Our verdict
For US residents, World Nomads' Explorer plan lists Martial arts (cage fighting, mixed martial arts, kick boxing, Muay Thai)
as an included activity, with US$150,000 medical and a separate US$500,000 evacuation limit. It suits a US resident on a single trip who trains and wants trip cover too. It is pricey for a month and sparring is not mentioned. For residents of Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the rest of the world, Muay Thai, MMA, kickboxing and cage fighting are on the excluded list: avoid it for combat sports. We have not reviewed the UK version.
What it covers for combat sports
US activity list, under “Included for Explorer Plans”: Martial arts (cage fighting, mixed martial arts, kick boxing, Muay Thai)
. World Nomads' US sports-events page: Professional sports – If you are receiving a salary or compensation in exchange for participation, you will not be covered.
The state-specific plan document, which has the full terms, is only given at quote; we could not read it.
| Activity | Our status | What decides it |
|---|---|---|
| Training | Ask insurer first | Muay Thai is listed for Explorer (not Standard). The plan document for your state has the full terms; read it before you pay. |
| Sparring | Unclear | Not mentioned on the activity list. |
| Amateur fights | Unclear | World Nomads says plans could cover losses resulting from amateur races and sporting events, but martial arts bouts are not mentioned. |
| Paid fights | Not covered | If you are receiving a salary or compensation in exchange for participation, you will not be covered. |
| MMA | Ask insurer first | Listed in the same Explorer entry as Muay Thai. |
Price, limits and excess
Price. US$307.04 for our example traveller: a 30-year-old California resident, single trip to Thailand, 1–30 Dec 2026, from World Nomads' quote form on 28 Oct 2026. It includes default trip cancellation and interruption cover of US$10,000 each. The Standard plan was US$162.69 but does not list Muay Thai; Epic was US$565.60.
Limits. Explorer: US$150,000 emergency medical; US$500,000 medical evacuation and repatriation of remains; US$25,000 political, security and natural disaster evacuation.
Excess. No deductible is shown on the plan page or the quote page. Not stated in the documents we could access.
Pre-existing conditions. Excluded, but Explorer has a pre-existing exclusion waiver if you buy within a time-sensitive window after your first trip payment and are fit to travel.
Other residents. The Australian activity list says: Martial arts (cage fighting, kickboxing, mixed martial arts, Muay Thai) (X)
, meaning excluded on every plan. The rest-of-world list covers martial arts training at Level 2 but excludes cage fighting, mixed martial arts, kickboxing, Muay Thai and competition or bouts
.
Who can buy it
The US plans are for US residents only; everyone on a plan must live in the same state, and state rules apply. The plans are underwritten by United States Fire Insurance Company and administered by Trip Mate. Other countries get different World Nomads policies with different insurers and activity lists: check the version for your country of residence.
Claims in Thailand
- Emergencies: call Generali Global Assistance: +1-954-334-8143 (collect, worldwide) or ops@gga-usa.com.
- Direct billing: not described on the US plan page. Expect to pay clinics yourself, and ask the assistance company to contact the hospital for any admission.
- Secondary cover: the US plan is described as
secondary (or excess) insurance
. You may need to claim from your own health insurance first and show its denial. - How to claim: log in to the World Nomads membership portal, which sends you to the Trip Mate claims portal. Report the incident as soon as possible and no later than 20 days after it happened.
- Documents: medical records, itemised bills and receipts, proof of payment, and any refusal from your primary insurer.
Pros and cons
Pros
- US Explorer names Muay Thai, MMA and kickboxing.
- Separate US$500,000 evacuation limit.
- Full travel cover: cancellation, interruption, baggage.
- Trustpilot 4.2 from 6,678 reviews (27 Oct 2026).
Cons
- Excluded for Australian, NZ, Canadian and rest-of-world residents.
- US$150,000 medical is lower than Genki or Yellow Jersey.
- Sparring and amateur bouts not addressed.
- Secondary to your own health insurance (US plans).
- Full plan document only given at quote.
Sources
All checked on 28 Oct 2026 unless marked. Policies change: read the wording you are sent before you pay.
Compare it with other plans
See how World Nomads ranks against the other plans you can buy from your country, for training, amateur fights or paid fights.
General information, not financial advice.