Yes, there’s coverage for Canadian residents if a natural disaster such as a tornado, flood, cyclone, tsunami, wildfire or earthquake affects your travel plans and/or injures you.
However, you need to have purchased your policy before these forces of mass destruction have become known events. You may be eligible for coverage if:
A natural disaster makes your residence unliveable
You, your spouse’s or your travel companion’s trip accommodations have become unliveable due to a natural disaster
A weather-related travel advisory is issued at your trip destination after you’ve made travel arrangements and purchased your insurance plan
You are unable to complete your planned itinerary because of an extended delay or service interruption caused by a natural disaster.
If you’re affected by a natural disaster and have complied with your plan’s conditions, you may be able to claim for:
Trip cancellation: You must cancel your booking immediately and notify us within 48 hours.
Trip interruption: You can make a claim for pre-paid, non-refundable travel arrangements that you haven’t been able to use, such as flights and other types of transportation, tours and hotels. You must notify us within 24 hours.
Emergency medical: The 24/7 Emergency Assistance team, operated by Travel Guard, can get you to the nearest medical facility so you can get the treatment you need. You’ll also need to call the team before you undergo any treatment. If medically necessary, they can also arrange to transport you home. However, once you’re back in your home province, we won’t be able to cover ongoing medical costs. For more information, read our article on medical treatment abroad.
If you have any questions about how World Nomads travel insurance covers natural disasters, please contact us. We even have an article specifically for hurricanes.
Whether it be trip interruption, cancellation or baggage, you’ll need to inform us of your situation as soon as possible and within the time period your policy specifies. To help you file a claim, we’ve created this step-by-step guide. Be sure to gather the following documentation, as it pertains to your case:
Proof of all non-refundable, prepaid deposits or payments;
Complete unused transportation tickets and vouchers;
Original receipts for any expenses incurred because of the natural disaster;
Original receipts for any new tickets
Invoices and original receipts from travel service providers.
Most of this section can be summed up by the words “don’t do anything crazy.” But specifically, you won’t be covered if:
You’re a storm chaser or put yourself in a storm's path
You don’t follow the advice of the authorities
You hang around the area at risk to watch what happens
You buy a plan after an event becomes known
This is only a summary of coverage and does not include the full terms and conditions of the policy. It is important you read and understand your policy as it contains benefits, conditions, exclusions and pre-existing condition exclusions. If you do not understand your coverage or if you have questions, just ask us.
Following the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, which overwhelmed large parts of Indonesia, World Nomads launched our travel philanthropy program, Footprints, which has gone on to raise over $3.2 million for community projects including disaster risk management in the developing world.
Our responsible travel section has more information on our Footprints program.
We’re here to help if you have a question about travel insurance. We’re available:
Within Canada & continental USA, toll free:
1 877 328 2528
International collect:
+1 416 646 3723
Before your trip, check the latest government advice – for your destination and any travel alerts including important COVID-19 coverage advisory and limitations.