5. Set by our editorial team from published factors such as cost, credentials, reputation, customer experience, services and guarantees. Verified partners are scored on our partner verification program and can be listed first; they are always labeled BestGuide Partner. Best for: US travelers who book a cruise or tour, buy right after their first deposit and want high evacuation limits. -
Seven Corners BestGuide rating: 3.8 out of 5. Set by our editorial team from published factors such as cost, credentials, reputation, customer experience, services and guarantees. Verified partners are scored on our partner verification program and can be listed first; they are always labeled BestGuide Partner. Best for: Travelers outside New York who want Cancel for Any Reason or primary medical coverage on a mid-priced plan.
World Nomads pricing at a glance
World Nomads U.S. plan limits per person, as listed on worldnomads.com October 20261
| Plan | Emergency medical | Evacuation | Trip cancellation | Activities | CFAR option |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard | $125,000 | $400,000 | $2,500 | 250+ | No |
| Explorer | $150,000 | $500,000 | $10,000 | 300+ | 50%, up to $5,000 |
| Epic | $250,000 | $700,000 | $15,000 | 340+ | 75%, up to $11,250 |
| Annual | Up to $100,000 per trip | Up to $100,000 per trip | $5,000 per coverage term | 250+ | No |
Annual limits apply per 14-day trip. Prices are not published; you get a quote online. Medical coverage is secondary, so you must claim from your own health plan first. Limits and availability vary by state.
World Nomads, step by step
Get a quote
Enter your state, destination, dates and travelers online. All travelers on a plan must live in the same U.S. state.
Pick a plan and add-ons
Choose Standard, Explorer, Epic or Annual, and add Cancel For Any Reason on Explorer or Epic if you buy within the time-sensitive window.
Use the free look period
Review the plan documents; you can cancel for a refund during your state's free look period if you haven't started the trip or made a claim.
Get help on the road
For emergencies, call Generali Global Assistance at +1-877-289-0968 or +1-954-334-8143 collect.
File a claim
Report the incident through your World Nomads account within 20 days; claims are handled by Trip Mate, and you'll need receipts, reports and proof other coverage was tried first.
World Nomads legitimacy and licensing
Yes. World Nomads has sold travel insurance since 2002 to travelers in more than 100 countries. For U.S. residents, plans are developed by Trip Mate, a Generali Global Assistance brand, and underwritten by United States Fire Insurance Company of Morristown, New Jersey. Emergency help comes from Generali Global Assistance.
Ownership changed in 2026. Australia’s nib Group agreed in February 2026 to sell World Nomads to IMG (International Medical Group), a subsidiary of SiriusPoint, and IMG announced the deal’s completion on October 1, 2026. World Nomads told customers that policies, terms and service continue unchanged. Its Trustpilot score is 4.2 out of 5 across 6,600 plus reviews, while its BBB file is small: 12 complaints in 3 years and an F grade with no reason given on the profile.
World Nomads cost
World Nomads doesn’t publish prices. Your quote depends on trip length, destinations, the plan you choose and whether you buy for a single traveler, couple or family. Up to 7 dependents under 25 can be added free to single-trip plans. Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR). An optional upgrade that refunds a set percentage of nonrefundable costs if you cancel for any reason. Compare travel insurance costs extra.
As a benchmark, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners says comprehensive travel insurance typically costs 5% to 10% of your trip price. Get quotes for the same dates from at least two other insurers before you buy.
What World Nomads covers
All four U.S. plans include Trip cancellation. Reimburses prepaid, nonrefundable trip costs if you cancel before departure for a reason the policy covers. Compare travel insurance and interruption, emergency medical, evacuation, trip delay, baggage, political and natural disaster evacuation and accidental death coverage. Limits rise from Standard to Explorer to Epic, and Explorer and Epic add missed connection, travel inconvenience, rental car damage and a pre-existing condition waiver if you buy within the time-sensitive window.
Activities are the main draw: Standard covers 250 plus, including scuba diving to 50 meters, skiing within resort boundaries and hiking to 6,000 meters. Explorer adds activities such as backcountry skiing, skydiving and mountaineering to 6,500 meters, and Epic covers 340 plus, up to 8,000 meters and motor racing. Medical coverage is secondary, so you must first claim from your own insurer, and expenses within 100 miles of home aren’t covered.
What customers say about World Nomads
Recurring themes across the review sites and complaint records listed above, not individual quotes.
Common praise
- Easy online quotes and policy selection
- Reasonable prices for long and adventurous trips
- Helpful customer service staff
- Responsive help during medical emergencies abroad
Common complaints
- Hard to confirm whether a specific activity or state rule is covered
- Account and login problems, including missing policies
- Slow answers on the emergency line in some cases
- State-specific exclusions found only in the policy fine print
Claims and complaints
Claims go through your World Nomads account to Trip Mate. Report incidents within 20 days, keep receipts, police reports and medical records, and be ready to show what your primary insurer or airline paid or denied. Reviewers praise the quote process and help during emergencies, while complaints focus on unclear activity or state-specific coverage, account login problems and denials based on exclusions.
- Check the activity list for your plan before you book an excursion.
- Read your state-specific plan document for exclusions.
- Photograph valuables and keep receipts for baggage claims.
Canceling a World Nomads plan
Every U.S. plan has a free look period whose length depends on your state. You can cancel for a refund during it if you haven’t started your trip, made a claim or used any assistance service. Cancel through your account. Cancel For Any Reason is different: it pays 50% (Explorer) or 75% (Epic) of nonrefundable trip costs if you cancel your trip at least 2 days before departure.
Rules that protect you
Travel insurance is regulated by your state insurance department, which licenses insurers and handles complaints. If a claim is denied and an appeal with Trip Mate fails, you can file a complaint with your state regulator; the NAIC lists every state insurance department. In most states, travel retailers aren’t licensed agents, so get coverage questions answered by the plan administrator in writing.
Who should skip World Nomads
If your trip costs more than $15,000 per person, World Nomads’ cancellation limits won’t cover it. Travelers who want primary medical coverage, very high medical limits or a pre-existing condition waiver on a budget plan should compare WorldTrips, Faye or IMG. If you take only domestic trips with no adventure activities, a basic plan from another insurer may cost less.
Alternatives to World Nomads
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Better if you want primary medical coverage, higher evacuation limits or long-stay travel medical plans.
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Better for an expensive trip where cancellation coverage above $15,000 matters more than adventure sports.
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IMGWorld Nomads' new parent sells Patriot travel medical plans with much higher medical limits if you mainly need health coverage abroad.
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Your card's travel benefits
Many travel credit cards include trip delay, cancellation and baggage coverage at no added cost when you pay with the card; check the benefits guide first.
Next steps
World Nomads reviews
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Frequently asked questions
Who owns World Nomads now?
IMG (International Medical Group), a subsidiary of SiriusPoint Ltd. IMG announced it completed the purchase from nib Group on October 1, 2026, and World Nomads says existing policies and service continue unchanged.
Who underwrites World Nomads in the U.S.?
United States Fire Insurance Company underwrites the U.S. plans, which are developed and administered by Trip Mate, a Generali Global Assistance brand.
Can I buy World Nomads insurance after I've left home?
Yes. You can buy online from anywhere. Accidents are covered right away, but other benefits may have a waiting period.
Does World Nomads cover pre-existing conditions?
Pre-existing conditions are excluded unless you buy Explorer or Epic within the time-sensitive period and are medically able to travel when you buy, which qualifies you for the waiver.
Is World Nomads medical coverage primary?
No. World Nomads describes its coverage as secondary, or excess, so you must first try to collect from your own health insurance or the airline and show what they paid or denied.
What activities does World Nomads cover?
Standard covers 250 plus activities, such as scuba diving to 50 meters, skiing in resort boundaries and hiking to 6,000 meters. Explorer covers 300 plus and Epic 340 plus, adding things like skydiving, heli-skiing and high-altitude mountaineering.
How much is World Nomads travel insurance?
Prices aren't published; you get a quote based on trip length, destination, plan and travelers. The NAIC says comprehensive travel insurance typically runs 5% to 10% of the trip cost.
How do I file a World Nomads claim?
Log in to your World Nomads account, which links to Trip Mate's claims portal, and report the incident within 20 days. Upload receipts, medical records and police reports as needed.
Can I get a refund on my World Nomads plan?
Yes, during your state's free look period, if you haven't started the trip, made a claim or used any assistance service. After that, refunds generally aren't available.
Does World Nomads have Cancel For Any Reason coverage?
Yes, as an add-on to Explorer (50% of nonrefundable costs, up to $5,000) and Epic (75%, up to $11,250). You must cancel at least 2 days before departure, and it isn't sold to New York residents.
Sources (9)
Facts on this page come from company websites, government agencies and regulators, checked on the dates shown. Editorial standards
- World Nomads: U.S. travel insurance plans, limits and FAQs (accessed October 13, 2026)
- World Nomads: Sale and timeline (accessed October 13, 2026)
- PR Newswire via VIR: IMG completes acquisition of World Nomads (October 1, 2026) (accessed October 13, 2026)
- Kirkland & Ellis: Kirkland advises SiriusPoint on IMG's acquisition of World Nomads (February 13, 2026) (accessed October 13, 2026)
- Trustpilot: World Nomads reviews (accessed October 13, 2026)
- BBB: World Nomads, Inc. profile (accessed October 13, 2026)
- NAIC: Should I get travel insurance? (accessed October 13, 2026)
- NAIC: State insurance department directory (accessed October 13, 2026)
- World Nomads: About us (accessed October 13, 2026)
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